An outwardly innocent parody music video that was produced by an American charity organization based in Jinja, to “to make you laugh” has touched off a furious outrage on social media.

A section of commentators are furious that the video, which is a redo of Justin Timberlake’s song Sexy Back, appears to degrade the cultural setting of Uganda and its people.

The video was made by Luket Ministries (an organization run by an American couple Adam and Natasha Perryman), and posted briefly on their Facebook page before it was taken down.

The video according scanty responses so far obtained (supposedly) from the organization; was only created to share the experience of foreign volunteers working and living around Uganda’s disadvantaged communities.

In the video, a number of white women donning Gomesis dance and sing about their day to day chores, their diet experiences, the unfriendly environs, the hot days and mosquitoes.

“I am bringing Missions back; You best de-worm or get your money back. Put up your net mosquitoes will attack,” goes some of the lines in the song.

While this might be expected of most of foreigners who visit Uganda, the video seemed to rub the wrong side of some critics when the gorgeous looking white ladies unleashed some youthful dance moves, grabbed pangas to slash a bushy yard before leaping onto a truck, while donning what is still considered a highly respected and culturally symbolic attire especially in Buganda – the Gomesi.

One of the commentators, Arao Ameny was quick to cite the “arrogant and condescending attitude of white-led NGOS in Uganda that have no respect whatsoever for the people they are claiming to serve.”

“I want Ugandans and Africans to see what we are allowing and what we are accepting to happen in our own country, in our continent. Why are our communities allowing organizations like this to exist and thrive? Why are we allowing our children to take part in music videos that belittle their identities? “

Another Ruth Mbabazi butted in, “I find parts of this video stupid, especially when one of those women jumps on the lorry and dances like crazy, in a gomesi. Those women should take a minute and learn to respect the cultures of the people they pretend to be doing helpful work for….a gomesi is a traditional wear that should be respected enough…it is meant to be elegant, presentable, and a sign of respect for women here.”

Deborah Kashungi commented, “There is no doubt that there are many, many people doing great missionary work everywhere. But when offensive, disrespectful, things like this video lands on your Facebook wall, it is hard not to be suspicious of everyone who packs their bags to go to “Africa” to help. Uganda’s toddlers are being used as props in this video, a dress that is worn by many Ugandan cultures – a dress that commands respect and is worn with pride is being disrespected in this video with the vulgar dance moves that the women in the video are happy to exhibit. I don’t find this funny at all. I think Luket Ministries owes Ugandans a public apology about this video.”

Luket Ministries claim they were being creative and that that no children, bodabodas and gomesis (or Gomez as their disclaimer at the start of the video says) were harmed in its creation.

They say the video was “created to share the joy we experience serving overseas on the mission field. The sole purpose of this video is to make you laugh. It’s no way meant to harm the country of Uganda or disrespect its people.”

Natasha Perryman, the Administrative Director and co founder of the ministry was yet to respond to our request for comments.

But Ms Ameny who claims to have spoken to her, says her response was dismissive; Our dance video came in a dream from God, the author of every creative thing…”Everything posted is indeed controversial these days. We had our Ugandan pastors and staff view and edit before sharing to be respectful and promote missions. Please feel free to remove it from your feed”.

Most of the comments on the video were largely negative, with some calling for more government regulation on such foreign organizations.

“This is beyond shameful and utterly offensive. Just a practical question: if they are so committed to “mission,” how did they ever find the time to create such a professional-looking video? Aren’t they too busy saving lives?” commented Facebook user How  Matters.

Rwandan President, Paul Kagame has Friday launched the first ever remotely piloted drop-off drones in a bid to make delivery of health supplies in the country much faster than it has previously been .

The drones which are a product of Zipline Incorporated, an America based Robotics Company will fly automatically to specific destinations and release small packages attached to parachutes without having to land at the delivery points.

According to Zipline officials, the drones will fly below 500ft (152m) to avoid the airspace used by passenger planes. They have an operational range of 150km (93 miles) but could, in theory, fly almost twice that distance.

They are powered by a nose-mounted battery and guide themselves using GPS location data while sending information to both their base and to Rwandan air traffic control via a cellular connection.

The introduction of the drones is expected to reduce on the waiting time in service delivery, as compared to use of motorcycles on the road.

Speaking during the launch, President Kagame said that “this use of unmanned commercial drones to transport essential medical products is a milestone for Rwanda in many respects.”

“It demonstrates the possibility of transforming business models in many industries beyond healthcare,” he added.

Kagame observed that Rwandans have learned to embrace innovation, especially when it can help solve the challenges that the country faces adding that the attitude has enabled them to overcome great odds in the last twenty-two years.

He called upon the populace to work together and support the partners in the new innovation saying that there is much that the country could achieve.

