Judge of the High Court, His Lordship Justice David Batema has challenged the judiciary to review the way in which cases of domestic violence are handled including constraining the Minister of Justice from interfering in court cases.

He argues that numerous domestic violence cases have been delayed pending approval of ‘politicians’ which violates both the constitution and denies individuals justice.

“Persons with mental illness are legally entitled to an impartial and expeditious resolution of their cases and appropriate psychological assistance. Dumping them in prison for years without resolution of their cases is cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment contrary to article 24 of our Constitution,” said Justice Batema during a recent dialogue on gender based violence held at Hotel Africana.

He cited a case involving Uganda Vs Eric Bushoborozi in which he (Bushoborozi) was convicted by Justice Rugadya Atwoki in 2002 for killing his child and cutting off his head.

Court would later discover that the accused was insane and therefore returned a special finding of Not guilty by virtue of section 48 (1) of the Trial on Indictment Act (T.I.A).

Bushoborozi was then remanded to prison in December 2006 pending the Minister’s orders as to where he should be taken for mental treatment or otherwise be dealt with.

For over three years, the Minister of Justice didn’t approve the discharge of Bushoborozi.

“It is unjustified for the Minister to fail to issue a discharge order for a prisoner who was acquitted of charges of murder by reason of his or her insanity and more so where, after treatment, he is declared to be no longer insane,” added a rather disgruntled Justice Batema.

In his view, the High Court possesses inherent powers to prevent the abuse of court processes by curtailing such delays. He said the provisions of the law that gave the Minister such powers can safely and constitutionally be construed to be the powers of court under articles 126 and 274 of the Constitution.

“Any court waiting for the Minister’s orders is giving away the independence of the Judiciary and is in one way or another accepting to be ordered around by the Minister who, as experience has shown, is too busy to issue the orders.”

On the other hand, the Justice also faulted his fellow adjudicators for lacking the will to investigate and prosecute incidents where women and children are battered inhumanely.

He observed that the majority of the judges and magistrates are ignorant about sexual and gender based violence which results into inconsistency in standards when trying perpetrators.

Jinja Municipal Council and Kirinya Jinja SS FC have played out to a barren draw in a pulsating derby at the Kakindu stadium in Jinja.

Both sides were charged from the onset with the fans creating a euphoric atmosphere typical of the billing behind the game.

Kirinya rolled the ball through John Wakalaita and Otim who was fouled down just on his second touch.

The students attacking trio of Wakalaita, Otim and Bamukyaye made the hosts’ defense the busiest in the opening minutes and went close to unlocking the game just after five minutes.

Kirinya Jinja SS lineup

Otim had set up Magumba down the right side but Massa was quick enough to prevent the pacey winger from drifting to the box.

Bamukyaye curled the resultant freekick singling out Otim at the near post but his flip was just unfortunate to kiss the outside of the pole with the whole defence beaten.

JMC initiated a quick counter through Bageya. The right back quickly interchanged with Kato snaking through to Mugabi but his first time shot was punched out by Ikara.

JMC Lineup

The game remained active and physical with the stands buzzing from both sets of fans who had filled up the stadium to capacity

Kirinya had another near chance in the 78th from Ikara’s long clearance that landed on Otim, pushed it over for Madondo to pace into the danger zone. His last shot hit the post and back into play but three different attempts failed to cross the line causing a goal melee.

The last five minutes of the game saw a more physical midfield battle characterized with several medical stoppages. Both sides were relieved after the last draw.

Kirinya have now accumulated two draws while JMC picked their first point of the game.

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces  through the Attorney General has filed an application in which they appeal against the retirement of the former coordinator of intelligence organs and spymaster Gen. David Sejusa early this year.

High court judge Magaret Oumo Oguli ordered government to compensate Gen Sejusa a whooping Shs 750million for failure by the UPDF Commissions Board to retire him willingly .

In his application to the Court of Appeal dated August 22,2016,the Attorney General contends that it was wrong for the High Court to accept Sejusa’s application for a judicial review in relation to his retirement which he says was out of the time prescribed by law.

“The learned justice of the High Court erred in law when she found that the application was amenable to the judicial review process regardless of the fact that there is not decision in existence,” reads part of the Memorandum of Appeal by the Attorney General on behalf of the UPDF.

According to the Attorney General, it was wrong for the High Court to declare that Gen. Sejusa was entitled to retirement from the army on top of being issued with discharge certificate which the government lawyer says is not the practice of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces in relation to retirement of such officers.

