The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the North Ankole Diocese to enhance efforts in public awareness and education in environment management.

The MoU which was signed by NEMA’s Executive Director, Dr. Tom Okurut and the Bishop for the North Ankole Diocese, The Rt. Rev. Stephen Namanya was witnessed by the Minister of State for Environment, Hon. Dr. Mary Gorrety Kitutu.

In the address to leaders from the Ankole region, Dr. Okurut, said that the Church’s structures are an avenue for massive awareness creation and will act as behavioural change communications model for the parishioners.

On the part of the church, The Rt. Rev. Stephen Namanya, remarked that it is our collective responsibility to manage the environment and the Diocese will take up the mandate stipulated in the MoU.

The MoU is meant to enhance efforts in public awareness and education in environment management.

The Minister of State for Environment, Hon. Dr. Kitutu, who was the witness to signing the MoU, encouraged both parties to commit to the success in areas of agreement such that this could be scaled to other groups of society.

She also called upon NEMA to scale up such programs through religious institutions since they have an influential relationship with the population.

In the MoU, NEMA will support the establishment of a woodlot, a greenbelt, and a water harvesting system as models and also environmental awareness messages will be shared by the priests in the diocese.

The South Sudan rebels of former Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar have blasted the regional body, IGAD which is the guarantor of the peace agreement signed in August last year.

The SPLA (In Opposition) on Monday released a scathing statement mainly targeting the last weekend’s IGAD Heads of State Summit held in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa to seek solutions for ongoing security and political stalemate in South Sudan.

According to the Machar’s group, the IGAD leadership is on bed with the regime in Juba under President Salva Kiir and therefore no longer an impartial body to stand between the government and the rebels, in resolving the youngest nation’s crisis.

“The various letters by the United Nations Security Council to the President have all documented how IGAD member states have colluded with the regime and have continued to facilitate the procurement of guns and bombs,” part of the statement signed by SPLA (IO) Chairman
for Publicity, Mabior Garanga de Mabior who is also the son of the SPLA founding father Dr. John Garang, read.

IGAD which consists of Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Djibouti, Sudan and South Sudan, mediated the peace talks when a bloody internal war that killed tens of thousands and displaced 3 million people broke out in the newest member in December 2013.

The SPLA (IO) is also not happy with the recognition of the Transitional Government of National Unity.

Machar’s movement believes that the unity government collapsed and should not be taken as a
functioning administration anymore.

“We condemn the misinformation intended to portray an image to the world that there is still a functioning government of national unity in Juba. However what remains there is a junta guided by the ideology of tribalism.”

Police have blocked Opposition FDC’s Col Dr Kizza Besigye from accessing the courtroom in Jinja where the King of Rwenzururu Charles Wesley Mumbere is being charged with murder.

Doctor Besigye arrived early morning at the Jinja court and lined up to attend the session.

He was however, together with other opposition leaders halted at the last minute from accessing the court premises.

The opposition politician Chimpreports understands, was later on grabbed after minutes of confrontation and driven off to an unknown destination.

Parliament’s Leader of Opposition Winnie Kiiza, who is also the woman member of parliament for Kasese District was reportedly blocked from entering the court house.

Mrs Kiiza has been vocal on the events that led to the arrest and detention of the Omusinga Mumbere just over two weeks ago.

She has also accused government security forces of orchestrating killings of dozens of the King’s guards at the Palace non Sunday November 27.

The Kiira regional police mouthpiece Sam Lubega hung up on us without a comment when contacted to explain the blockade.

According to prosecution, “Charles Mumbere and others still at large on 24th day of March 2016 at Field Force Unit Detach in Kidodo Cell Central Division, Kasese Municipality in Kasese District murdered No 53221 PC Kasimba Geoffrey.”

Police say they are preparing more charges against Mumbere, relating to the clashes that left dead bodies on both sides of Mumbere and government security bodies.

Private Kenneth Kalokwera, one of the UPDF Soldiers accused of attacking Mbuya Barracks has denied participating in this mission.

