Following last month’s announcement of a further reduction in the Central Bank Rate CBR by 100 basis points (1 percent) by the Bank of Uganda Governor Tumusiime Mutebile, Stanbic Bank has announced it will match the movement by reducing its prime lending rate from 23 percent to 22 percent effective October 1, 2016.

This is the third time in the last six months Stanbic bank has reduced its Prime Lending Rate in response to adjustments in the CBR.

“As we stated at the release of our half year financials last month, Stanbic is committed to maintaining the transparency of our pricing to our customers, this is the reason why we track movements of the CBR and revise our rates accordingly,” said Patrick Mweheire the Chief Executive of the Bank.

“We believe that the more affordable it is for our customers to pay back the money we lend to them for personal and business purposes the more value they will be able to create from their borrowings and the less likely they will be to default on their re-payments,” he added.

Officials say this has a positive effect on the overall economy and enhances domestic growth through stimulating private sector credit growth.

The Central Bank has been using moral suasion to sway commercial banks into reducing the spread between interest on deposits and loans but the results have not been any better.

Reading the 2015/16 budget Finance Minister Matia Kasaija said interest rates for borrowers remain high largely due to limited supply of long term capital in the economy due to absence of a savings mechanism to mobilize long term capital.

The second reason given by Kasaija was the risk profile of borrowers which remains high, as demonstrated by high default rates and non-performing loans in the past.

To address these constraints, said Kasaija, “Government is implementing, among others, the National Identification Project whose integration with financial systems will aid the verification of the creditworthiness of borrowers.”

David Walakira, a Budget Specialist with CSBAG recently said the prevailing high interest rates are detrimental to private sector investment due to the high cost of accessing capital for investment.

In the first half of the year Stanbic reported a commendable credit loss ratio of just 1.6 percent which is well below the industry average that currently stands at close to double figures.

“This is the result of the strength of our credit lending framework that have resulted in the strong quality of our loan book,” revealed Mweheire.

Talking about whether the bank is likely to further reduce its PLR again before the end of the year, Mweheire noted that the bank would continue to track any future changes to the CBR in line with the bank’s committed stance and any further drops in CBR would result in continued drops to the Stanbic’s PLR.

Last week while naming his squad for double duty against Kenya in a friendly and final AFCON 2017 qualifying match against Comoros, Coach Micho included a rare face – Bevis Mugabi who plies trade in English league two side Yeovil town FC.

The 21 year old defender failed to turn up on time and says it was due to the short notice received for the call up. However, the former Southampton youngster has opened his doors and looks eagerly for future engagements with the national team.

“It was a proud moment for me and my family,” Mugavi was quoted by Yeovil’s Somerset live. “Unfortunately I couldn’t go but hopefully next time I get a call up things will be better and I can go.”

Bevis Kristofer Kizito Mugabi was born on May 1, 1995 in Harrow, London in the United Kingdom to Ugandan born parents.

“Every player wants to play for their country at some stage in their career and hopefully I’ll get that opportunity again. If I keep performing well then I don’t see why not.”

He joined Yeovil town last month on a one year renewable deal and scored his first senior career goal in a recent 4-3 victory the team’s bitter South Coast rival Portsmouth FC in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday.

Mugabi had earlier been given matching orders in a league match last Saturday against Doncaster Rovers in a Skybet league two fixture that rules h out of this week’s clash against Blackpool.

About the goal
“I’ve learned from the mistakes that I made on Saturday, still being in my first professional season, so it’s a lesson learned and I’m happy that I scored against Portsmouth. It was a proud moment.”

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has commissioned a Ksh 30 billion container terminal at Mombasa Port, with officials saying the move affirms the Government’s commitment to upgrade the facility to boost domestic, regional and international trade.

Speaking when he commissioned the first phase of the second container terminal at Mombasa Port, President Kenyatta said ports are poised to play a more integral role in trade facilitation following the discovery of oil and gases in the country and in the region.

“Kenya itself discovered oil in Turkana and intends to export its first shipment in June 2017,” President Kenyatta said during the weekend, adding that his administration is in the process of improving oil-handling capacity in the Port of Mombasa.

The new Container Terminal can handle fourth generation vessels of 6,000 Twenty Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) capacity.

