Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Executive Director Godfrey Mutabazi has distanced himself from social media critic Frank Gashumba’s woes.

Gashumba today Friday said he had been put into police custody.

“As expected the State has ordered for my arrest. Now being held at CID headquarters,” said Gashumba.

He said his crime was saying that Dr. Kizza Besigye won the 2016 General elections.

“Official complainant is Uganda Communications Commission’s Executive Director Mr. Godfrey Mutabazi,” added Gashumba.

Police spokesperson Andrew Kaweesi said he could not authoritatively comment on the matter as he was yet to get a full briefing from detectives.

However, Mutabazi told ChimpReports he was unaware about Gashumba’s arrest.

“This is strange,” said Mutabazi when asked if he had sought Gashumba’s arrest.

“I am not aware. Arresting people is not my duty. I don’t know him. Who is he?” Mutabazi queried.

Gashumba is a renowned critic of the NRM government. Authorities have previously castigated him for using social media platforms to disparage state functionaries.

Barely a month after William Oloya was suspended for poor officiation, the referees committee has again cracked the whip on Musa Balikoowa Ngobi.

Ngobi was the second assistant referee for match number 86, a derby between SC Villa Jogoo and Express FC on Saturday 29th October at Namboole.

“FUFA Referees standing Committee (FRSC) has suspended one of the assistant referees Ngobi Balikoowa Musa who handled the Azam Uganda Premier League match no.86 between SC Villa Jogoo Vs Express FC,” part of the statement reads.

Abdumalick Tabu scored a late winner from the spot to supplement on Umar Kasumba’s brace to give the Jogoos a 3-2 win.

The Red Eagles had taken the lead in the game through Sadaam Juma’s second minute strike and later on Simon Sserunkuma pulled level in the 68th.

Herman Waswa appeared to have scored the third goal which would be the equaliser late in the game but the second assistant flagged it off.

“The decision was taken after reviewing the Referees Assessors report and the video clip indicating that the decision taken by the second assistant referee Balikoowa in the 84th minute led to disallowing a would have been a valid third goal to visiting team (Express FC),” the committee revealed.

NSSF’s Executive Director Richard Byarugaba has defended President Yoweri Museveni’s ‘jerrycan and bottle’ irrigation method which has generated mixed reactions from the public.

In the method which President Museveni practically demonstrated while touring the Luwero triangle recently, local farmers are advised to use the available implements as a way of dealing the unpredictable climate changes.

Byarugaba yesterday supported this “rudimentary” method while speaking during the second Press Plenary at Imperial Royal Hotel in Kampala organized by the Uganda Parliamentary Press Association (UPPA) under the theme; ‘Uganda’s Economic Slow Down: What should the 10th Parliament do to get Uganda Back on track’.

He argued that the president’s gesture of fetching water on a bicycle in Luweero carried a big message that Ugandans must realize that there is need to get back to the basics if the country’s economy is to be salvaged.

“I acknowledge the president’s gesture; it’s a very simple gesture, very rudimentary and like a child-play but it’s sending a powerful message,” Byarugaba said.

“Why suffer a drought in Isingiro when there is River Kagera passing by with all the tones of water it flows to Lake Victoria?,” Byarugaba noted.

The NSSF MD stressed that since every Ugandan has by now agreed that the country’s economy can only get better through agriculture since it’s what we are good at, everyone must join in making it better and more productive.

“You don’t expect the people of Luweero to use mechanized agriculture like how it was portrayed in Rwanda and in Kenya but we should expect a villager to start with what they have, a bicycle and a jerrycan.”

“Rather than ridiculing that, let’s use it to tell Ugandans that we can actually thrive in agriculture if we take advantage of the things God has given us.”

The chairman LC 5 for Isingiro district has been arrested for violating the ministers’ orders on a quarantine imposed on the district.

Chairman Jeremiah Kamurali who sternly opposed the near 15 year ban on livestock movement in the district was picked up by police yesterday morning as he attempted to reopen the closed livestock markets in Endiinzi town.

He was immediately driven and handed over to Mbarara Regional Police Station.

The RPC Rwizi region Ivan Nuwamanya confirmed the arrest of the district chairman saying that he had forcefully opened the livestock markets violating the orders of Junior Minister of Animal husbandry Joy Kabatsi who last month extended the cattle quarantine in the district by another 10 years.

