International Friendly
Halftime
Uganda 0-0 Kenya

The first forty five minutes of the international friendly game  between Uganda and Kenya have seen both sides return to the dressing room with no scores.

The game played at Mandela National stadium on Tuesday has  provided a dull first half with either side playing a cautious game and failing to find  create scoring chances.

The best chance chance of the game fell Yunus Ssentamu but his effort was cleared off the line by Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama.

Just a minute after kickoff, Godfrey Walusimbi brought a corner that Eric Ouma failed to deal with, Ssentamu attempted on the rebound but Wanyama cleared off the line to deny Uganda taking the lead.

Emmanuel Okwi had a penalty appeal midway through the first half after a  challenge from Muhammed Musa but the referee waved for play on.

Cranes skipper Geoffrey Massa  also blasted a free kick wide   in the 33rd minute to have the game into halftime goalless.

Cranes starting XI
Salim Jamal,Nicholas Wadada, Jjuko Murushid, Isaac Isinde, Godfrey Walusimbi, Hassan Wasswa, Khalid Aucho, Moses Oloya, Yunus Ssentamu, Emmanuel Okwi, Geoffrey Massa

President Yoweri Museveni has paid tribute to fallen Professor and medic Alexander Odonga describing him as a role model to all people in the health sector, in the church and in society. The President while visiting the family in their Naguru home on Tuesday said Prof. Odonga’s life has inspired millions not only in Uganda but in the wider East, Central and Southern African Region.

Prof. Odonga breathed his last on Wednesday last week at an age of 96 after succumbing to a progressive heart failure at Mulago Hospital. “Government and People of Uganda have lost a senior health professional and citizen who dedicated his entire life to the service of the people of Uganda and Africa through the health sector,”

He also hailed the fallen medic for returned to Uganda to serve after his training in the United Kingdom. Museveni appealed those in the medical profession to emulate Odonga’s work ethic.

“From my conversations with people who have worked closely with Professor Odonga, I have come to learn that he was very highly disciplined and expected all who worked with him to emulate his example. He was smart, clean and tidy. His car was always washed and well maintained.

“We thank God for giving such an individual to our nation. On the international scene, Professor Odonga was a pillar in the East Central and Southern African Region. He was the second African to head the Association of Surgeons of East Africa and was well respected in the whole region. This shows how he was a nationalist and a pan Africanist.”

Museveni speaking to the widow of fallen Prof. Odonga

Prof. Odonga worked at Jinja Hospital and later at Mulago Hospital and Makerere University where he rose to become Professor of Surgery and the Dean of Makerere Medical School.

For many years, he also served as the Chief Government Surgeon. He was an accomplished writer and in 1960, he published a paper in titled “The Good Old Days” in which he highlighted challenges faced by local health professionals.

His other books include; “Practical Medical Ethics”, “Fifty Years of Makerere Medical School” from which several medical students have drawn inspiration and a dictionary for English/Luo.

“He helped me once with a difficult high profile patient and he did our country proud in the professional way in which he successfully handled and managed this patient,” President Museveni recounted.

Uganda Cranes and Kenya’s Harambee stars have played to a barren uninspiring draw in an international friendly match on Tuesday 3 August 2016 at the Mandela National stadium Namboole.

Dull first half
The first period was rather a calm one both on pitch and the stands with a very low turn up recorded on the day. The fans merely filled three stands!

Uganda rolled off the game through European based duo of Emmanuel Okwi and Yunus Ssentamu.

The second minute presented the hosts first chance with Walusimbi pacing through the left flank before floating a cross behind Kenya’s backline only to find Massa and Ssentamu late for the job. Ouma cleared off for the first corner.

Walusimbi’s direct corner hit the near apex and headed away from danger. Yunus rebound was also cleared away by Kenya’s skipper Wanyama.

Okwi penalty call
Emma Okwi had his fair share of complaints in the 22nd after the center referee waved off what looked like a tackle from behind by stars rightback Musa Mohammed inside the box. Okwi had maneuvered past three defenders into the box.

