The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Rwanda Development Board Mr. Francis Gatare has urged the public to invest in conservation, saying that “if we don’t conserve as much as we consume, we may end up consuming ourselves.”

Mr. Gatare made the call while officiating at the launch of the first conservation exhibition at the Kigali exhibition centre complex on Saturday afternoon.

The exhibition is part of a series of activities leading up to the annual gorilla naming ceremony ‘Kwita Izina’ which is Rwanda’s most significant initiative towards conserving nature. Tourism – gorillas to be specific earn Rwanda the biggest foreign exchange which is why government has heavily invested in safeguarding them.

“Thanks to tourism because conservation makes business sense in the wider perspective of sustainable development. As we enjoy watching our cousins the mountain gorillas, it occurs to me that they are enjoying it more than we do,” he noted.

An exhibitor attends to her stall of crafts

“As we enjoy watching nature, on one hand we contribute to the longevity of the global ecosystem by conservation while at the same time providing business opportunities through tourism which has earned many people a good living.”

Gatare urged exhibitors to look at the two sides; business and conservation during the ongoing exhibitions, providing livelihoods to all people that deserve to live healthy and descent lives alongside conserving nature.

He said that Rwanda has devoted 22 percent of her land to conservation activities in form of water bodies, wetlands and national parks despite the fact that the country is densely populated.

Organizing discussions and exhibitions on conservation is part of the commitment made by the government of Rwanda to contribute to the global debate on conservation, he added.

Exhibitors showcasing traditional Rwanda Culture

Among the exhibitors are top players in the tourism sector from different African countries including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Rwanda (the host). Most of the items being showcased are relate to wildlife conservation, tour and travel as well as hospitality.

Launched today, the exhibition will be opened to the public with outdoor activities for children and adults.

Exhibiting art, drawing and painting

It all started Friday morning as Tito Turiyo (FDC) was challenging Hon. Steven Kangwagye (NRM) and Electoral Commission in Bukanga constituency in Isingiro district.

Turiyo opposed the February electoral results for Bukanga constituency claiming they were marred by a number of irregularities.

Turiyo Tito (FDC) a former candidatefor Bukanga constituency MP also lost the petition.

However Justice Lwanga dismissed the case with costs saying the witnesses did not prove to court that irregularities were observed both on Election Day and after in Bukanga constituency Isingiro district.

An excited Kangwagye, after the ruling promised to cooperate, unite and work with all the people of Bukanga.

However Turiyo disputed the court ruling saying he had been denied justice. He promised to go ahead and file an appeal to which request Justice Lwanga agreed since he (Turiyo) is entitled to a right to justice in courts of law.

Court would later be adjourned for 40 minutes before ruling on the case where former candidate for Bushenyi district Chairperson, Paul Kahigi contests the results that saw his opponent Jaffari Bassajabalaba elected into office.

Kahigi claimed that on polling day, Bassajabalaba flashed a lot of money amounting to voter bribery which according to him was unconstitutional.

However court ruled that Kahigi did not provide sufficient proof to court and as a result, Justice Lwanga asked court to dismiss the case with costs.

On the afternoon of the same day, court also dismissed  with costs another petition filed by Odo Tayebwa (FDC) against Hon. Gordon Kakuma Arinda (NRM) and Electoral Commission in Ishaka Municipality.

Hon. Kakuma the current MP for Ishaka Municipality told Chimpreports that no one was beaten during elections as his complainant claimed in court and was happy with the judge’s decision.

“We are going on the ground to work for our voters, without segregating against who voted me or not. Am ready to work for the people of Bushenyi” he said.

Former Ishaka Municipality MP Odo Tayebwa who lost the petition speaks to journalists after court ruling on Friday

However, Tayebwa accused the judge of being compromised saying he (judge) did not evaluate the evidence. He said some of affidavits were scrapped off which is contradicting.

Tayebwa too revealed that he would appeal the ruling.

Odo Tayebwa who formerly occupied the same seat had been the only Opposition legislator in Ankole Sub-region. He was elected in Parliament in 20012 through a by election after the then MP for Ishaka Municipality Nasser Basajjabalaba (NRM) was thrown out of Parliament. Basajjabalaba had been ejected on grounds that he violated the electoral laws by bribing voters.

Despite losing in the final circuit against eternal rivals Heathens, Betway Kobs claimed the 2016 National rugby 7s title on Saturday at Kyadondo Rugby Football Club (KRYFC) ground.

The Uganda Rugby Premiership Champions lost 24-29 in the finals but were crowned champions after collecting the highest number of tries over the five circuits played this year with both sides having 78 points at the end of the day.

