In a new turn of events, the brutality case filed in Makindye Magistrates Court against the Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale Kayihura and 7 of his senior commanders has been withdrawn, Chimpreports has learnt.

A group of youths had taken to the magistrates court filing a private criminal prosecution against the police boss and his commanders for beating supporters who were following opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye at Kalerwe after being released on bail last month.

However, according to a letter this website has seen, 3 of the complainants including Joseph Kaddu, Andrew Ssebitosi and Rogers Ddiba have written to the Makindye Chief Magistrate Richard Mafabi withdrawing the case after expressing lack of interest in continuing with it.

“As complainants in the above mentioned case, we wish to state that we have unconditionally withdrawn our complaint against Kale Kayihura .We are doing this unconditionally without being forced but as a result of our convicts that the case has no merit, ”reads part of the letter dated August 25, 2016 signed by the duo , copied to Namugali and Walyemera advocates ; Lukwago and Company advocates.

“We request that you do not proceed with the case and it is in the interest of justice that you accordingly follow up on the necessary procedures following the development.”

Early this month, the group told a news conference that they had never been beaten by police but had rather been given money in a bid to pin the police boss and his senior commanders in the brutality case.

“We were approached by a group of lawyers so we could fabricate evidence pinning police but in the actual sense, we were not beaten. We had pressure behind us after being promised Shs5 million each after the case,”Ssebitosi told journalists at Makerere Guest House recently.

He added,” We realized it would look awkward if we went ahead to pin the police officers on something they did not do.”

The Director of Public Prosecutions was recently allowed to take over the private criminal prosecution after agreeing with the complainants’ lawyers.

The case was supposed to come for hearing at the Makindye Magistrates court next week.

The East African Legislative Assembly session in Arusha, Tanzania has passed a critical report on poaching in the region, rallying Partner States to reform wildlife laws and put in place initiatives that promote upkeep of communities that neighbor the wildlife conservancy areas.

The Oversight report on poaching presented to the House by the Chair of the Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources Committee, Hon Christophe Bazivamo, further urges Partner States to develop/improve wildlife conservation strategies and protection measures through patrols, joint cross border operations, surveillance and information sharing.

With it, the Assembly says Partner States should and can provide part of the revenue collected from wildlife tourism to the communities living around the National Parks to promote conservation.

President Uhuru Kenyatta recently presided over the burning of tonnes of elephant tusks and rhino horns to protest poaching, which is pushing several iconic species to the brink of extinction.

Speaking at the ivory burning event, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta stated that by killing elephants the continent risked losing its heritage in addition to destroying the highly beneficial tourism industry which has faced numerous threats in the recent past.

“No one has any business trading in ivory, for this trade means death of our elephants and death of our national heritage. In destroying the ivory, we reject once and for all, those who think our natural heritage can be sold for money” he said.

“Ivory is worthless unless it is on a living elephant,” he added.

He urged all stakeholders to become custodians of the planet and its wildlife.

Parks

EALA MPs recently visited the Serengeti National Park and the Mwaloni Kirumba fish market in Mwanza, Tanzania as well as the Nairobi National Park.

The Serengeti National Park is dubbed as one of the park’s with the greatest concentration of game in the region and famed for over two million wildebeest, half a million Thomson’s gazelles and a quarter of a million, zebras.

The Committee observed that mining settlements are interfering with the migration path of some animals and mechanized agriculture has taken over where wildebeests would historically breed their calves.

This has caused a loss of habitat for many species in the Serengeti. At the same time, Hon Bazivamo informed the House that non-authorized people enter into Serengeti National Park for poaching, hunting, cutting trees/firewood, grazing, fishing, cultivation and mining. Persons also traverse the parks collecting grass, medicine, honey, water and seeking refuge.

In Kenya, the Assembly was informed that proliferation of small arms and light weapons created an avenue for wildlife poaching.

Other documented challenges include inadequate man power (rangers), skills, equipment and transport as well as human settlement around key rhino and elephants’ areas.

During debate, Hon Martin Ngoga said Police in Rwanda recently intercepted ivory cargo transiting through the country and said further deficiencies in legislation on matters of poaching need to be effectively handled.