In her ruling, Justice Oguli said that decision to withdraw army uniforms, guns, guards and failure to deploy Sejusa on top of denying him salary meant that he had automatically been discharged and retired from the UPDF.

“She erred in law and in fact she found that the respondent (Sejusa) ceased being an officer of the UPDF since he was entitled to an official communication from the UPDF 90 days after he applied to retire. These actions were in breach of the 1995 Constitution and he was therefore entitled to his salary arrears, emoluments and benefits.”

The Attorney General says in the his appeal memorandum that it was wrong for the High Court judge to order the Chief of Defence Forces never to assign, deploy, transfer or control Gen.Sejusa as an active officer of the UPDF.

He says that for the judge to declare the General Court Martial as having no jurisdiction in prosecuting Sejusa was wrong because he is still a serving military officer.

On the 20% interest on arrears on salary ,emoluments, retirement benefits and pension contributions, the government lawyers insist it was wrong for the High Court to order UPDF pay Gen.Sejusa.

Mulago Hospital Executive Director (ED), Dr. Byaruhanga Baterana has appealed to the Parliamentary Committee on Health to rethink influencing the budget allocation to the country’s biggest referral hospital if it’s to meet the public expectation.

The ED was interfacing with the committee during a formal tour at Kawempe Hospital which is currently running as Mulago referral Hospital directorate of Obstetrics and gynaecology.

Byaruhanga noted that among the challenges Mulago Hospital is facing, is the inadequate budgetary allocation by the Ministry of Health and relevant authorities.

“The limited personnel is part of the game in the Health sector where health centres lack the required human resource for effective service delivery; I don’t have all the human resource that I require but I use the available human resource to do the work,” Byaruhanga responded to the queries over understaffing at the Kawempe facility.

Parliamentary committee on Health meeting Kawempe Hospital staff

On the inadequacy of drug supply, the ED noted, “Mulago Hospital receives medicine from the National Medical Store and what they give us is what we use, we are supposed to get what we call essential medicines.”

The ED noted that in most cases, due to the limited budget, the hospital has always opted to purchase medication that is hard to be accessed by patients.

“We always prioritize expensive medicines which are hard to be accessed by patients like the cesarean section Mama yellow kits which cost around Sh300, 000.”

“In nut shell, the budget we have is not enough and for Mulago to function as a super specialized hospital, we need Sh100bn for buying drugs and handisandries.”

Kawempe Hospital staff pose with Parliamentary committee on Health for a group photo

Byaruhanga noted that the hospital has for several years been receiving a fixed budget of Sh12.6bn which can’t satisfy the needs of a hospital that is accessed by everyone who requires specialized services.

On the extortion on money from patients, the ED noted that, “I can’t deny that patients are not asked for money neither can I confirm, I can only say that we need to work together to eliminate this vice.”

“The health monitoring unit has been on the fore front of fighting this and as Mulago Hospital we are also on the fore front, help us tell the patients to report anybody that has asked them for money without giving them a receipt, those are thieves, masqueraders who must be fought using the strongest force that is possible.”

“If I get any of them since they are criminals, they will be handled by police and if they are health workers, I will interdict them and subject them to Courts of law and hand them over to the monitoring unit to deal with them.”

“When we always get them, we hand them over to the monitoring unit in the meantime as they are produced in Court, we interdict them and when they lose the case we subject them to the Health Service Commission which dismisses them in the public interest.”

Kabale Chief Magistrate’s Court has sentenced a 24-year-old student at Bishop Bahram University College to two years in prison over sodomy, Chimp Corps report.

Prosecution told court presided over by Magistrate Moses Samuel Kagoda Ntende that Felestino Tihaboose on March 9, 2016 while at Kabale University sodomised his colleague Milton Tumwesigye.

Court heard that Tihaboose who had gone to visit Tumwesigye at Kabale University ended up sodomising the latter as both shared a room.

Tumwesigye reportedly made an alarm which woke up neighbors to his rescue.

“At around midnight Tihaboose emerged from the corner of the room and started practicing sex in Tumwesigye anus,” alleged the state.

Upon arrest, Tihaboose pleaded guilty before being remanded to Ndorwa government prison.

While delivering his judgment, Kagoda said sodomy carries a life sentence but considering the fact that the accused pleaded guilty, never wasted court’s time and being a student, he would serve two years in jail.

The magistrate said the sentence would serve as a lesson to others and enable him reform so as to resume studies.

Uganda vs. Comoros
Sun 4th September 2016
5PM
Namboole stadium

Uganda cranes provisional squad of 32 players to prepare for the final task for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Comoros has been named.

Coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic released his final arsenal for the huge and important task to the country at a press conference on Wednesday morning at the Fufa headquarters in Mengo.

Yeovil Town newly signed defender Bevis Mugabi has been summoned for the first time. The defender recently switched from Southampton U-21 to the league one side.

Mugabi is expected to fill the void left since dependable Dennis Iguma has been suspended for the game for accumulating cautions.

Vietnam based Geoffrey Baba Kizito is also making a return to the national team. He plays for Than Quang Ninh VIETNAM. Other returnees include Emmanuel Okwi and Lives striker Yunus Ssentamu.

SC villa new boy Vital is Tabu will also have a short at the senior Cranes team for the first time. Onduparaka duo Toha Rashid and Shabaan Mohammed are in and both likely to feature against Kenya.

St. George goalie Robert Odonkara is the only notable miss from the previous squad and has been replaced by El Merreikh keeper Jamal Salim.

Vipers’ Ismail Watenga and Benjamin Ochan (KCCA FC) have also been included in the team.

Uganda will face Kenya on Tuesday 30th in an international build up friendly before facing Comoros in the do or die clash on Sunday 4th.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Denis Onyango, Salim Jamal, Benjamin Ochan, Ismael Watenga

Defenders: Nicholas Wadada, Nsubuga Joseph, Bevis Mugabi, Hassan Waswa, Murushid Jukko, Isaac Isinde, Awany Timothy, Toha Rashid, Halid Lwalirwa, Joseph Ochaya, Walusimbi Geoffrey,

Midfielders: Aucho Khalid, Tonny Mawejje, Kizito Baba, Moses Oloya, Kezironi Kizito, Ivan Ntege, Kizito Luwagga, Kayizzi Vincent, Tabu Vitalis,

Strikers: Geoffrey Massa, Miya Farouk, Yunus Sentamu, Emmanuel Okwi, Serunkuma Geoffrey, Edris Lubega, Sekisambu Erisa, Shaban Muhammed.

2017 African cup of Nations qualifiers
Group D
Sunday 4th September 2016
Mandela National Stadium 5pm
Uganda vs Comoros

Goalkeeper Robert Ondogkara has been left out of the Uganda cranes squad that will play against Comoros in the crucial final Group D game of the 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The lanky goalkeeper who plies his trade with Ethiopian league champions St.George was not named in the 32-man squad that Cranes head coach Milutin “Micho” Sredejovic named on Wednesday at FUFA headquarters in Mengo, Kampala during the Fufa Weekly press conference.

The 26 year old who has been a deputy to Dennis Onyango since his national team debut in 2010 has been replaced by two locally based goalkeepers.

“He (Odongkara) decided to have holidays refusing to go to Nakasongola, Masaka and train with Vipers. This put him out of the squad not me,” Coach Micho told ChimpSport.

He has summoned four goalkeepers including Ismael Watenga from Vipers, Benjamin Ochan from KCCA, Salim Omar Jamal from Sudanese outfit El Merrickh and Dennis Masinde Onyango from Mamelodi Sundowns.

Ondogkara played an integral part as St.George won the Ethiopian league for the fourth consecutive season and was also crowned the best goalkeeper.

The cranes will play against Comoros in a crunch tie and a win for Uganda will see them qualify for the African cup of Nations for the first time since 1978.

At least eight people suspected of belonging to a racket of Immigration and Passport fraudsters have been arrested.

The suspects have been fleecing people in Kampala city by handing them fake immigration documents, according to the Internal Affairs Ministry.

The Ministry’s Legal and Inspections department picked the suspects from Nkrumah Road in Kampala on Wednesday following a tip-off from their surveillance contacts.

Shamavu Chirimwami, 24, a Congolese national; Musa Lukwata, 57, Fred Lule Lukwata, 57, Alice Solome Birimuye Mugerwa, 45, James Kizito, 49 and  Christopher Kambere, 63, are expected to face court on charges of forgery and obtaining money by false pretence.

Other suspects facing similar charges are Justine Kasante Twinobusigye, 57, and Ibrahim Lokwa Bombeni .

Some of the fraudsters belonged to one family

“They were found in possession of several foreign passports, immigration facility stamps, passport forms, filled and empty bank receipts and verification stamps,” said the Ministry’s head of Inspection and Investigations, Simon Mundeyi at a press conference in Kampala.

He warned the public especially foreigners and investors against being manipulated by crooks while seeking immigration documents.