RPC Rwizi region Ivan Nuwamanya

The order followed reported cases of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) still evident in the district.

The district chairman in a recent interview with Chimpreports stood his ground and vowed to flout the minister’s orders saying that the quarantine was worsening the volatile condition in the district, currently hard hit by a prolonged dry spell.

Isingiro District Chairman Jeremiah Kamurali

He vowed to reopen the Endiinzi and Kamwirima cattle markets on 3^rd and 5^th November respectively.

The RPC Niwamanya told media upon the arrest that a regional security meeting will be held to find a lasting solution to the standoff.

Terming his actions as unnecessary defiance, the RPC said Kamurali would be charged for violating the Animal Disease Act (2000).

At the police, the district chairman pleaded to be released to attend a budget conference which was ongoing in his district and was granted a police bond.

After his release, Kamurali told Chimpreports that he will forcefully open the livestock markets.

“The markets must be reopened come rain or sunshine.” he said, adding that there was no way he would watch his people drop dead with no food to eat as government maintains grip on their livelihood with no support interventions.

Col Dr Kizza Besigye, the former FDC Presidential candidate has blamed the current problems of Makerere University on “bad leadership” at the Education Ministry, which headed by First Lady Janet Museveni.

Dr Besigye while addressing press at his home in Kasangati on Friday, said the problems at the country’s  largest education institution had been wrongly approached, to the extent of being shut down by the President.

In Besigye’s view, this week’s execute order to indefinitely close Makerere by President Museveni was reflective of the possibility that the president doesn’t trust his wife Janet to run the Education Ministry.

“The Ministry of Education is also headed by his wife, but even he can’t allow his wife to run it. We expected that he would have trust in his wife to manage the (striking staff) problem but he decided to work it out himself.

Besigye added, “All this comes from an ideology whose priority is not the people of Uganda but simply the preservation and expansion of personal rule of Mr. Museveni.”

“If education was a priority it will be treated differently, right from primary we have destroyed our education system.”

Just hours after the university was closed following a teachers trike for non-payment, Dr Besigye called upon the student community to defy the order and decline leaving the campus.

The campus has since been cleared up by police, sending all students back home. It is still unclear when it will open again for business.

The High court in Kampala has cleared the Ministry of Education’s decision to close 63 Bridge International Academies countrywide, for operating in contravention of the law.

Justice Patricia Basaza today  dismissed with costs the case filed by Bridge against the Attorney General, saying that the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education made all necessary efforts to engage the applicant to remedy the inadequacies in its operation but Bridge did not take the requisite action.

The Judge also noted that it is not in dispute that none of the Bridge Academies has been registered nor fully licensed by Ministry of Education to operate.

This implied that the applicant was not only heard by the Ministry but  indeed given time to remedy the inadequacies of its operations.

Basing on  the  Education inspection report by Ministry of Education, court found that  there was inadequacy of water, dysfunctional hand washing facilities and in some schools generally not sound sanitary conditions.

Bridge International Academies Ltd had dragged government to court seeking to quash the decision of Ministry of Education, dated July/25/2016 directing the closure of all the applicants academies in Uganda.

Bridge school management that runs 63 academies in several districts in Uganda with over  12000 pupils had accused the Ministry of condemning them unheard.

Following the arrest of Sisimuka Uganda’s Executive Director, Frank Gashumba, FDC’s former party president, Dr. Kiiza Besigye has advised government to build more prisons since more Ugandans affirm to his victory in the recent presidential elections.

Police on Thursday arrested Gashumba and his home was searched on grounds that he declared Besigye as a winner of the 2016 Election polls as well as ridiculing the person of UCC Executive Director Godfrey Mutabazi.

“There is no need to arrest Gashumba,” said Besigye at the press meeting today. “Well, I was arrested for the same and I have said so even in court that I won the elections. If that’s the treason, they shouldn’t waste time investigating, I have been saying so that I won the elections and am happier if more people indeed affirm it.”

“Everywhere I have been going people have been affirming it saying this is our president so the regime should build more prisons because if whoever voted and believes that I won he’s going to be arrested and I don’t know whom they will remain with.”

Besigye reiterated that all this is all panic by the government, and warned that more people will have to be arrested.