The officer told court yesterday that on the contrary, he was among the officers deployed to protect the attacked Armory.

The Barracks which is also the Ministry of Defense Headquarters came under attack from armed men in March 2013. Their intention according to the army was to steal guns. One of the attackers was shot dead on spot while the others dispersed.

Kalokwera 31, who joined the Army in 2004 informed court that on the day of attack, he had just arrived from Bombo Barracks where he had gone through Movement Order issued by Quarter Master, one Captain Matte.

“On 4th March 2013, I was drunk and I went to bed at 6pm. My wife together with my children woke me up in the night informing me of gunshots. Waking up, I heard four bullets and I moved out of my house dressed in civilian clothes and joined soldiers who were in the barracks,” remarked Kalokwera.

The officer says they were sent by the O.C to the armory where each soldier was handed a rifle and a full magazine. He says however, that they were not required to sign to for the guns.

Kalokwera however, seemed to contradict his earlier testimony that he signed for the PK riffle which he picked at the armory. He had earlier asked state to bring armory documents saying his signature was there.

The suspect who claims to have been wrongfully arrested among the attackers told court, “At CMI I was detained with a few of my workmates whose whereabouts I don’t know to this point.”

Court martial Chairman Gen Andrew Gutti adjourned further hearing of the matter to 9th January 2017 when the defense will produce more witnesses.

Lt Augustine Moro and Private Kenneth Kalokwera are facing charges relating to treachery and those relating to breach of guard duties contrary to the UPDF Act .

The State on Tuesday morning slapped fresh charges of terrorism, aggravated robbery and attempted murder in addition to the earlier murder charge against the Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere, before Jinja Magistrates court.

Mumbere was last month arrested after the UPDF stormed his palace in Kasese and detained him at Nalunfenya police station and later charged him with murder of a police officer in March at Kidodo police station.

Mumbere is facing three more charges

This morning, State prosecutor Grace Ntege presented an amended charge sheet with 3 new charges of terrorism, aggravated, robbery and attempted murder on 11 counts before Chief Magistrate Francis Kaggwa.

The prosecutor told court that Mumbere together with others still at large with intention of intimidating the public…attacked Kidodo police booth and murdered Officer Kasimba on top of attempting to take the lives of 8 others.

Mumbere chats with his wife in the dock

The suspects are also accused of robbing an AK47 gun with 30 rounds of ammunition before using pangas and knives to kill the police officer.

Sick

The Omusinga arrived at court at 9:34 amidst tight security of 4 police vehicles. Dressed in a black suit without a necktie and a white shirt, Mumbere remained calm, occasionally waving to his subjects and supporters as he was led to the courtroom.

Mumbere consulting with his lawyers

He later spoke to his wife and other subjects from the Rwenzururu Kingdom. Represented by a team of lawyers led by Caleb Alaka, Evans Ochieng and Samuel Muyizi, Mumbere told court that his health had deteriorated after being denied access to his personal doctor.

Mumbere has been ramanded to Luzira Prison

Quoting Article 24 of the Constitution, Alaka said a suspect in detention is allowed to be visited by the next of kin, lawyers and personal doctor, which right he said cannot he denied the Omusinga.

“He is 64 years, has hypertension, diabetes and other ailments which require specialized treatment including storage of those treatments, “he noted.

“That has not happened and his health worsened.”

The lawyers told court that due to the nature of Mumbere’s sickness and age, he has been having a person to prepare for him a special diet before arrest.

“We pray that this court exercises its jurisdiction, looks at his health and orders that a fridge that keeps his medicine and a specialized cook from outside be allowed wherever the Omusinga is detained.”

They also asked that a personal doctor be allowed to access the Omusinga whenever he needs while in prison.

In response, the Jinja Chief Magistrate Francis Kaggwa accepted to grant the requests by Omusinga’s lawyers.

Mumbere was later remanded to Luzira prison until December 28 when he will appear again.

Earlier, police blocked former FDC presidential candidate Dr.Kizza Besigye from accessing court premises.

