The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Matia Kasaija has revealed that government won’t bail out any companies as requested by several tycoons in the country, accusing their owners of living luxurious lifestyles.

While appearing before the committee of finance at Parliament on Tuesday, the Minister said that most of the tycoons that are seeking bailout have poor financial discipline.

Kasaija made mention of a one businessman Tom Mugenge who borrowed money but blew it all up.

Mugenga appeared on the list seeking to be bailed out. According to Kasaija, the said tycoon borrowed Shs2billion from a bank but only used Shs1Billion to establish a potato processing factory in Kisoro, and can’t account for the other balance.

Kasaija noted that the factory hasn’t been completed and government intends to take it over since it is a strategic industry.

“If the potato processing factory is to take off, it is one of the liberating industries in Uganda. We found out that market for the products is available in Rwanda, DRC and a new management is being put in place to take over the company until we have recovered our money.”

Kasaija added that all failing companies that Government will find dealing in relevant investments will instead be taken up.

The Minister clarified on the bailout reports making rounds in mainstream media; stressing that government will only work on paying the companies who supplied it with goods and services.

Police have deployed anti-riot personnel at Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court amid fears that lawyers representing complainants in a case of suspected police brutality would be attacked.

Pro-police demonstrators had earlier surrounded lawyer Abdallah Kiwanuka’s car, warning him to “leave Gen Kayihura alone.”

The protesters also carried banners saying instead of prosecuting Kayihura, he should be applauded for enforcing peace and stability in the country.

Security is being reinforced at the court premises

After today’s court session, lawyers walked to the Magistrate’s Chambers for a brief meeting.

The visibly charged pro-police supporters refused to leave the court premises, sparking fears of a possible confrontation with lawyers.

Nicholas Opiyo, who represented the plaintiffs, tweeted: “Barricaded I he Chambers of the Chief Magistrate’s Court of Makindye. Rowdy protesters want to beat up lawyers representing complainants.”

Anti-riot police personnel have been brought to the court amid politically-charged scenes

The police commanders are accused of beating up opposition enthusiasts during city processions.

The case could not take off today due to absence of both parties.

The Director of Public Prosecution was today allowed to file an application to take over prosecution of the case.

Tempers started rising hours before the case in which the Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale Kayihura and his senior commanders were sued for human rights violation started.

A group of unknown people had as early as 5 am besieged the Makindye Chief Magistrates court. These later came to be identified as ordinary citizens loyal to the police chief.

They carried placards and shouted chants in support of Gen. Kayihura whom they said could not be subjected to court since there is a Constitutional court application challenging the same.

The group trooped around the court premises in show of solidarity with the police boss while protesting against the court’s decision to summon him.

Initially, the Chief Magistrate, Richard Mafabi sent a message that court would not sit if the group continued with their activities and they accepted to  withdraw the placards.

Court Kicks Off

The court session kicked off with most the protesters unaware of what was taking place inside as they continued with their chaos outside the court room.

The group made more chaos outside court premises by threatening to clobber the complainants’ lawyers led by Abdala Kiwanuka, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and Nicholas Opio.

“We want to show them,” vowed the group.

Counsel Nicholas Opiyo speaking to policemen ahead of the ‘rescue mission’

The case was later adjourned to August 29, to allow the Director of Public Prosecutions to formally apply to take over proceedings of the matter, for it was criminal in nature.

Meanwhile, the complainants’ lawyers sought refuge inside the Chief Magistrate’s chambers for they could not dare cross the irate pro-Kayihura group who were waiting for them outside court.

Rescue

Meanwhile, plans to rescue the group of lawyers started spearheaded by Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander Frank Mwesigwa and one of Lukwago’s aides, Deogratious Mbabazi .

More police patrol vehicles were seen arriving at the court premises as more anti- riot men swung into action.

Later, it was agreed that they would first evacuate   Abdulla Kiwanuka so he could drive but this attempt was almost foiled as the angry group stormed his vehicle and smashed the windscreens.

It was now crystal clear to police that it was not going to be a picnic evacuating the lawyers.