The Legends-based club enjoyed bragging rights over their arch rivals lifting the championship in their backyard.

Kobs who had gone eight years without winning the 7s went ahead to lift last year’s title and have gone on to successfully defend the crown to add to league title.

Kobs kicked off the day thumping Stallions 50-00 in the first game before charging past Rhinos 28-00 to storm the quarter finals of the Roke Telecom 7s.

They went ahead to beat Warriors 25-00 and Mongers 36-05 in the quarter finals and semi finals respectively.

Despite losing the Roke Telecom circuit final to Heathens, Kobs were crowned overall champions and walked home with prize money of Shs 2.5M. Heathens who settled for second earned Shs 2m while third placed Mongers got Shs 1.5m

Lawrence Ssebuliba (Heathens) and Adrien Kasito of Kobs were voted joint Most Valuable Players with each player rewarded Shs 250,000.

Past winners

2006-Kobs

2007-Heathens

2008-Heathens

2009-Heathens

2010-Impis

2011-Heathens

2012-Heathens

2013-Heathens

2014-Buffaloes

2015-Kobs

2016-Kobs

Former SC Victoria University and Saints FC goalkeeper coach Moses Oloya is set to join West Nile based Premier League club Onduparaka FC on a season long contract.

The club recently confirmed that Coach Leo Adraa will be in charge of the team after he was cleared by FUFA to take charge of the team until January after attending the CAF B coaching course.

Oloya’s appointment came as a rumor on Thursday, reporting that he had been tipped to join Coach Matia Luke and Livingston Mbabazi at the Arua side.

However, following FUFA’s clearance, talks with Lule were cut short but the club still needed to fill the void with a quality goalkeeping coach and junior team trainer.

“Club managers had a fruitful discussion with Oloya and probably we’ll seal the deal with him once all the details are agreed by both parties,” a club official disclosed to Chimpsport.

“He is a good coach and we believe he will reignite our goalkeepers just like he has done before.”

Coach Oloya also confirmed the Caterpillars had made contact and were on track to an agreement.

“It’s true the Chairman called me and we had some talks which I think were fruitful. If all goes well I will join them because am now ready for a new challenge,” he said.

Oloya had previously been linked to a move to URA FC but the deal never materialized. He was one of the coaches shortlisted for the UPL best goalkeepers losing to Sadolin’s Kenneth Magada.

President Yoweri Museveni has asked Japan to open up its market to Ugandan goods and services so as to facilitate trade between the two countries. Museveni who met with the Japanese Prime Minister, Chinzo Abe Sunday in Kenya said Uganda has for long supported the Japanese economy and it is time the Asian economic giant did the same.

“Good projects have been undertaken between Uganda and Japan. I am pleased with progress in the construction of a bridge in Jinja, the roads in Kampala that include flyovers and hospitals,” Museveni told PM Abe.

He noted that for there to be stronger cooperation between Uganda and Japana, there must be a balance of trade. Uganda has over the years bought Japanese manufactured equipment especially for building infrastructure as well as vehicles.

“We have bought from Japan for a long time. Uganda, for example, began buying Japanese cars before independence in 1962,” said the President.

“Since then, we have bought more from Japan than it has from us. We have supported the Japanese economy and prosperity. We have supported your factories and helped you get jobs. Japan should now create a balance of trade.”

Museveni commended the Japanese government for its support tio Uganda in the area of infrastructure. He mentioned tourism as being another area through which the two countries can foster bi-lateral trade, encouraging Japanese tourists to visit Uganda.

Investment was also part of the discussion between the two leaders with President Museveni inviting more Japanese investors to Uganda.

President Museveni and his delegation (on the left) during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Chinzo Abey along with other Japanese delegates

On his part, Prime Minister Chinzo Abe said he was delighted to meet the President, adding that the two countries’ relations had grown stronger since the principals’ last meeting in September last year.

He acknowledged that it was important to discuss market access because it was vital for the two countries, reiterating that the private sectors of Uganda and Japan needed to work together.

Abe said his country was ready to continue providing quality infrastructure to Uganda in addition to a USD 116 million loan to Uganda to improve Kampala metropolitan infrastructure.

At the end of the meeting, Abe introduced several company executives interested in investing in Uganda.

Prime Minister Chinzo Abe is in Kenya to attend the 6^th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD).

Earlier on Sunday, President Museveni had addressed the second plenary session of TICAD, reiterating his position that Japan invests in infrastructure, creates access to its market, gets more investors to Africa and supports the continent in ICT training.l; 

Uganda Cranes internationals Geoffrey Massa and Khalid Aucho arrived in the country on Saturday morning and kick started training.