“We have to look into the shortcomings on legislations with a view to coming up with regional piece of legislation or strengthening those of Partner States,” the legislator said.

Hon Ngoga remarked that there was abundance of political will in resolving the poaching impasse but said such capacities need to be strengthened.

Chaos marred Fort Portal municipality council meeting as the Principal Treasurer Karamagi Simon accused of financial misappropriation stormed out threatening to stone the sergeant at arms and councilors who had escorted him to ease himself.

On Monday this week, the speaker Gilbert Kayondo adjourned council after Karamagi who was wanted to explain the alleged misappropriation of local revenue millions of shillings failed to appear. Council gave him up to August 26 to present the financial statement on local revenue.

On Thursday, during a council meeting Joseph Rugamba a councilor representing the elderly tasked Karamagi to explain queries of revenue and expenditure for the period July 1 2015 to June 30 2016.

Eunice Abomugisha the chairperson finance committee asked the treasurer to explain why finance reports indicated 100% revenue collection yet in his reports, the treasurer only indicated 56% leaving the 44% unexplained.

Reports allege that close to Ugshs 80 million in local revenue has gone missing.

Asked why he dodges the finance committee meeting, Karamagi said; “I attended all the meetings from the start to the end”.

He however astonished the council when councilors further interrogated him on the financial queries and the previous resolutions of financial committee responding that he didn’t know the chairperson of the committee.

The statement angered the mayor His Worship Rev. Willy Kintu Muhanga who remarked; “I’m not ready to work with corrupt officials. Such officials with no ethical code of conduct and misusing people money should leave”.

Muhanga wondered how the treasurer denies knowledge of the finance chairperson and yet he received the invitation in addition to alleging earlier that he attended meetings to the end.

It’s at this point that a cornered Karamagi, decided to storm out of council after failing to answer to the financial queries.

Drama ensued when the speaker Kayondo Gilbert ordered the sergeant at arms to block him but the treasurer attempted to stone them. He picked stones from the court yard and started tossing them over councilors that had followed to arrest him.

The Speaker would later adjourn council for 20 minutes for sanity to return. Councilors including Joseph Ndamira, Joseph Rugamba and Mayor Kintu Willy Muhanga strongly condemned Karamagi’s conduct and recommended that he should be taken for medical examination to ascertain if he is insane.

Furthermore, the council resolved that the password for IPPS financial system be withdrawn from Karamagi before the Mayor ordered him to leave the municipality following his incompetence and misconduct.

During his campaigns, Rev. Muhanga vowed to fight corruption in Fort Portal Municipality so that the people can get better services but some technocrats have taken advantage of his quiet resolve to squander municipality resources.

The Chairman Electoral Commission (E.C) Eng. Dr. Badru Kiggundu has expressed reservations over a proposal by political parties under the Interparty Platform for Dialogue (IPOD) seeking to have equal representation on the country’s electoral body.

In the proposals in the electoral reforms that were tabled before Parliament last year and recently re-echoed by the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Spokesperson, Ibrahim Semujju Nganda, opposition parties want a more inclusive EC with fair representation of political parties.

In his address to the media on August 15, Semujju advised President Museveni against ignoring the proposals by the Interparty Platform for Dialogue (IPOD) which included; increasing the number of Commissioners of the EC from 7 to 9 who should then serve a seven year nonrenewable term.

IPOD also proposed that the Judicial Service Commission should appoint a select committee which would then identify suitable candidates to constitute the EC after which the President would appoint from those selected. This is similar to the way Judges are appointed.

In addition, the political platform suggested that the process of appointment be more transparent and that representatives from political parties, civil society, professional bodies and the public take part in nominating appointees to head the commission. They also demanded that the names of the nominated candidates be published.

While appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs on Thursday, the EC Chairperson Eng. Kiggundu told journalists that once approved, such a proposal will create a lot of problems in decision making within one of the country’s biggest democratic institution.

“If you bring representatives of each political party to manage elections, you are creating a mini-parliament because there will be discussion on every decision to be taken just like you see the debating for Parliament,” Kiggundu said.