“I hope that this project will inspire more innovation and entrepreneurship in commercially viable technologies in Rwanda. We want to do faster and do it in a way Rwandans will be part of it, learn and be trained because technology becomes relevant & meaningful when it works for people & addresses challenges they face in different fields,” Kagame said.

Drones have been used for humanitarian purposes elsewhere in Africa to deliver blood and stool samples in Madagascar, and a Red Cross initiative to monitor a refugee camp in Uganda although they had not been made commercial.

The Rwandan government will pay Zipline Inc. for every delivery made.

The company says the cost per trip is roughly equivalent to that of the current delivery method, by motorcycles or ambulances.

Col Dr Kizza Besigye. the former FDC Presidential candidate has been arrested once again at his house in Kasangati on Saturday afternoon.

Besigye was according to FDC officials picked while he tried leave his home as any other free Ugandan. The arresting officers insisted they needed to know where he was headed.

Col Besigye who remains under heavy police guard ‘for fear of causing mayhem in the city’ was earlier to day hosting some of his lawyers led by Counsel Ladslaus Rwakafuzi according to reports.

The former Presidential candidate, who is out on bail is battling treason charges, following his declaration that he won the February elections.

According to reports, at the end of the visit by his lawyers today, Besigye essayed to leave his home with them which the police officers on guard declined, demanding that he reveals first where he is going.

When Besigye refused to give this information, he was arrested and whisked away in a police van.

However, according to FDC’s chief mobilizer Ingrid Turinawe, Dr Besigye was only walking his guests to the gate and no leaving with them.

Police spokespersons Felix Kawesi and the KMP’s Emilain Kayima were yet to comment on the arrest.

Uganda Cranes goalie Dennis Onyango has been nominated for the 2016 CAF player of the year awards both in the general category and the Africa based player.

Caf Player of the year awards.
The gangly keeper will compete with 29 other players including four time winner Samuel Etoo who plies his trade at Turkish side Antalyaspor.

The other notable nominees include Algeria and Leicester duo Ismail Slimani and Riyadh Mahrez, Mohammed El Neny (Arsenal, Egypt), Ahmed Musa (Leicester and Nigeria), Kenya captain Victor Wanyama, Tanzania skipper Mbwana Ali Samatta (Genk-Belgium) among others.

Based in Africa
Onyango was also nominated in the category for best player who plies his trade inside the African continent together with 29 other hopefuls.

They include his teammates (at Sundowns) Khama Billiat, Hlomoho Kekana, Yannick Zakri,  Keegan Dolly as well as South Africa and Kaizer Chiefs first choice keeper Itumelang Khune.

Onyango was an integral part of the Cranes squad that qualified to the Africa cup of nations after a 38 year wait.

He also won the a double with Sundowns before being crowned best goalkeeper in the Premier soccer league.

Kabale University has been temporarily closed following protests on Friday in which students demanded answers on why they have not had lectures since they reported for the new semester on September 15, 2016.

Professor Joy Constance Kwesiga, the Kabale University Vice Chancellor says they received guidance from security officials to temporality close the University, but believes they are likely to resume operations on Monday next week

Kwesiga says that although some lectures were willing to teach, they were threatened by the angry students.
However, students say that the temporally closure of the university was uncalled for.

Johnbosco Muhwezi, the Guild President told reporters yesterday that he was dismayed when the students attempted to access the university premises for discussions and were denied by anti-riot police.

Muhwezi insists that the students will resume protests on Monday until their issues are resolved.

Keneth Mugisha another concerned student regrets why he paid fees yet he has not got any service from the university ever since he reported on 17^th September 2016

He also vows to join the strike on Monday if their issues are not resolved.

The students also accuse the vice chancellor of ineptitude and non response to their concerns.

They also protest the poor state of latrines, closure of the university clinic among other issues

The strike comes at a time when lecturers at the same University are protesting the failure by the administration to pay them salaries for the last 8 months.

Students on Friday also marched to the Kabale District Headquarters demanding the intervention of the Resident District Commissioner-RDC.

Three lectures and fifteen students were arrested and detained at Kabale Police Station. They were released on police bond on Saturday morning.

The Kabale Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Denis Nzeirwe says that security has decided that the University be temporality closed.

Nzeirwe says that the temporally closure is to make sure that the university property is not vandalized by angry students.

By Nixon Segawa and Pamella Amia

The Programs Director Action for Development (ACFODE) Dr. Jennifer Nabukenya Ssengoba has cautioned adolescent girls against indulging in abortion which exposes them to barrenness.

This she noted while deliberating on the subject ‘Reproductive health and sexuality’ at the Girls Arise Conference organized by Uganda Women Network (UWONET) during the launch of the 3rd Women Week at UMA Conference Hall in Kampala on Saturday.