Tactical change
Micho quickly made wholesale change at half time bringing on four of his key starters in Tony Mawejje, Luwagga, Miya, Uganda premier league MVP Joseph Ochaya and then Geoffrey Sserunkuma.

Captain Massa, Yunus and Okwi are among those relegated to the bench.

The change brought life to the game improving Cranes attack Which only created more unfinished half chances but were always cleared back to play by the composed Kenya defense while creating defensive imbalances in Jamal’s goal.

Luwagga nearly gifted the visitors an easy goal in the 58th minute when his blind pass strayed on Eric Johanna’s path. The striker raced to beat an oncoming Jamal but his effort went an inch wide.

The last whistle left the fans with questions that need to be answered tactically in the next training sessions before Sunday.

Uganda now head back to prepare for the penultimate Afcon 2017 group D crucial qualifier against Comoros on Sunday 4th while Kenya travel to Zambia to honor their last group E game.

Cranes XI: Jamal Salim, Nicholas Wadada, Murshid Jjuko, Isaac Isinde, Geoffrey Walusimbi, Khalid Aucho, Hassan Waswa, Moses Oloya, Yunus Ssentamu, Geoffrey Massa, Emmanuel Okwi

Subs: Ismail Watenga, Benjamin Ochan, Tonny Mawejje, William Kizito, Farouk Miya, Vincent Kayizzi, Edrisa Lubega, Geoffrey Sserunkuma, Ivan Ntege, Joseph Ochaya, Timothy Awany, Erisa Sekisambu.

Starting Team: Bonface Oluoch, David Odhiambo Owino,  David Ochieng, Eric ‘Mercello’ Ouma, Victor Wanyama, Anthony Agay Akumu, Eric Omondi Johanna, Francis Kahata, Ayub Masika Timbe, Jesse Jackson Were, Mayeko Musa Mohammed.

Subs: David Okello, Abud Omar, Joshua Kipkemboi, Ismael Gonzalez, Victor Majid, Danson Kago, Michael Olunga, Mark Makwatta, Jonah Ayunga, Brian Mandela,

Match Officials:

CR: AbdoulKarim Twagirumukiza
AR1: Theogeme Ndagijmana
AR2: Raymond Nonati Bwiriza
4th official: Sabila Ali Chelangat
MCom: Mrs. Margaret Kubingi

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi has highlighted the need for the international community to unanimously tackle the issue of the welfare of refugees than leaving it to the host country.

Grandi made the remarks during a joint press conference with Uganda’s Prime Minister, Ruhakana Rugunda in Kampala on Tuesday after visiting several refugee camps in the country.

In his remarks, Prime Minister Rugunda noted that it was a great pleasure hosting the UNHCR Commissioner who has just assumed his office choosing Uganda as one of the first priority countries to pay a courtesy visit.

“We have had very productive discussions on the state of refugees in Uganda and globally and we have also further agreed to more intensified corporation between UNHCR and Uganda plus the rest of the world to ensure that the issues that accompany the problem of refugees are tackled not just by the host country but by the international community,” Rugunda told the media.

He added that they have also agreed on a number of issues to pursue that will be promoting better living conditions for both the refugees and the host communities under a new program dubbed ‘Re-hope’.

The program looks at how best host countries can provide safety to refugees as well as providing life skills and building projects that will not only support refugees but also the host communities to benefit from being self sufficient.

“We have assured Mr. Grandi that Uganda will continue with her mission of welcoming refugees as many as possible, giving them the necessary tools and capacity so that we don’t only look at their safety while in Uganda but so that when they go back to their countries. They will be able to live better lives and make contributions to the stabilization and normalcy in their respective countries.”

In his address, Grandi appreciated Uganda for giving asylum to a large number of refugees in the world, especially those from neighboring countries like DR Congo and South Sudan.

“I appeal to the Prime Minister and his government to continue playing the role in pursuing peace because only peace will allow the conditions of these refugees to normalize; what we heard yesterday, the extreme violence against women and child has to stop because this is a grave offense to humanity.”

Grandi pledged that UNHCR will committee $31M of all its resources into Re-hope with hope that others funders will come on board.

“I understand World Bank has a $50M conventional loan that will also be of benefit to this program which will be used to provide education, food and opportunities to local communities.”