As the adage, tough moments call for tough measures goes, the KMP commander Mwesigwa, Nicholas Opio and Lukwago’s aide were seen in a ‘crisis’ meeting  trying to figure out the ways they could use to safely evacuate the remaining lawyers.

Anti-riot police deployed heavily at the court

Opio persistently told the police commander it was not safe for them to pass and requested for more protection.

Later, Mwesigwa himself led the operation that saw Opio safely evacuated without the notice of the angry supporters.

It was now Lukwago’s turn to safely move out of the court premises but this was not going to be a sail through like the first attempts.

Lukwago’s supporters who were fewer than the ‘enemy’ insisted they could not allow him move even an inch from the Chief Magistrate’s chambers for it was risky.

It took more than 30 minutes as police tried to convince them that the Lord Mayor was guaranteed security from the men in uniform led by the KMP boss himself.

Nicholas Opiyo,Deogratious Mbabazi (Lukwago aide) and KMP boss Frank Mwesigwa in a crisis meeting.

A ring was then formed by Lukwago’s supporters and Mwesigwa himself led him to a waiting police pickup.

A fierce battle however ensued as Lukwago reached the vehicle. His supporters insisted they could not allow him use the police vehicle whereas the cops also stood their ground that it was safer that way.

In the resultant battle, Lukwago’s suit was torn as both sides battled for supremacy.

It took the intervention of Mwesigwa’s counter terrorism body guard who ‘scared’ away the supporters and Lukwago was forcefully entered into the police pickup.

About 10 policemen then jumped onto the hind of the pickup in a bid to give protection and later another patrol vehicle followed before Lukwago was safely evacuated in what looked a daring mission.

The lawyers who were Tuesday afternoon entrapped at the Makindye Magistrates Court as the courthouse fell under siege from supporters of the Gen Kale Kayihura, have sought intervention of the Chief Justice Bart Katureebe.

The counsels that include Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago were today threatened by dozens of angry supporters of the IGP, who was dragged to court over the police force’s alleged brutality on opposition supporters.

Kayihura was today slated to appear before the Makindye Court but he didn’t. The case was adjourned to allow the government prosecutor (DPP) to take it over.

Counsel Nicholas Opiyo with KMP Commander Frank Mwesigwa at court today (Photo by Michael Ntezza)

Lukwago and other lawyers were today dramatically rescued from the courthouse by police, as the enraged crowd which was protesting the IGP’s prosecution, waited to attack him outside.

One of the lawyers, Abdullah Kiwanuka had his car window smashed by the protesters.

The Lord Mayor revealed today that they had decided to bring the matter to the attention of the Chief Justice. The lawyers also want to involve the Uganda Law Society, a body that unites all lawyers in the country.

Lukwago revealed on social media, “This court siege by hired hoodlums was a well choreographed plot intended to put some of us in harm’s way.

Demonstrators after closing the Magistrate’s chambers

“Even the magistrate, in whose chambers our lawyers and I took refuge, appeared helpless and scared to the marrow.

“The marauding goons unleashed terror in full view and protection of police. We have resolved to write to the Chief Justice and the Uganda Law Society leadership to intervene in this very serious matter.”

Meanwhile, the rowdy protesters who some opposition elements are accusing of begin mercenaries hired by the police, have taken the cause to the next level.

Pictures have emerged on social media of some of the placards which they printed, calling for Gen Kayihura to stand for President in the next (2021) general elections.

Parliament has on Wednesday charged the Minister of Finance to halt the operation of the newly launched MTN Uganda and Commercial Bank of Africa’s MOKash money saving and lending service, citing several irregularities.

The platform was launched yesterday Tuesday in Kampala by the vice president Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi who represented the President.

The matter that created a heated debate on the Parliament floor was raised by Bulamogi County legislator, Kenneth Lubogo who called upon government to explain whether MTN has been turned into a money lending company.

This followed messages received by many MTN subscribers informing them that they could start saving and receiving loans from the Telecom Company.

According to MTN, any customers who want to access these micro loans for their business or for personal reasons can apply for them directly from their mobile phones.

The loans will be issued depending on the customer’s level of use of all MTN’s services, like Voice, Data and Mobile Money.