The police officers who had a scuffle with the opposition strongman said they could not allow him near court despite his pleas to have him attend court.

“I am here to listen to the proceedings of the case,” Besigye pleaded to the police officers. He was later arrested and detained at an unknown place.

The French Ambassador to Uganda H.E Stephanie Rivoal has challenged Uganda and other African countries to be cautious against replicating ‘mistakes’ that were made by the Western industrialized countries especially now that climate change is a global threat.

She said that Africa possesses a variety of solutions to the fast changing weather patterns but there must be political will in enforcing regulations.

The Ambassador made the remarks on Monday during the screening of ‘Tomorrow’, a documentary film that highlights the threat posed by climate change. The viewing of the film happened at the French Ambassador’s residence organized by the Embassy of France in Uganda.

“Africa must not repeat the ‘mistakes’ made by the West in their industrial revolution. The African continent can jump ahead and partake the development of the future because you have everything at your disposal rather than replicating the same poor decisions,” she told the guests including diplomats and government officials.

She intimated that in fact the industrialized countries like USA and others have suffered far reaching climatic effects among them racial and religious hatred.

She added; “While we (the West) lack the moral authority to stop Africa from developing through the same path of industrialization we took, we can’t shy away from the impact Africa has suffered – food insecurity, diseases and others.”

The Minister of Tourism Ephraim Kamuntu who was also in attendance stressed that unless global top industrial countries must honor their commitment to reduce carbon emissions, efforts by developing countries like Uganda will not yield much.

“Countries like USA and China must be held accountable for their past mistakes as well as to ensure that small countries benefit from the USD 200 billion pledged by industrialized countries,” the Minister said.

“A country like Uganda emits only 0.01% but the impact of climate change on our environment has been enormous and costly. When we see landslides in Buduuda, perennial floods in Kasese, this is resultant from the actions of big economies.”

“Even if we were to fully comply to the Paris Agreement on local level, without cooperation from countries like USA who emit much more, we won’t stop the glacier on Mt. Rwenzori from melting. These countries must be accountable.”

He however admitted that Uganda can not avoid dealing with the issue of climate change given the fact that an estimated 900,000 people are added to the already 35 million population each year yet the land mass is fixed. “Whether globally there’s compliance or not, as Uganda we have to survive.”

The Ambassador of Norway to Uganda Susan Eckey hinted on the need for proper regulations by government to create sustainable development citing the case of Uganda’s depreciating wetlands.

Former  FDC presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye Kifefe  has dragged the  Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)  to High Court for allegedly conniving  with  security agencies who pulled  him off the steps of the plane on 3rd/October 2016 while at Entebbe Airport on his return from the United Kingdom.

Besigye through his lawyer  Ladislous Rwakafuuzi  accuses  the Aviation Authority of violating his rights of free movement when they diverted   his planned movements from the Airport to his Kasangati home  and drove him against his will through remote routes.

Besigye adds that this plan also denied him the right to meet and move from the  Airport  in company of his  family, friends, associates and supporters who had waited for him at the Airport  hence violating his freedom of Association.

In his affidavit dated 22th  August Besigye says he left Uganda and addressed conferences in London, Geneva and Boston and returned on 3rd October using Kenya Airways aircraft which landed at Entebbe .

On that day however, he noticed that the plane had parked unusually far from the terminal and when he got out he noticed that there was a bigger presence of CAA staff on the tarmac and a  CAA
vehicle  driving closer to the aircraft.

Besigye added that before disembarking from the staircase, a staff of CAA wearing a reflector jacket pulled him from the last step of  the staircase and grabbed him by his trouser towards the CAA vehicle which drove him  away before he could even go through immigration procedures at the Airport.

Court has given CAA only 15 days within which to file a response before Justice Patricia Basaza so as the case can be fix

Police in Kasese has arrested the father of Kenyan based Ugandan Journalist, Joy Doreen Biira, Chimp Corps report.

The news was revealed by Biira through a post on social media on Tuesday afternoon.