Uganda Cranes midfielder has called upon fellow players and Ugandans at large to keep the spirits high ahead of the crunch decider against Comoros in the final group D of the 2017 AFCON qualifiers.

Mawejje who features for Iceland side Knattspyrnufelagion Trottur is confident with positive energy ahead of the Comoros game, Uganda will be able to break the jinx.

“I believe we are in good mood for the Sunday game, we just need to keep focused and positive as players and all Ugandans at large,” Mawejje told journalists after the friendly game against Kenya.

Mawejje who came on as a second half substitute also believes the friendly game against Kenya will help the team improve in areas they are lacking.

“It has been a good test for us despite the fact that we did not win. I think we shall reflect on today’s performance and see that we improve especially in areas where we looked lacking,” he added.

Uganda were held to goalless draw in a friendly game  played on Tuesday at Mandela National stadium.

Minister of Information and ICT Hon. Frank Tumwebaze has urged all technology players and innovators in the country to form a forum to streamline  communication with government and share knowledge for the country’s growth.

While speaking at the Innovators’ Forum held at Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) headquarters on Tuesday, Tumwebaze emphasized the need to find a common ground between the Ministry and innovators so as to easily work out solutions to the existing problems.

The government of Uganda pledged to support innovators in the country as long as they have things that can multiply opportunities to the entire public and can ensure accountability.

“Innovation starts from something small, something obvious and it becomes something big like for example Rolex,” he said.

With recent global trends, one can no longer underestimate the potential of technology and innovations in shaping socio-economic development.

Similarly, government has often times reiterated its commitment to support the industry since it is an enabler for service delivery as well as good governance.

“ICT can solve problems and also sensitize the communities how to go about those problems. Uganda’s future lies in technology. For vision 2020 to be achieved, it will be led by innovators,” Minister Tumwebaze noted.

Equally, innovators have been advised to protect their innovations using the existing patent laws against plagiarism as well as to register their property using copyright laws.

Tumwebaze called for creativity to avoid duplication of products.

Several innovators urged government funding to boost their innovations.

UCC Executive Director, Eng Godfrey Mutabazi pledged to continue supporting innovators through rewarding, facilitating and recognising talented developers.

Prolific goalscorer Hamis Kiiza alias Diego is reportedly set to complete a lucrative deal to join Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Free state stars in South Africa.

According to reports, Kiiza who left Tanzanian giants Simba at the end of last season is edging closer to joining the Ea Lla koto side with negotiations between both the player believed to have gone on smoothly.

The 26 year old striker who had a blissful campaign at Simba last season scoring 24 goals in all competitions has been offered a two year deal at Free state stars according to a reliable source.

” The deal is almost done, he (Diego Kiiza) will join Free state stars on a two year deal after all negotiations went well,” intimated the source.

Kiiza who formerly featured for URA before joining Yanga Africans in 2011 will become the ninth signing at Free state stars this summer and will be third player from East Africa with Tanzania’s Mrisho Ngasa and Kenya’s Joseph Stanley Okuma already playing at the Denis Lavagne coached side.

Kiiza guided URA to winning the Uganda premier league in 2010/11 season finishing the season as the league top scorer with 15 goals before joining Tanzanian giants Yanga where he played for three seasons. Last season, Kiiza switched allegiance joining Yanga’s bitter rivals Simba where he scored 24 goals.

Uganda’s women national football team,  continued with preparations for the forthcoming Council of East and Central Africa (CECAFA) tournament by engaging in intensive training.

34 of the summonsed players attended day two of the non residential training on Wednesday morning at the Phillip Omondi stadium.

Majidah Nantanda,the coach believes there was improvement from the girls/women on day two with all the girls showing commitment.

“There has been progress from what we had yesterday. The girls have shown commitment and I believe as time goes on,we shall be able get to the required standards before the tournament starts,” said Nantanda after Wednesday training.

The team was taken through light drills, with emphasis put  on passing the ball, shooting towards goal and creating goal scoring chances in the final third.

However, Nantanda was worried about some players missing training because of engagements elsewhere.