He said completion of the container terminal project marks another milestone for the maritime sector and heralds a new era in the development of ports and their capacity to facilitate the region’s international trade.

“In truth, the import of this project cannot be gainsaid. International trade records show that over 90 per cent of the world’s cargo is transported by sea. Ports are therefore critical to the economic growth of any country,” President Kenyatta said.

President Kenyatta noted that the Port of Mombasa plays an important role in the development of the country and it is a lifeline to the regional economies that depend on it for a significant number of their imports and exports.

“To give an example: the port’s transit traffic to the East African region increased from 7.2 million tons in 2014 to 7.7 million tons in 2015—an 8.2 per cent growth,” he said.

President Kenyatta also disclosed that the Kipevu Oil Terminal in Mombasa County will be relocated to a more suitable location to allow for expansion.

He said the multi-billion shilling project will involve the construction of an off-shore jetty near Dongo Kundu.

“Upon completion, the new terminal will have the capacity to berth four ships of up to 100,000 tons at once compared to the current maximum of one vessel of no more than 80,000 tons, at a time,” President Kenyatta said.

The President said the project, together with the expansion of the pipeline capacity between Mombasa and Eldoret, will enhance efficiency in the oil sector and reduce costs both locally and in the region.

Efficiency

The President disclosed that his administration is actively engaged in plans to develop small ports along the coastline into commercially viable entities including Shimoni, Malindi and Kiunga.

“Each port of these ports has been earmarked for development either as a fishing port or a commercial port,” he said.

To further ease congestion, the President said the construction of an alternative route from Mombasa Port to Burundi through Voi, Taita Taveta, Holili border, Singida-Kobero border and finally to Bujumbura, is ongoing.

The corridor, which will cover about 1545 Kilometres, will reduce the distance from Mombasa to Bujumbura through the Northern Corridor by 358 Kilometres.

The National Assembly has approved Ksh 27.3 billion from JICA for the construction of a second phase of the second container terminal project set to begin soon.

Deputy President William Ruto commended President Kenyatta for his commitment to the expansion and modernization of the port that has scaled up its efficiency.

“The personal commitment of the President has ensured the efficiency that we are witnessing at Mombasa Port,” the Deputy President said.

National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich said the Port of Mombasa is now ranked the fifth best as a result of its improved efficiency.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho expressed appreciation for the heavy investments of the national Government in the port of Mombasa.

A few hours to the do or die group D match between Uganda and Comoros at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, fans have braced themselves for the game.

Chimpreports managed to speak to a cross section of the Cranes supporters who said they were only waiting for the final whistle that would guarantee the team’s qualification to Gabon next year.

“I am contented we are going to win this game with a big margin. I just came to witness Uganda qualify for the African Nations Cup for the first time in many years,” John Kennedy Kayima, SC Villa fan from Makindye said.

“I have been closely following the past campaigns but this time round it is special. This Comoros side is too weak that we have nothing to worry about at the end of the game.”

For Jennifer from Canada, she could not help attending the game because of the hype shown especially by the soccer lovers in Uganda.

“I had just come to visit Watoto Children Ministries and this is my first time in Uganda. When I heard about the game, I decided to be part of the once in the life time event as Uganda seeks to qualify for the finals of the continental tournament,” she said.

According to Suzan Zawedde from Entebbe, in a bid to show solidarity for the national team, she decided this was her chance to watch the Cranes play in such a big tournament.

“This is my first time to watch Cranes play and I expect them to win this game,”Zawedde told ChimSport.

In an interview with a Kenyan journalist, he was surprised by what he described as enthusiasm exhibited by the Ugandan supporters at Namboole.

“This is crazy. I wish we could replicate it back home,” the journalist who preferred anonymity told ChimpSport.

The Cranes will have to engage and extra gear so as to bag the maximum points from the Island nation and the win will ensure the East African nation break the 39 year jinx without qualifying for the Afcon finals.

The 2017 finals will be played in Gabon in January .

Uganda on Sunday wrote history when they qualified for the 2017 Afcon finals in Gabon thanks to a 34th minute goal from Farouk Miya that sunk Comoros.

