The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga has ordered for the blacklist of ministers dodging parliamentary debate and derailing business in the house.

Ms. Kadaga made the orders on Tuesday following a move started by the Dokolo Woman MP, Cecilia Ogwal who asked the former to rein on the members of Executive for taking parliamentary responsibilities casually and deciding to continuously stay away from the building that is near to most of their offices.

According to Ogwal, the absence of Cabinet members who are supposed to present, explain and defend government positions in the national assembly, is deliberate.

“Madam Speaker, we need to hear from the Government Chief Whip why the ministers are always not here. It looks to be an intended move,” she said.

The Dokolo strong woman, who is also a Parliamentary Commissioner, stressed that the numbers of ministers have been increased but it remains a mystery why they are scarce at Parliament.

“The Cabinet was increased recently and we expected work to be moving so fast. It is however hard to tell why many are proving to be nowhere near us.”

The Government Chief Whip, Ruth Nankabirwa has on many occasions represented the absent ministers.

Nankabirwa also had no clear answer to tell the house and instead asked the legislature to find a solution.

“The same ministers face members in different committees and in the house here. A solution can also be arrived at from here,” Ms. Nankabirwa said.

The Speaker simply acted by ordering the Clerk to Parliament, Jane Kibirige to list down the names of ministers who have been “perpetually” dodging the plenary sittings.

“I want the Clerk to name all the minsters that have been perpetually missing. We shall publish their names,” Kadaga said.

The Speaker however didn’t mention the next course of action against the ministers to be affected.

Police has deployed heavily at Kabale University after over 120 both the teaching and non-teaching staff of the university went again on strike rejecting validation appointment letters given to them by them, citing irregularities and unpaid salaries for the last seven months.

On 16th September 2016, University officials started the exercise of offering validation appointment letters to the university staff members after it was transformed from a private institution to a public institution on 1st July2016.

The staff members under their umbrella body, Kabale University Academic Staff Association (KUASA) claim that the validation appointment letters the university is issuing are hanging without specific terms and conditions and have no specific job descriptions.

Officers guarding the administration block

Emmanuel Nkundizana, the KUASA chairperson confirms that staff members resolved to reject validation appointment letters during a meeting held on Monday evening at the university main hall.

Nkundizana says the university is releasing letters that do not show clear job descriptions of duties and responsibilities wondering how workers can easily fulfill them.

“the university validation appointment letters are valid between six and eight mo

Students stranded at the University as lecturers have banadoned classes

nth instead of three years and permanent. We also want the university to pay us  our  unpaid salaries for the last seven months before we sign on the letters ”.said
Nkundizana.

Dr. Joseph Tindyebwa the chairperson for Kabale University Professions and Academic Staff Union says that although the university tried to alert police to avert their meeting, they went ahead and held it.

He says they want the University to first make a memorandum of understanding protecting their jobs before they sign validation appointment letters.

He wondered why the University alerted anti-riot police to intimidate them yet they are complaining for a common cause.

One of the police officers who talked to ChimpReports on condition of anonymity says they (Police) were alerted by the University administrators on Sunday claiming that the aggrieved staff members are threatening to hold demonstration over their unpaid salaries.

He says that police want to remain deployed at the university until sanity is realized.

Johnson Kahesi, the acting Kabale University Public Relations Officer, says that although most of the staff members have rejected letters, others are cooperative and signing them.

John Kaheesi speaking to journalists at his office

Kahesi says that some of their issues will be discussed for a solution since validation exercise is still going on.

He adds that deployment of police in the University is not aimed at intimidating the aggrieved staff members but to make sure that the area is peaceful.

Buganda youth under the Nkoba za Mbogo Students Association have Wednesday morning staged a demonstration against the current leaders at the palace in Mengo for the poor management of Buganda Land Board  (BLB) that has caused a reproach to the Kingdom and their king.

While demonstrating at the Palace in Mengo, the youth noted that the poor management within the land board prompted one the Kabaka’s subjects, a one Mabirizi to take the Kabaka to courts of law to answer charges to do with land.

Led by their chairperson, Haruna Badru Sonko, the youth marched to the palace holding placards calling for the restructuring of BLB and cautioning the Kingdom Premier, Charles Peter Mayiga to come out and save the Kingdom glory that is fading by such court cases against the king.

“We have been forced to take this step after seeing that the leaders in Mengo are all quiet when our king is being insulted; they have all not come out to address the matter and find a lasting solution to it,” Sonko noted.

“We have come out to fight for the glory of the King which is under attack, we can no longer sit down and see land issues degrade our king; we believe the poor handling of land matters by the Buganda Land Board is causing all this disgrace to the Kingdom,” Sonko noted.