According to experts, Uganda’s high birth rate has led to the assumption that infertility is not a problem here, yet recently many couples have registered problems in conceiving.

These may be fewer than those bursting with fertility but their rate is gradually increasing over time.

“One of the major causes of barrenness is misuse of Family planning methods, misuse of abortion and not getting proper treatment after abortion,” said Dr. Jennifer Nabukenya.

She warned that these almost always cause women to acquire infections in their reproductive system which lead to barrenness.

“Young adolescents think they have access to everything and use whatever they want with lack of proper information; they use abortion methods that are not proper only to find out later that their Fallopian tubes are infected and their uteri damaged.”

She advised girls to always first get proper information about their reproductive health, family planning and know proper places that can accord good reproductive health services instead using information from their peers.

Speaking at the event, The Executive Director of Uganda Women’s Network Ritah Aciro said that the Women’s Week  is to reflect on the challenges the women and girls face find ways of overcoming them.

In her remarks, Aciro urged the young girls to establish their brand and above all identify their visions and that way they will succeeded.

“From ten I knew I was a leader and not only at a local level but at an international level and here l am all because l established a vision”.

During the week a number of activities are lined up, including Sunday prayers for all the girls in the nation, outreaches ,interactions, topics of discussion, human rights studying, and will be crowned with conference at Hotel Africana where over 20 schools have been invited.

The Central Bank has further eased its monetary policy by announcing a reduction in its lending rate to 13% from 14% in August along with the rediscount rate and bank rates which have been lowered to 17% and 18% respectively.

Bank of Uganda says this is aimed at facilitating domestic economic growth amid a core inflation projected to remain around 5% in the medium term over the next 12 months. Uganda’s financial sector continues to succumb to global economic turbulences.

Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile the Governor Bank of Uganda said while announcing the monetary policy statement for October that the economy is projected to grow by 5.0% in 2016/17 financial year.

“Inflation has continued to slow down. Annual headline and core inflation declined to 4.1% and 4.2% respectively in September. This was attributed to weak consumer demand, decreasing inflation expectations and stable exchange rate dynamics,” Mutebile told journalists on Tuesday.

Bank of Uganda predicts that food crop prices will continue to plummet due to the drought in several parts of the country. In the last three months, annual food crop inflation rose from -1.9% to 5.1%.

“Inflation will remain unchanged in 2016 and 2017. However, while we forecast core inflation to remain around 5% this financial year, this will depend on exchange rate movements and the impact of less rains this season,” the Governor added.

Asked about the pushing factors for the further deteriorating Uganda shilling, Dr. Adam Mugume the Director of Research at BoU said; “Demand for US dollars remains strong especially on our imports. The value of oil imports which had declined by 30% has reversed with a 23% pick up compared to the previous quarter.”

Dr. Mugume maintains that as long as Uganda’s exports remain subdued mainly due to the South Sudan crisis, the shilling will continue to face pressures.

Makindye General Court Martial chaired by Lt Gen Andrew Gutti has set the 8th November 2016 for commencement of the trial of Nakawa Municipality MP Hon Michael Kabaziguruka and 24 others who are charged with treachery and Aiding and Abetting Treachery.

Although Kabaziguruka had vowed yesterday not to appear before this court for wasting his time, today he appeared in dock alongside his co-accused.

The lead Prosecutor Maj. Raphael Mugisha informed court that investigations in the matter are complete and asked for the hearing date to be set.

Defense counsels Eugene Kabagambe and Maj Asha Patra asked court to order the state to disclose to them in time all documents they intend to rely on in this trial which court did.

Kabaziguruka, who is currently on remand at Kigo Prison rushed to High court seeking to be released on bail pending the hearing of his appeal case in the Court of Appeal, where he challenges court martial’s powers to try civilians on political offences.

High court judge Justice Yasin Nyanzi set the 20th October as the date for hearing this bail application.

Uganda Premier League
Vipers 1-0 Kirinya Jinja SS

Vipers earned a hard fought win against struggling side Kirinya Jinja SS to close gap on league leaders, KCCA FC.

Tony Odur scored the lone goal in the first half to see off a resilient Kirinya Jinja SS team on Tuesday evening at Nakivubo.

The decisive moment came five minutes after kickoff when Odur connected to Aggrey Madoi’s cross to tap home past the visitor’s goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa.

Vipers continued to dominate proceedings and Musa Esenu came close to doubling the score three minutes later but his effort was parried away by the goalkeeper.

Vipers’ skipper Nicholas Wadada tries to stop a Jinja SS player

Alex Isabirye, the Kirinya head coach called for an early change introducing Franco Onen for Geoffrey Akol at the hour mark.

Onen almost scored from his first touch but his shot sailed above Watenga’s goal and Vipers returned to the tunnel with a goal cushion.