“Decision making by consensus can be foiled up because members have duo masters on taking a decision. They will first need to consult amongst themselves which currently isn’t the case. Here, I only consult my boss,” he added.

He proceeded to tell the Committee; “For the last fourteen years, I have not heard of anyone walking out of a meeting that he’s going to consult so and so. That will be problematic. However, I don’t stand in the way if the legal system embraces it.”

Kiggudu’s term of office along with his Vice and current electoral Commissioners ends in November this year with the exception of only one Commissioner and the Secretary Sam Rwakojo whose tenure ended earlier.

Ugandan forward Farouk Miya will have a  chance to play against some of the top teams  in Europe after his club, Standard Liege was drawn in group G if the 2016/17 Europa League.

Miya  will be among the few Ugandans that have played in the second prestigious club tournament in Europe .Some of the Ugandans that have previous graced the Europa league include David Obua at Hearts FC in  Scotland, Ibrahim Ssekagya at Redbull Salzburg in Australia and  Martin Kayongo Mutumba at AIK Stockholm, Sweden among others.

In the draws that were held in Monaco, France on Friday, Standard Liege will face Dutch outfit Ajax Amsterdam, Greek side Panathiniakos and Spanish club Celta Vigo.

Miya who was included in the Reds 2016/17 squad joined the Belgian side in January first on a loan deal before signing  a three year deal worth $400,000 in May this year.

The sharp shooter earned his début at Standard Liege on 13th March 2016 in a 0-4 loss to KV Mechelen coming on as a second half substitute for Darwin Andreda. He scored his first goal at Standard Liege against Mouscoron Peruwelz.

Farouk Miya will feature for Standard Liege in the 2016/17 Europa league

The Uganda U18 women’s basketball team has been drawn against day defending champions Mali in Group B of the FIBA Africa U18 women’s championship that tips off on Friday in Cairo,Egypt.

The Junior Gazelles who confirmed participation on the eve of the start of the tournament will face 4 other teams in group B including defending champions Mali.

The other teams that will play against Uganda  are Mozambique, Cote D’Ivoire and North African giants Tunisia.

After Zimbabwe pulling out of the tournament, group A will have four teams including hosts Egypt. The other teams in group A are Algeria, Madagascar and Angola.

The preliminary phase of the tournament will be played in a round robin format with the top four teams in each group will qualify for the quarter finals. The finalists will represent Africa at the FIBA  U19 world championship in Turin,Italy next year.

The Junior gazelles team will constitute of only seven players with the other five players who were summoned having engagements with their respective schools at the East African secondary school games in Eldoret,Kenya.

Mali who are record champions (5 times) defeated Egypt 70-60 to win the previous edition in 2014.

Junior gazelles team;

Patience Akankunda
Melissa Akullo
Joan Namatovu
Hajjara Najjuko

Aliya Naluyima
Rita Salafina Dulisira
Brenda Edith Ayere
Coach: Martin Kelly
Leader of delegation: Grace Kwizera

The Junior gazelles will play in group B against defending champions Mali.

The Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga has highlighted the key roles played by the legislators in influencing the shape of a country’s financial and development agenda through legislation and influencing policy.

The Speaker made these remarks while addressing  delegates from various African Parliaments at the opening of the 47th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CWP) Africa Region Conference taking place in Balaclava, Mauritius from 22nd to 27th August 2016 under the theme “Africa for Sustainable Goals: the Role of Parliaments.”

“In their core mandate, which revolves around legislation, policy oversight and budget approval, Parliaments are central in the growth and development of any country,” the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga said.

On the issue of women representation in parliaments, Kadaga noted that some strides had been achieved on the African continent. She cited that some success stories have been registered in Cameroon, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Namibia, South Africa, Rwanda and Uganda where women representation in parliament ranges between 30 to 40 percent.

Kadaga however also cited challenges in the West African region where women representation is still less than 30 percent. Delegates from West African countries attributed the low levels of women representation to branding elective posts to men and the mentality that it was taboo for a woman to stand for a parliamentary position.

The Speaker advised on the need for CWP African Region to continuously monitor countries due for elections so that political party leaders are engaged to influence policies and legislations before elections.