The customers can then, when needed, access the full loan amount or smaller amounts against this loan limit by using their mobile phones. A customer’s loan limit is also linked to their activity on their MoKash account.

Legislators today however, raised concerns about this innovation, especially regarding how it will be operationalized.

“MTN has got about 9million subscribers and they are lending at 9% per month, if 4Million subscribers borrowed Shs10,000, in one month, MTN would make Shs3.6billion in profits. I need the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of ICT to explain if MTN has become a financial institution?” Lubogo noted.

The Legislator demanded to know how the banking sector is going to be protected, since it risks collapsing because they are lending on a higher interest rate.

Addressing legislators on behalf of Government, the State Minister for Finance, David Bahati noted “MTN has a license through Uganda Communications Commission to provide mobile and it has no license to do banking services.”

He clarified however, “Bank of Uganda as a body that licenses financial institutions has given MTN and Bank of Africa permission to offer services through a product called MOKash were a client can get ability to save through Commercial Bank of Africa.”

Kalungu County West Legislator Joseph Ssewungu Joseph accused the Minister for allowing Bank of Uganda to issue such licenses to Bank of Africa and MTN without consent from Parliament.

“Bank of Uganda is governed by the Financial Institutions Act, but due to the weaknesses in our laws mobile money came into place, and now MTN has jumped on lending money to the citizens at such a high interest rate,” Ssewungu noted.

“Allowing MTN and Bank of Africa to operate with the permission of Bank of Ugandan without the consent of Parliament would be going against the laws of our country. We should not allow Ugandans to be cheated by MTN through this illegal financial setting.”

Minister David Bahati noted however that the concerns raised by the members are a little bit suspicious and require a clear legal framework promising to address the issue and return to the house with a clear statement.

Bahati however called upon members to allow government time and to refrain from dismissing the initiative since it is due to inevitable technological changes.

“We are working with legal framework to embrace the inevitable changes in technology to have financial inclusion and increase domestic savings; we are not going to avoid the inevitable changes in financial sector.”

2017 Afcon Group D qualifiers
Uganda vs Comoros
4th September 2016
Venue: MNS, Namboole
Fee: VVIP- 150K, VIP- 60K and Ordinary -25k

African football body, CAF has released the schedule and list of referees to take charge in the penultimate Afcon 2017 qualifiers.

Senegalese officials led by centre referee Malang Diedhiou will be in charge of Uganda Cranes must win clash against Comoros.

Diedhiou will be assisted by compatriots Djibril Camara and El Hadji Malick Samba as the first and second assistants respectively.

Ugandan trio of Referees: Brian Miiro Nsubuga, Mark Ssonko and Hussein Bugembe are scheduled to fly Hawass International Stadium to take care of the Ethiopia versus Seychelles dead rubber. Algeria already qualified in group J while The Walias come second with eight points, five behind the north Africans.

Group D
In their communications, CAF have revealed that the decider between Uganda and Comoros will take place on Sunday 4th September and not 3rd as earlier reported by the federation.

The game will kick off at 8:30pm an hour behind the other group D clash between Burkina Faso and Botswana in Ouagadougou

Both Burkina Faso Stallions and Cranes stand in ten points in the group though the west Africans enjoy a better head to head advantage.

However, the two teams can go through with Victories in the final day. In this case Uganda will qualify through one of the two slots reserved for the best runners up.

The Aruu South County Member of Parliament has called for strong measures to be put in place to restrict President Yoweri Museveni from making pledges when the budget has already been passed by Parliament.

Otto who in 9th Parliament led the documentation of thousands of unfulfilled presidential pledges, told the house’s committee on Budget on Wednesday that it is not only wrong for the pledges to be made parallel to what is contained in the planned annual revenues and expenditures but also causes unnecessary anxiety.

The Executive Director to National Planning Authority Dr. Joseph Muwala had told the same Committee that his institution’s activities are constrained by unfulfilled pledges made by the president.

According Otto, every time President Museveni visits any area he faces locals with numerous expectations and he always promises to meet all of them when in reality it is difficult.

“Every time the president goes to a village, parish, sub county, constituency or district the electorate asks him for different things which sometimes cannot be met because of the limited and fixed
budget,” Otto said.