The duo recently joined newly promoted Premier soccer League Club (Baroka FC) though they have not yet featured on the team in any official game yet.

Cranes shifted their training to Mandela national stadium the venue for the Kenya international build up match (on Tuesday 30) and then the Comoros crucial AFCON qualifier on Sunday.

Several members of the team took part in a Sunday prayer service at St. Luke church in Seeta on Sunday and continued training on Sunday afternoon at Namboole.

About 19 players have so far reported to the residential camp at the Serene Suits in Mutundwe where they will reside till match day.

Uganda Cranes players at St. Luke church on Sunday.

Players in camp;

Ismail Watenga, Benjamin Ochan (Goalkeepers),  Geoffrey Massa, Khalid Aucho, Muhammed Shaban, Rashid Toha, Nicholas Wadada, Joseph Nsubuga, Joseph Ochaya, Halid Lwaliwa, Abdulmalick Vitalis Tabu, Kezironi Kizito, Edrisa Lubega Torres, Ivan Ntege,Timothy Awany, Vincent Kayizzi, Goeffrey Serumkuma and Isaac Isinde.

Other players expected later on Sunday and Monday;

Denis Onyango, Salim Jamal (goalkeepers), Bevis Mugabi, Hassan Waswa, Murushid Jjuko, Walusimbi Geoffrey, Kizito Baba, Moses Oloya, Kizito Luwagga, Kayizzi Vincent, Miya Farouk, Yunus Sentamu, Emmanuel Okwi, Sekisambu Erisa, Tony Mawejje.

2017 Afcon qualifiers
Build up: Uganda vs Kenya (Tuesday 30 August)
Match: Uganda vs Comoros (Sunday 4 August)
Venue: Namboole

Newly signed Tottenham midfielder Victor Mugubi Wanyama has arrived in Nairobi ahead of the highly anticipated international build up match between Uganda Cranes and Kenya’s Harambe Stars.

Wanyama was part of the Tottenham squad that held giants Liverpool to a one all draw on Saturday in the English premier league and immediately embarked on his flight to Kenya ahead of the friendly.

Seven other foreign based stars in the summoned Kenyan squad have also reported to camp. They include Jesse Were (Zesco), David Ochieng (New York Cosmos), Antony Akumu (Zesco), Jonah Ayunga (Brighton & Hove Albion), David Owino (Zesco), Gonzalez Ismael (Las Palmas) and Lelan Joshua (Plymouth Argyle)

The friendly is scheduled for Tuesday August 30 at the Mandela stadium in Kampala and is part of preparations for the penultimate 2017 Afcon qualifiers group games.

Uganda Cranes will take on Comoros on Sunday 4th september  in a must win clash that could end the country’s 38 years long wait while Kenya host Zambia on Saturday in a dead rubber.

The Kenyan team is expected to jet in the country on Monday evening and depart on Wednesday ahead of their departure to Zambia on Friday, September 2, 2016.

Other foreign stars.
South Africa based Brian Mandela (Maritzburg FC) is scheduled to arrive later today, while Ayub Timbe (Lierse) arrives tomorrow morning, with Abud omar (Slavia Sofia) and Michael Olunga (IF Djugardens) set to link up with the team in Uganda on Tuesday morning.

Fans.
Fans will access both games using the same ticket that cost 25,000, 60,000 and 150,000 for the normal, VIP and VVIP respectively.

Engagements between Uganda and Kenya do not come simple.

There is fierce competition and rivalry when the two countries face off and the two sides will meet once again in this year’s women’s Council of East and Central African Football Associations (CECAFA) tournament.

Uganda who are the hosts will be in the same group with rivals Kenya, Zanzibar and Burundi in group A after draws were released on Monday at Fufa headquarters.

The last time the two sides met was in July this year with the Kenyan starlets thumping the Crested Cranes 4-0 in a friendly match played in Kisumu, Kenya.

While launching the tournament on Monday, CECAFA secretary general Nicholas Musonye thanked FUFA for taking the initiative to host the tournament.

“I want to congratulate Fufa and Uganda at large for taking up the risk initiative of organising this tournament. It is not easy to host seven countries with no sponsor,” said Musonye.

Fufa President, Moses Magogo believes Uganda hosting Cecafa will help improve women’s football and enable the Federation’s targets.

“I am really excited that we are on the right course of fulfilling our targets of developing women’s football. I remember we were at a CECAFA meeting and everyone was shying away from hosting the tournament, so Uganda took the risk of hosting this year’s edition even without sponsors,” he said during the launch.