Kadaga reminded African governments to include women in all the peace and security processes at all levels including peacekeeping, peace negotiations and peace building.

The Prime Minister of Mauritius, Rt. Hon. Sir. Anerood Jugnauth, told Parliamentarians that the twin pillars of the Commonwealth are democracy and social economic development.

“Democracy and development are inter-connected. Democracy creates the necessary conditions that favour economic development by giving citizens the liberty to freely make choices for their well-being and future,” he said.

In the meeting, Hon. Dikigale Masefako Clarah from the National Assembly of South Africa was elected the new Chairperson for the Commonwealth Women Parliamentary Association.

Inmates in Mbarara have raised their concern of denial of national Identifications to the Principal Judge of the High Court of Uganda.

The concern was raised on Friday to the Principal Judge Justice Yorokamu Bamwine while he was launching the plea bargain campaign at Kyamugorani Prison in Kakika, Mbarara.

Ramadan Katabazi one of the inmates who presented grievances on behalf of the other inmates said that most of the inmates in prisons were not considered during the National Identification exercise which covered the whole country last year.

“When government was carrying out the National IDs registration exercise, we as inmates were not considered to access that important document yet we have the right to enjoy the right as Ugandans,” Ramadan said

Justice Bamwine filled the prisoners in Kakika with hope and justice unlike the prisoners of late 1987 that were not catered for very well like today.

“Always have hope for tomorrow; it is not by law that being in prison is the end of life, inmates that were jailed way back in 1980s are not like the prisoners that I see today with a sense of joy,” Justice Bamwine noted inresponse.

He encouraged the inmates to always endeavor to partake in the plea bargaining program instead of waiting for full trials.

“Full trials are time consuming and very expensive unlike plea bargains which are cheap though commensurate to the case committed without lenience or favor,” he said.

Principal Judge of the High Court Justice Yorokamu Bamwine with prison officials at Kyamugranyi Prison in Mbarara on Friday

The Principal Judge urged the judiciary to accept negotiations and to desist from delaying cases in courts of law as well as raising or lowering the years of agreement to inmates which might likely discourage the Directorate of Public Prosecution.

“Justice is never for sale. In judiciary, delaying the case means you are denying justice. Plea bargaining is meant to provide more lenient penalties but follow the principles.”

According to the OC Prisons at Kakika SP Geofrey Mangeni Natabona, Kyamugoranyi Prison currently houses only 395 male inmates and 2 debtors.

A group of 205 police counter terrorism special force commandos were on Friday afternoon passed out at the UPDF Nakasongola Cantonment in Nakasongola district.

The 4 months refresher training course saw the counter terrorism police officers acquire skills in snipping, shooting, sniffer dogs among others as part of the airborne and street fighting  techniques of fighting and rescuing hostages  held  by terrorists.

Speaking at the function, the Internal Affairs Minister, Gen. Jeje Odongo  said terrorism is major threat to society that might not easily  be realized  but  has to be prepared for by the country at all stages.

“We can afford to put aside other things but not training of our forces in a bid to help fight terrorism. We shall continue training because it is the life of any force,” Gen. Odongo said.

Scientists were also part of the team passed out on Friday.

He stressed the state should at all times be ready to perform its responsibilities of protecting its citizens.

The police Director in charge of Human Resource and Training, AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi said the training is part of the force’s efforts to respond to global crime challenges that pose a threat to humanity.

“These special forces of the police are highly trained personnel with various aspects of security needs. These officers should send out a statement to whoever plans to attack the country that we are ready for them,” AIGP Kaweesi said.

Counter terrorism officers displaying their skills.

He stressed that such training is part of the efforts of the police force’s efforts to ensure professionalism adding that CIID and the forensics experts need similar training in a bid to combat crimes.

“All the criticisms and challenges we face can be overcome through continued training of our officers,” he added.

Practicing shooting skills

According to John Ndungutse, the police Director in charge of Counter- terrorism, the force cannot let any incident similar to the one that happened in 2010 where Al Shabaab terrorists killed over 70 people who were watching World Cup finals.

Paratroopers showing skills

“We are ready to defend the country from any possible attack but there is need for more specialized training and equipment.”