“As youths, we were cut by the court case against the King and the way the Prime Minister is neglecting the issue; we believe Mabirizi had a genuine cause but we acusse him of filing a case against the wrong person instead of suing BLB officials.”

Youths holding placards with different messages to Prime Minister Mayiga and Buganda Land Board

They have called upon Mabirizi to immediately withdraw the case and file a new one against Mayiga and Buganda Land Board officials who are at the helm of embezzling people’s land.

They have further advised the Premier to come out and publicly own the wrongs done by the officials under him or else resign his position.

The youth marched to the palace gate and later disappeared on seeing security so tight.

Annet Nassazi, a mother of 5 who had been arrested by police  for  camping at City Hall as form of demonstration has been released  freely after a visit by Kampala Central MP, Muhammad Nsereko, Chimp Corps report.

Nassazi early this week stunned passerby when she stormed the entrance to KCCA headquarters  with  a mattress and 4 of her children demanding to see KCCA Executive Director Jennifer Musisi over her stall given away by the authority  officers at the USAFI market before confiscating her  merchandise.

She was later detained at the Central Police Station in Kampala where she spent a night with her 4 children.

According to Nassazi, a resident of Kawempe and a former street vendor, she relocated to the USAFI market where she acquired 2 stalls together with her husband but was stunned to see KCCA officials in the market giving away the stalls and confiscating their property without any genuine reason.

“I complained about the issue at city Hall and the Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago before the KCCA ED, Jeniffer  Musisi ordered that my stalls be given back to me,” she told journalists.

Nassazi however said on returning the stalls, her merchandise was never returned making her complain to the concerned officials but these never heeded to her pleas.

“The officials in the market said since I had embarrassed them when I made it public, they could not give me back my property. I then decided to camp at City Hall so I could see her (KCCA ED) for help.”

However, on Wednesday afternoon, MP Muhammad Nsereko reached out to CPS DPC Joseph Bakaleke requesting police to release Nassazi and her 4 children who had been held in detention.

“It hurts me as a parent seeing a mother and her children arrested and spend days outside their home. I realized the need to reach out to police to see that she is released and I will stand surety for her,”Nsereko said while at CPS.

He also offered to give her Shs4 million as start-up capital to see she returns to USAFI market and resume business.

The Kampala CPS DPC, Bakaleke heeded to the request by Nsereko and released Nassazi and her 4 children unconditionally.

The Magistrates’ Court in Jinja has remanded Augustine Ojobire and Robert Mayanja, the eastern regional coordinator and deputy national coordinator of the Jobless Brotherhood respectively to Kirinya Prisons until tomorrow Thursday.

The duo is accused of uttering defamatory and demeaning statements by branding Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga a pig.

They were Tuesday remanded by John Frances Kaggwa, Jinja Chief Magistrate, who declined to grant them bail saying he would give his ruling on Thursday.

Kaggwa heard that Ojebire, 27, a resident of Walukuba in Jinja Municipality and Mayanja, 36, a resident of Nakawa in Kampala during a radio talk show on NBS Radio station in Jinja incited violence among the general public against the speaker Kadaga.

However, the accused denied the allegations and charges preferred against them asking court to grant them a non-cash bail since they were not violent and are also jobless.

Prosecution led by Shamim Nalule, a state attorney told court that even if the duo incited non-physical violence, when given bail they would further incite more violence in the public.

Nalule accused them of being non-cooperative during arrest and refusing to make statements while at Jinja Central Police Station.

“If given bail they would proceed with their behaviours in public. They were uncooperative to Police and also have other pending cases to answer in regard to nuisance and public disorder,” she said.

She cited the cases as CRB 1234/2016 in Kampala, CRB 115/2015 and CRB 856/2016 in Jinja.

“It’s our humble submission that if released on bail they shall commit other offences yet investigations are not complete,” she said, adding, the accused will put court at risk of wasting taxpayers’ money in case they are granted bail and fail to return to court.

Norman Tumuhimbise, the national coordinator of the Jobless Brotherhood, urged members to remain calm but said this will not stop them for fighting for people’s rights.

Twenty three year old Samuel Mugarura, a Makerere University student who  recently confessed that he can manufacture teargas using local materials has said his life is in danger due to threats  he receives since making the daring revelation.

The 3rd year student of Bachelor of Sciences at the Chemistry Department of the College of Natural Science told this website that he has received what he termed as threats from security agencies led by police threatening to take action against him for his invention which they say is illegal.

“Police threatened to arrest me for illegal possession of government property.  Mugarura Samuel is not a terrorist like some agencies stated,” he said.

“I am only a proud student of Makerere University and proud citizen of Uganda who is willing to offer his knowledge to government and in any case let them come in and join hands for the betterment of the country other than threatening me.”

According to Mugarura, he receives a number of phone calls from unknown people threatening to harm him for his innovation which they say threatens national security.