The Aruu South County legislator now wants leaders at all levels to be given a copy of the annual budget of the president to avoid asking for what has not been provided for.

“They should be availed with information on what is entailed in the budget and the strategic plan and anyone who asks the president for something that is not listed should be arrested.”

Otto said it was wrong for those who handle the allocation of resources and implementation of development programs to deviate from the approved budgets and instead prioritize non scrutinized instructions from the President.

The chairperson of the committee Henry Musasizi concurred with Otto saying that the unbudgeted pledges make the president end up promising hot air to the people.

However the minister of state for Planning, David Bahati contested the claims stating that the president is always on point but the line ministries that are supposed to implement the pledges are the ones who
let the Fountain of Honor down.

“It is not correct that the President is always promising air. He makes strategic and aforethought pledges. The line ministries are responsible to implement them,” Bahati said.

In 2013 the Parliament’s Government Assurance Committee under the leadership of Otto collected and published over 5000 pledges allegedly made and unfulfilled by the president Museveni in the last 10
years.

The FUFA super league chairman Mr. Arinaitwe Rugyendo has confirmed that the first son Maj Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba will be the guest of honor at the Uganda Premier League awards ceremony.

“#SFC Commander, Maj. Gen @mkainerugaba, will preside over the @UPL Awards at K’la Serena tomorrow. Lets support UG football,” Mr. Rugyendo tweeted.

Initially the organizers had invited the first lady Mrs. Janet Museveni.

The event will be held on Friday August 12th at the Kampala Serena hotel from 6pm.

The Awards.

The UPL secretariat unveiled a new Subaru Imprezza S/10, other items like flat screens and smart phones to be awarded to the winners from the awards.

KCCA FC’s Joseph Ochaya, Robert Ssentongo and Erisa Sekisambu are the three nominees for the most valuable player.

Others include best a coach of the season, best goalkeeping trainers, players in different fields and journalists.

Opposition Democratic Party (DP) members have Thursday morning learnt with shock about the demise of the Party’s National Treasurer, Issa Kikungwe’s wife who passed on last night.

Kikungwe, who was the opposition party’s flag bearer for the 2016 Kampala Lord Mayor elections lost his wife Hajati Zainah Nalule on Wednesday night, shortly upon arrival at Rubaga Hospital. She was reportedly battling heart disease.

“Hajati has had hypertension for some time. Her situation worsened last night and was rushed to the hospital where she died on arrival,” a party leader told Chimpreports at the DP offices in Kampala today.

“The doctors informed us that it was a little too late and they couldn’t do much to save her life, May her soul rest in peace,” he added.

It had been revealed that recently, Nalule underwent a major operation due to fibroids which was successful but ever since her life hasn’t been that stable. She has left 6 children.

Nalule will be put to rest at the husband’s ancestral home in Nabbingo, Bataka zone in Wakiso District at 4PM today Thursday.

The Ugandan army UPDF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) are out of the regional force that is going to be deployed in their fragile neighbor South Sudan.

The unexpected development was revealed by the Uganda’s Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Katumba Wamala while interfacing the Parliamentary Committee on Defense and Internal Affairs on Thursday afternoon.

Gen. Katumba without giving reasons told Members of Parliament that Uganda and Sudan have decided to “excuse” themselves from the urgent deployment that was called for by the IGAD Heads of Summit in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa last week.

The 27th African Union assembly in Kigali, Rwanda late last month resolved that Uganda, Sudan, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Kenya should contribute a regional force to South Sudan which slid back to internal violence in July.

The follow up IGAD summit that was attended by both Presidents Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Omar al-Bashir concurred with the AU resolution and the army chiefs of the 5 countries were also asked to immediately convene to discuss modalities of the deployment. ChimpReports now understands that it was during the meeting of the regional army that Uganda and Sudan decided to get out of the mission.

Kampala is said to be in support of the mainstream SPLA under President Salva Kiir while Khartoum is believed to be supporting the armed opposition under Dr. Riek Machar. ”

“The UPDF and SAF are not going to deploy in South Sudan. We had a meeting and decided among ourselves not to deploy but the rest of the countries can go ahead,” Gen. Katumba said.