The visitors were only lucky not to have conceded a number of goals thanks to their goalkeeper Ahamada who denied Cranes a chance to see the back of the net.

Cranes players celebrate the win on Sunday.

The special moment came in the 34th minute when Moses Oloya set up Miya to send a shot that went past the hosts’ goalkeeper giving Uganda the deserved lead.

It was a moment of madness as fans went crazy after the goal that ensured Uganda qualified after 38 years since the 1978 finals held in Ghana.

The team that delivered Uganda to the promised land.

The visitors started the second half with a lot of energy that saw them test Cranes custodian Dennis Onyango but he stood firm sending the ball away for a corner that later yielded nothing.

The Cranes continued pressing hard in the second half only to miss more chances that would have ensured the home team put the lead beyond reach.

Fans were the twelfth  player on the day.

Right back and Vipers’ captain Nicholas Wadada is one player who can’t go unnoticed on day after a brilliant display of skills at Namboole as Uganda beat Comoros.

It was celebrations all over the  4300 seater stadium that had been filled to capacity  after the final whistle that saw fans throng into the pitch to celebrate with the Cranes players.

Players celebrate the goal.

Players were seen lifting the Cranes tactician Milutin Sredjovic Micho whose heroic tactics had delivered Uganda to the Promised Land after 38 years of suffering and near misses.

It was indeed a historic moment witnessed by the First Lady Janet Museveni, also the Education Minister, who was the chief guest on the day.

Nicholas Wadada had a good day.

The win ensured Uganda was level on points in group D with leaders Burkina Faso who had to wait for a late minute winner against Botswana.

A Ugandan diplomat has died under mysterious circumstances during a flight back home, Chimp Corps report.

Ambassador Njuneki who has been in charge of Special Duties at Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kampala passed away on Friday night while flying through South Africa.

It is understood Njuneki, who was well known for his infectious tumor, had traveled to attend a conference in Sweden.

“He just died in his sleep. He was found dead on his chair,” said a source.

Ministry of Foreign Officials were not readily available for comment on Saturday night.

The incident comes almost a year after Gen Aronda Nyakairima was found dead on flight while travelling from South Korea.

Farouk Miya’s 34^th minute strike was enough for Uganda to break the 38-year jinx of failing to qualify for the Africa cup of nations.

The victory over Comoros ensured the Cranes ended with thirteen points same e as group D winners Burkina Faso who needed a late winner to see off Botswana.

First half action  

Uganda kicked off with explosive gear creating chance after chance.

As early as the first minute, skipper Geoffrey Massa almost got Uganda the lead but he failed to connect to Joseph Ochaya’s cross.

The visitors got the first attempt on goal in the 7^th minute when Bakar Djamel powered a shot just outside the area but Dennis Onyango was in position to collect the ball with ease.

From then onwards, it was all about cranes with the visitors creating chance after chance. Comoros goalkeeper denied Moses Oloya in the 10^th minute saving the wingers effort off the line.

Cranes players celebrate Farouk Miya’s goal on Sunday.

The special moment came ten minutes to halftime when Oloya laid up Miya to break the deadlock. Mawejje picked up Miya with a defence splitting pass but Miya failed at the first attempt with goalkeeper Ahamada saving but the rebounding ball fell to Oloya who laid to Miya to fire into the net and give Uganda a deserved halftime lead.

Second Half

The visitors started the second half with Ahamada Kombo testing Onyango two minutes after but the burly goalkeeper stood firm to send the ball for a corner.

Micho called for the first change in the 53^rd minute with Luwagga Kizito paving way for Emmanuel Owi.

Cranes almost doubled the lead in the 65^th minute following a quick exchange between Wadada and Oloya put the formers effort went a few inches off target.

Cranes held to the lead until the final whistle barring off pressure from Comoros who worked hard to level matters.

Cranes XI

Dennis Onyango, Nicholas Wadada, Joseph Ochaya, Murshid Jjuuko, Isaac Isinde, Khalid Aucho, Tonny Mawejje, Luwagga Kizito(Okwi 53), Moses Oloya(Walusimbi 84), Miya Farouk, Geoffrey Massa(Wasswa 90).