The 23 year old student of Makerere said since airing out his innovation, he has been asked by the Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Emillian Kayima to drop his idea for it is illegal and security threatening.

“They say they checked my room and found marijuana which I don’t know of. The truth is that I apparently don’t stay at the university and I don’t know which room they checked.”

Mugarura added, “May be they first need to listen to my story before drawing conclusions without first listening to me. This innovation is something simple that even a S.4 Chemistry student can do if well prepared.”

He noted that instead of trying to threaten him, government ought to come out and support him as an innovator.

“I am asking government to come out and protect a citizen who is not harmful but willing to give in what he can to help build the nation. I wish I can get support for the betterment of this country,” he urged.

Police Respond

The Kampala Metropolitan Area Police spokesperson Emillian Kayima however disputed as allegation, the claims by Mugarura of threats to his life .

“Nobody is threatening his life,”Kayima said in a phone call interview.

“We don’t know if what he is doing is bad or good and he should not make innovations through the media.”

The Kampala Metropolitan Area Police mouthpiece however noted that police searched Mugarura’s room and found some illegal items adding that the Makerere student denied them on record.

“He should follow the standard procedure and should not do things that might compromise his security and national security.”

On Mugarura seeking attention from government Kayima said,”He has not taken the first  step to talk to government. He knows how to communicate to government departments and not through rumours. Let him write to government.”

National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Managing Director Richard Byarugaba has weighed in on the debate on capping commercial bank interest rates, saying such a move would be “dangerous” to the economy.

The Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta recently signed into law a Bill capping bank interest rates at 4 per cent above the Central Bank Benchmark Rate.

The law intends to regulate interest rates that are applicable to banks’ loans and deposits, capping the interest rates that banks can charge on loans and must pay on deposits.

Kenyatta observed that his decision was premised on Kenyans’ disappointment and frustration with the lack of sensitivity by the financial sector, particularly banks in regard to the cost of credit and the applicable interest rates on their hard–earned deposits.

The Kenyan leader’s action caused jitters in the Uganda financial sector, with the public urging policy makers to emulate Kenyatta.

While the Central Bank reduced its lending rate to 14 Percent in August 2016, commercial banks’ interest rates averaged 23 percent.

The high interest rates have slowed lending, pushing many companies out of business with others seeking a government bailout.

But NSSF’s Byarugaba believes, “it is dangerous to cap interest rates.”

He said capping interest rates will “remove credit from people who deserve it to those who have it.”

Byarugaba further warned that banks which are profit-oriented could be compelled to “look for other ways of getting money through bank charges.”

Proposal

Addressing a media dialogue at his office in Kampala this week, Byarugaba added: “It’s not the best way of doing it. Government should not bow to pressure.”

Several businessmen have lost property worth billions of shillings due to high interest on their loans.

But Byarugaba observed that interest rates are determined by forces of demand and supply.

He explained that commercial banks act as sources of short term, medium and long term financing hence an increase of demand for money that encourages high interest rates.

A seasoned banker, Byarugaba said freeing pension scheme and creating a “robust development bank” would increase sources of funding hence reducing demand for money from commercial banks.

Bankers say capping interest rates could lead to credit becoming unavailable to some consumers and give birth to unregulated informal and exploitative lending mechanisms.

During a recent roundtable meeting at Kampala Serena Hotel, bankers warned that an interest rate capping policy would lead to credit rationing which affects SMEs, discourages innovations and supply of funds as well as pose risks to nonperforming loans.

“Capping will expose individuals to non-financial players like illegal money lenders whose stringent terms are risky. We are also likely to witness a reduction of confidence in the market among investors who have for long been accustomed to a liberalized market,” an executive of a leading bank commented.

A 30-year-old Uganda born U.S citizen named Alfred Olango was Tuesday shot and killed by police in San Diego, California, witnesses have reported.

Olango who is said to have been mentally sick was shot by a police officer moments after the deceased’s sister called for assistance from authorities.

She said her brother had started acting in an odd way which prompted her to seek police help.

In a live video posted online by a bystander after the incident, the sister is heard shouting at police for killing Olango yet she asked them to help him.

In a statement released by Police, Olango was shot outside the Broadway Village shopping center, before dying in hospital.

Police further confirmed that the deceased was not armed but that he was adamant to take his hands from his pocket before pulling out an object.

This prompted one of the officers to use a stun-gun while another fired his weapon because they felt threatened.

“At one point, the subject rapidly drew an object from his front pants pocket, placed both hands together and extended them rapidly toward the officer taking up what appeared to be a shooting stance,” the statement adds.

“At this time, the officer with the electronic control device discharged his weapon. Simultaneously the officer with the firearm discharged his weapon several times, striking the subject.”

The two officers involved in the shooting, have since been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.