“The regime is in panic as I have pointed out previously, I have advised the regime that rather than panic and causing more confusion and chaos they should come and we sit down and we talk in broad day light how to get out of this mess that they have created.”

“We must have an orderly transition from the Museveni regime and the sooner the process is undertaken, the better for our country.”

Lubaga South Division MP Elect Kato Lubwama and his supporters erupted in celebration at the Kampala High Court’s Civil Division this afternoon, after his the court dismissed an application filed seeking an order for Makerere University to prove his academic qualifications.

Last month, a concerned voter of Rubaga South Municipality Habib Buwembo through his lawyer Isaac Ssemakadde had filed the application before Justice Oumo Oguli seeking court to summon the Academic Registrar of the University to be added as a respondent in the matter.

In the main case, the applicant contends that Kato Lubwama was not legally elected since he lacked the required minimum qualifications of a Member of Parliament.

Buwembo adds that he made various attempts to Makerere University asking to be furnished with proof that the MP’s Diploma was from there but with no success. He thus filed the application on grounds that this information was the basis of his main suit.

In her ruling, Justice Omolo emphasized that it was not necessary at this stage to add Makerere University to this application, which actually seeks to file an election petition out of the stipulated time frame.

Justice Oguli instead advised the applicant to wait for the outcome of the first application and then join the University as a respondent in the main petition against Kato Lubwama.

“In my opinion, this matter of proof of the 1st Respondent’s academic qualifications is relevant in the main petition and court does not find necessary in this application for extension of time,” she ruled.

On the question of costs, the judge said these would be decided upon after disposing off the main application which is going to be heard on Monday next week.

Meanwhile before delivering her ruling, the Judge gave credit to Hon Kato Lubwama who managed to govern his supporters in fulfillment of the earlier warning resulting from his supporters who were shouting at court premises.

All roads leading to Tweed Towers were blocked by Police and it was only authorized personnel with proper identification that were allowed to access the court premises.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has Friday warned lecturers in government universities that government will not let them hold it to ransom over matters that affect them.

President Museveni sounded the warning on Friday while speaking at the event held to officially commission Kabale University, install its Chancellor and Graduate its Tenth batch of Students.

A total of 2120 students were awarded degrees, diplomas and certificates in various disciplines.

The President, — vividly displeased by the lecturers’ strike at Makerere University that resulted in him closing it this week –, said that the lecturers are failing to understand the priorities of government and choosing to hold government on ransom which he said was futile.

President Museveni says lecturers cannot continue holding government to ransom

He noted that while government is aware of their genuine demands, they must be patient and more understanding.

Museveni said dons must be exemporary to their students and not mislead them.

Coming about Kabale University which was recently acquired by Government, Museveni said he was happy with the progress there and the services it is providing.

Incidentally lecturers at the university went on a sit down strike over nonpayment recently leading to the postponement of its graduation.

Work at the University was paralyzed after lecturers decided to lay down their tools demanding for their salaries for period of 8 months.

Two weeks ago, the government moved in to save the situation and released money for three months after students joined their striking lecturers, demanding for services.

Kabale University has student from across the East African region

Speaking at the same function John Chrysostom Muyingo, the state minister for higher education revealed that there is need for the lecturers to embrace dialogue in the quest for their salaries and allowances.

Prof George Mondo Kagonyera the new Chancellor called for a quick intervention to address the challenges that have crippled service delivery at the institution.

“We should not be notorious but famous, I have not been paid my terminal from Makerere but I have not gone on the streets to strike. Leave strikes to sugar cane growers,” said Prof. Kagonyera.

Fufa Women Elite league

Ajax Queens 1-0 Eastern Heroes

Ajax Queens claimed maximum points on the opening day of the Fufa Women Elite league after edging past Eastern Heroes in the game played at Onward and Outward SS playground in Bulenga.

Maureen Afoyo’s first half strike was enough for Ajax Queens to bag all three points on the opening day of the third edition of the women’s league.

Afoyo gave the home side the lead in the 5th minute when she stepped up to convert from a free kick.

Eastern Heroes almost had a quick response four minutes later but Hamidu Ngobi’s goal was cancelled after infringement on Ajax’s goalkeeper Gloria Namakula which prompted play to temporarily stop for five minutes with the goalkeeper receiving treatment.