“We have a few days left to the tournament, so you would want to have a full squad in time for good assessment but some players are engaged with either their schools or jobs,” she lamented.

Tracy Jones Akiror, Yudaya Nakayenze, Nassuna and Joan Nakirya all from Kawempe Muslim are yet to join the team because of engagement with the school team at the ongoing East African Secondary school games in Eldoret Kenya while goalkeeper Fatuma “Kim” Matovu is yet to receive clearance from his employers.

Training resumes on Thursday morning with the coach expected to trim the squad to thirty players. Two foreign based players are expected to join the team at the end of this week. Lucky Otaantenga from USA and Jean Foot Sseninde who plays for QPR in England are the two foreign based players expected to join the team.

Team that trained on Wednesday

Goalkeepers:
Ruth Aturo and Cissy Nakiguba

Outfield players
Faridah Kisitu, Rachael Ndagire, Marion Amangat, Siporosa Amoding, Sharon Achen, Fazila Ikwapat, Rukia Aringo, Norah Alupo, Patricia Apio, Mariam Ibonyu, Florence Nakalule, Carol Nakyanzi, Cissy Nalubega, Gladys Nakiito, Barbara Nakyanzi, Betty Namataka, Esther Naluyimba, Margret Namirimu, Zainah Nantumbwe, Winnie Babirye, Hadijjah Nampijja.

Sandra Nantumbwe, Bridget Nabisaalu, Ritah Nakirijja, Ritah Nabossa, Viola Namuddu, Asia Nakibuuka, Naome Nagadya, Christine Wanyana, Stellah Kaliba, Nalwoga Shakirah, Christine Nambirige, Joyce Nakakooza

Head coach: Majidah Nantanda
Assistant coach: Faridah Bulega
Team coordinator: Henry Barungi
Medical officer: Beatrice Maleni

FIBA Africa U18 women’s basketball championship

Despite losing all the three games they have played in group B, Uganda’s U18 women’s basketball team have booked a slot in the quarter finals of the ongoing FIBA Africa U18 women’s basketball championship after Ivory Coast decided to pull out of the tournament.

The Junior gazelles confirmed a slot in the last eight when the Ivory Coast basketball federation decided to pull out their team from the competition citing internal disorder.

Initially the tournament was supposed to have ten teams but Zimbabwe pulled out just before the tournament tipped off leaving group A with only four teams. Group B had five teams but with Ivory Coast pulling out, all the four teams in either groups will play in the quarter finals.

The Junior gazelles opened their campaign with a 65- 25 loss to North African side Tunisia before falling to defending champions Mali 143-19.

On Wednesday, the Nick Natuhereza coached side lost their third game to Madagascar 76:48.

Junior gazelles
Patience Akankunda
Melissa Akullo
Joan Namatovu
Hajjara Najjuko
Aliya Naluyima
Rita Salafina Drisciru
Brenda Edith Ayere

Head coach: Nick Natuhereza
Assistant coach: Martin Kelly
Leader of delegation: Grace Kwizera

Uganda’s Minister for State of East African Affairs, Hon. Julius Wandera Maganda was Tuesday sworn in as an ex-officio member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).

Hon Maganda was sworn in by the Senior Clerk Assistant to the Assembly Stephen Mugume at a brief ceremony witnessed by the Speaker along with members of EALA in line with the Rule 5 of the Rules and Procedures of the Assembly. The Rule 5(4) of the Rules of Procedure says in part that: “No Member can sit or participate in the proceedings of the House until the Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance to the Treaty is taken”.

Rule 5(5) specifically states that; “When a member first attends to take his or her seat other than at the first Sitting of a new house, he or she shall be brought to the table by two members and presented by them to the Speaker who shall then administer the Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance”.

Hon Maganda was ushered in to the house by EALA members, Hon. Nusura Tiperu, Hon. Dora Byamukama and Hon. Chris Opoka. President Yoweri Museveni appointed Mganda to the Cabinet on June 6 to replace Hon. Shem Bageine.

Prior to the appointment, Maganda was the Member of Parliament of Samia Bugwe County South, a position he still holds to date. He has served on various Committees in the Parliament of Uganda including that of Education and another on Rules, Discipline and Privileges. Others are the Trade and Tourism Committee and the Committee on National Economy.