According to CBS8, a local news agency, witnesses faulted the two officers for rushing to open fire and that Olango had suffered a seizure shortly before the shooting.

African Americans took to the streets to protest continued racial segregation, accusing police for targeting blacks.

America has in recent months witnessed a string of deaths of black people who are shot by police for allegedly possessing guns and resisting arrest.

At least 217 black Americans have been killed by police so far this year.

Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda has Thursday commissioned the National Records Centre and Archives facility which is aimed at preserving the country’s records and facilitate easy access to information.

Government Ministries and Agencies will now have ample space to store their records and decongest their premises.

The state of the art 4 floored building located at Plot 8 – 10 Lourdel Road in Wandegeya cost Ugsh 20.3 billion with funding from World Bank in its first phase.

The state of the art National Records Center and Archives Building that cost Ugshs 20 billion

It will house administration units, cafeteria a library, an account depository, confidential records and conservation room as well as an exhibition with records dating as back as 1897.

The Prime Minister toured the facility and witnessed some of Uganda’s key historical documents including the 1955 Bunyoro Agreement, the Ankole (1962), Buganda (1900) and Tooro (1951) agreements.

In the News Paper room lies what used to be popular newspapers in Uganda and East Africa including; City News, Uganda Star, Eiraka Ryawe, The Evening Times, Uganda Times, Munno, Mwebembezi, Taifa Empya some of which were published as early as 1979.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Rugunda said the facility was a ‘vital tool for fostering national identity and preservation of key historical events’. He noted that information is an essential tool in decision making and that a nation without history can easily suffer extinction.

“Government attaches great importance to information and a legal framework to guide us is in place. It is gratifying that records of as many as 100 years ago are stored safely and can be easily accessed,” Rugunda said.

Rugunda reads a book in the library.

Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwire, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service said that the structure was designed to be seven floors but construction was halted at the fourth floor due to limited funds.

“Phase two of the facility will require Ugshs 28.6 billion. We lack funds but hope that with the help of government and development partners, it will also be completed,” she said.

An extra Ugshs 5 billion is required to further digitize access to the archives using micro flaming technology as well as improve human resource capacity.

Researchers and students interested in using the archived records will be asked to pay for the resources as a way of sustaining the facility’s operations.

The United States Army has donated USD 86.9million for the purchase of five combat helicopters to Uganda and Kenya to bolster their military capacity and peace keeping in the region.

The Huey II helicopters will be supplied by Bell Helicopter, an aerospace, defense, security and advanced technologies Industrial Corporation.

The company will receive USD 52.1 million for five Huey II helicopters and spare parts for Kenya and another USD 34.5 million for five Huey II helicopters for Uganda, according to the US Defense Department release on Monday.

The development comes high on the heels of Uganda High Command’s decision to quit Somalia due to delayed payment of soldiers and UN’s refusal to compensate Uganda’s helicopters that crashed in Mt Kenya.

Somalia is headed for general elections, with observers calling for tight national security.

The move is also a good gesture of improved diplomatic relations with United States following the disputed 2016 presidential election.

The Huey II helicopter seats up to 15 people and can provide troop transport into high altitudes, medical evacuation in hot conditions or transport to and from remote bases.

According to information from Bell Helicopter, the Bell Huey II’s weight load lift of 4,873 pounds in hot conditions was improved by combining Bell 212 dynamic components with the Honeywell T53-L-703 engine.

It has an endurance of 2.6 hours and 246 miles, and a maximum cruise speed of 106 knots per hour with the maximum load.

Jinja Municipal Hippos have unveiled former Water FC tactician George William Lutaalo as their new coach in a one year renewable deal.

The Jinja side entered the market to search for a new coach after James Odoch crossed over to moneybags URA football club on September 8th after over a season at the helm.

Lutaalo’s main task is to emulate his predecessor and save the club from the chop at the end of the season.

“I have been in the relegation fight previously and managed to survive so this isn’t a tough one for me because the season has just began,” Lutaalo told ChimpSport during the unveiling.

JMC chairman Mr. Faisal Muhammad promised full support to the coach and hoped for the best results ahead.

“We assessed all our options and narrowed on him (Lutaalo). Theirs no pressure on him because we want him to do his best. We survived last year without a lot of hustles and am sure the season will be good for us with Lutaalo leading the bench,” Faisal said.

The coach’s immediate task is against cross town rivals Sadolin Paints FC in the derby on Friday.

The new deal pushes Coach Vincent Lukyamuzi to the deputizing role.

Brief profile.
George Lutaalo is a former Police FC veteran who featured for nine years, eight as a captain in the 2000s. He later graduated as an assistant to the late Paul Hasule and won the league trophy before moving to Vipers (then Bunamwaya).