Maria Grace Nakanwagi had an opportunity to double the lead but she failed to put the ball past Eastern Heroes goalkeeper Irene Arinteng in a one on one situation.

The visitors were reduced to ten players after referee Anna Akoyi sent off striker Rema Naikoba for kicking goalkeeper Namakula.

Eastern Heroes opted to go defensive after recess to limit the damage containing Ajax Queens.

Skipper Lukiya Namubiru tapped from close range in the 56th minute but she had her goal disallowed for offside.

New recruit Bridget Nabisaalu who was making her debut at Ajax Queens came close to scoring 15 minutes to time but her shot hit the woodwork before heading out for a goal kick.

Ajax Queens coach Mulindwa Frank was convinced with the result despite missing several scoring opportunities.

“We lacked sharpness in the final third but I believe this was the first game in the season so it was always going to be hard to hit the ground going,” he said.

Ajax Queens now lead Victoria group on 3 points and play against Olila  women’s team on Saturday.

Ajax Queens starting XI

Gloria Namakula,Pira Mary, Fanny Ikimaye,Joselyn Muhonerwa,Brenda Nasozzi,Maureen Afoyo,Nabisaalu Bridget, Namubiru Lukiya,Carol Nakyanzi,Maria Grace Nakanwagi,Harriet Nakuba

Eastern Heroes starting XI

Irene Akinteng,Grace Abejaann,Latifah Nalule,Akuku Peninah,Ajore Immaculate, Katono Priscilla, Naikoba Rema,Janet Anigo,Hamidu Ngobi,Cleo Alobo,Rebecca Aduo

Saturday fixtures

Ajax Queens vs Olila women’s team

Kawempe Muslim vs London Stallions

Wakiso  Hills vs Gafford Ladies

Riness vs Western United

Sunday

Buikwe She Red stars vs UCU Lady Cardinals

Kampala Queens vs Muteesa I Royal University

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has pledged continuous partnership with the East African Community (EAC) to address issues of migration within East Africa.

IOM’s Regional Director for East and the Horn of Africa, Mr. Jeffrey Labovitz, said that the collapse of commodity prices on the world market and inflation had badly affected economies in East Africa and neighbouring countries, adding that this coupled with ongoing conflict would necessitate migration within the region.

Labovitz said poorly performing economies would mean people having problems in accessing farming implements and inputs which in turn contribute to low agricultural yields.

He noted that EAC Partner States had been quite generous and humane in hosting refugees from neighbouring countries riven with conflict.

The IOM official singled out the Ugandan model of refugee management whereby refugees are integrated into local communities and given land to farm rather than being put into refugee camps.

He said Tanzania, which hosts many refugees, was keen on learning from Uganda on how to handle refugees and urged other African countries to follow suit.

Labovitz was speaking this week when paid a courtesy call on the EAC Secretary General, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

Mfumukeko thanked IOM for its close cooperation with the EAC on matters of migration and refugees, adding that refugees need food, medical assistance and educational facilities for their children.

The Secretary General said that the Ugandan model of integrating refugees into host communities was good because it enabled refugees to stabilize and continue with their lives as they wait for normalcy to return to their countries of origin.

Some of the critical migration challenges facing the EAC include: the free movement of persons and labour; internally displaced persons, and; forced migration. The EAC has been working with IOM to address the free movement of persons and labour and in the collection of migration data.

During the function, Mr. Labovitz was accompanied by the IOM Chief of Mission in Tanzania, Dr. Qasim Sufi and the Head of Programmes at IOM Tanzania, Ms. Tamara Keating. Amb. Mfumukeko was flanked by the Director of Social Sectors, Ms. Mary Makoffu, and the Labour and Employment Officer, Mr. Stephen Niyonzima.

Uganda Wildlife Authorities officials have been called in by locals in Mbarara to track down an unknown number of hippos that have been on rampage in the area.

The hippos are said to have been on the loose in the areas of Lugazi for months according to residents.

On Friday, 2 UWA officials were sent on ground in response to the numerous calls from the locals for assistance.

Edith Mwijukye, one of the residents says about 3 hippos have been coming at night destroying their gardens of maize, beans, ground nuts and sweet potatoes.

Residents say the hippos have been attacking their gardens at night

“They used to come at around 3:00am since June but now they come as early as 6; 00pm,” Edith said

UWA officials camped in the area last night and one of the hippos was seen in the night but escaped into R. Rwizi.