It now means only Ethiopia, Kenya and Rwanda are going to send the troupes to the world’s youngest nation.

Katumba however added that both Uganda and Sudan are going to be readily available in case called upon and the regional force is free to use facilities like airports in the two countries.

The Uganda Police through its legal team have broken silence on the absence of the Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale Kayihura from the case contrary to the court criminal summons.

Addressing journalists on Thursday afternoon, the Director in charge of Human Rights and Legal  Services Erasmus Twaruhukwa insisted the police boss has never  received court summons to that effect, adding that there is no way he could have  violated a court order had it been issued.

“He has not been served with criminal summons or any other summons requiring his attendance in court as alleged by the lawyers pursing the private prosecution. I am challenging those claiming to have served him to prove it,” Twaruhukwa told a news conference on Thursday in Kampala.

The procedure for service of the summons is clear that they must be received by the person summoned and should acknowledge it. He (Gen.Kayihura) asked me to check his office, home and my officers whether the summons had been received but it was not true.”

Twaruhukwa stressed there was no reason for the police boss denying receipt of the criminal summons asking the lawyers to prove service of the court summons.

Tasked to explain why it was him speaking on behalf of the police boss yet he(Twaruhukwa) was only a lawyer for the police force, he said they  were seeing a lot of misinformation against the office of the Inspector General of Police that they could not allow to continue.

“We can’t keep quiet and let confusion go on. We have a duty to explain to the people what is going on. He is still meeting the Algerian police delegation but I am sure soon he will come out to address it,” Twaruhukwa said it.

He stressed it was unfair and not tenable for the criminal justice system to expect a person to respond to summons he has not been served.

“The public should know the IGP has not snubbed any court process but is a law abiding citizen of this country who upholds the rule of law.”

Justice and constitutional affairs minister Maj. Gen Kahinda Otafiire has committed to initiate an inquiry into the demonstrations by what are said to be supporters of the Inspector General of Police, Gen Edward Kale Kayihura on Wednesday.

The identifiable ringleaders of the protest against the trial of the IGP in the court, Minister Otafiire says, should be arrested and punished.

Maj. Gen Otafiire, — a junior in the army ranking to Gen Kayihura — said yesterday that an attack on any court premises, regardless of who is behind it is against the law and must not be tolerated.

“Court premises are sacred. They must be protected by every law abiding citizen. There is no justification of a demonstration of any kind at court premises,” stressed the Minister.

While appearing on a political talk show in NBS Television last night, Gen Otafiire proceeded to fault the police officers who only stood in watch as the angry supporters of the IGP cut off the magistrates court, closed the magistrates chambers, blocked roads leading to the court while physically assaulting lawyers and other people with whom they disagreed.

He said, “Hooliganism and riotous behavior is under control of no body. That is why I would enjoy for the police to protect the court premises from this behavior.”

Otafiire, being the minister in charge of the judiciary, resisted rushing into early conclusions and asked to be allowed time to launch an official complaint to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which is responsible for police and police conduct, so that the police officers who refused to take action can be pointed out and cautioned.

Speaking on why the IGP skipped the court session to which he had been summoned to answer to alleged police brutality against opposition supporters, Gen Otafiire said it would be “unfortunate” if Kayihura deliberately did so.

He said however that it was too early to make conclusions.

“Sometimes people take things a bit too far,” he remarked. “When gen Kayihura is summoned to court, he is under obligation to answer court summons: there is no excuse about that.”

Yesterday, the Director in charge of Human Rights and Legal Services Erasmus Twaruhukwa told reporters that the IGP did not show up at the court because he was not in fact served with the summons.

“He has not been served with criminal summons or any other summons requiring his attendance in court as alleged by the lawyers pursing the private prosecution. I am challenging those claiming to have served him to prove it,” Twaruhukwa told a news conference on Thursday in Kampala.

Gen Otafiire said this was possible.

“There is a possibility that Gen Kayihura was not served. Being a lawyer, and the Kayihura that I know, I doubt he would snub a court Summons. If he did it would be very unfortunate.”