He lasted a season at the Entebbe road side helping the team to survive relegation before moving to Victors FC where he guided them in the CAF confederation cup in 2008 then headed for a three year stint at Lira’s Boroboro FC.

Lutaalo has also coached Masaka LC, Sadolin and Kira united in the lower divisions.

As the Uganda police force celebrates the police week that will climax with the Police Day on October 3 at Kololo Airstrip, the director in charge of traffic Steven Kasiima has decried the little equipment that they have.

Speaking at the Railway grounds in Kampala on Thursday, Kasiima said in this century, most of the work done by traffic policemen ought to be done by machines in a bid to control and manage traffic flow but said this is not the case with Uganda.

“In this century, we should be having few police officers on the roads but more cameras, adequate traffic lights and a command centre from where we can monitor traffic flow,”Kasiima said.

Traffic Police officers demonstrate how to use a speed gun

He said that they have on many occasions failed in their mandate as the traffic police because most of the road users are undisciplined whereas others don’t appreciate their (traffic police) work which on many occasions brings about collision between the two groups.

“We have tried to ensure the number of road accidents reduces on Ugandan roads but many people are ignorant of the road safety and in many cases lead to accidents.”

Traffic officers Matching

The police spokesperson Andrew Felix Kaweesi on Monday announced week-long celebrations full of activities that started with the ground breaking ceremony for over 1,000 housing units at Naguru and the launch of the neighborhood watch in Kitebi on Tuesday.

“All this is intended to strengthen efforts of shifting the policing philosophy from reactive to proactive. The efforts are intended at motivation, evaluation and rectification of the police force and also building systems that will strength our relationship with the public,”Kaweesi told journalists on Monday.

Driving Schools showcasing their services to mark the police week

Boda boda riders joined to commemorate Police week

The United States of America has repatriated Leopold Munyakazi, a Rwandan national accused of orchestrating the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Munyakazi, 65, who was residing in Alabama, United States is accused of being one of the key architects of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

He is considered to be one  of those who  hatched ideologies that shaped the mayhem that left over one million people brutally massacred.

According to Rwanda National Police officials, after the plane that was carrying Munyakazi touched down, he remained on board for close to 20 minutes as escorting American agents prepared his handover to their Rwandan counterparts.

Upon disembarking from the plane escorted by the US migration agents, Munyakazi was handed over to officers of Rwanda National Police (RNP) in the presence of the Commissioner for Interpol and Cooperation, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Anthony Kulamba, Head of the Genocide Fugitive Tracking Unit (GFTU) John Bosco Siboyintore and officials from the US Embassy in Kigali.

Munyakazi escorted by US migration Agents.

He was later taken to the Airport offices where he was served with a new arrest warrant, given a lawyer in accordance with the relevant legal provisions and his rights read out before judicial police officers started questioning him.

Reacting to the deportation, ACP Kulamba said; “It’s a matter of time before the long arm of the law eventually catches up with every genocide fugitive just like it has happened to Munyakazi. We will not give up to the last fugitive.”

Munyakazi’s deportation came after he lost a long-running legal battle to gain asylum in the US.

He is currently held at Kicukiro Police Station pending the transfer of his file to the prosecution – a process that won’t exceed five working days as stipulated by the laws.

According to his charge sheet, the former Secretary General of the Workers’ Union (CESTRAR) and an academic is accused of participating in Genocide, complicity in Genocide, conspiracy to committing Genocide, extermination and murder as crimes against humanity.

Munyakazi a former university lecturer was arrested immediately after the genocide but later released on a conditional bail which he jumped and fled to the US.

Precisely, Munyakazi is accused of being in a clique of intellectuals at the former National University of Rwanda who openly designed and disseminated ideologies supporting the exclusion of Tutsi in schools and in service.

“The support given by an intellectual with an oppressive regime contributed to radicalization that led to the preparation of the Genocide perceived as a final solution to a political problem,” reads part of the charge sheet

Details of his indictment partly indicate that Munyakazi told Interahamwe militias that they should distinguish themselves from the Tutsi by wearing banana leaves. After draping banana leaves, they were divided into two groups and Munyakazi was part of the group that went to kill Felicien Ugirashebuja.

“During the Genocide, the suspect cooperated with the then bourgmestre (mayor) Jean Mbarubukeye to mobilise mass killings in Kayenzi town, now in Muhanga District. He ordered the Interahamwe militia to engage in hunting any Tutsi wherever they were,” the spokesperson for the National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA), Faustin Nkusi, said.

“We guarantee to accord him a fair trial in accordance to national legislation and other international legislations as ratified by Rwanda. His trial will be held in Muhanga District where he allegedly committed the crime,” Nkusi, said.

Since 2005, the US has deported four Genocide fugitives; others are Enos Kagaba, Jean Marie Vianney Mudahinyuka alias Zuzu and Marie Claire Mukeshimana.