UWA officials have camped in the area

Residents fear that the animals pose a major threat to their lives. The area LC1 Chairman Hannington Kato threatened to kill them if UWA does not succeed in capturing them.

However the UWA publicist Jossy Muhangi warned the public not harm the wild animal, promising that the bigger team will soon be sent in to capture the hippos.

The five newly appointed Commissioners of the East African Community Competition Authority (EACCA) have been sworn in at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

The appointed Commissioners were approved by the 33rd Meeting of the Council of Ministers held on 29th February 2016, which considered nominees submitted by each Partner State and appointed them as Commissioners of the EACCA.

The five Commissioners of the Authority include Mr. Innocent Habarugira (Burundi), Mr. Francis W.  Kariuki (Kenya), Dr. Frederick Ringo (Tanzania), Dr. Didas M. Kayihura (Rwanda) and Mr. Sam K. Watasa (Uganda).

Presiding over the function, the Registrar of the East African Court of Justice Yufnalis Okubo, welcomed and congratulated the commissioners upon their appointment as the first Commissioners to serve the EAC Competition Authority.

“The onset of the EAC Common Market, coupled with our engagement in the globalized world implies that a higher percentage of competition cases have a significant regional and international ramification. The foregoing calls for the establishment of the EAC Competition Authority to regulate regional competition matters,” said the Registrar.

He urged Partner States to benchmark on international best practices in the enforcement of the EAC Competition Act 2006.

The EAC Competition Act, 2006, among other things, seeks to allow consumers to take class action against goods or services providers.

It also seeks to seal loopholes that enable trade associations and firms operating across the region to engage in exclusive agreements, or form cartels, forcing consumers to pay higher prices for goods and services.

The Authority is an independent organ of EAC but subject to judicial review by the EACJ (as provided for in Sections 44 and 46 of the EAC Competition Act, 2006. It is mandated to develop appropriate procedures for public sensitization, consultation and participation.

Competition advocacy will entail providing information to citizens and businesses on competition whereas consultation will involve asking stakeholders for comments and advice regarding the Authority’s enforcement practice and on matters it intends to regulate.

In relation to participation, the Authority is expected to provide Partner States’ governments with comments and advice relating to the compatibility of Partner States’ regulatory activities with requirements of the Act. The Authority is also obligated to publish an annual report as well as occasional reports.

The enforcement of the EAC Competition Act, 2006 will trigger obligations for enterprises operating in various sectors as well as for Partner States. In particular, it is necessary for the Authority to evaluate what mechanisms will be used to implement the EAC Competition Act in a context where only two Partner States have operational national competition authorities, two Partner States are at advanced stages of establishing national competition authorities and one Partner State is in the process of enacting a competition law.

Given the confidential and sensitive nature of the matters to be handled by the Ad Hoc Competition Authority, the Commissioners took an Oath of Secrecy and an Oath of Allegiance before they embarked on discharging their services to the Community.

During their three-day inaugural meeting, the Commissioners considered the Authority’s draft internal rules of procedure which spell out how it will conduct its business, developed a work plan and EAC merger review issues.

Rwanda National Police (RNP) has paraded three men who were arrested in connection with evading taxes amounting to Rwf1 billion.

The suspects are alleged to have manipulated the Electronic Billing Machines (EBM) to run ghost companies that they would later use to claim for VAT refund from Rwanda Revenue Authority.

The suspects are identified as Cliaque Muyango, Jean Claude Rugwizangoga and Abdul Karim Ribonande.

Besides the refund claims, the trio would also issue false EBM receipts to traders without items sold and would get commissions on every false receipt issued, according to Police preliminary investigations.

They are alleged to have ran the scam using ghost companies registered as Union Trading Company, Beyi Layisi Company and Quality Business company.

“For over a year, they weren’t selling or buying a single unit, yet their billing machine indicates that they had amassed taxes…besides, they were claims of VAT refund from these suspects under the ghost firms as well as refund companies that had acquired items from the trio which triggered investigations that later discovered the network,” Emmy Mbera the coordinator of EBM in RRA said.

Bayi Layisi had allegedly claimed a VAT refund of Rwf249m, Quality Business Rwf542 and Reason Trading had claimed a refund of Rwf 221million.