Unused Subs

Salim Jamal, Ivan Ntege, Yunus Ssentamu,Geoffrey Sserunkuuma

Comoros XI

Ahamada Ali, Abdou Nadsim, Bachirou Fouad, Mohamed El Fardou, Mchangama Youssouf, Bakar Djamel, Ahamada Kassim, Kombo Ahamadi, Youssouf Ben,Chamed Nasser,Youssouf Madi.

Additional reporting by Fred Mwambu.

Col Dr Kizza Besigye on the weekend found himself having to respond to the accusations that he has stirred political unrest in which a number of Ugandans have suffered great harm, while his family is tacked away in the safety of first world countries.

The concern which has prevailed for a long time now, came up once again as the former presidential candidate addressed scores of Ugandans in the Americas during this year’s Ugandan North American Association (UNAA) Convention in Boston.

At the convention which was attended by several government officials including the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga and his Deputy Jacob Oulanyah, Dr Besigye was tasked by the audience to explain why his family that includes his wife Winnie Byanyima and their only son Anselm Besigye, have not been involved in the so -called Defiance Campaign.

In the heat of Dr Besigye’s defiance campaign in which he called upon Ugandan youths to reject last February’s election results, some Ugandans including the Chairman of the National Electoral Commission Eng. Badru Kiggundu questioned why the Besigye hadn’t put his family at the frontline of this struggle.

Read Also: Byanyima Hits Back at Kiggundu: “My Son Doesn’t Eat Burgers”

In their defense however, Dr Besigye said that his wife Winnie has been involved in the opposition struggle ever since he broke ranks with government a decade and half ago.

“My wife is there,” he said. “When I went into exile in South Africa, she was arrested seven times. My son was two years old. He was in prison aged only two; it is on record.”

Probed further what charges were leveled on the 2 year old prisoner, Besigye responded, “What charges have been put on me even when I am an adult? There is nothing.”

Born in September 1999, Anselm Besigye first tested the wrath of Ugandan politics in 2003 after his father lost in the 2001 presidential elections and run to exile.

Government security operatives — reportedly the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) led by the late Brig. Nobel Mayombo (then Colonel) — raided their house in Kampala “to check” on the little boy.

At the time, his mother Winnie, a Member of Parliament representing Mbarara Municipality was away on a trip in Manila in the Philippines.

The boy was consequently picked by his grandmother from Kampala and rushed to their country home in Mbarara before being flown out of the country to South Africa in September.

He has since lived with her mother in South Africa, Ethiopian, the US and England where she currently works as the Oxfam International’s Executive Director, although he studies in a distant US.

The police spokesperson Andrew Felix Kaweesi has put the Federation of Uganda Football Association management in the spotlight for printing more tickets than Mandela National stadium, Namboole  could hold on Sunday as Uganda played Comoros in the 2017 Afcon qualifiers.

Addressing journalists on Monday at police headquarters, AIGP Kaweesi said they were perturbed when many people stormed the entrance of the stadium with genuine tickets to watch the match yet it was full to capacity.

“There was a scuffle at the gate as we sent some of them away for security reasons. They had tickets but we could not allow them into the stadium,” Kaweesi told a news conference.

“The stadium has a capacity of 45000 people but in assumption, over 50,000 people were in the stadium yet more were still coming in .We had to prevent anything dangerous that could happen if we had allowed  them in.”

Kaweesi said the scuffle at the entrance between the fans and security personnel led to the burning of 2 police motorcycles whereas 6 other people were also injured as police tried to stop them from entering the stadium.

He noted that even the emergency corridors inside the stadium were full of people as others stood on top of their colleagues.

“We have on earlier occasions tried speaking to FUFA who told us they had printed a few tickets only to realize more sales are ongoing on match day. We know they (FUFA) can’t accept to this but in future we are to devise scientific means to solve this.”

The police spokesperson said that in future, FUFA would be tasked to refund the supporters for the tickets bought or face legal action from those supporters with genuine tickets.

He added they spoke to FUFA officials who told police some people might have manipulated their own tickets.

“We regret any inconvenience caused to fans but we could not allow a catastrophe happen as we watched. We know they will not accept but tickets were more than the stadium capacity.”