So far Rwanda has sent out over 600 indictments and international arrest warrants across the world against genocide fugitives, although few have been enacted.

The Public Service and Local Government Committee has Thursday advised the Electoral Commission (EC) to cut its budget by Sh20bn so as to hold the pending Local Council elections as soon as possible.

Led by EC Chairperson, Eng Badru Kiggundu, electoral officials maintained their earlier position blaming the Ministry of Finance for failure to foot their budget of Sh37bn needed to conduct the said elections.

“Before the law was amended, the money needed to hold Local council elections was in trillions. When the law was amended, the amount was reduced to Sh37bn,” said Kiggundu.

“Out of the Sh37bn, the Ministry of Finance provided only Sh7bn and that’s what we have in the input,” he added.

Kiggundu said the huge sum of money is needed to pay allowances, polling officials, training workshops, publicity, delivery of polling materials, demarcating of villages, and display of voter registers among others.

However, State Minister for Finance, David Bahati told the committee that government is currently faced with financial constraints, urging EC to use the money allocated in the budget.

“We all agree as government that the LC elections are important and because of this, we provided for its elections in the current budget. We have a provision of Sh7.3bn which we think given the methods that we adopted of lining up could be sufficient utilized,” added Bahati.

Government believes that Sh100, 000 should be enough at the moment to carry out the elections per every village.

However, EC officials noted that this would only be possible if the law is amended for another time to exclude certain provisions that call for the different activities that make the exercise bulky.

The Ministries were advised to agree on the way forward and return to the committee next week.

KCCA FC make a short cross town trip to Nakivubo stadium to play fellow contenders Vipers SC who sit on the second place with six points the difference between the two.

Vipers held on Erisa Sekisambu’s half hour strike to overcome their Entebbe road rivals Lweza FC on Tuesday at Wankulukuku to move joint second with SC Villa on a dozen points.

On the other hand, travellers KCCA FC clumped down bitter arch rivals Express FC 3-1 in a highly entertaining derby at Lugogo to move to eighteen points.

Vipers bench that includes coach Abdalla Mubiru, George ‘Best’ Nsiimbe and Ayalla all sat on KCCA FC bench that won the league two years ago.

“The game is equally vital like any other and we have to beat them to keep our title hopes alive. We must take advantage of the home crowd, press so hard and minimize mistakes,” Mubiru noted.

The visitors have previous statistics to worry about after failing to pick a win whenever they’re on the road to the venoms since 24th September 2011, losing three and two ended in stalemates. The last match ended goalless while three of the previous four ended in draws.

KCCA FC coach Morley Byekwaso knows the threat posed by their hosts but he believes they’ll defeat Vipers if they use similar tactics that won them last game.

“We broke down Express early in the first half to avoid last minute upsets,” he told club media adding that “It’s the same approach we are targeting in our next match and luckily enough, we have all the players that executed the Express mission available for selection,”

Vipers only have Siraje Ssentamu’s health to worry about, while Halid Lwaliwa is expected back after shaking off an injury.

If selected for Vipers, Hassan Waswa, Tony Odur, and William Wadri will be facing their former masters same as Vincent Kayizzi for the Kasasiro boys.

The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has Friday launched Tembera U Rwanda, a campaign aimed at motivating Rwandans to explore their own country and put the spotlight on domestic travel.

The campaign has been kicked off with a tour through the cultural heritage corridor  and is expected to make stop overs at different sites from Kigali to Huye District.

As part of the campaign, several activities have been organized along the cultural corridor to give participants a glimpse into Rwanda’s rich cultural history.

These include storytelling at Ijuru rya Kamonyi in Kamonyi District, Kankazi site, Urutare rwa Kamegeri in Ruhango District, historic tours of Nyagakecuru and Ibisi bya Huye.

The tour will conclude with live cultural entertainment by the renowned all-female drumming troupe Ingoma Nshya atop Mount Huye.

While addressing journalists on Thursday, the Chief Tourism Officer of RDB, Belise Kariza said; “The domestic tourism campaign is our call to residents to be active participants in the growth of the tourism sector by consuming local products and most importantly by contributing to the country’s brand.”

“I appeal to the private sector to provide both tour packages and special accommodation rates for the domestic market especially at this time,” she added.

Tembera U Rwanda phase 2, will take place for a period of 3 months from October to December, 2016.

This campaign will be characterized by bus trips for lucky trivia winners who will have a chance to travel free of charge to attraction sites around Rwanda.

For the general public, participation will be on a first come, first served basis and registration will be done through the tourism reservations and sales offices around the country.

“Rwanda is one of the most acclaimed destinations in Africa and it should be appreciated by its residents. With reduced rates for Rwandans and road access to every tourism destination, we invite Rwandans to bear witness to the remarkable experience we sell to the international market,” said Kariza.