After interval, the hosts returned recharged and dominated proceedings with Otim James, Ibrahim Kazindula and Anthony Mayanja testing Ismael Watenga but he stood the ground to keep them at bay.

Watenga denied Johnson Wakalaita with a double save after the forward beat Deus Bukenya to take a hard shot on the first attempt. Watenga recollected from the ground to again block a goal bound effort from Anthony Mayanja to help Vipers take maximum points.

Alex Isabirye confessed his team is short of maturity and lacks cutting edge.

“I believe we have been playing better even in the games we have lost, but our team lacks a bit of maturity and the cutting edge in the final third because we created several chances but couldn’t utilise any,” he said.

Erisa Sekisambu tries to go past Jinja SS defender

The result means Vipers move on the same points as table leaders KCCA(19 points) while Kirinya remain 13th on the logo with 7 points.

Vipers starting XI
Ismael Watenga, Nicholas Wadada, Aggrey Madoi, Deus Bukenya, Halid Lwaliwa, Hassan Wasswa, Keziron Kizito, Brian Kakaire, Musa Esenu, Tony Odur, Erisa Ssekisambu

Kirinya Jinja SS
Mutakubwa Joel, Debbo Julius, Allan Drajuwa, Mike Kawooya, Livingston Mulondo, George Kasonko, Joel Mudondo, Akol Godfrey, Johnson Wakalaita, Anthony Mayanja, Otim James

Hearing of the case where Muslim clerics are accused of terrorism and murder charges commenced yesterday before the High Court’s international war crimes division.

The first witness, a Police surgeon from Naguru Health Center IV (names necessarily withheld), who was consulted to test the mental health of the suspects, confirmed to court that all the three he tested; who included Tabliq leader Sheikh Yunus Kamoga, Mudde Bukenya and Fahad Kaulungi, were found to be healthy with no chronic illness or physical injuries.

During the hearing, the three Judges, Ezekiel Muhanguzi, Percy Tuhaise and Elizabeth Nahamya ordered that all witness identities and photos must be kept confidential for security purposes. This was upon request from the prosecution.

Meanwhile another witness told court, that Sheikh Mustafa Bahiga before his death was heard shouting the name of Sheikh Yunus Kamoga.

The state witness, who is a clinical officer from Namulundu Hospital in Kajjansi testified in court that while still on the stretcher, Sheikh Bahiga repeatedly muttered, “Kamoga, is this what you have decided to do? It is alright, I will die for the religion.”

The witness further told court that the critically injured Bahiga kept on ripping off the drip cannulas from his body while pleading with the doctors to let him end his suffering since he knew he was to die in a few minutes.

Bahiga died shortly afterwards in an ambulance that was transferring him from Namulundu Hospital.

The defense lawyers led by Fred Muwema tasked the witness to clarify on whether the deceased said the full names of Kamoga, and he replied that he only repeated one name Kamoga several times.

Another witness, the then Head of Criminal Investigations at Bwebajja Police Station informed court that on the 28th December, 2015 he received a call informing him that there was a shooting at Bwebajja Mosque, and the victim turned out to be Sheikh Bahiga.

The officer says he interviewed one of the bystanders at Bwebajja Mosque who informed him that Sheikh Bahiga had been shot while in his car, by two people who were moving on a bodaboda.

He added that he saw the said car parked at the mosque with bullet holes and blood stains and learnt that its 2 occupants had been rushed to Namulundu hospital, as one of them in critical condition.

Like the previous witness, this too did not single out any one of the 14 suspects on the stand.

Shk. Yunus Mohammed Kamoga is jointly charged with 13 other people with the murder of Sheikhs Mustafa Bahiga and Hassan Kirya and for threatening the lives of many more.

In an amended charge sheet, prosecution contends that the fourteen Muslim leaders led by Kamoga and others still at large, between December 2013 and June 2015 at various places in Kampala, with malice aforethought unlawfully caused the death Bahiga who was shot to death at Bwebajja and also Hassan Ibrahim Kirya who was shot at Bweyogerere in Wakiso district.

Prosecution further contends that these, with others still at large with intent to threaten or with political influence attempted to murder Sheihks, Mahamood Kibaate, Sonko Najib, Prince Khasim Nakibinge and Harunah Jemba.

Hearing of the case continues this afternoon.

The East African Legislative Assembly has enacted the EAC Anti-Trafficking in Persons Bill in a bid to combat human trafficking in the region.

The bill which was moved by by Hon. Dora Byamukama received affirmation from the entire House as it resumed for its 2^nd Meeting of the 5^th Session on Tuesday and now awaits the assent of the EAC Heads of State in line with Article 63 of the Treaty of the Establishment of the EAC.

In the event that all Heads of State assent to the Bill, it shall become an Act of the Community, taking precedence over the laws of the Partner States on the same matter.