“Receiving reports of my Dad being detained. Reasons not yet confirmed I Pray he’s just being asked to write a statement or answer to a few questions, that would be okay. Hope it’s nothing serious,” she posted on social media.

Police spokesperson Andrew Felix Kaweesi denied knowledge of this development asking time to confirm first.

“I am in a meeting. I will need to consult and get back to you,” he told ChimpReports on phone.

Mrs Biira who was recently arrested for breaking the news of the November 27 attack at the palace of the Rwenzururu King, Charles Wesley Mumbere; says her father was later on released unconditionally.

“Dad is okay and a free man. He was only asked a few questions – like I said earlier it’s nothing to worry about,” she said.

It is however still elusive why Dr. Baluku had been arrested.

Nakaseke Woman MP, Hon. Sarah Najuma has survived a lift accident after getting stuck in the machine for close to an hour on Tuesday afternoon.

The legislator got stuck in the lift with a Parliamentary staff attached to the Climate Change committee, Janet Kiconco who came out of the lift faster leaving Najuma stuck on the ground.

These were rescued after a team of technicians and the security officers came to their aid finding Najuma nearly fainting.

The technicians contacted on the matter refused to make any comment on the cause of the failure for such a long period.

It should be noted that this isn’t the first time Parliament lifts have malfunctioned although it is a cause for worry since today’s victims have been the first to spend such a long period.

Stanbic Bank has Tuesday donated goodies to numerous homes and orphanages of disadvantaged children ahead of the festive season.

The support which is part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility activities aiming to transform lives through supporting the less privileged and most vulnerable in society.

Five of such homes and orphanages including Missionaries for the Poor, Teresa Home, School for the disabled, Butabika and Rajab Girls received support with an estimated 528 children benefitting.

The bank’s Chief Executive Officer Patrick Mweheire along with a group of Stanbic staff visited each of these homes and delivered items that included rice, soap, cooking oil, goats, biscuits, sweets, scholastic materials and Christmas cakes.

At Missionaries for the Poor in Kisenyi where the team visited first, Mweheire said Stanbic is committed to giving back to the community with special interest in children’s education which he said is very critical for Uganda.

“We are pleased to spend time with the children and share the joy of giving this Christmas. We hope our contribution touches lives of the most vulnerable in our communities.”

“We are inspired by the will and dedication of the Fathers. As Stanbic, we commit to visiting this home every year I’m December. We shall also rebuild the wardrobes so the kids can get where to keep their clothes,” Mweheire said.

He encouraged the children not to give up on hope even though some may have lost parents.

Rev. Fr. Allan Borais the Regional Supervisor of Missionaries for the Poor in East Africa lauded Stanbic Bank for spending time with the children.

“We are blessed each time we see generous provide for the children because they have no parents to do that.”

“Jesus said that we receive free and should give freely. Many people consider these disabled children as unproductive but as long as somebody has life, they deserve to be respected,” Fr. Borais added.

In addition to Tuesday’s visits, Stanbic Bank’s has contributed a sum of Ugshs 25 million towards the Kampala Christmas Carols Festival happening on Sunday December 18 where less privileged children will enjoy a Christmas meal and festive cheer.

Opposition Democratic Party (DP) National Executive Committee (NEC) will maintain Fred Denis Mukasa Mbidde as the party’s candidate for the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).

The current term of EALA representatives is coming to an end in the first half of 2017 and if endorsed by parliament, Mbidde who also doubles as the DP National Vice President will be serving for his second and last term.

The party Deputy Publicity Secretary, Alex Waiswa Mufumbira told the media on Tuesday during the party’s weekly press briefing that the National Executive Committee of the party resolved to declare Mbidde as their sole candidate.

“We are coming to the first half of 2017, we must have the flag bearer for EALA elections and we don’t want to wait for the final time; NEC members unanimously last weekend chose its candidate to tussle out with the others,” Waiswa said.

Waiswa noted that their choice of candidate is a winner in the outlook, “He has been with the party for some time and we have decided to maintain our own.”