“Accessing immigration facilities has been made easier by introducing online services. More staff have been recruited to handle all cases,” said Mundeyi.

‘’We will continue to investigate and get more fraudsters. They should all stand warned that once we get them they face the courts of laws and that way we shall get rid of this  problem.”

Cranes coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has named a provisional squad for the upcoming 2017 AFCON qualifier against Comoros.

The squad comprises 32 players shared equally between the foreign and local base. However, it’s quite predictable to know who will feature in the final squad going by Micho’s previous comments on the last game. Only that the formation is always unpredictable.

Right Back Dennis Iguma has been suspended for the Comoros game for accumulating yellow cards. His position is likely to be filled by a new face summoned on Wednesday.

Bevis Mugabi.
Mugabi was born May 1st 1995 in the United Kingdom to Ugandan born parents Tony Mugabi and Mary Nabulya.

His roots are traced back to  Konge Makindye Division in Kampala Central, father’s ancestral home.

The 21- year old last visited Uganda in 2013 while he was on holiday.

“Every player’s dream is to play for his country. I am really humbled for the callup and I look forward to the task,” Mugabi told Chimp Sport from his base in UK.

Mugabi started his football career at a tender age with the Fulham academy before moving to Southampton Under 18 in July 1st 2011 at the age of 16.

He was later promoted to the Under-21 side in July 2013. Mugabi made nine appearances last season for the Saints before crossing over to Yeovil town FC early August on a free transfer.

The versatile defender has so far appeared five times in the last 15 days at the league two club starting with a 2-0 win away to Walsall in the league cup, 1-1 draw against Luton, 1-0 loss to Mansfield & Morecambe as well as Tuesday’s 4-0 defeat at Everton’s Goodison Park.

The Cranes are expected to group later next week before an international Friendly against Kenya on Tuesday 30th and then the penultimate clash with Comoros.

Col. Felix Kulayigye has been suspended as the Uganda People’s Defence Forces Chief Political Commissar, ChimpReports can authoritatively report.

Last month, Col.Kulayigye was in the spotlight for allegedly kidnapping employees of a private company and ransacking its premises after a gold transaction went bad, leading to loss of huge sums of money.

According to the UPDF spokesperson, Lt. Col Paddy Ankunda, Col.Kulayigye has been suspended from the army’s Chief Political Commissar office pending investigations into the gold deal.

“He has been suspended from the office of the Chief Political Commissar pending further inquiries about his conduct,”Ankunda said in a tweet.

He added, “Col Kulayigye remains in parliament as UPDF representative despite the suspension.”

ChimpReports understands that Kulayigye allegedly kidnaped employees  of  Matrich Holdings Limited, a firm that  deals in minerals,  putting them under detention after  a deal involving a business lady  identified as Brenda Murungi  went bad.

The scandal unfolded in June after Murungi, Kulayigye’s niece visited the offices of Matrich Holdings, owned by a one Kamugisha, in Ntinda, to test gold that she was interested in buying from a Congolese businessman and was paid 200 US Dollars (671,600 Shillings) for testing the two kilograms of Gold.

Murungi, according to reports, later stated that the gold, estimated at 60,000 US Dollars  had been stolen at the premises, leading to the arrest of the four  employees of Matrich and put under police detention.

They have however since been released by Buganda Road Court.

Parliament has Wednesday blocked the motion by Nakifuma County Member of Parliament (MP), Robert Kafeero Ssekitoleko seeking leave of the house to introduce a private member’s bill.

ChimpReports has been running a series on the amendments set for tabling which seek to among others amend the age limit of some civil servants.

The move to block Ssekitoleko from presenting the motion was spearheaded by the Budadiri West MP, Nathan Nandala Mafabi who raised a procedural matter due to absence of circulated copies of the said motion.

Ssekitoleko was surprised to learn that despite availing a copy of the motion to the Clerk of Parliament a week ago, there were no copies distributed to the members in the house.

“For records Mr. Speaker, I submitted a copy of the motion to the clerk, I request to be given time to cross check with the clerk and be allowed to present the motion,” Ssekitoleko requested.

Ssekitoleko was allowed time to later avail copies to the members in the house but he was still blocked from proceeding through raising several procedural concerns.

Mukono Municipality legislator, Betty Nambooze Bakireke was the first to request the Deputy Speaker, Jacob Oulanya who was presiding over the house to defer the matter to a later date since most of the members had already left the house.

Mafabi added that it would be fit since the motion seeks for constitutional amendments to first issue a public notice calling upon all Ugandans with several amendments to be brought on board before Parliament takes a lead on the matter.