Speaking at the same television show, Opposition Democratic Party President Norbert Mao was concerned that police not only ignored the rioters at the Makindye court, but also issued them permission to do so.

“Why would police authorize this to happen?” he wondered. “In any case it is the IGP’s office that makes these authorizations. And now being that he was the person in question, he should have declared conflict of interest.”

Former Ethics and Integrity Minister Miria Matembe also questioned why police gave green light to an illegal demonstration at court premises, yet when other opposition, women and human rights groups seek such permission for better causes, they are denied.

The UPDF Chief of Doctrines, Maj. Gen. Pecos Kutesa is under intense pressure for “carelessly” making a statement on the floor of Parliament concerning the 1980s stealing of cattle from North and Eastern Uganda.

The bush war veteran got in trouble on Thursday during the debate on the official response of the Leader of Opposition in Parliament to President Yoweri Museveni’s State of the Nation Address.

Erute South County Member of Parliament, Jonathan Odur had commented on the floor that the President has never answered to the people of Lango, Teso, Acholi and Karamoja who lost their cows in the late 1980s.

A seemingly keyed-up Gen. Kutesa jumped to the next microphone to give information to the legislator whom he felt was ignorant about the events of the 1980’s. Mr. Odur gave the opportunity to the war old-timer to school the house on what transpired 3 decades ago.

Kutesa who commanded various National Resistance Army offensive and defensive missions told Parliament that he was in Teso and indeed saw the ransacking of the sub region by the non-NRA combatants.

“I had gone to Teso with a plane for a different mission. I saw the people who took cows but they were not our soldiers,” Gen. Kutesa said.

Kutesa’s remark triggered angry reactions from the MPs from the north and east who rushed to ut aside the diplomacy and handle the military officer who is also an MP representing the army.

The first legislator to face Gen. Kutesa was Dokolo North’s Felix OkotOgong who said the former was an irresponsible officer since he saw acts of criminality taking place and he didn’t act.

“It is very absurd that an army officer and senior one can see wrongs being committed and he just decided to look on,” Okot said.

According to Okot it was the responsibility of the government to protect the citizens and their property and Kutesa’s inaction was unfortunate.

Okot asked the Speaker to make sure Kutesa is handled at another level and indeed it was decided.

Kadaga immediately ordered the Committee of Defense and Internal Affairs to investigate Gen Kutesa based on his statement.

“The Defense and Internal Affairs Committee of Parliament should take the matter up and report to the house,” the Speaker ordered.

The Agago woman MP, AkelloFranka told the house that she is ready to offer herself as witness in the Committee sitting to investigate the matter.

When contacted on phone on Friday morning, Defense and Internal Affairs Committee Chairperson, Judith Nabakoba told ChimpReports that they are ready to start the work on Kutesa next week.

MPs have prosecution immunity while within the precincts of Parliament but the Committee can recommend to the Speaker for action to be taken against any member including suspension.

The meeting of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) leaders on Thursday with the Parliamentary Presidential Affairs Committee failed to yield results after the Authority’s heads opted to throwing insults at each other.

The KCCA leaders were summoned by Parliament last month to give an explanation on issues surrounding the ownership and operation Usafi Market.

Trouble started when the committee chaired by Hon Fred Mwesigye tasked the KCCA leaders to explain the issues pertaining the disagreements in Usafi Market and other issues raised by the legislators.

Kampala Minister Beti Kamya began by informing the committee  that even though Lukwago is the political head in Kampala city, his input in the KCCA Policy Statement that she was to present was not captured since he dodged all the meetings that she had set.

The Minister then proceeded to present a report on the latest developments in Usafi market, although Aruu County South MP, Odonga Otto protested discussing the matter, saying it would be interfering with powers of the judiciary.

Otto noted; “I think it is prudent to seek for the opinion of the Speaker because Usafi Market is a serious matter and I don’t know if it’s prudent to proceed against our rules of procedure. The deliberations we have here may greatly affect what is in court.”

Fred Mwesigye, the Chairperson of the Presidential Affairs Committee asked Kamya to set aside the Usafi matter and ordered her to address other issues.