“I spoke to FUFA President who said the number of tickets printed was equal to the number of supporters unless some people manipulated. Those who have tickets should take them to FUFA house for a refund,”he urged.

Uganda beat Comoros to break the 38 year jinx without qualifying for the Afcon finals.

Three people were on Sunday night knocked dead by speeding vehicles as drivers celebrated Uganda’s qualification to the 2017 Afcon finals.

Farouk Miya’s 34th minute goal that broke the 38 year jinx also saw Uganda sail through to next year’s finals. The victory however threw Uganda Cranes fans around the city into frenzy as they celebrated the victory on Sunday evening. .

Addressing a news conference on Monday, police spokesperson   Andrew Felix Kaweesi told journalists that after the game, the fans became unruly as they jubilated the national team’s win and eventual qualification to the Afcon finals.

“At around 8pm, a yet to be identified  speeding vehicle knocked dead  Esther Namyala,17 and Teddy Namalwa who were crossing the road at Kalerwe. Another incident along the same stretch saw 50 year old Isma Kanubbi also knocked dead by a speeding vehicle,” Kaweesi said.

“The accidents were caused by happiness and jubilation that made people drive recklessly while on the road.”

Kaweesa said both drivers are on the run but police is looking for them.

In related incidents, the police spokesperson has said that over 60 people were arrested on Sunday over various offences connected to the match at Namboole.

Kaweesi said most of those apprehended had been involved in pickpocketing and other petty cases but noted there were no other big incidents during and after the match.

“We didn’t have incidents of attacks on people after the game as has been before .The game ended well without any worrying situation.”

He however said there was a small scuffle at the entrance after police stopped some of the supporters from entering because the stadium was full but said this was later contained.

Sarah Nabikolo Sebunya, the widow of murdered businessman Eriya Bugembe Sebunya alias Kasiwukira has denied having knowledge or participating in the plan to kill her husband.

Nabikolo is accused of murdering Kasiwukira, alongside two other people who include Sandra Nakungu (her sister) and Ashraf Jadeni (a police officer).

In her sworn in testimony today , before High Court judge Justice Wilson Masalu Musene, the 51 year old who looked strong informed court that considering the love she had with her late husband, there is no way she could wish him death.

“I got officially married to my husband at Namirembe Cathedral in 2009 but before that I had stayed with him for 20 years. We worked together in everything so that our four children could have a bright future”

Nabikolo added that she had never seen her co-accused Jadeni before but met him at the Makindye Magistrate’s court as they were being charged.

“I didn’t know most of the witness who came to this court pinning me of promising them 20million and a car to kill my husband. I was just a house wife who was unemployed; it is unthinkable for this court to believe that a house wife can raise such a huge amount of money,” Nabikolo reveals

She however acknowledged as pointed out by some prosecution witnesses that there were misunderstandings in her family,which she said emerged when her husband got another girlfriend, but added that this matter was resolved.

“After receiving information that my husband had a girlfriend whom they had a child I sat him down and asked him to call his brother Mr Gayi with whom we settled the matter and from there I had to forgive my husband”

On the issue of witch craft which prosecution claims was at the center of the murder, the widow termed this as baseless.

“My husband was sitting on the construction committee of St Stephens Church in Kisuggu where I was an usher. We were a God fearing family which couldn’t tolerate such satanic activities” Nabikolo

After her defense Nabikolo asked court to set her free because she never committed any offence. She added that she had suffered enough on remand and acquired diseases from confinement.

All the three accused persons have finalized their defense and Justice Musene has set the 22 September for final submissions by the defense.

Former Kampala Central Police Station DPC, ASP Aaron Baguma has finally arrived at the Buganda Road Magistrates Court where he is charged with murder.

Baguma together with 8 others is charged with the murder of a city businesswoman Donah Katushabe March 20, 2015 at The Pine car bond along Luwum street in Kampala, over delayed payment of a Shs 9 million debt on a car purchase.

Baguma skipped court last week due to illiness.

He was charged and remanded to Kigo government prison on Wednesday August 31st.

Buganda Road chief magistrate Jamson Karemani has committed to High Court former CPS Kampala DPC Aaron Baguma and his three co-accused persons, for their trial of murdering former businesswoman Dona Katushabe.