The object of the Bill is to provide for a legal framework for the prevention of trafficking in persons, prosecution of perpetrators of trafficking in persons, provision of protection mechanisms and services for victims of trafficking in persons and development of partnerships for co-operation to counter trafficking in persons in the EAC.

Prior to enactment, the Assembly constituted itself into a Committee of the whole House and digested the Bill clause by clause, incorporating the amendments.

The debate on the Bill was preceded by the tabling and presentation of the Report of the Committee on Legal Rules and Privileges on the EAC Anti-Trafficking in Persons Bill, 2016.

The Report presented by Hon Maryam Ussi, follows public hearings on the subject matter held in the Partner States in September 2016.

The Report among other things, ascertains that the crime of trafficking in persons is prevalent in all EAC Partner States.

In comparing the magnitude of the problem in EAC Partner States with other countries, the Committee referred to the Trafficking in Persons Report published yearly by the Department of State of the United States of America.

The report further ranks all countries in the world in to three TIERS: TIER 1, TIER 2, TIER 2 Watch List, and TIER 3 basing on the respective Government’s efforts against trafficking as measured by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) standards.

The key parameters considered in ranking countries are actions taken in the prosecution, protection and prevention sections of trafficking in persons of that country.

According to the Trafficking in Persons Report, published in 2016, the Republics of Kenya and Uganda, are grouped under TIER 2.

The Republic of Rwanda and the United Republic of Tanzania are ranked under TIER 2 Watch List, while the Republic of Burundi is ranked under TIER 3.

During the public hearings and interactions in the Partner States, a number of comments were picked from stakeholders to boost the Bill. In Burundi, the legislators were told that parents should be encouraged to take measures towards keeping their children within the family set-ups, while respective Embassies and Missions abroad, should be tasked with liberating and repatriating victims found within their respective stations of duty.

In Kenya, the stakeholders told EALA legislators to ensure the Bill tightens laws against employment agents who sometimes engage in recruiting people for trafficking.

They further suggested the proposed minimum penalty of ten years of imprisonment for offenders engaged in trafficking in persons was too lenient and that it should be stepped up.

In the United Republic of Tanzania, EALA Members were tasked to ensure the Bill provides for the protection of People With Disabilities (PWDs) and for the protection of witnesses. They further called on the law to criminalize perpetuators, promoters and facilitators of the offence.

While in Rwanda, legislators were urged to ensure the Bill provides a provision for return of trafficked persons from the hosting Partner State. This, they suggest should be preceded by a risk assessment and with due regard for his/her safety to the home country.

Legislators were tasked to safeguard the role of Foreign Missions in stemming human trafficking is emphasised in Bill, while on the tour in Uganda.

“The EAC Partner States should form specialised units or focal point offices to handle various aspects of human trafficking like child labour, and prostitution”, the Members were informed.

The Committee also noted that the Republics of Burundi, Kenya, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania, have specific laws on counter-trafficking in persons and which are in tandem with the UN Protocol.

However, the penalties for offences under the laws of Partner States differ from one jurisdiction to another.

The Republic of Rwanda is yet to enact a specific law on counter-trafficking in persons even though, offences and penalties for trafficking in persons are provided for under the Penal Code.

The Report was supported during debate by Hon Martin Ngoga who said human trafficking was a major problem in the region and called for more concerted efforts in stemming the same.

Hon Nancy Abisai said it was important for the modes of adoption to be streamlined and adhered to.   Hon Isabelle Ndahayo said corruption was a key factor in the fight against human trafficking.

Hon Chris Opoka said the enactment of the Bill was timely.  He remarked that women and children who are vulnerable continue to be trafficked largely for sale of their body-parts. “This ritual must be condemned and discontinued”, he said.

Hon Adam Kimbisa said the region had for several years been a hunting ground for trafficking in persons where able-bodied people have in the past also been. He cited the need to stop wars, eradicate poverty, create wealth and check corruption as a means to stemming the scourge.

Hon AbuBakr Zein, Hon Mike Sebalu, Hon Valerie Nyirahabineza and Hon Dr Odette Nyiramilimo also supported the Bill. Others who rose in support of the report were Hon Susan Nakawuki, Hon Mumbi Ngaru, Hon Patricia Hajabakiga, Hon Nusura Tiperu and Hon Taslima Twaha

The intense fighting that resumed in the South Sudan’s oil rich state of Upper Nile has claimed the life of a general from the armed opposition group of former Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar.

ChimpReports has learned that Maj. Gen. Majahid Abeil, the SPLA-IO Sector One Operation Commander in charge of Aquelek in Upper Nile was hit by a bullet on Tuesday morning during a clash with the
government forces near the State capital, Malakal.