It was at that point that Lukwago told the committee that he was not ready to indulge in any other matters since the letter he received on August 4th 2016 was specific that the matter to be discussed was only Usafi Market and not other KCCA matters.

Kamya fired back accusing Lukwago of trying to run away from discussing other matters in the policy statement saying: “The case was filed after we had been furnished with an invitation letter. It was overtaken by events.”

Lukwago insisted and implored MPs to treat the matter of Usafi with urgency saying there were pertinent issues regarding the market like the Shs.20.5Billion balance the land owner is demanding.

Mwesigye warned Lukwago against lamenting on issues of accountability, saying there were other Accountability Committees in Parliament that he would pour out all his grievances.

Lukwago was not done; he accused the MPs of being unfair to him saying he came prepared to only speak on matters concerning Usafi market not any other matter in KCCA.

Makindye East MP, Allan Ssewanyana quickly jumped to the defense of Lukwago arguing: “It would be unfair to the political head if you had been invited for a specific issue and then get into other discussions. I think it is fair to allow him present his matter.”

This irritated committee chairman Mwesigye who ordered Lukwago to leave parliament if he wasn’t prepared to discuss matters relating to the Authority’s policy statement.

Lukwago hastily collected his pile of books and files to leave the house but some legislators pleaded with him to stay.

MP Kasibante rebuked Mwesigye for ambushing and later sending away Lukwago without first listening to his side of the story.

Meanwhile Minister Kamya chipped in protesting Lukwago’s arguments that he wasn’t prepared; “The first letter was sent on July 27th 2016 demanding us to appear August 4th 2016 and it was signed by Susan Amero, the Vice Chairperson of this Committee. That letter was copied to Lord Mayor. The letter demanded KCCA to present its policy statement of Financial Year 2016/17 and concrete plans put in place to drive Uganda to middle income status,” Kamya revealed.

The Kampala Minister told off Lukwago not to have the meeting postponed under pretext that he isn’t prepared and said the Lord Mayor shouldn’t base his excuse on the letter that came last.

She even informed Parliament that Lukwago had appeared on local radio stations swearing never to go to Kamya’s office for a meeting.

Lukwago labeled the KCCA Policy Statement being presented by Kamya on Thursday as an illegal document because he hadn’t endorsed it.

He said: “Right now if we are to go to these matters casually, I am answerable to councilors. This is where I find it irregular to present something not coming from the Authority. The KCCA Act dictates that the Policy statement has to be brought before councilors and we debate and agree and that can’t be done unless and until there is a statement. Where has she got it from?”

The Lord Mayor promised to present strategies, once they have been adopted by all councilors. He wondered where Kamya derived from the mandate to present the Policy statement that hadn’t been endorsed by the Authority.

Kamya couldn’t take more from Lukwago and told him that the she has general powers to present Policy statement. But Lukwago told her off that her duty is to guide KCCA not to take over business in Kampala.

With tempers flying high in the house, Mwesigye adjourned the meeting to a later date advising the authority to put their house to order as soon as possible.

The Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Jamson Karemani has Friday issued criminal summons to former CPS DPC Aaron Baguma to answer to charges relating to the murder of Kampala businesswoman Donah  Katushabe .

This followed a request by the Resident State Attorney Jonathan Mugwanya to amend the charge sheet in a bid to include Baguma on the file; before asking the chief magistrate to devise means to ensure he appears on the next court session.

In response, Karemani adjourned the case to August 18 and stressed that on this date, Baguma should appear in court.

“You are hereby commanded by the Uganda Government to appear in this court on 18th day of August 2016 or soon thereafter as case can be heard,” read part of the criminal summons signed by the Buganda Road court Chief Magistrate dated August 12^th.

Early this week, the office of the DPP clarified that the murder case involving Baguma was moving according to plan adding they were not in a hurry to prosecute him.

“This is not an isolated case but such happens usually when we summon people we don’t know to be produced to court and it is what we go through every day,” the Deputy DPP  Elem Ogwal told a news conference in Kampala.

He revealed, “We have written to police to prepare a charge sheet for Baguma to be brought to court. We will give them a time frame and if they don’t act, the State Attorney will present the charge sheet himself to the Magistrate who will then issue a criminal summon to have him arrested.”