Fufa has instituted a seven-man organising committee that will be headed by Rogers Byamukama a Fufa executive committee member.

The tournament will take place between September 11 and 20 with all games expected to be hosted at Njeru technical centre in Jinja with seven teams confirming participation.

The women’s regional tournament returns after 30years of absence. Zanzibar hosted and won the last edition in 1986.

The game between Zanzibar and Burundi will kick off the tournament on 11th September at 2:00pm while Uganda will take on Kenya later at 4:00pm on the same day.

GROUP A

Uganda

Kenya

Burundi

Zanzibar

GROUP B

Ethiopia

Tanzania

Rwanda

Organising committee

Roger Byamukama- Chairman local organising committee

Agnes Mugena- women’s representative on Fufa Executive committee

Chris Kalibala- chairperson women’s football on Fufa Executive committee

Sam Mpiima- referees representative on Fufa executive committee

Ahmed Hussein – Head of communications, FUFA

Entrance Nangyego -chairperson women’s football committee

Bernard Patrick Ogwel- Chairperson international matches organising committee

She added that the theatre is to undergo redevelopment as one of the first interventions to raise pride of artistes and development of the industry.

In 2014, the Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC) management developed a concept for re-development of the UNCC land which was approved by the UNCC board of trustees and as required by the law.

The concept was then submitted to the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development for consideration and was later approved.

Speaking at a press briefing at Uganda Media Centre on Monday, Hon. Peace Regis Mutuuzo the Minister of State for Gender and Cultural Affairs said that the Ministry sought advice from the Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA) on how to proceed with soliciting for a developer and was advised to procure a transaction advisor.

She added that the Ministry is at the stage of contracting the transaction advisor who will guide them through the entire redevelopment process.

‘’We are firm on the re-development; there are also a few antidevelopment elements who are busy inciting artistes and the public against this noble cause. These elements have decided to misinform the public that government is selling national theatre. This is absolutely not true,’’ she said.

An artistic impression of the soon to be constructed national theatre

According to Minister Mutuuzo, the facility’s facelift will be undertaken though public private partnership.

“The current theatre structure will be maintained because it is historical attachment. It is the area around it that will be re developed. We want our new structure which will be 14 floors to stand the test of time just like USA’s Hollywood has.”

State Minister for Water and Fisheries and MP Mukono North, Hon. Ronald Kibuule has finally responded to his alleged assault of a female security; a one Hellen Obuk who works at Mukono based Stanbic Bank on Friday last week. In a statement recorded at Mukono Police station, Obuk said the Minister resisted checking before boxing her in the chest when she insisted.

The public has since widely condemned the Minister for the alleged act saying it is demeaning to women and that he should publicly apologize.

In fact some people made furious posts on their social media threatening to close their Stanbic bank accounts owing to the fact that the bank’s CEO Patrick Mweheire wrote an apology to the Minister after the incident.

On Monday, Hon. Kibuule wrote on his Facebook wall; “What I did was to caution this girl (security guard) that I couldn’t be checked by a female, her fellow guard called Maxwell was there and saw what happened but the way she is turning around that she was slapped into coma is unbelievable.”

He explained that the events that transpired had been misreported, attributing it to his political opponents.

“You know it is absurd how people especially my political opponents are working around the clock to poison people’s minds and jump to conclusions with a lot of insults,” the Minister lamented.

Kinuule wants Stanbic Bank to release the CCTV security footage of the incident which will set the record straight and “prove whether I beat this girl or not” he said.  He went ahead to defend the apology issued Friday by Stanbic CEO claiming it wasn’t based on his social strata as a Minister.

As opposed to the ridicule hurled at the Minister for making statements that encourage contempt towards women, Kibuule wrote; “I am a woman activist, the allegations aren’t true. This is just the work of my haters who want to see me down. I can never raise my hand to beat a woman,” before apologizing for inconveniences.

David Odeke struck 26 points to emerge the best male player in the recently concluded first circuit of the inaugural corporate woodball league played on Sunday 28 August at the GEMS Cambridge International school.

About 93 men and 68 ladies participated over the six gates where ten points were on table for the overall team ranking.

Odeke, a player from Speedag Inter freight emerged the best despite tying on 26 points with Pius Kauka but won strokes per game. Odeke had better accounts on gate 2, 4 and six.

Herbert Banananuka (Cipla QCIL) finished third with 27 strokes through the six gates.

Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) trio Mariam Nansukusa, Ivan Ssentongo and Daniel Sakka combined to a total 117 points to claim the first team circuit.

Nansukusa scored 24, the best from the ladies group followed by Judith Oseku (Spear motors) and Hilda Ngala (Cipla QCIL) with 31 and 33 respectively.