The legisltaor holds a Bachelor of Public Administration degree from the Islamic University of Uganda, a Certificate in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre in Uganda and a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from the Uganda Management Centre.

Police in Mbarara is investigating circumstances under which a 30 year old man died in custody at Mbarara central police station on Tuesday morning.

Alex Mugisha, a resident of Kihumuro cell in Katara sub county, Buhweju district was found dead morning a day after his detention on allegations of stealing a brother’s motorcycle from Katabura cell in Kakoba, Mbarara municipality.

It is alleged that Mugisha borrowed Chrispus Mugisha’s motorcycle Reg. No. UEE 061J earlier this month but refused to return it back to the owner. Mugisha later reported the case to Mbarara police station under SD 05/26/08/2016.

Police conducted investigations into the matter with the help of locals until Monday when the deceased was arrested in Buhweju district.

He however denied allegations and was later transferred to Mbarara police station where the case had been opened.

Mugisha would later be found lying dead in custody this morning.

The police spokesperson for the Rwizi region Ibin Senkumbi said police was shocked by the incident. Mugisha’s body was later taken to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital for postmortem.

Senkumbi disclosed that the deceased’s brother Chrispus Mugisha and his friend Innocent Ayebare who helped police in arresting the deceased are now in detention to tell Police establish how Mugisha who was in good health ended up dead.

Police suspects the death to have been as a result of torture.

41 year old Police constable Ashraf Jadeni, a resident of Namuwongo has pinned city business man and a member of Kwagalana Godfrey Kirumira in the murder of  tycoon Eriya Bugembe Sebunya aka Kasiwukira who was murdered in 2014.

Jadeni who was the first accused person to give his defense before High Court Judge Justice Wilson Masalu Musene has given sworn evidence denying having known the late Kasiwukira before his death. He equally denied having been paid Ugshs 5 million to murder the deceased.

He however shocked court when he pointed out that after his arrest, Kirumira through Magada a police officer promised him a house and Ugshs 200 million if he accepted to pin the widow Nabikolo, her sister Nakungu and their children on the murder of the tycoon.

“On arrival at Kibuli CIID, the police officers who were recording my statement informed me that there was a rich man who was going to pay me in case I accepted to pin the widow, sister and her children on this murder. They later revealed to me that the business man was Mr. Kirumira,” Jadeni told court.

Jadeni has added that he declined to take the offer due since he is a strong believer who cannot involve himself in such immoral acts.

“After refusing to take that offer, I received a heavy slap and later I was tortured. I was severely beaten to the extent that the whole of my back is now full of scars and I want everyone in court to see once am given permission to remove my shirt.”

The judge however couldn’t let Jadeni remove his shirt on grounds that it was not in order for somebody to undress in an open court, advising his counsel Rwadslaus Rwakafuzi to apply for this matter to be handled within the judge’s chambers.

Jadeni has denied conniving with Sarah Nabikolo Sebunya (widow) and Sandrah Nakungu to kill Kasiwukira as stated in the charge sheet pointing out that he only knew Nakungu who was his girlfriend but he had never seen Nabikolo before.

“I never knew Kasiwukira personally but I knew the road leading to his home. I first saw Nabikolo after the death of her husband and we had gone to their home to guard vehicles of the mourners. As we went for lunch I was shown the widow.”

Jadeni has asked court to be lenient on him because he is HIV positive and needs care. He is also a father of school going children and husband to three wives.

After examining the testimony of 23 prosecution witnesses, Justice Masalu ordered Jadeni, Nabikolo and Nakungu to give an explanation to court of how Kasiwukira was allegedly murdered on the morning of October 17 2014.

Kasiwukira was knocked dead by a motor vehicle as he jogged from his home at Muyenga diplomatic zone in Kampala district. Police after his burial arrested his widow Nabikolo and two others suspecting them to have been behind his death.

Sandra Nakungu, the sister to Sarah Nabikolo in her defense revealed that she was in love with Jadeni and they only discussed nothing else but love affairs.