“Of the 12,000 EBMs so far given out, 25 so far were found to be involved in such dirty dealings and of the 25 people who own these machines, 10 have been arrested but we are working closely with RNP to ensure all those involved are brought to justice.”

Addressing journalists at Remera Police station, the Central Region Police Spokesperson Superintendent of Police (SP) Emmanuel Hitayezu commended efforts of all stakeholders and the general public for their partnership in overcoming illegal business activities, and for facilitating the apprehension of fraudsters.

“This should serve as an example to those in the business community who are planning to indulge in such activities. Sooner or later we shall catch up with them and they will face the law,” he said.

SP Hitayezu pointed out that such activities negatively affect the country’s development agenda and warned the business community against getting involved in activities that undermine the economy.

If found guilty, the trio risks a jail sentence of up to two years and a fine equal to the evaded tax as stipulated in article 369 of the penal code.

President Uhuru Kenyatta this week formally launched Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amb Amina Mohamed’s candidature to become the African Union chairperson.

The President launched the bid at a gathering of African diplomats at State House, Nairobi.

He described Amb Amina as a focused public servant who is known for the positions she has taken on issues affecting Africa and Kenya.

The President said the Foreign Affairs CS is a consensus builder who will bring a lot of experience to the African Union.

“She is an individual who brings people together. She is an individual who is organised and will help us organise the African Union. She is a lady of courage and valour,” said President Kenyatta at the meeting attended by envoys from African countries based in Nairobi.

Uganda’s representative Speciosa Kazibwe bid for the AU seat failed miserably in the recent elections held in Kigali, Rwanda.

She eventually pulled out of the race despite being supported by the East African region.

A section of Kenya’s envoys to foreign countries also attended the meeting.

“I request you to lend your support for the candidature of Amb Amina with a promise that you will get a servant who will work for each one of us,” said President Kenyatta.

The President said he nominated Amb Amina after wide consultations with many other African Heads of State and Governments and believes that her candidature will promote African consensus.

Speaking at the event, Amb Amina said she will strive to ensure that Africa’s dignity is never tampered with if she gets elected as the chairperson.

She said she will ensure the African Union delivers a better life for Africans.

“We (Africans) have in the main been politically emancipated. We are working hard to ensure we are economically emancipated. We also need to ensure that our institutions, systems and mechanisms are emancipated and that is what I hope you will allow me to work on,” she said.

Amb Amina said Africa needs to speak with consensus in order for its voice to be heard and respected internationally.

“We have to start talking about ourselves as Africans because that is how the world sees us,” she said.

The Foreign Affairs CS said she will bring to the AU the experience she has built in her years as a public servant in Kenya and as a senior official of the United Nations.

The CS said Kenya’s foreign policy under President Kenyatta has been focused on Africa and its contribution to ensuring Africa’s voice is heard on the international stage is recognised.

She cited President Kenyatta’s advocacy for Africa’s integration and the fight Kenya spearheaded for Africa to be respected by institutions dealing with international justice.

“If we act collectively we will be able to deliver for the continent,” said Amb Amina.

The function was also attended by Somalia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Abdisalem Omer.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has said propaganda and falsehoods by the opposition will at no time derail Jubilees development agenda for the country.

He criticized the opposition for weaving scandals and blaming the jubilee government for them in a narrative aimed at derailing jubilee’s re-election agenda.

President Kenyatta, however emphasized that the outcome of the 2017 general elections will be decided on the strength of the government’s performance and not propaganda and falsehoods.

The President as the Jubilee Party leader who on Friday was addressing the inaugural Jubilee Party National Governing Council at the Bomas of Kenya, urged jubilee supporters to stay the cause of development and avoid being distracted by the negative opposition narratives. The Deputy President Ruto also addressed the meeting.

“We do not want to engage in the opposition game of propaganda, insults, demonstrations and guesswork, we want to move forward, we shall not be distracted from our set goals by negative propaganda,” said Kenyatta.

The President made it clear that in line with democratic practices, he supported the existence of opposition parties in the country, but hastened to add that political parties should compete on  party policies and  not on account of  tribal, regional, religious  or racial backgrounds.

The government has in recent weeks attacked newspapers over the extensive coverage of a corruption scandal in the health ministry.

Government responded by dragging the Daily Nation to the media council for disciplinary action.