There are over 30 Corporate League members including Spear Motors Ltd, Vision Group, Civil Aviation Authority, Hotel Africana, Spedag Interfreight, SCD Darling, Fiduga, NSSF, KCCA, Stanbic, DFCU, Uganda Breweries, MTN and Airtel.

The Federation had earlier in the year donated a set of Woodball equipment to these companies to get them ready for the competitions.

Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has welcomed the recommendations made by the Judiciary while issuing the final judgment of the presidential election petition which was delivered on Friday last week.

The party spokesperson, Ibrahim Semujju Nganda told the media on Monday that the party welcomes all the recommendations especially regarding handling and consideration of electoral reforms by Parliament.

The judgment proposes that an amendment to the electoral law be made within at least two years before campaigns for general elections start.

“We welcome that recommendation and since it has come from the Supreme Court, our prayer is that government will take it serious because none of the judges is a contestant. If it was a proposal from FDC, they would say that we wanted to advantage ourselves,” Semujju said.

He noted that, “If you look at the last elections for example, Parliament revised an amendment nomination fees both for Parliamentary and Presidential yet some of the presidential candidates had already paid the Ugshs 8m under the old Act.”

Semujju said that for Parliamentary elections, nominations fee was raised from Ugshs 200,000 to Ugshs 3m when the nomination process had already started.

“For an individual candidate, this might not be very big but it had an effect on a political organization which already had a budget like FDC. We ended up spending nearly a billion on paying nomination fees for Parliamentary candidates and yet not fielding candidates in some electoral areas,” Semujju noted.

“We also welcome other proposals. We are working on proposals many of which were submitted to Parliament much earlier with the civil society under the Citizens Compact; we will be able to consolidate them into bills this time and present them before Parliament.”

“Our only view as a party is that when you are amending the constitution, you need to build consensus of all the necessary changes to the Constitution comprehensively, you don’t go and isolate only one area of your interest as if the rest of the country isn’t interested.”

The Chinese embassy in Uganda has on Monday donated equipment worth millions of shillings to help the police force run their day to day work.

The equipment handed over to the Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale Kayihura at a function held at the police headquarters at Naguru included 200 smartphones, 10 motorcycles, 5 laptops, mattresses, 8 balls and jerseys.

The Chinese Ambassador Zhao Yali said they were indebted to the police force and government at large for their efforts in ensuring peace and stability which he said is key to development and flourishing of Chinese businesses in Uganda.

“The equipment can help police in terms of capacity building as they continue to keep law and order. The successful management of the society needs to be enhanced and this can only be done through empowering of government agencies like police,” Yali said.

“Our government will continue asking investors and businesses to invest in Uganda to boost development as the country strives to reach the middle income status by 2020 and also realize the vision 2040.”

Some of the motocycles

Gen. Kayihura applauded the Chinese embassy for being good friends to the police and the country at large which he stressed will bolster development.

“Others claim to be concerned with us (police) but continue throwing mud and rubbish at us. I thank you for helping us build systems that will help integrate the police force into the life of people and help fight crimes,” Kayihura noted.

“The equipment is a big boost in this era of technology and our efforts to optimize it.”

He said these can be used to fight terrorism, cyber-crime and other forms of crimes in the society.

Voter bribery has been cited in the residual elections that are underway in the 5 newly created districts of Kakumiro, Kagadi, Rubanda, Kibaale and Omoro according to the preliminary findings by Citizens’ Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU).

The elections underway seek to fill up positions for District Woman Member of Parliament, District Chairperson and youth representatives.

According to the preliminary findings released by CCEDU at Human Rights House in Kampala on Monday, voter bribery has been reported in Bubaare C polling station, Rubanda county East in Rubanda District.

CCEDU Chairman, Dr. Livingstone Ssewanyana noted that voters in this area were bribed with as low as Sh500 which he condemned in the strongest terms.

In other findings, Dr. Ssewanyana said there was a reported fight had ensued between agents of an NRM candidate and that of an independent candidate at Birembo A Sub-county, Bugangaizi West county in Kakumiro district.

The report shows that in Kyanyi polling station polling station code 01 in Nyamirinda sub-county, Kibaale district it was observed that 4 people known to be deceased had their names ticked in the voter’s register.

Agents of independent candidates were said to have manhandled an agent for the NRM candidate at Kakindo subcounty, Bugangaizi West County in Kakumiro district.

Ssewanyana however noted that generally, voter turn up was very low except for Omoro district where voters turned up in huge numbers with a lot of vigor to vote.