Hon. Nandala Mafabi speaking to journalists at Parliament on Wednesday

But Sekileko declined to take on Nandala’s word saying; “The motion isn’t on record of Parliament. I pray that I put the motion on record the members be allowed to debate it tomorrow.”

Oulanyah came to Sekitoleko’s defence asking Legislators to receive the motion and later differ it to the next day saying; “Let him present the motion there is no harm.”

Nandala however, was not yet finished with his defiance, “I know very well you are a very good lawyer and you are one that believes in constitutionalism. Wouldn’t it be better that we put public on notice that we want to amend and anybody who has views brings it to Parliament. This constitution was made to stay.”

Oulanyah rejected Nandala’s pleas asking MPs to table the motion and Parliament would decide on whether to give Sekitoleko’s motion permission to present his bill or not.

“The procedural point you are making is nothing. Right now, there is nothing you can talk about because we don’t have the motion. We can’t use this to block right of members to express yourself,” Oulanyah said.

But attempts by Deputy Speaker to calm down the Opposition MPs hit a dead end with Nandala reminding him of how former MP, Lulume Bayega had expressed intentions to table the transitional motion in the 9th Parliament but  wasn’t even allowed to present it.

“I have institutional memory, MP Lulume was blocked from presenting the transitional motion. I would like you to continue. We are all interested in amending the constitution, the issue was debated in the 9th Parliament. We plead to have a very good judgment. Sekitoleko is good at engineering motions,” Nandala said.

Oulanyah chipped in requesting MPs to allow Sekitoleko to present his motion saying it is his right to present a motion as prescribed in Parliament rules.

Masaka Municipality MP, Mathias Mpugga added a voice to those opposing the tabling of the motion saying the matter had been handled by the 9th Parliament and that all Sekitoleko was doing was to congest the order paper.

He explained: “I am of the view that no member would have risen to move parliament in circles, was debated less than 6months and rejected. This motion was brought simply to congest the order paper. He should have been guided. The Minister of Justice promised Parliament to come back with comprehensive reforms, this member has no right to short circuit the motion.”

Oulanyah still insisted saying the MPs had started debating a motion that isn’t before Parliament saying the views being expressed are for blocking a member from presenting the bill and aren’t needed at the moment.

Minister Chris Baryomosi stood up saying that although he isn’t in support of the motion, the MPs have to listen to the motion.

Ntugamo Municipality MP Gerard Karuhanga also joined the bandwagon warning Sekitoleko against hijacking the responsibilities given to the Commission that was set up to carry out constitutional reforms saying he was even surprised to see the subject on the order paper.

Oulanyah couldn’t take more of the arguments and ruled to have the motion both presented and tabled before the house on Thursday.

Uganda Cranes Midfielder Khalid Aucho has joined newly promoted Premier Soccer League club Baroka FC on a three-year undisclosed deal.

Aucho sealed the contract this Wednesday in the presence of his Kenyan agent George Bwana and other club officials.

He joins fellow compatriot and Cranes skipper Geoffrey Massa who switched from Bloemfontein Celtics last month in search of more playtime.

He had earlier been linked to a move to Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers but later on landed an unsuccessful trial at Aberdeen Fc.

Kenyan champions Gormahia deregistered his name from the Kenya premier league list and replaced with another Ugandan Meddie Kagere.

The 23 year-old started his football career in 2009 at Jinja Municipal Hippos before moving to Water FC a year later for a season spell.

He then switched over to Bombo and later crossed the border to Tusker FC in Kenya where he played one season and then to Gormahia.

About Baroka

Baroka FC is a newly promoted topflight team from Ga-Mphahlele near Polokwane, Limpopo in South Africa.

Nicknamed Bakgaga, the club was founded on 30 December 2007 and host their home games at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.

There seems to be no control about the rate at which Our Saviour are losing games of late.

They are yet to win a game since the start of the second round.

It was not different on Wednesday night as UCU Canons condemned the Kikoni based side to a fourth straight loss, defeating them 53-35 in a game played at the YMCA outdoor court.

After losses to Falcons, Power and Sharing Youth, Our Saviour aimed at seeking redemption against the Canons but instead there dismal performance ensured they lost the fourth game in a row.

Steve Wundi  scored a game high 16 points and Akora Nicholas added 10 points as Nick Natuhereza coached Canons eased past a struggling Our Saviour.

With Yves Kalambayi missing out of action, only Sylvan Yunzu managed points in double figures scoring 10 points while Martin Kelly did not register any.