While in Luzira prison she said, she was promised by the OC Women’s wing Nabunya Stella to be set free if she accepted to pin Nabikolo on top of getting 100 meters of land in Buziga.

Sandra Nakungu, sister-in-law to murdered Kasiwukira giving her defense in court on Wednesday. (Photos by Michael Ntezza / Chimpreports)

“I was picked from Luzira at around 8am and taken to Buziga where the land is located. I was then taken in a Rav 4 car Reg. No. UAT 550D in the company of the O.C and other officers,” Nabikolo said.

She added that on refusing to pin her sister, the O.C ordered that she should not be given food thereby making her starve for a number of months.

Justice Masalu has summoned O.C Nabunya Stella to appear in court and explain herself regarding the allegations. The case has been adjourned to Monday for the widow Nabikolo Sara to file her defense.

Sarah Nnkungu (infront) together with her sister also Kasiwukira’s wife Sarah Nabikolo Sebunya leaving court

Medical Interns in the country have delivered a petition to Parliament despite being blocked by police early Wednesday morning in Kampala.

The interns who matched from Mulago Medical School enroute to Parliament were blocked earlier in the day by police along Nakasero Road around the Nigerian High Commission for hours before resorting to another plan that finally saw them reach Parliament.

The group chose to tactfully put off their medical coats in disguised and proceeded to town only to take police at Parliament by surprise. Huge number of interns would then camp at Parliament’s main gate with police constantly pushing them but with no success.

One of the leaders, Simeon Eroba was arrested but this didn’t scare off the Interns who finally met the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Health, Michael Bukenya and other MPs came to address their issues.

The interns were protesting the proposals by the Ministry of Health to make amendments to the current policies concerning the medical practitioners’ internship program to the following effect. In the new proposal, medical interns who were previously on private sponsorship scheme while pursuing their Bachelors of Medicine and Bachelors of Surgery, will not be given their allowances in lieu of salary on that premise only.

Further still, medical interns who were previously on Government sponsorship scheme while pursuing their Bachelors of Medicine and Bachelors of Surgery will be required to work an extra two years of ‘bonding’ after the mandatory one year before acquiring their practicing licenses.

The committee Chairperson in company of other legislators including James Kakooza, Dr. Sam Lyomoki and Gilbert Olanya led the group to the Parliamentary CHOGM Gardens to chat a way forward.

The meeting was later joined by the Security Minister, Gen. Henry Tumukunde who promised to take up the matter as a national issue and present their plea to the relevant authorities.

“From here, I will inform the Minister that we have given due attention to your issues; we are going to discuss the matters with the Ministry of Health, am also going to inform the Prime Minister about your issues and the matter will be brought to an end,” Tumukunde told the gathering.

Gen. Tumukunde later told the press; “These issues are pertinent and require to be given attention. Such a demonstration is a security issue in the country; I have advised them (students) to continue working with the Parliament Committee since they are concerned with the budgetary allocation.”

The General also issued a directive to have all interns that have been arrested across the country released indefinitely.

Local football body FUFA in partnership with Airtel Uganda have Wednesday launched the sixth Airtel Rising Stars U-17 tournament.

The tourney has been scheduled to kickoff on September 9 with Kampala region and later Arua, Mubende, Mbarara, Masindi and Mbale respectively.

State Minister of Sports, Hon. Charles Bakabulindi was the chief guest at the launch that was held at Kibuli SS play ground. The Minister lauded the telecommunications company for investing in the youth programs over such a long time and promised government support too.

“It is encouraging to see companies like Airtel supporting youth football with programs like the Airtel rising stars which have been around for about six years now. The government will continue to support you at all times,” he said.

On his part, Airtel Uganda Chief Commercial Officer Deepak Bhatia gave assurance of continued support towards the program as well as unearthing more talents.

Also in attendance were FUFA officials led by Dr Bernard Ogwel, Darius Mugoye and technical director Asuman Lubowa.

Kitara and Buganda regions are the defending champions in the respective boys and girls categories. Kitara beat Kampala 4-3 after post match penalties in last year’s finals played at the Kakyeka stadium in Mbarara.