“Generally speaking, adherence to the electoral laws was good with exception of a few isolated polling stations,” Ssewanyana observed.

“91 of the 100 polling stations observed had election materials delivered on time with exception of one polling station in Rubanda which didn’t have a voters’ register and 5 polling stations in Kagadi, Kakumiro and Rubanda which were missing indelible ink. Generally polling started peacefully and NRM has deployed agents at all polling stations unlike other political parties.”

Ssewanyana promised that CCEDU shall release a final comprehensive report of the residual on-going elections tomorrow.

Traders operating in Nakasero Kiyembe lane in Kampala central business district have vowed to strike in case Nabugabo Up deal Joint Venture, a body responsible for solid waste management fails to reduce on the garbage collection fees which traders describe as unfair.

In an interview with Chimpreports the traders blamed Nabugabo for becoming to exploitative without setting clear guidelines to be followed before deciding on the money to be paid by each shop

The furious traders most of whom are dealing in Electricals have pointed out that this is on top of the fact that most of their businesses are about to collapse due to unfair competition with Foreigners who sell goods at a very cheap price since most of them are direct agents of manufacturers.

Muwonge Francis Chairperson for Kiyembe traders said it is unfair for the garbage collectors to charge them high monthly charges when their shops produce less rubbish.

“We deal in already packed products and cables which produce less rubbish and at times none but its suprising to see that we pay the same amount of money with other groups of traders who produce much rubbish,” added Muwonge.

Auman Mulumba  a trader at Calton Hotel building blamed the Nabugabo staff for being rude in times of collecting their monthly charges irrespective of whether one has been consistently clearing his/her dues.

“We pay garbage fees for our shops as well as our stores which is very unfair on top of other expenses like rent, parking fees, toilet charges and trading licence to Kampala Capital City Authority,added Kisakye

In response to the above allegations Sonko Mulema the Project Manager in Nabugabo Updeal described the increase in the prices as a plan aimed for the betterment of garbage collection business in the city center.

“KCCA gave us powers to collect garbage fees in the city center which we have done very well. Defaulters are still our major challenge because we need a lot of money to clean the city since we dont only clean for those who pay us,” added Mulema

Conservationists have urged governments to invest in community projects and share tourism revenues with the communities so as to woo them to embrace nature conservation. They argue that if the communities around national parks and forest reserves feel appreciated for protecting forests and animals, they will not give up on conserving nature.

“The Rwanda government dedicates 5 percent of the tourism revenue to community projects. We have so far supported several initiatives including construction of health centers, schools, business centers and several others in 42 sectors of 12 districts since 2005,” Belise Kariza the Chief Tourism Officer for the Rwanda Development Board noted.

“Events like Kwita Izina, and the conversation on conservation forum show the government’s appreciation to the communities for conserving nature and also engages the public to share ideas on how they can be done better,” she added.

Belise made the observation during 2nd edition of the Conversation on Conservation forum held at the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village on Monday morning. The Forum is part of a series of activities set to climax with the 12th gorilla naming ceremony ‘Kwita Izina’ this Friday where 22 baby gorillas will be named.

The conversation on Conservation is a forum that brings together different partners in the conservation world, including the private sector to discuss issues and propose solutions for conservation issues for the region and Africa in the general.

The forum was graced by a number of dignitaries including Rwanda Development Board (RDB) CEO, Hon. Francis Gatare, Uganda’s Minister of Tourism Hon. Ephraim Kamuntu, ambassadors from different COMESA member states, conservationists and tour operators from all over the world and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Rwanda Rt. Hon. Anastas Murekezi, who was the chief guest.

The conversation was attended by conservationists from all over the world, ambassadors and tour operators

In his remarks, Prime Minister Murekezi called upon the whole world to maintain the health of the environment saying that “neglecting conservation and failing to stop climate change will adversely affect our tourist rate and the national revenue will greatly reduce.”

He advised Rwandans to put aside selfish interests that affect conservation and work towards protecting and promoting biological diversity.

“Put aside your selfish interests that affect the environment. You can enjoy for a short moment but suffer a lot in the future,” he said.

Dr. Jose Kalpers of Yamatji Marlpha Arbotional Corporation who gave the key note address observed that Rwanda, through the different activities in promotion of conservation and tourism has won the hearts of the locals and they have embraced conservation.

“Kwita Izina is a unique cultivated pride with in people of Rwanda and it gets them to engage in conservation. It’s a way to win the hearts of the locals and get them to support the global campaign of conserving nature.” he said.

“Rwanda’s conservation strategy is working and the fruits have already been seen. The number of gorillas in the northern, Musanze area has greatly increased.”