Baguma was committed together with Kitayimbwa Yoweri, Damaseni Sentongo and Oduttu Shaban, bringing to nine the number of people accused in this case.

Among these is the proprietor of the Pine Car Bond Muhamad Sebuuufu who is currently on remand in Luzira Prison with five others.

Baguma was brought on handcuffs to court at around 9am in a Prisons Double Cabin pickup from Kigo Prison in  company of Prisons officers, and was led straight to court cells.

Baguma (in grey court) with the other accused persons in dock

In a fully packed court, State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya revealed that investigations in the matter are complete and thus requested the magistrate to commit them to High Court for trial.

The Chief Magistrate did just that, and further remanded the accused, pending trial in the High court.

He also advised them if they needed bail, to apply for it at the High Court as their file would be forwarded there in the shortest time possible.

Some of the Police officers showing support to their colleague

One of the accused persons Shaban Oduttu who came to court walking with a clutch, with cuffs on both his legs and arms  asked court to help him access treatment.

He complained of pain in his private parts but the magistrate ordered the Prisons authorities to treat him in their facilities since they have the capacity.

The DPP is expected to adduce before High Court the evidence linking the suspects to the murder of Katushabe, who was allegedly beaten to death after she failed to fully complete a car purchase at the Pine car bond.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has Tuesday announced that the Yellow Fever outbreak which was reported in March this year has been contained.

Prof. Anthony Mbonye, the Acting Director General of Health Services at the Ministry told journalists at a news conference that there has been no new cases reported since the Ministry undertook a mass vaccination exercise in the affected districts.

On March 24, an alert was raised about a suspected outbreak of Yellow Fever in Masaka district involving three cases from one family. Following tests conducted, it was confirmed on April 7 that the three samples contained the fever.

More 65 suspected cases were later reported in the districts of Masaka, Rukungiri and Kalangala 7 of which were confirmed and 3 people dead.

The Ministry conducted a mass vaccination in the three affected districts with a total of 627,706 people aged 6 and above vaccinated.

“It is my pleasure to announce that the 2016 yellow fever outbreak has been contained. There has been no new cases reported since we carried out vaccination and a screening in 17 districts surrounding Masaka, Rukungiri and Kalangala,” Prof. Mbonye told journalists at the Uganda Media Centre.

He did stress that; “The vaccination exercise covered 94 percent of the 3 affected districts, which is above the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended percent of 90.”

In the meantime, further efforts including screening are being made to ensure there is no importation of yellow fever in the country.

Prof. Mbonye urged Ugandans who intend to travel abroad to undergo vaccination at the respective MOH accredited health facilities as well as protecting themselves from mosquito bites.

Jeff N. Borchert, the Global Health Security Coordinator at U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hailed Uganda for its early recognition and response.

“Containment of the Yellow fever is indicative of the great capacity by Uganda’s Ministry of Health in terms of response,” Borchert said.

The Kyabazinga of Busoga, HRH William Wilberforce Kadhumbula Gabula Nadiope IV has congratulated the Uganda Cranes upon their historic win over Comoros that ensured the team’s successful pursuit of the AFCON Qualification, after nearly four decades of waiting.

Kyabazinga Gabula IV, who joined the tens of thousands of football lovers at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole to support the Cranes, committed his Kingdom to providing the necessary infrastructure and institutional support; to identify and develop the vast available sports talent that is required by the various National sports teams, to ensure that Uganda regularly qualifies and excels at the continental and global sporting showpieces.

In his congratulatory message sent to the FUFA President, the Youthful King who is marking two years on the throne said; “The success of the Uganda Cranes should inspire all of us, especially the youth and it should reinvigorate our dedication to the pursuit of excellence not just in sports but in all our life’s aspirations”.

The Kyabazinga further called on all stakeholders to provide the necessary environment and resource support including prioritization of sports within the school curriculum, establishment of robust sports’ development processes and programs, and the availability of the requisite infrastructure including maintaining public play grounds in our communities.

Uganda First: the patriotic Kyabazinga donning national colours

Referring to a popular Lusoga motto, Okwisania Namanhi, he called on the Football fraternity to remain purposeful and united, and wished the Uganda Cranes success at the AFCON Finals in Gabon.