“This is not new, when we were going into the general elections; NEC decided that all incumbent members of Parliament who wish to retain their seats shall not be substituted,” Waiswa noted.

DP, he said, believes that it is not good to substitute a player who is scoring. “If you look at the score card of EALA, Mbidde has been beyond average; he is a student of merit and honors whatever we sent him to do.”

“We call upon all members of Parliament to accord him support to raise high the party and the national flag.”

Hearing of the case where city socialite and a rally driver Desh Kananura is facing murder charges alongside four others yesterday did not proceed on plan due to failure by the state witnesses to appear in court.

This prompted the trial judge to caution the state prosecutor to ensure that they produce their witnesses in the next sitting.

On Wednesday, state was expected to produce more witnesses, only for the State Attorney in the matter Jane Okuo Kajuga to inform court that the witness they expected couldn’t make it.

Kajuga asked court to grant them a short adjournment so they could re-summon them, which plea was challenged by the defense counsel Chris Bakiza, who asked court to grant this matter a last
adjournment since their clients need justice to be delivered to them before the elapsing of the ongoing Criminal session.

Trial Judge Justice Joseph Murangira adjourned the hearing to 19th December and tasked the prosecution to ensure that they produce a witness on that date.

Prosecution alleges that Desh  Kananura, his brother Raymond Kananura, Nzoreba Samuel, Onyango Jacob and Maganda Sirus in September 2012 while at Panamera Bar Naguru  Kampala suburbs, tortured and murdered Abdul Kateregga a bar attendant at Panamera Bar.

The son of Col Dr Kizza Besigye has been admitted to Harvard University in the United States.

The 17 year old Anselm Besigye completed his high school in Massachusetts in the United States.

The development was revealed by Dr Besigye’s wife and Oxfam International boss Winnie Byanyima on social media.

On her only son being accepted at one of the world’s most prestigious education and research institutions, Mrs Byanyima said she was “speechless” and that she was the “proudest mom.

I am speechless! Anselm has been admitted to Harvard Univ. Proudest Mum! @akbesigye Thanking God.

— Winnie Byanyima (@Winnie_Byanyima) December 13, 2016

Harvard announced this week that it had admitted about 1000 students out of the 6400 who applied through its early admission arrangement.

The university’s Dean of Admissions William R. Fitzsimmons said Tuesday that the reason students are admitted – early or during the Regular Action process – is that “their academic, extracurricular, and personal strengths are extraordinary.”

Besigye’s son during his high school showed various abilities, winning back in April, the presidency of his school’s debating club.

Although the youngster was rushed out of Uganda in the early 2000s, and has spent most of his life in the US and UK, he has continued to be at the center of some political discussions back in the country.

During the heat of the previous elections, the chairman of the Electoral Commission Eng Badru Kiggundu questioned why the youthful Anselm had been tucked away from the frontline of the constant clashes between his father and government security agencies.

Mr Kiggundu accused Besigye of using young Ugandans to fight his battles while his son is “in the safety of first world countries enjoying cheese burgers and flavored ice-cream.”

Dr Besigye responded to these accusations saying that his son too had made sacrifices for the struggle, considering the mental stress he goes through watching his father being tortured and embarrassed by Ugandan security forces.

Buganda Kingdom Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga has released his third book titled Uganda: 7-Key Transformation Idea, where he offers solutions to transform Uganda and Africa from the third world to the first one.

Mayiga is notable author with his other two books King on the Throne; the Story of the Restoration of the Kingdom of Buganda, and Buganda ku Ntikko, some of the most cited on Buganda literature. The two books were centred on Buganda Kingdom.

From the departure from the past, the new book looks at Uganda and offers solutions to its development challenges.

In the new book, Mayiga identifies Federalism as key in solving the Buganda problem and leading the country to the true path of transformation.

He writes, “Federalism decongests the center and enables each region to choose its development priorities but within the overall national policy guidelines.”

He adds, “Today, unlike in the past when regions had a bigger stake in management of public issues, development is concentrated in and around Kampala.”