The training conducted by police, UPDF and Israel  trainers saw 205 out of the  400 participants complete the 4 month course.

Some of the members of the elite force

Uganda premier league champions Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) football club have joined the cause to combat cancer by joining Rotary club in the Cancer run slated for Sunday.

While addressing the media on Friday morning at Phillip Omondi stadium, the club CEO Tamale David appreciated the Rotary club for the social community responsibility.

“We would like to extend our gratitude to Rotary club of Uganda for the commitment towards fighting cancer. As KCCA FC, we have bought fifty tickets worth one million shillings for our staff including players to join this noble cause,” said Tamale.

Peter Odoch, a committee member of Rotary Uganda thanked KCCA football club for joining them in the fight against cancer.

“I want to thank KCCA FC for joining us in a bid to combat cancer. This proves that they are a community club and ready to help when there is need,” he said.

The Cancer run will take place on Sunday at Kololo ceremonial ground with the run expected to spread to 16 different districts across Uganda and all the proceeds will be used to purchase a new cancer machine for Nsambya Hospital.

Some of the districts include; Kabale, ,Jinja, Soroti, Entebbe, Tororo, Hoima, Bushenyi among others.

KCCA midfielder Vincent Kayizzi thanked Rotary club for the great commitment towards fighting cancer and called upon the public to embrace it.

“I’m happy to be part of this great idea. We lost our brother Abel Dhaira to cancer, so I call upon the public to join in the fight against cancer,” said Kayizzi.

The cancer run will be taking part for the sixth year. The funds from the first four year were used to build a cancer ward at Nsambya hospital while this year’s aim us to purchase a cancer machine.

Promoted topflight club Proline FC have agreed a one year loan deal with champions KCCA Fc over right back Sakka Mpiima.

The former captain has enjoyed a five-year successful stint at Lugogo where he has won three league titles in 2012-13 and 2013-14 under coach George ‘Best’ Nsiimbe then last season with Mike Mutebi.

The defender found playtime hard to come by, playing second fiddle to current club captain Dennis Okot.

“Former KCCA FC Skipper, Saka Mpiima has joined Proline FC on a season long loan from KCCA FC,” Proline announced on their media platform on Saturday.

Mpiima reconnects with former teammate Nelson Senkatuka who crossed over earlier in the preseason.

Proline recently unveiled four other new players including Yusuf Mukisa from Vipers, midfielder Sam ‘Tiyo’ Kintu, left back Farouk Musisi and Mustafa Mujuzi from Synergy.

The team has so far drawn both their opening games against Bul FC in Jinja and Express FC at Lugogo. Their next fixture is on Tuesday 6th September away to Police FC in Kavumba.

High court judge Justice Patricia Basaza has set September 16 as the date on which she is to deliver her ruling in case where Nakawa Municipality MP Hon Michael Kabaziguruka is challenging his trial with treason charges in the an army court when he is a civilian.

Kabaziguruka is currently on remand in Kigo Prison where he was remanded by the Makindye General court martial after being charged alongside 23 other people with treason.
On Friday, Kabaziguruka was produced in court by the Prisons Authority as per the order of court recently issued by the trial judge.

In the submissions by the accused’s lawyers Rwadslaus Rwakafuuzi and Medard Ssegona, Kabaziguruka says it is unlawful for the army court to try a civilian who never committed any service offence as stipulated in the UPDF Act the basis of laws upon which the court martial exercising its duties.

The jailed Member of Parliament also challenges the legality of this court saying that the constitution gave Parliament powers to regulate the operations of the army by making policies for the UPDF as well as other duties but it was never given powers to create a court.

Kabaziguruka seeks court to suspend his trial in the court martial and release him from Kigo prison as well as for the state to be ordered to foot the costs of this petition.

Through counsel Rwakafuzi, Kabaziguruka has challenged the partiality of the General court martial to try him on political offences where the Commander in chief (President) who convenes this court is one of the people interested in the case.