Canons took the first quarter 16-7 before Our Saviour claimed the second quarter 16-14. But the Mukono based side had an easy game after the first half scoring more 23 points while Our Saviour were limited to just 12 points.

The result means UCU won their 11th game of the season and sit 4th on the table on 25 points while Our Saviour remain seventh on 20 points standing at 7-7.

In the women’s game played defending champions UCU Cardinals defeated KIU rangers 66-57 to cement their lead at the summit.

Action resumes on Friday at Lugogo indoor stadium with Pemba Warriors taking on UCU Canons while A1 challenge will play against KCCA Leopards.

As tension between Rwanda and Burundi simmer, the United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, has expressed his concern at inflammatory statements by public officials in Bujumbura that could constitute incitement to violence including, most recently, by a senior official of the ruling CNDD-FDD political party.

In a statement on 16 August 2016 that was published on the CNDD-FDD website, Pascal Nyabenda, who was at the time President of the CNDD-FDD party and President of the National Assembly, suggested that the genocide in Rwanda was a fabrication of the international community, (“montages genocidaires contre le Gouvernement dit Hutu de Kigali”) that was used to remove the Hutu government that was in place at the time.

“This irresponsible statement could be interpreted as genocide denial”, Mr. Dieng warned, “and has the potential to inflame ethnic tensions, both within Burundi and outside its borders”.

Burundi continues to grapple with a deadly internal conflict that has left hundreds dead and many more displaced to refugee camps in neighboring countries.

Rwanda believes Burundi government continues to target ethnic Tusti army officers and civilians in the great purge aimed at consolidating President Pierre Nkurunziza’s hold onto power.

At the 20 August meeting of the party, a new head of the CNDD-FDD was appointed but Mr Nyabenda continues in his role as President of the National Assembly.

United Nations said the situation in Burundi continues to be marred by instability and reports of serious human rights violations, including allegations of extra-judicial killings, disappearances, torture, and arbitrary detention of members of the opposition, civil society and those suspected of opposing the Government.

Human rights defenders and journalists are among the hundreds of thousands of people who have fled the country since April 2015.

In its concluding observations, issued on 11 August 2016 following a special report submitted at the request of the United Nations Committee Against Torture (CAT), the Committee’s international experts expressed deep concern over the hundreds of reports of torture received and called for investigations into all cases of killings, enforced disappearances and other violence motivated by the ethnic origin of the victim.

The Committee urged the Burundian Government to “refrain from making any public statements that could exacerbate ethnic tensions or incite violence or hatred and to ensure that public and law enforcement officials do not accept or tolerate such acts by other groups.”

Special Adviser Dieng also raised concern that the youth wing of the CNDD-FDD party, known as the Imbonerakure, continues to be associated with human rights abuses and is reported to have threatened ethnic violence.

He noted that the Minister of the Interior of Burundi had confirmed that the Imbonerakure formed part of the national security strategy, as the CAT also pointed out in its concluding observations.

Special Adviser Dieng reminded the Government of Burundi of “its obligation to protect its populations, regardless of their ethnicity or political affiliation, and to refrain from any action or discourse that could inflame ethnic tensions.”

He highlighted the importance of countering such messages with alternative speech to foster unity rather than further entrench divisions, and called on all parties to prioritize inclusive dialogue to bring about an end to the protracted crisis.

Mbarara Police are searching for a 26-year-old man alleged to have killed his wife this Monday in a case of domestic violence.

Mark Anthony, a resident of Rubindi B Cell in Mbarara district is said to have fought with his wife Kellen Katushabe, 26, at their residence during which the woman was strangled.

Police rushed to the crime scene where Katushabe’s body was found lifeless. Anthony escaped before police’s arrival.

Mbarara’s chief police detective, Taban Chiriga said the woman’s body was taken to Mbarara Referral Hospital for postmortem while Anthony is on the run.

He said investigations into the brutal murder are already underway.

“Our records indicate that 15 people have been killed in cases of domestic violence in Mbarara in the last four months,” said Taban.

He appealed the relevant authorities to sensitise the public on amicable resolution of domestic conflicts.

The case was registered at Mbarara police station under CRB 239/2016.

Parliament has Thursday been urged to approve the establishment of a dedicated forum for the girl child to address issues that affect the girls in the country.

The call was made during a press conference by Women Members of Parliament and a delegation of civil society members, led by White Ribbon Alliance and Wakisa Ministries.