Baguma is charged together with 7 others including Pine Car Bond proprietor Muhammad Ssebuwufu.

Police in Mbarara has in its custody a 21 year old man alleged to have defiled a 12 year pupil of his.

The suspect has been named as Wycliffe Otunga, a student teacher at Mother Care Parent’s school in Nyabikungu cell, Rugando sub-county, Mbarara district.

Otunga, who is also a student of Kakoba Institute Rutagarama in Mbarara town was arrested on Wednesday for defiling a 12 year pupil.

According to the parent of the victim Nicolas Namanya, the suspect defiled the girl on Sunday evening when she had gone for coaching and after he escorted her back home.

However the girl started crying after the teacher left her with parents and when she was asked, she told the parents of what had befallen her.

The parents immediately alerted Rugando police and Ontuga was arrested.

The OC-CID Mbarara Taban Chiriga confirmed the arrest saying that Wycliffe will be taken to court and charged with aggravated defilement which attracts death sentence.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

KCCA FC best player Joseph Ochaya was named the most valuable player in the Uganda premier league 2015/16 season at a colorful ceremony held at the Serena hotel in Kampala on Friday.

The awards were graced by the first son Maj. Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

The left footed versatile defender beat strong opposition from league top scorers Robert Ssentongo and Erisa Sekisambu to the gong.

Maj Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba hands the award Joseph Ochaya

“I was sure of winning it because I believe I was the best,” Ochaya said.

Towards the victory, Ochaya had scored seven goals to guide his club KCCA FC to league glory.

The MVP drove home a new Subaru Imprezza S/10 vehicle and a decoder from the official league sponsor Azam TV.

In the other categories, Musa Walangarira from Jinja Municipal Hippos beat all odds to claim the league best defender ahead of Halid Lwaliwa and Joseph Ochaya.

Ochaya beat strong opposition from league top scorers Robert Ssentongo and Erisa Sekisambu to the gong.

KCCA FC’S Muzamir Mutyaba claimed the beat midfielder gong, Halid Lwaliwa the best upcoming player, Kenneth Magada (Sadolin) was the best goalkeeping coach together with his trainee Mathias Muwanga who received the golden glove in absentia.

The champions KCCA FC received a dummy cheque of UGX 7million as prize money.

Several sports medfullersonalities were also awarded in the print, online, Radio and Television.

“I thank the Uganda premier league for recognizing the best talents,” Gen. Muhoozi remarked

Awards 
MVP – Joseph Ochaya
Topscorer- Erisa Sekisambu
Best goalkeeper- Mathias Muwanga
Best defender- Musa Walangarira
Best Midfielder- Muzamir Mutyaba
Upcoming player- Halid Lwaliwa
Lifetime achiever- Hajji Abaas Kawaasi
Longest serving player- Someone Masaba
Best coach – Mike Mutebi
Best goalkeeper coach- Magada Kenneth
Fans player- Musa Esenu

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As Uganda joins the world to mark the International Youth Day, The Youth Coalition for Change have advised government to work towards subsidizing the different initiatives and business ventures started by the youths in the country.

The day in the country was celebrated under the theme: “The road to 2030; Eradicating poverty and achieving sustainable production and consumption” at St. Charles Lwanga College in Koboko District to be précised over by the President.

According to a statement of the State Minister for Youth and Children, Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi, the theme is focused towards the government commitment to sustainable development goals and more specifically to end poverty in all its forms.

It aims at promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all as well as ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns.

The Youth activists led by their national coordinator, Augustine Ojobile remarked that the goal set by the Minister in her statement highlighting ending of poverty and promotion of an all inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all in a middle income status by 203; was unattainable given the current status of the youth countrywide.

He said, “The Youth currently have no jobs and many have resorted to sports betting and prostitution; just here at William street in Kampala, there are over 7 sports betting companies and over 10 lodges that harbor prostitutes,” Ojobile noted.

The Youths called upon government to rise and provide support to youth owned businesses and initiatives

“The ever increasing rent which is now paid in dollars, fuel charges and high electricity bills are making it hard for the youth to establish successful businesses,” noted Robert Mayanja the group spokesperson.