She observed that domestic tourism is a worthwhile investment without regret and the opportunity to discover the country as a tourist is one that should be accessible to all.

This supports the theme of this year’s World Tourism Day ‘Tourism for All: Promoting Universal Accessibility’; a day observed annually on 27 September in recognition of tourism’s contribution towards economic growth.

Rwanda will commemorate the holiday in tandem with the launch of the domestic tourism campaign.

National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has Friday announced a 12.3% interest rate that will be credited to its members in the 2015/16 financial year.

This is a slight drop from 13% in the previous year. The Fund however says that despite the drop, the credit worth increased from Ugsh 516 billion to Ugshs 606 billion.

The Finance Minister Matia Kasaija who made the announcement said the rate was ‘good’ given the difficult economic environment that NSSF has been operating in which was characterized by high volatility.

“The rate is above the 10 year average rate inflation, now at the 8.85% against which the Fund rates itself meaning that NSSF is indeed growing the value of its members’ savings. Members will now also earn Ugsh 90 billion compared to the previous years,” Minister Kasaija said.

“On the side of government, we have controlled inflation and more or less stabilized the exchange rate but this can’t be sustained if we don’t talk less and do more. Politicians must also avoid making statements that portray Uganda as the worst place for investment.”

He reiterated that government will guarantee a stable macroeconomic environment to enable entities like NSSF to perform well for good of the entire country.

The NSSF Managing Director Richard Byarugaba attributed the interest rate fall to stock markets which declined across the region as well as the depreciation of the Uganda shilling against major currencies. This he said affected the Fund’s equity portfolio.

“The Uganda stock exchange declined by 14.5%, Kenya by 15% and Tanzania by 9%. Furthermore, the Uganda Shilling was volatile given that it depreciated against foreign and East African currencies. This means that the assets we hold lost value,” Byarugaba said.

This notwithstanding, the Fund assets grew from Ugshs 5.6 trillion to Ugshs 6.6 trillion, an 18% growth attributed to member contributions which grew by Ugsh 780 billion.

Revenue also grew by 21% from Ugsh 583 billion to Ugshs 708 billion and a profit after tax of Ugshs 491 billion in 2015/16 financial year. The Fund’s register currently stands at 1.5 million members.

“Our expenses ratio improved from 1.33% in 2014/15 financial year to 1.3% in 2015/16, better than most global pension funds with a size similar to that of NSSF. Treasury yields improved across all maturities, rising above the 17% mark compared to last year’s 16.7%,” he added.

Kampala Minister Beti Kamya has boasted she is the long awaited messiah to solve the problems affecting Uganda’s capital Kampala and its dwellers.

Addressing a news conference at the Uganda Media Centre on Friday, Kamya said she has received a number of calls and complaints from various stakeholders including traders, vendors, taxi drivers, boda boda riders and everyone concerned with the wellbeing of the city stressing it is high time she heeds to their calls and complaints.

“Most of the things and people have been around but there is something new about Kampala and that is the new minister for the city,”Kamya said.

“It is now time of less bickering, less politics but more action different from what has been here a few years ago.”

According to Kamya, in the past, the wrangles and bickering between the political and technical wings of Kampala Capital City Authority have undermined development and brought confusion in the city.

She said the order of the day in the past years was disagreements between the leaders of the city and in many cases this made city duelers abdicate their roles including payment of taxes and other dues.

Kamya however says she has championed a campaign that advocates for cohesion among leaders of the city  in a bid to see the city develop at a terrific speed.

“The campaign is that we can disagree on politics and politic as much as we can but we must agree on development and order of the city.”

She said that according to reports from KCCA, revenue collection has been reducing in the previous successive months because most traders no longer raise the money to pay authority revenue adding that this is partly because of the mess in the city.

On markets, Kamya said she had received over 30 petitions at her desk in relation to wrangles and other problems affecting traders in various markets in the city. This, she noted will soon be solved because she has started on the healing process for Kampala markets.

“I have put in place a commission of inquiry into all the mess and wrangles in the markets and will come up with a policy to handle markets in Kampala. We might not solve it in one day but I am sure we will have positive results,” Kamya noted.

On street vendors, the Minister said she is working with KCCA and various stakeholders to see how to relocate them in a better way other than how they were handled previously by the authority.

She said the presence of street vendors partly contributes to reduced revenue by KCCA and the counterfeit goods on the market.

Kamya said there is need to handle them well and also support them.

Uganda Premier League
Vipers 2-0 KCCA

Vipers secured a convincing 2-1 win against fellow title contenders KCCA in a game played at Nakivubo stadium on Friday.