Dr. Kalpers, a professional zoologist has been doing conservation works for the last 30 years. He started working with Rwanda in the early 90’s, coordinating different players from Uganda, Rwanda and Congo in conserving Gorillas.

He noted that Rwanda has set a pace in the conservation of Gorillas that the other two countries of Uganda and Congo need to pick up and follow.

“Although Congo is one of the countries with gorillas, there is a lot of insecurity. If you went there to track gorillas, you are not sure whether you will return or not.”

“Uganda has a very big vision they want to achieve but are still very behind in terms of what they can do. Uganda needs to engage the community in decision making, to do research when looking for where to invest the revenue shares in order to achieve their vision,” Dr. Kalpers told Chimpreports.

Currently, there are 880 gorillas shared among the three countries although Rwanda alone has a total of 480.

Uganda Cranes and Kenya’s Harambee stars lock horns on Tuesday afternoon in a highly awaited international build up friendly at the Mandela national stadium in Namboole.

The Cranes are fine tuning for the last 90 minutes of the 2017 AFCON qualifying match against Comoros on Sunday 4th September. Only a victory will bring an end to the 38 year drought spell since the 74′, 76′ and 78′ appearances.

Uganda are second in group D in the road to Gabon with ten points same as Burkina Faso with the stallions boasting a better head to head advantage.

Kenya on the other side has only pride and FIFA rankings at stake with their qualification chances already dead and burried. The stars are rooted in group E with only four points from a single win and draw. That makes their final game away to Zambia a mere formality match.

The last time both teams met was last November in Ethiopia in a Cecafa opener where Kenya defeated Uganda 2-0 with goals from Jacob Keli and Michael Olunga even though the Cranes presented a largely unfamiliar squad.

October 8 2011
This match is vividly back dates memories to the AFCON 2012 qualifiers when Uganda was exactly in the same qualification situation as today.

Cranes needed just a win to qualify for the 2012 AFCON which was incidentally held in Gabon, the same hosts for the next year’s edition. The Kenyans fastened their belts and picked a barren draw to the dismay of the Ugandans.

Onyango Mawejje, Kayizzi, Massa, Hassan Wasswa, Walusimbi, Oloya and Geoffrey Sserunkuma all featured in that match and are available for selection on Tuesday. Only Wanyama is present for the Kenyans who featured in that squad.

Form/ranking
Micho’s boys have won only one game in eight outings this year, the victory coming in the last qualifier against Botswana while the Kenyans are not any better boasting a win, a draw and two losses in the period.

Cranes are the best ranked team in the region on 65th place globally and 14 the in the continent, nine ahead of Kenya who are 83 in the world.

With all that, Cranes boss Milutin Sredojevic has cautioned the 32 players he summoned that those given a chance must prove their cause to be on the final sheet against Comoros.

“Every player must strongly convince us why they should play on 4th. The match carries the hope of 38million Ugandans and therefore need the most committed players. We shall use the match to grade them and come up with final squad.”

The only miss for Uganda is dependable right back Dennis Iguma who wasn’t called up since he is not eligible for Comoros tie. Goalie Robert Odonkara is also missing due to disciplinary issues while Onyango maybe rested for Tuesday game. He nearly picked a hamstring in a club game on Sunday and may need further examinations.

Lineups
Micho is expected to put a more experimental side against Kenya with some of the big boys to watch from the sidelines or play less minutes.

Salim Jamal, Bevis Mugabi, Isaac Isinde,  Hassan Waswa, Aucho, Mawejje, Ochaya, Walusimbi, Geoffrey Sserunkuma, Miya, Shaban.

All eyes will focus on the biggest star on the field, Kenya’s Victor Wanyama and the Zesco united trio of David Owino and Jesse Jackson Were who has been very lethal in the CAF champions league and Zambian League. For Mahia’s sensational left back Eric ‘Mercello’ Ouma is also expected to cause a threat with his calculated runs and on point crosses.

Oluoch bonny, Mandela Brian, David Ochieng’, Eric Ouma ‘Marcelo’, David Owino, Vincent wanyama, Ayub Timbe, Danson Kago, Jesse were, Johanna Eric

Police in Mbarara is investigating the cause of a fire that destroyed a forest in Nyarubare, Bugamba Rwampara over the weekend. The fire gutted Kikunda a 10 hectare forest owned by a one Robert Ahimbisibwe at around 2:30pm on Saturday.

The fire left 5 people dead as they attempted to put it down, to prevent it from destroying the neighboring property. Those dead included; Jonah Tuhairwe 25, Godfrey Koraho 52, Charles Asiimwe 32, Perez Ndyomugabe 32 and Tobias Ikiriza 25yrs.