The senior officer succumbed to injuries in the evening of the same day according to a source on the front line.

“We unfortunately lost our great commander yesterday evening. Injuries sustained during a fight earlier in the day worsened and took him,” a source in the SPLA-IO told this reporter on Wednesday morning.

Fighting resumed in Upper Nile which is the second oil richest state after Unity, on Thursday. Rebel forces who claimed to have been provoked by the government troops are trying to take control of Malakal.

The control of Malakal has exchanged hands between the two groups for more than three times and each was characterized by loss of lives and other war atrocities.

Machar who is currently in South Africa for a special health checkup after serious illness suffered from exhaustion while walking from South Sudan to Democratic Republic of Congo, ordered his commanders to restart the assault on government forces under President Salva Kiir two weeks ago.

Machar and Kiir fell out again in July this year after a deadly clash at the presidential palace in Juba that resulted to the death of 300 elite bodyguards of the two.

The Kampala Metropolitan Area police spokesperson Emilian Kayima has come out in defence of the ongoing eviction of police officers from various barracks around Kampala.

The eviction exercise is ongoing and the latest happened today (Wednesday) morning at Kabalagala.

Speaking to ChimpReports, Kayima said they had agreed that officers who had been transferred to other places be evicted to give room for the new officers.

“It was agreed that those who have been transferred from one working station to the other should vacate the premises where they have been residing for new officers to occupy them and carry on with their duties,” Kayima said.

He explained that it would be unfair for police officers who have been transferred to continue occupying together with their families their former working stations when the new officers have nowhere to put up.

Kayima said this had been agreed on some time back, explaining that many officers complied with it yet others totally refused to adhere to the arrangement.

The police mouthpiece said many of these would leave their families at their former working stations which he said inconvenienced the incoming officers.

“A decision was taken, warnings given and many officers complied but the few who didn’t will have a story to tell. We have started evicting them in the entire Kampala Metropolitan.”

Kayima however said officers in specialized units and those on courses are not affected by this arrangement.

Police officers from the rank of Inspector to Constable are entitled to accommodation in the police barracks.

According to Daily Monitor, over 1000 police officers are to be affected by the eviction.

Police records show that over 36,000 entitled to accommodation have no houses as barracks accommodate only 20 percent of the police officers

Security was pumped up at High Court Criminal Division in Kampala as a senior medical officer from Uganda Police testified about the two postmortem reports on the death of Sheikh Hassan Ibrahim Kirya and Sheikh Mustafa Bahiga who were murdered last year.

Tabliq’s leader Sheikh Yunus Kamoga and 13 others are facing murder, attempted murder and terrorism charges in this case.

Some of the accused persons in court today

Appearing before judges Ezekiel Muhanguzi, Percy Tuhaise and Elizabeth Nahamya, this unnamed medical expert told court that he carried out the medical examination on the two bodies on the request of Kireka and Bwebajja Police.

READ ALSO: State Witness Narrates Shk Bahiga’s Last Moments

According to the state witness, the body of Sheikh Mustapha Bahiga was brought in a white trouser stained in blood.

The body he said had a circular entry wound, 0.4 cm wide on the chest with blackening tissues, which was confirmed as a bullet wound. He says the brain was examined and found to be normal.

Friends and relatives of the accused persons line up to access High Court

The body of Sheikh Kirya on the other hand was also examined at City Mortuary by Dr Sam Kalungi a senior pathologist.

“This also was covered in blood stained green sheets with words Kibuli Hospital Mbogo Ward. The body had a round gunshot wound of 0.5cm. Abdominal organs were pale and collection of blood in the
muscles of the right thigh,” he explained.

In cross examination however, the witness was challenged by defense counsel Fred Muwema, who tabled evidence from the national medical council’s website showing that he is not a registered medical practitioner; and accusation that the witness shrugged off.

The three justices asked this witness to bring in court tomorrow, documents proving that he is a registered practitioner which he promised to.

Kampala Minister Beti Kamya has ordered KCCA to forcefully evict all vendors from city streets as a way of creating sanity in Uganda’s capital.

Addressing journalists on Wednesday afternoon, Kamya said the street vendors had led to confusion, congestion and noise pollution which also led to insecurity and violence in the city.

“Kampala is governed by the Constitution; the KCCA Act 2010 whereas KCCA also administers and enforces several ordinances plus laws that govern trade order,” Kamya said.

“All street vending activities will not be allowed to continue and government therefore directs all street vendors to vacate streets, road reserves, open spaces, carriageways and sidewalks forthwith.”

The Kampala minister said she had received several complaints and petitions from various stakeholders in relation to disorder in the city, and that it was high time government acted.

“There is no city in the world where there are no laws governing vendors and for cities to be clean there is a price to be paid by the people. The price to be paid for Kampala to be clean is taking vendors off the streets,” Kamya said.