Goals from Tony Odur and Deus Bukenya in the first half ensured Vipers attained all the three points in the top of the table clash and also stretch the unbeaten streak against KCCA in the league to five games before Geoffrey Sserunkuma pulled one back for the visitors.

Vipers started explosively with Brian Kakaire delivering a low cross into the KCCA box but Ochaya stepped up to clear an early scare.

Aggrey Madoi tries to beat KCCA FC players to the ball

The hosts continued to pile pressure on the league leaders and Tony Odur gave Vipers a deserved lead with a cool finish in the 14th minute off Brian Kakaire’s fine delivery.

Hassan Wasswa came close to scoring four minutes later but he failed to find the target with goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan already beaten.

It was Deus Bukenya who doubled the lead for Vipers with a powerful shot just outside the penalty box that went straight into the left corner of the goal.

Paul Mucureezi tries to go past Vipers’ defender

Mike Mutebi, the KCCA coach opted for an early change bringing on Paul Musamali for Brian Majjwega at the half hour mark but the change failed to produce any dividends.

After interval, Geoffrey Sserunkuma came on for Isaac Kirabira while Derrick Nsibambi replaced Robert Ssentongo who was off colour the entire game.

It was Sserunkuma who struck late deep into added time for KCCA to get a consolation in a game that Vipers dominated entirely.

Robert Ssentongo couldnot penetrate Viper’s water-tight defence

KCCA assistant coach, Morley Byekwaso confessed their opponents played better than them.

“They (Vipers) have been sending scouts to watch our games and I think they came into the game understanding our game plan and I think that’s where we lost it all,” he said.

The result means Vipers dislodge SC Villa to move to second position on 15 points while KCCA remain on top of the table with 18 points.

Vipers starting XI: Alitho James, Nicholas Wadada, Aggrey Madoi, Shafik Bakaki, Halid Lwaliwa, Hassan Wasswa, Deus Bukenya (72′ William Wadri),Keziron Kizito Kezron, Erisa Ssekisambu, Tony Odur, Brian Kakaire (80′ Duncan Sseninde)

KCCA starting XI: Benjamin Ochan, Dennis Okot, Joseph Ochaya, Habib Kavuma, Timothy Awany, Ivan Ntege, Isaac Kirabira(46′ Geoffrey Sserunkuma),Muzamir Mutyaba, Robert Ssentongo(66′ Derrick Nsibambi),Brian Majwega(30′ Paul Musamali),Paul Mucureezi

President Yoweri Museveni will honor the Uganda Cranes team that qualified for the 2017 Africa cup of Nations after a period of nearly four decades in the cold.

The development was revealed by FUFA Communications Director, Mr. Ahmed Hussein on Friday evening through a statement.

“We are in receipt of the invitation dated 30th September, 2016 signed off by Chancellor/Secretary, Presidential Awards Committee, Businge S.T. Amooti which has a list of people to be honoured and was addressed to the Executive Director of Federation of Uganda Football Association,” said Hussein.

The ceremony will be part of the Heroes day celebration to be held on Independence day (October 9th) at the Luuka District Headquarters.

Ahmed also adds that, “The Committee has requested FUFA to inform and organise the people on the list to be at the venue on that day.

Missing in action
The list consists of 39 names; 27 players, the technical bench and support staff. None of the current Fufa officials including the National teams coordinator Mr. Patrick Ntege or above all the Fufa President Eng. Moses Magogo has been drafted in the list but surprisingly former boss and current Fufa honorary president Mr. Lawrence Mulindwa is long the 39 to be ‘knighted’ on Independence day.

Departed Former Cranes goalie Abbey Dhaira is among those to receive post humous award together with Fred Lukwago and Amir Kalanzi (RIP).

Full list
Denis Onyango, Nicholas Wadada, Joseph Ochaya, Isaac Isinde, Murshid Juuko, Khalid Aucho, Luwagga Kizito, Tony Mawejje, Geoffrey Massa, Farouk Miya, Moses Oloya, jamal Salim, Godfrey Walusimbi, Hassan Wasswa, Geoffrey Sserunkuma, Ivan Ntege, Yunus Ssentamu, Emmanuel Okwi, Denis Iguma, Robert Odongkara, Timothy Awanyi, Lubega Idrissa, Brian Majwega, Brian Umony, Yasser Mugerwa, Erisa Sekisambu, Richard Kassaga, Micho Sredojevic (Coach), Moses Basena (Assistant coach), Fred Kajoba, Ronald Kisolo (Team Doctor), Chris Muyinda (Team Manager), Ivan Ssewanyana (Team Physiotherapist), Ahmed Kabali (Team Driver), Saidi Lugolobi (Team Kits man), Lawrence Mulindwa, Fred Lukwago (RIP), Abby Dhaira (RIP), Amir Kalanzi (RIP).