But Kenyatta said it was unfortunate that due to lack of a development agenda for the country, the opposition was weaving imaginary scandals to get a platform on which to campaign and endear themselves to the voters ahead of the general elections.

“We want to compete on policy issues. Those who are engaging in violence, propaganda, and insults have nothing to show for the many years they have been in positions of responsibility in this country, they only thrive in poverty and divisions,” the President added.

Deputy President Ruto noted that Jubilee’s development record is unprecedented in the country’s history adding Kenyans were wise enough to differentiate between a performing government and the opposition whose main pre-occupation is insults, demonstrations and propaganda.

He chided the opposition for questioning the source of money  that Jubilee is using for the development of the country saying  Kenyans are instead questioning  what  they did  with the  massive resources  they had  during the many years  they  were in  the cabinet.

“Even with this development, our competitors are asking where we get our money, we are asking them when they were in government what did they do with the money?” The Deputy President posed.

Elections

President Kenyatta and his Deputy emphasized that the Jubilee nominations for next year’s general elections will be free and fair adding that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) would conduct the nominations.

“Let us not be unduly concerned with party positions rather we should set our eyes on what we as Jubilee can do for our country to move forward.”

President Kenyatta noted that Jubilee traces its origin after the aftermaths of  2007- 2008 post election violence when  the  main protagonists in the violence decided that no Kenyan will again shed blood on account of political competition.

“We decided that whether we lost or won no Kenyan would kill another because they belonged to different political persuasions. By God’s grace and with votes from Kenyans we formed a government which speaks with one voice,” said Kenyatta.

And added: “We are committed to work for those who voted for us and those who voted for the opposition, we did not want to be vindictive to anyone and have brought everyone on board.”

He enumerated some of the success stories of the Jubilee   government noting  that  the Standard  Gauge  Railway was nearing completion, medical equipment have been installed in county referral hospitals  improving medical services in government health institutions tremendously and security has  also been improved after government bought  vehicles  and other equipment for the police.

The President  further said to level the field in the provision of education to the youth of this country, the government had abolished examination fees  at both class eight and form four level adding the government had paid examination fees for all the 1.5 million students sitting  for their exams this year.

“We have opened previously inaccessible regions of this country by building proper road networks that have enabled goods and services to move faster across the country,” he said.

On devolution, the President said the national government had released about I trillion shillings to the countries since 2013.

He also spoke about electricity connectivity saying as at now 5.2 million Kenyans had been connected to electricity compared to 2.3 million in 2013.

The National Governing Council approved the team which will consult with the President and his Deputy and come up with a campaign programme for the Jubilee Party. The team comprises of party members from all  the 47 counties.

The government is expected to bring to Parliament a number of bills to amend the Constitution and the most notable is the one to remove the presidential age limit currently at 75 years.

In August, ChimpReports broke the news of a then silent private members bill meant to remove the retirement age for judges, scrap the restricted two-term tenure for the Electoral Commission topmost officials among others.

The bill that was days later moved by Nakifuma county Member of Parliament, Ssekitoleko Kafeero was instantly viewed by many as a calculated plan to lift the presidential age limit.

It was later to be thrown out by Speaker Rebecca Kadaga who said any amendment of the Constitution should be comprehensive but not piece meal and she asked the government take charge.

According to sources, The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and the Attorney General’s office that already had plans for constitutional reforms, immediately embarked on paper work when Ssekitoleko’s Bill flopped.

This website also understands that there was already a plan B to be executed by the Justice ministry in the event of failure of Ssekitoleko’s project.

On the political front, ChimpReports has exclusively learnt that 30 Members of Parliament from Buganda have already been courted to do the mobilization in the region where the project is supposed to start from.

The 30 MPs according to a source, met with Security Minister Gen. Henry Tumukunde on Wednesday last week in Kampala.

The meeting was to conclude on the amount of money to be given to each them. We understand that each has already asked and insisting to be given Shs1.5bn for them to do the job.

“We wanted to iron out the economic bit before we hit the political field,” one of the MPs told this reporter.

The meeting however did not reach a common ground since the MPs were offered only one third of the demanded amount.

“We were told there is no money and only Shs500m can be given to us in cash. No conclusion yet but we are to internally decide,” the source added.

The 30 MPs are to meet this weekend to reach the final decision at a location we have decided to withhold.