Written in a conversational tone with lots of humour and everyday examples, Katikkiro Mayiga also identifies the rule of law, good governance, health, education, agriculture, public infrastructure and the settlement of the Buganda question as key areas that need be tackled to transform the country.

“This book is a conversation I wish to share with you because, together, we must find solutions to the endemic problems of ignorance, poverty and disease in our country, Uganda,” Mayiga writes.

“It contains my views on laws, politics, institutions, management, social issues, culture, and economics, all of which, and more, can turn into tools of transformation,” he adds.

On the rule of law, Mayiga says, “the community that does not have a reliable and effective judicial system is always restive and can never enjoy a peaceful environment.”

He adds that the precursor to economic stimulation and growth is the belief that the state is possessed of institutions that can prevent lawlessness or that can address injustices whenever they occur. A serious investor will be keen to invest in a country where he knows rules are respected and they apply to everybody.

The book is already available at Aristoc Bookshop, Buganda Shop at Muganzirwazza, and Majestic Brands offices at Bulange, Mengo at Shs40,000.

The Human Rights Network for Journalists has opposed the Uganda Communications Amendment Bill 2016 that is currently being debated before the Parliamentary Committee on Information and Communications Technology.

The Bill seeks to give the Minister of Information and Communications Technology powers to regulate media activities without necessarily requiring the approval of Parliament.

The framers of the Bill argue that the Sections of the UCC Act 2013 are contradictory since Section 93(1) says “the Minister may, after consultation with the Authority and with the approval of Parliament, by statutory instrument, make regulations for better carrying into effect the provisions of this Act”.

And Section 93(3) of the same act again requires the Minister to present before Parliament the regulations made.

The National Coordinator for Human Rights Network for Journalists, Robert Ssempala and his team while appearing before the ICT Committee of Parliament on Monday to give their views on the same matter, said there is no contradiction in the current form of the Act and that it is standard for checks and balance.

“When the two sections are read carefully, Section 93(1) is fundamental on checking the excesses of the minister when formulating regulations that will affect the right to communication. It makes it mandatory for the Minister to seek parliamentary approval in making the regulations,” Mr. Ssempala said.

According to Ssempala, the contentious Section 93(1) is inevitable to safeguard the doctrine of separation of powers between the Executive and the Legislature.

“Section 93(1) does not jeopardize the operations of the Minister and the Uganda Communications Commission. It only sets a strict standard on how the minister formulates the regulations, promotes and protects the doctrine of separation of powers, a fundamental pillar in a democracy.”
He concluded that there is no conflict between the two sections and the ministry and UCC’s fear is based on misconception.

“Section 93(3) is very clear; it only requires the regulations made by the Minister to be tabled before Parliament. The said conflict between section 93(1) and 93(3) by the Minister is misconceived and non-existent.”

High Court in Kampala is set to deliver a ruling in the case where ‘Fufa President’ Eng. Moses Magogo seeks an order restraining the activities of the registered trustees of Federation of Uganda Football Association led by Dan Walusimbi.

In the case filed on November 30^th by the former’s lawyers of Ms Ochieng Associated Advocates and Solicitors, Magogo wants court to issue an order that bars Walusimbi and his group of sullen former Cranes players from interfering with business at FUFA.

Over the past month, Walusimbi and his group have invaded Fufa proceedings, vandalizing property and claiming that the current Ugandan football governing body leadership is illegitimate and should be chased out of Fufa House.

“Magogo doesn’t have a certificate of incorporation and his federation is illegal, so how does an illegality seek for legality,” Walusimbi recently told journalists at a press conference.

“Our cause is to bring sanity to football, the Fufa house at the moment is under Nkwanga Construction and company limited which means it is into the hands of individuals and that is what we are fighting against,” he added.

Eng Magogo notes that Walusimbi’s group should “be stopped from holding out as managers of all FUFA assets, making defamatory statements against FUFA establishment and making any form of communication to existing FUFA sponsors, CAF, FIFA or anybody claiming to be the official representatives of FUFA, until the determination of the main case.”