Kyabazinga Gabula IV is set to host the triumphant Cranes in Busoga in the coming few months with a match against a select team from the ongoing Busoga Kingdom Masaza competition and a dinner.

The State Minister for Ethics and Integrity, Fr. Simon Lokodo has clarified on the delayed operationalisation of the Pornography Control Committee and the subsequent delay in the purchase of a Pornography detection Machine.

While appearing before the Presidential Affairs Committee chaired by Hon. Fred Mwesigye on Tuesday the Minister was tasked to explain whether the said machine is already in operation or not.

Read Also: Cabinet Approves Porn Control Committee

Lokodo noted that no purchase has been effected yet due to lack of funds which the government hasn’t released to his ministry.

This was however seen as contradicting of the Minister by some members of the committee who reminded him that he was on record revealing that the machine had been procured.

“These guys gave me a soothing word that money was on my budget for the operationalisation of the Ponography Control Committee and I knew that once the committee is in place, the next thing to purchase would be this server,” the minister clarified.

“Get this right, it is not a machine but a server to be installed in the system to detect anything related to Pornography,” noted Lokodo.

“I am waiting for the money and if I got it I would have bought it yesterday,” Lokodo highlighted.

“To make the committee perform its duties effectively, including accommodation, transport, field work and office equipment; I would need around Sh2.6bn.”

For the server, the Minister revealed that according to the earlier contacted supplier from South Korea, the server would go for Sh300bn to 500bn.

A junior officer has confessed that the police have a store where they keep sticks, some of which were used to beat the supporters of FDC and opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye.

Robert Wanzala, a junior officer attached to CPS who is among those battling charges of brutalizing Besigye supporters in July told court in his defense that on the fateful day, he was deployed by a one SP Benson Mboro to go to the High Court where Besigye was expected to be granted bail.

He said that when Besigye started his journey, he then jumped onto the patrol vehicle manned by the KMP Operations Commander James Ruhweza with instructions to stop the supporters from blocking the way as the opposition leader returned home.

“We were assigned to scare away supporters from joining the road with sticks. The operations commander (Ruhweza) briefed us on how to use the sticks before we proceeded with our duty,” Wanzala told court on Tuesday.

“The briefing was to maintain law and order on the road.”

He said that while Besigye’s convoy proceeded, the supporters kept on joining it in big numbers and most of them started   throwing stones and mangoes at police officers.

The junior officer told court that they continued dispersing them by scaring them off the road so as traffic could flow freely.

“We were given the sticks by the FFU KMP commander and signed for them. The sticks were from the police anti –riot stores and we returned them later,” the junior officer said.

Asked whether he participated in the beating, Wanzala said he only scared away Besigye supporters.

On the number of sticks in the store, he said he could not guess but noted they were many and that all police officers during that operation had sticks.

When asked if what they did together with his fellow police officers was right, Wanzala said their commanders never stopped them but gave them a go ahead.

“If it was wrong then the commanders would have reprimanded us that what we were doing was wrong.”

Asked whether scaring away supporters meant beating them, the junior officer maintained they (police) only scared them away.

The High Court in Kampala has issued a production warrant to Kigo government prison to produce former Kampala CPS DPC Aaron Baguma tomorrow in court for hearing of his bail application.

Baguma was Tuesday committed to High court with his three co-accused persons by the Buganda Road Magistrates Court.

On the advice of the Magistrate Jamson Karemani, he immediately applied to be temporarily released from prison pending commencement of his murder trial before the High Court.

Read Also: How DPC Baguma Got Involved In Pine Car Murder

Baguma was on 30th August 2016 remanded to Kigo prison by Buganda Road Magistrate Joan Aciro after he secretly turned in himself in to lift an arrest warrant that had been issued against him.

In his bail application before high court, Baguma points out that bail is his constitutional right and that he has substantial sureties.

This application is scheduled to be heard before the head of the High Court – Ccriminal division justice Wilson Masalu Musene.

In a related development Baguma’s co-accused also proprietor of the Pine Car bond Muhammad Ssebufu has also re-applied to be released on bail a few months after Justice Musene rejected his request on grounds that his release could interfere with investigations, since most of the witnesses are his former employees at Pine car bond whom he could easily influence.