The Bukwo District Woman Member of Parliament, Evelyne Chemutai noted that the establishment and approval of the Parliamentary Forum on the girl child will give an opportunity for MPs to share, discuss and have a strong united voice for teenage girls especially on issues of their education, sexual and reproductive health and rights and adolescent pregnancy.

Chemutai said that there is need to extract the problem of child or early pregnancies from the pool of issues that affect the youth in general and instead give it a spotlight.

According to the Uganda Demographic Health Survey (UDHS 2011), teenage pregnancy causes the death or disability of thousands of young girls and newborns every year; Uganda’s teenage pregnancy rate stands at 24 percent. More than 300, 000 teenagers who get pregnant account for unwanted pregnancies, which end up in unintended births or abortion.

One of the teen mothers who are being assisted by Wakisa Ministries

“We are reminding members of Parliament, government and stakeholders that yes, we have had several initiatives aimed at elevating the women in society and we are continuing to fight female genital mutilation; the women emancipation drive got the women from kitchen to the boardrooms but there is need to address the issue of adolescent pregnancies,” Chemutai observed.

She added that once the problem of teenage pregnancy is not addressed urgently, the strides so far made in positioning women at the front will start regressing.

“We are also adding our voice to that of the citizens, calling upon the Prime Minister to exercise his powers to coordinate the line Ministries of Health, Education and Sports, Gender Labour and Social Development to develop a multi-sectoral plan to address teenage pregnancy.”

The Communications Officer White Ribbon Alliance Uganda Robina Biteyi noted that “reducing teenage pregnancy will increase Uganda’s chances of cutting maternal mortality by 70 percent by 2030.”

“The country’s economic productivity will potentially go up hence harnessing the demographic dividend and achieving Uganda’s Vision 2040,” she added.

North Kigezi Diocesan Treasurer, Reverend Canon Benon Magezi, has been elected 5th Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese in Rukungiri, replacing Rt. Rev. Patrick Tugume-Tusingwire.

Rev. Patrick Tugume-Tusingwire, who is retiring next year, has been serving as Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese since 2010 after succeeding Rt. Rev. Dr Edward Muhima.

Reverend Canon Magezi was elected during the House of Bishops of the Church Provisional Assembly sitting on Wednesday at Uganda Christian University Mukono.

The diocese’s synod had sent in two names of Rev. Polycarp Katwesigye, the Archdeacon of Bugangari and Reverend Canon Benon Magezi as Bishop nominees.

The Diocesan Secretary Rev. Canon Godfrey Tugume welcomed Magezi’s election, saying the clergy is ready to work with him for the development of the Christian faith.

“We have worked with him for many years and have faith in his ability to take the Diocese to greater heights,” Rev Tugume told ChimpReports on Thursday.

Canon Sabiti Mahirane, the head of laity North Kigezi Diocese, said Christians have cause to celebrate as the new Bishop is a man of integrity who managed the ministry’s funds with professionalism.

His consecration and enthronement will take place at St. Emmanuel Cathedral, Kinyasano, and Rukungiri on the January 8, 2017.

Who is Rev. Canon Magezi?

Canon Magezi grew up in a Christian home and attended church regularly with his family.

During a Mission Sunday at Magezi’s local church in 1981, he received Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior and was born again.

The following year he left teaching and began full-time ministry as a parish youth worker.

Canon Magezi was ordained a deacon in December 1991 and later on in 1992 as a priest after obtaining a Certificate and Diploma in Theology from Bishop Barham Theological College in 1990 and 1998, respectively.

He also holds Bachelors in Divinity from the Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology at Uganda Christian University, Mukono, which he got in 2009.

Following President Uhuru Kenyatta’s directive to expedite exportation of Kenya’s first oil, Tullow Oil Company has confirmed that it will start oil exportation in June 2017.

Briefing President Kenyatta at State House on Wednesday Tullow Oil Chief Operating Officer Paul McDade said his company has made good progress on the Early Oil Pilot Scheme and will be ready to start oil exportation in June 2017.

The oil will be transported by road from Lokichar in Turkana County to Mombasa where it will be exported.

He said initially 2,000 barrels will be produced per day, adding that Tullow Oil is committed to aggressive exploration that will see at least eight more wells drilled in South Lokichar basin to scale up production.

“Tullow remains confident that the South Lokichar basin has the potential to see resources grow from the current 750 million barrels to around one billion of oil,” Mr. McDade said.

In relation to the full development of the oil resources, Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter said the development of the Lokichar to Lamu crude oil pipeline is still on course.