He says that such situations as those wreaked by Walusimbi and group will bear serious repercussions on the country’s football.

“That unless they are reprimanded and permanently restrained from further insensitiveness, the nation shall risk dire sanctions from the world football governing body FIFA,” Magogo’s statement to court read.

The first court hearing in the case held on December 5^th and presided over by High Court judge Ajiji, denied Magogo’s request pushing it to today.

By publication time, only six people from Dan Walusimbi’s faction including Phillip Obwiny, George Ssemwogerere, and Dan Muwanguzi were available at the court house.

Lawyers representing the Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere have accused police of torturing his royal guards who are now in detention.

The state on Wednesday charged Mumbere together with 152 royal guards of trying to overthrow government among other charges.

Mumbere had earlier been charged with murder, terrorism, aggravated robbery and attempted murder for offences allegedly committed in March this year that led to death of a number of policemen in Kasese district.

However, on Wednesday, the state prosecutor added a charge of treason to Mumbere together with his royal guards before remanding them to Luzira.

“Mumbere, the 152 and others still at large between the months of March and November 2016 at diverse places in Kasese and Kabarole districts contrived a plot to overturn government of Uganda by use force of arms,”the state prosecutor told court.

King Charles Wesley Mumbere is now being charged with treason

“They expressed such plot by utterances and over acts such as attacks on various police establishments killing police officers. ”

Mumbere and his royal guards are also accused of recruiting and training armed personnel with an intent to overthrow government.

These were added onto other charges of murder and terrorism all, according to the state orchestrated between March and November this year.

Torture
The accused’s lawyers told court that their clients had been subjected to rough treatment by police while in detention, and that  many of them have been wounded.

“They were shot at during the arrest whereas most of them are detained in torture chambers by police,”Caleb Alaka, the lead lawyer told court.

” Others have not been brought yet police claim they are in hospital for medication but there is no document to show that.”

The suspects in court today

The lawyers accused government of failure to give proper medical attention to the royal guards while in its custody stressing that many of the suspects have since died.

“Several were arrested and died in the hands of police and they are not here.”

According to Sam Muyizi, government ought to be forced to investigate the claims and make a report on who and the reason behind the torture.

The lawyers also told court that they have information that other suspects are in Bombo military hospital.

The Jinja Chief Magistrate Francis Kaggwa tasked government through the police  to investigate the allegations of torture.

“Allegations of torture should be investigated by government on top of giving proper medical treatment to the suspects by the prison authorities and also counselling to them,”the Jinja Chief Magistrate Francis Kaggwa said on Wednesday afternoon.

They were remanded  to Bungu  (Buikwe district) and Kirinya prisons while the 2 juveniles who are also part of the group have been taken to Naguru remand home until December 28.

The group of 152 suspects including 19 females,4 juveniles and men filled the courtroom to capacity rendering journalists and other members of the public to follow the proceedings from windows.

Mumbere heading back to Luzira

A joint operation by the UPDF and police on November 25 led to storming of Omusinga’s palace in Kasese town leading to death of many royal guards whereas others and Mumbere were also arrested.

Mumbere was airlifted and detained at Nalunfenya police station in Jinja district.

Police have since said that 136 people were killed in the raid but the number had on several occasions been disputed by opposition members of the public especially those from Kasese.

Special Presidential Assistant – Research and Information, Morrison Rwakakamba has been appointed as the Head of the Government Citizen Interaction Centre (GCIC).

Rwakakamba, a renowned researcher, politician and agriculture enthusiast becomes the first head of the call centre which was recently rolled out.

The centre, according to officials, will serve as the primary contact point for its citizens and platform for people-driven monitoring of service delivery, working as a primary channel for feedback and suggestions from citizens.

Speaking about his appointment, Rwakakamba said he was excited for an opportunity to be at the fore front of a platform that will keep the government accountable to the citizens.

“This is a broad two-way platform where citizens get to speak to the government and they also get feedback. I am excited to be at the fore front of this,” he told ChimpReports on phone.