The Wednesday meeting was not attended by all the 30 but slightly above a half and all were given transport refund.

ChimpReports is yet to get a comment from Gen. Tumukunde as his phone was answered by an aide who told us that he is out of the country.

After Buganda, MPs from other regions are also going to be engaged to mobilize the grassroots to support the removal of presidential limit.

President Yoweri Museveni is now 72 and not eligible to stand in the next election in 2021 under the current legal regime.

The Bugabula South MP, James Kakooza who successfully moved the motion in 2005 to lift the presidential term limit is again said to be the main figure in the presidential age limit removal.

The Kampala Central MP, Mohamed Nsereko who currently has a good following within the young legislators is also said to be close to the project.

Meanwhile the former Police Spokesman Simeo Nsubuga is already in the group. When contacted on phone, Mr. Nsubuga denied attending the Wednesday meeting and  described the reports as false.

The Parliament is set to call back its members from recess to converge on Monday to pay their last respect to the departed Maj. Gen. Julius Oketta.

Gen. Oketta who was until today serving as the Vice Chairperson of the military led Operation Wealth Creation died on Saturday from Kadic Hospital Kampala where he was rushed after complaining of chest pain.

ChimpReports has learnt that an emergency meeting was convened at Parliament on Saturday at 11am by the house leadership purposely to look into the burial arrangement and bringing of Oketta’s body to lay in state and a special sitting for the tribute.

READ ALSO: EXCLUSIVE: UPDF General Quits Parliament

According to a source who attended the closed door meeting, the Prime Minister, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda informed the gathering that the government is ready to bring Oketta’s body to Parliament on Monday.

“The Right Honorable Prime Minister told us that the body of Gen, Oketta will be in Parliament on Monday 7th November 2016,” a source told this reporter.

The program of the day on Monday is customarily divided in two to accommodate both the laying of body in State and a plenary session afternoon to be chaired by the Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah and the motion for the tribute is to be moved by Rugunda.

“His body is expected to lay in State at 10am and at 2:00 a plenary sitting to be steered by the Right Honorable Deputy Speaker. Dr. Rugunda is preparing the motion for the day,” the same source said.

When contacted on phone, Parliament’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs Chris Obore confirmed the development

“The body of Gen. Oketta will be at Parliament at 10am for viewing and 2pm for tribute,” Mr. Obore said.

Gen. Oketta served as army MP for 10 years from 2005 to 2016 when he decided not to stand. This website broke the news of his quitting Parliament in March this year.

The western Ibanda district leadership has issued a directive to restaurants and bar owners to start hiring workers after signing contracts with them.

The directive is aimed at countering the reported growing cases of maltreatment of workers and to provide better working conditions.

The resolution was arrived at during a meeting that was held at the Municipal Council Hall between stake holders and Ibanda Town Clerk Justine Barekye as well as the RDC Elliusto Akatuhebwa on Friday.

Speaking to ChimpReports in his office after the meeting, the RDC revealed that he had been receiving complaints from workers especially women who work in the bars and hotels that they don’t get paid and yet they work night and day.

He said some of the workers told him that they were being forced by their employers to sleep with their customers.

He mentioned one bars implicated in these practices as De Green Bar, whose workers have gone 5 months without pay.

“These young women are being treated like what we hear about Ugandans in Arab countries,” he said.

The Municipal Clerk Justine Barekye revealed that bars and restaurants in Ibanda have been given a period of one month to register their workers and formalize their employment.

President Yoweri Museveni on Saturday took his Operation Wealth Creation tour to Kabale in the Kigezi sub region, where he launched a Ugx 64 million solar irrigation project.

The project was donated to Charles Rutaro, a local farmer by the president himself when he visited him last year.

During yesterday’s tour, President Museveni expressed concern over the rate at which the locals are encroaching on wetlands.

He noted that farmers in the districts of Kabale and Rubanda have failed to put into consideration the basic environmental protection practices.

He advised that those that cultivate in the swamps should put a buffer zone of fifty meters from the rivers so as to protect the swamps and also access water that will be used in the irrigation of their gardens.

Rutaro a secondary school teacher told the president that farmers in the Sub County were being hampered by transport means to help in transporting their output to markets in the nearby towns.

It was then that the President donated to him a pick truck to help him with transport.