He said the Government and its upstream partners, Tullow Oil, African Oil and Maersk Companies, have concluded a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) for the development of the pipeline.

President Kenyatta emphasized the need to move with speed in the implementation of the pipeline project.

“We have started and we are not moving back. We want to be at the top of the pile. So, we have set a path and Kenya is going to be a major oil producer and exporter,” President Kenyatta said.

The meeting was also attended by Energy Principal Secretary Andrew Kamau, Tullow Oil Vice-President East Africa Gary Thompson, Tullow Kenya Chairman Ike Duker and Country Manager Martin Mbogo.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Emmanuel K Gasana has reminded public transport companies to always inspect their vehicles as a way of mitigating road accidents.

The Police Chief made the call on August 24 during a meeting that brought together owners and representatives of public transport companies held at the Rwanda National Police (RNP) General Headquarters in Kacyiru.

This followed a presentation by George Rumanzi, Commissioner for Traffic and Road Safety Department on the road status and accidents involving public transporters in the past 14 months.

According to the report running between July 2015 and August 2016, at least 245 accidents involved public transport vehicles; killing 91 people while 408 others sustained injuries.

“These accidents were caused by reckless driving, wrong maneuvers, violation of right of way, speeding, use of cellphones while driving and wrong overtaking among others,” said CP Rumanzi.

The meeting was attended by the Vice Mayor of the City of Kigali in charge of Economic Development, Perfait Busabizwa, the head of transport in RURA, Asaba Katabarwa and senior RNP officers.

“Rwanda is developing very fast, meaning there is a high demand for public transport services. Many foreigners visit Rwanda on businesses trips, international events and tourism; as companies charged offering transportation services to these people, you should ensure you do it in a professional and safer manner,” IGP Gasana said.

He challenged them to set company mission, vision and values as means of coping with Rwanda’s rapid development.

“Strategic planning and effective administration will boost business and mitigate road accidents,” he observed.

The Police Chief went on to urge them to lay strategies to ensure road safety and management of their vehicles and drivers.

The Vice Mayor Busabizwa said: “Rwanda’s main resource is its people; that’s why we should collectively ensure we protect Rwandans from any harm however minor is perceived.”

He observed that some drivers abuse drugs, which can as well be the source of fatal accidents.

Training

The chairperson of Rwanda Federation of Transport Cooperatives (RFTC) Colonel (rtd) Ludovic Twahirwa recommended that a special school be established particularly for bus drivers.

“We should as well not hire any driver without a recommendation from their former employees since it has been observed that a driver is sometimes terminated from one company over reckless and the next day he is hired by another company which doesn’t solve the problem that we want to address,” said Twahirwa.

The issue of installation of speed governors was also discussed and emphasized and parties recommitted to fast-track the process as one way of preventing accidents caused by over speeding.

Also discussed were measures to deal with unprofessional conduct and indiscipline of drivers and improving the standard and quality of driving schools.

RURA also promised to start issuing vocational cards within a month, to responsible and disciplined public transport drivers recommended for safety driving.

A total of four Ugandan Members of Parliament are reported to have been robbed of their property in South Africa during their official trip.

The information was revealed by the Deputy Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah while presiding over the house during his communication to the members on Thursday.

“We have learnt that some Ugandan legislators were robbed by unknown robbers during their foreign tour in South Africa,” he noted.

Oulanyah said that, “These were robbed of their property, money and some lost even their passports, the police there, is now involved and our Embassy in South Africa has just called about 30 minutes ago. The Minister of State for Internal Affairs who is Nairobi has also been informed and are all aware of the situation.”

ChimpReports has learnt that the affected were all members of the Agricultural Committee who had gone to South Africa for official duties.

These include; Hon. Migade Robert of Buvuma county, Alumu Santa Okwang of Oyam district, Gonahasa Francis of Kabweri County and Esiagu Kenneth from Soroti county and two staff members, Ms. Jackline Mutekanga and Ms. Florence Acheng

“The occurrence of this incidence should make us learn some lessons that we must always take time to put to notice our embassies wherever we are going so they are aware that we are in that country, so that it can be easy for them to coordinate and be on standby if anything happens.”

Oulanyah has advised members to always be in areas where security is basically guaranteed by the State there.

“In this case they were picked by the officials of a particular farm that had invited them and were taken to the hotel but on arriving they were attacked.”

“We thank God that nothing really terrible happened to them physically but certainly they have lost property and some lost huge amounts of money; no incidence of injuries has been recorded but psychologically they are not doing well.”