According to police spokesperson for Rwizi region, Ibin Senkumbi, Ndyomugabe, Ikiriza and Asiimwe were lumberjacks in the forest employed by Ahimbisibwe.

Senkumbi also said a one Nyangoma Twongyeirwe, a resident in the area is suspected to have deliberately torched the forest. Residents had attempted to lynch her following the incident when police swung in and rescued her from the furious mob. She is currently detained at Ntungamo police station.

However some residents told Chimpreports that a woman identified as Jonah was burning grass in her garden neighboring the forest at around 2pm in the afternoon when the fire spread and gutted the forest. Jonah is said to have quickly called on his son to stop the fire when the two unfortunately lost their lives in the process.

Three of the bodies were taken to Mbarara hospital for postmortem while others were taken to Ntungamo for burial.

Senkumbi said police is still conducting investigations to establish the cause of the fire.

The case is registered at Mbarara police station under Ref no. 2223/08/2016.

Ahimbisibwe, to whom the forest belonged, told Chimpreports that he was earning over Ugx 50 million annually from selling timber and employing 20 workers. He said the incident is a big loss to him and appealed to government to assist him.

Opposition Democratic Party (DP) has regretted the failure by opposition political parties to unite behind a single candidate in the just concluded elections in the newly formed districts which has given the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) a land slide victory especially in Omoro District.

DP’s candidate Pamella Grace Lanyero tallied third with 1,345 votes behind FDC’s Prossy Alanyo Owiny with 3,948 votes leaving the NRM’s Catherine Lamwaka in lead with a land slide victory of 10, 958 votes.

DP Publicity Secretary, Kenneth Paul Kakande told the media on Tuesday that the party has conceded defeat and will embark on early campaigns to ensure that they popularize the party in the new district.

Kakande explained that the party can’t grasp the cause of its unpleasant performance but partly attributed it to the failure by the opposition to unite behind a single candidate.

“The opposition has great lessons to learn from these polls. These parties had a chance to win several seats but because of the divisionism, all efforts were scattered and we ended up leaving all the seats to NRM,” Kakande said.

Kakande noted that, “There was no unity as this election had each and every symbol anybody could think of; in form of a shade of opinion represented on the ballot paper. We wish to retaliate our position that the Democratic Party is committed to working together to oust the dictator.”

It should be remembered that the two big opposition parties (FDC and DP) failed to agree on fielding a single candidate in all the engagements that they had before nominations. Each of them overestimated the capacity their candidate only to be overwhelmed at last minute by the ruling party.

DP had strong confidence in Lanyero given her reputable portfolio, education and her experience with various organizations including UN, Save the Children, Archdiocese of Gulu and Care International.

“She had just been given a big assignment to spearhead programs in Uganda, Rwanda and Ethiopia, it was a great honor for Omoro to have someone so highly qualified as a candidate but we shall accept the outcomes because the people spoke so loud,” remarked Kakande.

He however accused NRM for vote rigging and engaging in all forms of election malpractice.

“The elections were characterized by an unprecedented voter bribery, intimidation, inflated voter register and unprecedented voter apathy.”

High court has halted the hearing of Murder case against the Pine car bond boss Muhammad Ssebufu and 8 others.

Sebuufu along with 8 others are accused of murdering city business woman Dona Katushabe had been cause-listed among the 50 suspects to appear for their trial before Justice Musene for trial in the criminal session that commenced yesterday.

However the deputy registrar Mary Khainza has revealed that the case was de-cause listed to provide police and the DPP ample time to arrest and prosecute other suspects at large including former CPS.

Khainza added that this case will then be tried at the next convenient high court session Ssebufu is jointly charged with 8 other people including the former CPS DPC Aron Baguma.

Meanwhile, Baguma who has been on the run myseriously appeared at Buganda Road court Tuesday afternoon before he was charged formally for the crime and remanded to Kigo prison Grade One Magistrate Joan Acio. Baguma will re-appear in court tomorrow for hearing of his case.

A warrant of arrest had been issued on August 18 for Baguma after he missed court as required by the criminal summons issued to him. .

Since murder charge is capital in nature, Baguma has not been allowed to take plea on the charges because it is only high court with jurisdiction to try capital offences like murder.

The case file for the other 3 people whose case file has not yet been sent to the High Court for preparation of their trial.

All the 9 accused face charges of murder, kidnap and aggravated robbery of a city businesswoman Donah Betty Katushabe whom they robbed a mobile phone worthy 300, 000 shillings all these offences were allegedly committed in October last year.