Medard Ssegona in his submission on Friday described the court martial as a tribunal which was established wth a mandate to discipline soldiers but has since gone expanded its scope to include civilians.
“That tribunal as I may refer to it was convened to discipline peers not trying any one they meet on streets. Civilians are not governed by military laws,” submitted Ssegona

Ssegona added that the position of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the UPDF is questionable because there is no clear law which was followed in creating it.

Battles between eternal rivals Betway Kobs and Hima Cement Heathens come with a lot of anticipation, hype and energy. From the fans to the players every side want their team to trounce their enemies to earn bragging rights.

The rivalry continues on Saturday at Kyadondo Rugby grounds as the 2016 Rugby sevens circuit comes to an end after five weeks of action.

Coming into the last weekend, Rugby premiership champions Betway Kobs lead the way with 59 points, three above rivals Heathens.

After slow start to the circuits, Heathens finally restored hopes of winning this year’s Rugby 7s after seeing off Buffaloes last weekend at the Pirates @20 circuit.

This year’s edition has been boasted with a sponsorship package from Rocke Telecom worth  UGX 12.5 million that will cater for trophies, prize money and warm up kits.

The Rugby 7s began on 16th July with Makerere Impis winning the first circuit at the grave yard. Kobs went ahead to win the next two circuits that’s the Kitaka sevens defeating Toyota Buffaloes before winning in Jinja at Dam Waters beating Heathens.

The winner will walk away with UGX 2.5 million shillings while the first runner up and the second runner up will receive 2 million shillings and 1.5 M respectively.

30th August 2016
Friendly match
Uganda vs Kenya 7pm

4th September 2016
Group D AFCON qualifiers
Uganda vs Comoros 5pm

Uganda cranes continued preparations for the friendly match against Kenya and the crucial game against Comoros with training for the second day on Friday at the Kampala International School Uganda (KISU).

The team commenced with non residential training on Thursday that had a gym session at  Paradise Fitness Planet Centre,Acacia mall and then had light drills at KISU.

The camp was on Friday boosted with Onduparaka duo of Rashid Toha and Muhammed Shaban who joined the other  locally based players.

Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic,the cranes head coach put a lot of emphasis on creating goal scoring chances and attacks from wide areas. Vitalis Tabu,Vicent Kayizzi, Muhammed Shaban and Edrisa Lubega were employed on the flanks to lay up crosses for Geoffrey Sserunkuma and Nelson Ssenkatuka who were mainly used as the target men.

Training continues on Saturday evening with the team expected to shift base to Namboole stadium. The team is also expected to start residential training at Serene suits,Mutundwe.

Players who trained on day 2;

Ismail Watenga, Benjamin Ochan, Nicholas Wadada, Joseph Nsubuga, Isaac Isinde, Joseph Ochaya, Halid Lwaliwa, Timothy Awany, Rashid Toha, Ivan Ntege,Kizito Keziron, Vicent Kayizzi, Geoffrey Sserunkuma, Muhammed Shaban, Vitalis Tabu, Edrisa Lubega

Guest players;

Richard Kasagga,Joseph Mandela,Nelson Ssenkatuka,Farouk Musisi Kizito,Savio Kabugo,Gift Ali,Ibrahim Kiyemba,Bernard Muwanga, Nelson Ssenkatuka

Whereas it is arguable that Rwanda’s capital, Kigali is the cleanest city in the whole of the Great Lakes region, it remains unclear how the government and the city authorities have managed to implement the set rules on sanitation as well as its maintenance.

Aside from the strict governing rules against littering and the punishment imposed on the offenders, the public in collaboration with the local authorities also play a pivotal role in maintaining the tidiness that awes visitors of Kigali city and elsewhere in the country side.

One of the initiatives undertaken by the government several years ago is the famous “Umuganda” a communal exercise held every month in which the public enagange in cleaning their neighborhood. ‘Umuganda’, a Kinyarwanda word for ‘contribution’ is held every last Saturday of the month where locals gather to partake in activities like sweeping roads, slashing and repairing roads, digging trenches and clearing the already existing ones among others.

Chimpreport’s Paul Mugume who is in Kigali took part in this month’s Umuganda in Gasasa cell, Gasaabo district on Saturday morning.