“KCCA has its own enforcement wing that should deal with them (vendors) in case they refuse to vacate the streets peaceful.”

Asked whether she was not contradicting President Museveni who during campaigns blamed KCCA Executive Director Jennifer Musisi of ‘killing his votes’ with her  ‘bitter medicine’ of dealing with the people in Kampala, Kamya said this was demand driven.

“In the past it was viewed as something started by KCCA to send people off the streets but this time round the public has requested us,” she noted.

Kamya however urged the street vendors to take advantage of the available markets as well as weekend markets.

The directive by the Kampala Minister comes at a time when police and Kampala City Traders’ Association (KACITA) are engaged in running battles trying to forcefully take vendors off the streets.

The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Matia Kasaija has asked stakeholders in the housing sector to come up with solutions that will provide affordable housing to the low income earners in Uganda.

He said that high interest rates by commercial banks have scared many people from acquiring mortgage loans to finance construction of their homes.

“We should be ashamed that some of our people are still sleeping under grass thatched houses,” Minister Kasaija remarked Wednesday morning while opening the 2nd Housing Conference at Kampala Serena Hotel.

“Financiers need to introduce a financing product that is going to make housing more affordable not only to those in urban areas. Majority of our population still lives in the rural areas and they need to be able to put up a little but decent house. These people can’t manage a house for Ugsh 50 million,” he added.

Uganda’s rapid urbanization which stands at 5% per annum has created a big gap in the housing sector with a deficit of 1.6 million housing units. At this rate of development, the country requires approximately 233,000 units each year.

Minister Kasaija says that housing serves as an indicator of one’s standards of living in terms of economic productivity, health and social welfare of any household. “You cannot be sleeping next to livestock, inhaling their breath and you wake up in a good shape to work productively.”

He challenged manufacturers in Uganda to produce construction materials locally so as to reduce the cost of building and also create employment. Government, he said looks to establishing 200,000 units by 2019 in the National Development Plan II

On his part, Mathias Katamba the Managing Director Housing Finance Bank argued that the sector is inhibited by a large unmet demand of affordable units.

“The challenge is that our clients are seeking houses in the range of Ugsh 150 – 180 million but those available on the need are as high as Ugsh 300 million,” Katamba said.

Uganda Cranes and Ghana’s Black Stars will meet in the group stages for the 2017 Africa Cup of nations after falling in pool D during the draws held in Libreville Gabon on Wednesday.

The two countries have recently met in the 2015 Afcon qualifiers and are currently placed in the 2018 World cup qualifiers together with Egypt who are also in group D.

Uganda Cranes Coach Milutin Sredojevic was present at the draws in which Uganda had initially been seeded in pot four together with Guinea Bissau, Zimbabwe and Togo who are in the first three respective groups.

Former Senegalese footballer Khalilou Fadiga conducted the draws.

All the sixteen teams were present at the draws flanked by Caf President Mr. Issa Hayatou.

The draws started with the drawing of the two pot 1 seeded teams Algeria and Ghana to determine group B and D. Gabon and Ivory Coast were automatically drawn in pool A and C by virtue of being the hosts and defending champions.

Other groups.
Burkina Faso has been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Gabon, Guinea Bissau and Cameroon

Group B has Algeria, Tunisia, Senegal and Zimbabwe while C comprise defending champions Ivory Coast, Togo and Morocco.

Former Mbarara Member of Parliament last night paid an emotional tribute to her deceased mother Gertrude Byanyima, who together with her grandmother she said, shaped her current successes as a celebrated champion of women’s rights and emancipation.

Mrs. Byanyima, who is the current Executive Director of the London – based Oxfam International was Wednesday night awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Manchester, where she obtained her Bachelors degree in aeronautical engineering to become the first female Ugandan aeronautical engineer.

This was during the university’s Foundation Day celebrations where it marked its inauguration day in 2004. According to Vice Chancellor Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, this is their most prestigious day on the calendar.

Prof Nancy said of Mrs. Byanyima, “We are proud to say she is one of our graduates.”

When called upon to deliver the night’s key note address, Mrs. Byanyima used the opportunity to extol her late mother and her grandmother, on whose shoulders she said she still stands, although she took a different path from their old time struggles.

Gertrude Byanyima passed away at Mulago Hospital in Kampala in November 2008, where she was rushed with a stroke.

The former National Resistance Army combatant recalled that her mother was taken away from her mother aged only five, and was raised and educated by French Canadian nuns.

“The catholic convent where she spent her livelihood may not seem the most radical of political environments but in many ways it was,” she said.

“She became a teacher at the time of independence and developed an art of nation building. She understood that she could have a public voice.

“When she married and had children and gave up teaching, she didn’t lose her sense of public role. She went into community organizing, founded women village clubs, fighting for girls’ education and against early marriage.”