Buganda defeated Eastern 4-1 in the same venue.

The winner in both genders bags home a cool five million shillings while second placed take three.

2017 AFCON group D qualifiers
Uganda vs Comoros
Namboole
Charges: Ordinary – 25K, VIP – 60k, VVIP – 150K

The first group of the Comoros national team contingent will arrive in the country at 1 pm on Thursday September 1, FUFA confirms.

Chairman of the FUFA International Match Organizing Committee, Dr. Bernard Patrick Ogwel revealed the details to the media during a press conference on Wednesday at the Federation’s headquarters in Mengo.

“The Comoros team have confirmed their arrival on Thursday and Friday in two groups. Both arrivals will be at 1 pm,” Ogwel said.

The chairman also reaffirmed the fans and stakeholders expecting to attend the match of maximum security for both their lives and property throughout the day.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Emirian Kayima who was present at the press conference assured the same pointing out that an unspecified number of policemen will be deployed right from the Electoral Commission on Jinja Road down to Bweyogerere and at the northern by-pass.

Cranes update
Uganda Cranes resumed recovery training on Wednesday in a closed door session at the Islamic University campus in Kaboja following a goalless draw against Kenya on Tuesday at Namboole.

The team needs to defeat Comoros on Sunday September 4 if they are to end the 38 year drought of AFCON qualification.

The Parliamentary Committee on Health has summoned the Minister of Health Dr. Ruth Aceng and other Ministry officials to appear before the committee on Friday to address the plight of medical interns across the country.

This follows a peaceful demonstration executed by the interns on Wednesday demanding the resignation of the Minister due to the introduction of new policies that they termed ‘unfavorable’.

Meeting the disgruntled interns at Parliament, the Committee Chairperson, Michael Bukenya promised that the issues of interns were to be given the attention required since their field touches on the lives of many people who are currently in need.

Bukenya noted that the first core issue that the committee will handle is to question the Minister on why they took a decision to suspend the entire intern program without any explanation.

“The first issue that should be addressed is the suspension of the internship program yet it offers great services to the patients in hospitals. The other issues of payments will then be sorted after the program has been re-opened.

Among the recommendations made by interns was; halting the new two year bonding program, students on private sponsorship to be given internship facilitation and increasing the current allowance from Ugshs 609,000 to Ugshs 1.2 million.

They also want the records of payment of interns over the last 8 years investigated and basic utilities to be provided for interns in their various placements across Uganda.

High Court judge Wilson Masalu Musene has declined to reduce a death death penalty given by the High Court judge BKK Onega to 39 year old Francis Mwanga after convicting him of murder.

Justice Musene maintained that Mwanga must be hanged for the murder of 5 year old Shamim Muhammad on the Easter of April 1999.

Mwanga was among the 147 death row inmates whom the Supreme Court ordered to have their death sentences mitigated before the High Court after the state had delayed execution of their death penalities.

While re-condemning Mwanga to suffer death this morning, Justice Musene observed that even though he has spent 17 years on the death row, he does not deserve any mercy since he well knowingly led an innocent child to the slaughter house due to his selfish motive of getting rich.

“Death punishment is only deserved in only the rare of the rarest cases. This is the worst of the worst cases because it involved barbaric and inhumane acts against innocent children,” Judge Musene pronounced.

He emphasized that all Ugandan children must be protected from such crude, cruel, torturous and barbaric acts of ritual sacrifice.

Evidence on court record shows that on July 4 1999 at Njeru Town Council in Mukono district, Mwanga lured a young Shamim into buying her eats but instead led her to the shrine of his family witch doctor; Younous Samanya.

The witch doctor had convinced Mwanga that sacrificing a girl child would cleanse him of bad spirits that had bound him into poverty. Samanya is then said to have cut cut off the girl’s head, ears, tongue, private parts, fingers and buried her head in an anthill.

That Mwanga, a charcoal seller by then was spotted by eye witnesses to have been the last person seen with the toddler. Upon arrest, he had confessed to the crime and led police at the said anthill where Shamim’s head was recovered.

Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Jameson Karemani has issued a production warrant to Kigo Prisons requiring them to produce former CPS DPC Aaron Baguma in court where he is facing murder charges.