Rwakakamba says the GCIC will primarily aggregate data from MDAs and transform it into simplified, visualized and analyzed information – and channel it to responsible dissemination/ communication centers of government.

“We’ll have full time government communications personnel with linguistic capability to attend to all suggestions, complaints and feedback coming through. Working hours will be communicated,” he said.

Asked about how the GCIC will be different from the normal call centres, which apparently have proven not effective, Rwakamba said “this is not just a call centre.”

“We have different means through which information will be disseminated and feedback received, including sms, phone calls, twitter, Instagram, facebook and blogs. Telecoms are now connecting to enable toll free interaction and the number to call is 900,” he said.

Who is Morrison Rwakakamba

Rwakakamba is the founding Chief Executive Officer at Agency for Transformation (AfT), a think tank on agriculture and environmental policy.

Born in from Nyeibingo, Kebisoni, Rukungiri District in South Western Uganda, Rwakakamba is also a Special Assistant to the President of Uganda, charged with research and information in the Presidency.

Currently, he is HIID Merit Scholar & Mason Fellow in Public Policy Management, at Harvard University – Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

He received his first degree in Education from Makerere University, Kampala in 2003. Before attending the School of political science at Makerere University where he obtained a Master’s Degree in International Relations and Diplomatic Studies (IRDS) in 2006.

The court hearing of the case where Fufa President, Eng. Moses Magogo seeks a temporary injunction on the activities of the worrying Fufa faction led by Dan Walusimbi has been pushed to Thursday.

The hearing which commenced on December 5^th had been postponed to today although presiding judge, Wasswa Basaza has pushed it to tomorrow, Thursday.

Eng. Magogo sought a court injunction following invasions on Fufa house and Fufa activities by the Dan Walusimbi led faction who vandalized property claiming that Magogo’s leadership is ‘fake’.

“What we are seeking from this court is a temporary injunction on Walusimbi’s faction to stop calling themselves FUFA and stop all the attacks on Fufa house. Walusimbi has run out of ideas thus he resorted to violence,” said one of Magogo’ lawyers.

“They already filed a case in court saying Magogo’s Fufa is illegal, why can’t they wait for a ruling? Do they want to attract government’s attention so that a normalization committee is put in place?” he wondered.

Commenting on the postponement, Walusimbi’s lead counsel, Allan Mulindwa cited a tight schedule on Thursday.

“I have a tight schedule tomorrow and the other lawyer who would come in, Julius Kavuma Kabenge is sick therefore I would prefer another date,” said Mulindwa.

Walusimbi maintains that the Magogo led Fufa is an illegal entity which should not administer football on behalf of Ugandans.

The team from Trade Mark East Africa (TMEA) has decried the delayed completion of the Ntungamo-Mirama hills road, which they said has hampered trade between Uganda and Rwanda.

The team was yesterday touring the construction progress on the Ntungamo-Mirama hills road.

TMEA’s Merian Sebunya described the road as problematic as it slows down business especially at the Mirama hills check point.

The road which was commissioned for upgrade in October 2014 is partially by Trade Mark East Africa (50%) together with government of Uganda.

The road was expected to be ready for use in April 2016, but after delays related to land compensation, the expected completion date was moved to December 2016.

Speaking during the tour however, Mrs Sebunya noted with delight that services at the various border points were improving, pointing out for instance that smuggling of illicit goods had drastically declined.

From Uganda Revenue Authority, Robert Jemba expressed optimism that Mirama border is going to be more convenient than Katuna route which he said is very congested.

He however highlighted the need for more accommodation facilities, for especially truck drivers.

“Checking at Mirama hills border end at 8pm yet some truck drivers arrive late; they need places for refreshment which are lacking on the way and at the check point” he said

Sheila Nankunda from reassured the officials that the Ntungamo Mirama road will reduce trucks congestion after its completion.

She said the delays have been caused by locals who are compensated but refuse to leave.

“Soon we are bringing in enforcement officers to remove these people forcefully so that the contractor finishes up the work,” she said