Byanyima says her mother opened a hardware store in Mbarara town; not just a first business on the High Street owned by a woman, but the first owned by an African and not an Asian.

“I joined my mother in her groups and from this came a conviction that experience of power for a woman is both personal and political.”

Grand mother

Byanyima’s grandmother, she said, overcame a lot more odds to die a very wealth woman well after her 90th birthday.

“My grandmother was born at the beginning of the 20th century; she was married off as a teenager to her father’s good friend as the youngest wife in a polygamous family. This was considered an honor.

“When she was widowed at 23, she suffered the indignity of being inherited by her own step son; A young man of her own age. Her rebellion against this defined the rest of her life. When left to go she left with nothing, not even her children

“She lived a single woman, a pastoral nomad and died well after her 90th birth day a wealthy woman.”

Byanyima noted, “From an inherited widow to a school teacher to an MP, my family story is one of emancipation at a supersonic speed”

“I have devoted my life to organizing politically with women in Africa and now globally. I do that proudly leading Oxfam. Our (family) story is reflective of progress in Africa”

The 2017 Africa Cup of Nations will kick off on Saturday, January 14th with hosts Gabon kicking off the business against debutants Guinea Bissau at the Stade de L’Amite stadium.

Burkina Faso will follow up against Cameroon in the second match starting 10PM at the same stadium.

Group D
Uganda Cranes fell in group D alongside Ghana, seven time champions Egypt and Mali. The group D games start on Tuesday 17th with the Cranes taking on Ghana at the 20000-seater Port Gentil Stadium. The Cranes will then play second game against Egypt three days later at same stadium.

Cranes last group game will shift to Oyem stadium against Mali on Saturday 25th.

Host venues.
Amite stadium will host group A matches, one quarter, one semi final and the final game. Franceville stadium will accommodate group B, one in the last eight and semis.

Group stages fixture;

Group A
Saturday 14 January
19:00 Gabon vs Guinea-Bissau
22:00 Burkina Faso vs Cameroon

Wednesday 18 January
19:00 Gabon vs Burkina Faso
22:00 Cameroon vs Guinea-Bissa

Sunday 22 January
19:00 Cameroon vs Gabon
19:00 Guinea-Bissau vs Burkina Faso*
(Stade de Franceville, Franceville)

Group B
Sunday 15 January
19:00 Algeria vs Zimbabwe
22:00 Tunisia vs Senegal

Thursday 19 January
19:00 Algeria vs Tunisia
22:00 Senegal vs Zimbabwe

Monday 23 January
22:00 Senegal vs Algeria
22:00 Zimbabwe vs Tunisia*
(*Stade de l’Amitié , Libreville)

Group C
Monday 16 January
19:00  Ivory Coast vs Togo
22:00 DR Congo vs Morocco

Friday 20 January
19:00 Ivory Coast vs DR Congo
22:00 Morocco vs Togo

Tuesday 24 January
22:00 Morocco vs Ivory Coast
Togo vs DR Congo
(*Stade de Port-Gentil , Port-Gentil)

Group D
Tuesday 17 January
19:00 Ghana vs Uganda
22:00 Mali vs Egypt

Saturday 21 January
19:00 Ghana vs Mali
22:00 Egypt vs Uganda

Wednesday 25 January
22:00 Egypt vs Ghana
22:00 Uganda vs Mali
(*Stade d’Oyem , Oyem)

Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has Thursday called on the new Minister for Kampala Beti Namisango Kamya “show some respect to the people of Kampala, and the law.”

While speaking in light of yesterday’s directive by the minister, banishing all vendors from the city streets, Lukwago warned that such decisions would have devastating effects especially on the political wing of the city leadership.

On Wednesday, Minister Kamya directed KCCA’s enforcement team to “forcefully” take all venders off the streets, as a way of bringing back sanity therein.

“Her directive was not thought through; she just went to the Media Center and gave an order that she didn’t even consult any one about. Kamya has never even attended any council meeting, otherwise if she did she would know that we are looking for a more sustainable solution,” charged Lukwago while addressing press at City Hall.

Lord Mayor added that street vending is lawfully permitted once one acquires a license, as per the current new law that regulates vendors in Uganda. They are citizens of Uganda and are protected by the law.

“As a council we ask that these acts of evicting people from the streets be put on hold. If they are not then they will be abusing the rights of the people since the evictions are carried out forcefully and in some cases brutally leading to people loss in their property and these people are usually the poor. We have to take care of our poor people too not only the rich like the Kampala City Traders Association KACITA”

He added, “l advise the Minister to put her house in order before they confuse more people. KACITA is being used to fight political wars by those who want to sabotage our management, for there is always a reason behind everything. They  must stand warned”.