This followed the failure of Kigo Prisons to produce Baguma in court Thursday morning as it was expected. The Officer in Charge of Kigo Prison Jackson Musinguzi told court that Baguma was not feeling well and he is currently admitted the Prison’s Health facility.

The state prosecutor Jonnathan Muwaganya has requested court to grant him more time to prepare committal papers for Baguma and his three co-accused to High Court for trial.

“Your honor, accused number 8 (Baguma) is not in court but the rest are in court. The matter is coming up for mention. We pray for a production warrant to Kigo prisons to produce accused number 8 in court,” Muwaganya submitted.

In respect to the request, the trial magistrate has adjourned the matter to Tuesday September 6, the same date on which prisons is expected to produce Baguma in court.

Meanwhile, Baguma’s co-accused namely; Oduttu Shaban, Kitayimba Yoweri and Damaseni Sentongo have been further remanded to Luzira prison. ASP Baguma is jointly charged with 8 people including the Pine car bond proprietor Muhammad Sebuufu for the murder of a city businesswoman Donah Betty Katushabe over delayed payment of a Ugshs 9 million shillings debt on a car purchase.

Unlike in the usual court sessions, today Buganda Road court was filled beyond capacity to the extent that some of the people had to stand in court so as to follow the court proceedings.

Among the people who attended court were the high ranking Police officers who came in large numbers as a sign of solidarity to their comrade. Prosecution contends that Baguma visited the scene of crime at Pine Motors bond in Kampala and allegedly found Sebuufu and others stabbing Katushabe to death, but did nothing to save her life despite his constitutional mandate to protect people’s life and property as a police officer.

Zesco United and Harambee Stars top marksman Jesse Jackson Were is anxious to meet Uganda Cranes and Mamelodi Sundowns first choice keeper in the semi finals of the 2016 CAF Champions League.

The Zambian team qualified as second best team in group A with nine points, two behind leaders Wydad Casablanca and automatically booked a date with the South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

Sundowns topped group B with nine points from three wins, no draw and only one loss.

“Onyango is a very good goalkeeper,” Were told Chimpsport.

“I have watched him playing in several games especially at Sundowns and also for his national team.”

Were joined Zesco United from ten times Kenyan champions Tusker FC during the beginning of the season and has managed to score a whooping 16 goals for the clubs.

The Kenyan international has four goals to his name in the coveted continental club championship and is looking forward to the challenge against Onyango who was crowned PSL’s best.

“I just need to keep improving more in training. With good preparations I know I will ably counter him when we meet in both legs. But we expect a tough game against the whole team,” Were added.

Zesco and Sundowns will face off in the weekend of September 16-18 with the first leg in Zambia and second leg a week later.

Jesse Were was among Kenya’s starting team that featured in the goalless draw against Uganda Cranes on Tuesday in an international build up friendly.

National Basketball League
Wednesday results
City Oilers 82- 61UPDF Tomahawks
Ndejje 75-83 Falcons

City Oilers and Falcons registered easy wins over UPDF Tomahawks and Ndejje University Angles respectively in games played on Wednesday at the YMCA outdoor court.

Defending champions Oilers made easy work for the Tomahawks winning 82-61 to cement their lead at the summit and stretch their record this season to 15-1.

Oilers swept through all the quarters taking the first period 17-9 before comfortably getting through the second quarter 20-12 to take a comfortable 37-21 halftime lead.

After recess, Oilers combined for 45 points to win 82-61. UPDF’s Francis Odama had a game high 18 points while Jimmy Enabu,Landry Ndikumana and Otim Jonah scored in double figure for Oilers with Enabu getting a team high 16 points.

In the other game played on the day, Star times Falcons recovered from the  defeat against Oilers on Sunday by edging past Ndejje University Angles 83-75 to register their fifth win this season.
Stephen Omony and Francis Karoro had a joint team high 17 points for Falcons.

Action resumes on Friday at the Lugogo Indoor Arena with Pemba Warriors taking on Sharing Youth while the mouth watering encounter will be between second placed KIU Titans playing against Power.