The exercise which started at 8am was graced by Gasaabo district Assistant Mayor, Languide Nyirabahire, the District Army Chief Mutembe, Kigali City Councilor Viek-Fiston Ndayambaje among other leaders.

Leaders and members of Gasasa cell took part in sweeping streets in their neighborhood, slashing the bushes on the roadside and picking plastic waste along the road.
Besides cleaning, the Umuganda campaign also acts as a platform for area leaders to meet their subjects and discuss matters relating to developmental, share words of inspiration and pass out information on government projects.

“The biggest asset that Rwanda has is the citizens. As Rwandans, we have to stay united and it’s such activities that bring us together,” said John Kagoro, a village leader in charge of information.

“Citizens get to hear from their leaders and are also given a chance to share their ideas for consideration so as to develop our areas together,” he added.

In her remarks, Assistant Mayor Nyirabahire advised participants not to only focus on clean streets and homes but to keep good health.

“Cleanliness starts from your head. You need to take good care of your bodies and stay healthy,” she said.

Gasaabo District Assistant Mayor, Languide Nyirabahire addressing citizens after the cleaning exercise. (Photo by Paul Mugume / Chimpreports)

Kigali City Councilor Vieck-Fiston Ndayambaje told Chimpreports that an event like Umuganda gives leaders a chance to explain some of the new developments in the country which can’t be explained well in political fora.

“As a councilor, I am always glad to participate in Umuganda because it gives us chance to pass messages about government programs to citizens and other important issues like life insurance, and acknowledging our culture,” he said.

“It is a better place where you can talk about keeping the city clean and people will listen to you.”

At the end of the cleaning exercise, traditional dances are played an citizens celebrate together (Photo by Paul Mugume / Chimpreports)

Asked about the contribution of Umuganda to the general cleanliness of Kigali city, Ndayambaje said that “If people can start minding about cleanliness from the village level, they won’t forget to do the same in the city centre.”

“Currently, there are other people in the city who are doing the same work like we are doing here. If someone from Gasasa goes to the city centre, they will always remember to keep it clean because they have learnt that from their village through Umuganda.”

“It (Umuganda) has cultivated a culture in every Rwandan to remain clean and to keep his environment clean.”

As to whether politicians won’t take advantage of the gathering to push their selfish political ambitions, Ndayambaje said that the gathering is only meant to pass government information to the people and get developmental ideas from them.

“If the information being passed is from government, there is no problem because people need to hear from their leaders.”

Gasabo District Army chief (Photo by Paul Mugume / Chimpreports)

President Museveni has advised African governments to identify and give priority to areas that will spur development if the continent is to get to achieve economic transformation. He opposed the tendency of discussing African problems using what he termed as a ‘fragmented approach’ emphasizing the need to work towards increasing the workforce in Africa.

“My problem with most of such discussions is that they handle topics in a fragmented way. But according to my experience of 50 years, the best way is to handle these topics comprehensively. We should find a minimum package that will create impact,” Museveni said Friday in a keynote address at the ongoing Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in Nairobi, Kenya.

This forum seeks to discuss concrete ways in which the TICAD can further enhance support for the promotion of democratic governance in Africa, consistent with priorities outlined in agenda 2063.
President Museveni told participants that Africa’s growth is still frustrated by bottlenecks such as lack of infrastructure, inadequate human resource capacity and a fragmented market among others.

“Africa still lags behind in infrastructure such as electricity, railways, roads and ICT. With the exception of South Africa and Libya during Gaddafi’s reign, the rest of Africa has a very low kilowatt hour per capita. But without electricity how do you attract investments and jobs?”
In order to boost production, Museveni argued that countries on the continent need a ready market that is big enough which he blamed on the colonization by Western powers in the early 90s.

He further punched holes in the idea that democracy and good governance guarantee any country’s development.

“Compare with China. It is a Communist country, does not have the kind of democracy we see in Africa, but it has attracted a lot of investments in the last 30 years. Africa is democratic but how come we haven’t attracted much investment?” he pointed out.

Museveni added; “Democracy helps people have a say in how government is run, gives them an opportunity to speak out but by itself it can’t cause socio-economic transformation.”