Sebuufu’s bail application has been fixed to be heard on Friday this week by the same judge.

The duo together with 7 others are yet to stand trial before the High Court in its convenient session for the murder of a businesswoman Donah Betty Katushabe at pine car bond over delayed payment of a 9 million shillings debt which was balance of a car which she had purchased from Muhammad Sebuufu.

The State House Comptroller, Lucy Nakyobe has appealed to Ugandans to stop running to the President for financial offers but make use of the various poverty eradication mechanisms that the NRM government has established.

Nakyobe made the appeal while appearing before the Presidential Affairs Committee of Parliament on Tuesday where she revealed that the begging habit has become unsustainable. She noted that many people are frequenting State House and other presidential lodges daily for financial favors.

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“It is not the President that effects payment of any pledge, there is a system and an administration which sits at Okello House; it’s us who handle these requests and are responsible for clearing all the presidential pledges and promises,” Nakyobe told the committee.

“Is it poverty that is increasing in the country; everyone is now looking for the president. They hunt for him wherever he goes; on rallies, at State lodges and these include Members of Parliament with claims that he made pledges to them yet most of them are lying.” Nakyobe said.

The Comptroller clarified that when a pledge is made by the President, It is documented and at an appropriate time her office makes a call to the beneficiaries to pick it up.

“I therefore re-echo the words of the President that he can’t handle all Ugandans one by one because we are many, which is also time consuming to him because he has a lot of other presidential issues to handle.”

“That is why the President set up the Ministry of Microfinance so that the people could form SAACOs so as to receive financial help from government.”

“Government has gone ahead to set up the Operation wealth creation so that people could remain comfortable in their villages to receive seedlings form the UPDF officers;  several programs have been set up under the Ministry of Gender which include the youth livelihood programs and the women fund which are all aimed at eradicating poverty.”

Defending champions KCCA FC needed  two  second half goals to ensure former boss Sam Ssimbwa’s first return to Lugogo was a disaster  when he lost to his former pay masters  on Tuesday evening in the Azam Uganda Premier League.

The Kasasiro boys had earlier in the first half found difficulties in breaking  Soana’s back as veteran midfielder Vincent Kayizzi, prodigal son Brian Majwega ,Paul Mucureezi, Joseph Ochaya and  lead striker Geoffrey Sserunkuuma missed a number of chances that have proved the difference between the 2 sides  before recess.

Brian Majwega was left cursing

On several occasions, Ochaya’s crosses either landed in the hands of Soana’s shot stopper Didi Mohamad or were too wide off the goal mouth.

Soana however kept strong trying to with Willy Kavuma and Kamada Ssebaggala enjoying the day in the midfield for the visitors   but their passes could not penetrate the defending champions’ defence.

Skipper Dan Wagaluka’s crosses also yielded nothing as they were either intercepted or went wide ensuring both teams had a fair share of the first half.

KCCA FC’s Ivan Ntege battles for the ball with Misi Katende

A few minutes after recess, an attack started by goal keeper Benjamin Ochan to skipper Dennis Okot who passed the ball to Mucureezi yielded nothing as substitute Derrick Nsibambi staggered with the ball only to be cleared by the Soana defenders.

The resilient Soana were however broken into in the 64^th minute after a red card to defender Misi Katende who handled Mucureezi’s shot   that was destined for the visitors’ net.

Cranes left back Ochaya then took the penalty that was repulsed by the visitors’ goal keeper but his defenders could not clear the ball giving chance to Ochaya score from a rebounder.

Coaches Sam Simbwa (L) and Mike Mutebi were busy throughou the match

The red card served to ease the work of the defending champions who now mounted more pressure on Soana who had turned defensive .

A few minutes later in the 67^th minute, last season’s best midfielder Muzamir Mutyaba was at it again breaking   Soana’s defence before putting the game beyond reach for the visitors.

In an interview with Chimpreports, KCCA FC defender  Timothy Awany said the red card to the visitors helped ease their job and eventually they broke through Siana’s defence.

The win on Tuesday evening saw the defending champions collect  the maximum 9 points  from 3 games played in the Azam Uganda Premier League whereas  Soana now have 4 points .