Uganda Police Force has issued a statement discrediting media reports that the Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale Kayihura has been appointed as Uganda representative to the United Nations (UN).

In a brief statement authored by the newly appointed Police Spokesperson Andrew Felix Kaweesi, he said; “Today, August 27, various social media platforms carried information that the Inspector General of Police, General Kale Kayihura has been appointed Uganda’s permanent representative to United Nations.”

“The reports also allege that Brig. Leopold Kyanda has been promoted to Maj. Gen and appointed the IGP,” the statement further read.

“The Uganda Police Force would like to clarify that this information is not true and is aimed at creating unnecessary tension and unrest. We request the general public to disregard such reports with contempt it deserves.”

Statement issued Saturday by Police spokesperson AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi

These speculations come out at a time when the the head of Police has been criticized by opposition elements, civil society and sections of the public for the incidents of brutality by police against the public.

This outrage stems from July 13 when police officers besieged boda boda riders in Najjanankumbi who were accompanying key opposition figure Kizza Besigye and randomly beat them up with sticks.

Gen. Kayihura would later defend and applauded the police officers at a news conference for the beatings saying they were preventing the crowds from stampeding the busy Kampala-Entebbe highway.

weeks after, a group of private lawyers opened a case against the IGP along with eight other police officers for torture contrary to sections 4, 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act, 2012.

The oil and gas department, Victoria University has started training in oil & gas management and oil & environment management on Saturday August 27. The training will be conducted by professionals working in the oil and gas industry and other consultants practicing along the oil and gas value chain.

In addition, Victoria University will provide certificates in the field of Oil and Gas management as well as Oil and Gas Human Resource Management which targets professionals who are working in the oil and gas industry and those working for organisations and sectors whose businesses support the oil and gas industry.

The training program equips delegates with skills and knowledge to start a rewarding career in the oil and gas industry. The package for training consists of videos, class room discussions and case studies covering the oil and gas value chain. The program also includes an oil and education field tour of the oil fields in the Albertine Graben (Hoima and Buliisa oil fields).

The fees for the training program is 1,400,000 [one million four hundred thousand shillings] while international students pay 1,500,000[one million five hundred thousand shillings] including the field trips and training.
Once one has successfully completed the course, they will be awarded certificates of achievement in the oil and gas management.

The 6^th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) has opened in Nairobi, Kenya with a call by the Japanese Prime Minister Chinzo Abe for Africa to be given a permanent slot on the United Nations Security Council.

President Yoweri Museveni is among the several heads of state attending the conference that is taking place in Africa for the first time since its inception in 1993. The conference is held under the theme “Partnership for shared prosperity”.

Speaking at the opening ceremony at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre on Saturday morning, Mr Abe said: “Africa does not have a permanent member at the United Nations Security Council. It should have one by 2023,” he said.

PM Abe pledged Japan’s commitment towards helping Africa solve challenges like epidemics and insecurity. He also said his Government would allocate USD 10 billion towards supporting modern transport and electricity supply in Africa for the next three years.

Japan, Premier Abe said, would train 18,000 Africans by 2018 to improve the continent’s human resource. Another 20,000 would be trained to tackle infectious diseases.

He observed that the Japanese companies were committed to ensuring high quality products, adding that a quality Africa would be built by providing modern transport and electricity supply, largely geothermal.

The other plans would be to help Africa achieve universal healthcare, ensure the seas linking Africa to Japan are safe and help in peace and stability efforts.

PM Abe noted that young people with high esteem who should be supported to achieve their potential characterize the continent. He called on the delegates to let Africa and Japan share a common vision.

President Idris Deby of Chad, who also doubles as the African Union Chairman, said Japan should invest in Africa with the goal of improving infrastructure, water and energy. He observed that the move would enable the continent to achieve its dreams.

Deby said that peace, stability and security were prerequisites to Africa’s development, calling on Japan and other partners to facilitate the African Fund against terrorism.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Nkosozana Dlamini Zuma said that there should be partnership for shared prosperity. She said industrialization needs energy and thanked the World Bank, UNDP and TICAD for their efforts to have progress in the continent.

The two-day summit closes tomorrow (Sunday).