The Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn has hailed President Museveni as a stabilizing force on the African continent, everyone looks up to.

Desalegn made the remarks on Thursday afternoon while addressing journalists at State House Entebbe during his 3 day visit to Uganda, on the invite of President Museveni.

“This is an important country in Africa and we look up to you for instilling peace, stability and prosperity on the continent. We follow in your steps,” the Ethiopian Prime Minister said of Museveni.

He noted that the volatile Horn of African region needs to cooperate with countries like Uganda to help them in the fight against wrong elements like the Al Shabaab terrorists in Somalia.

Desalegn also praised the Uganda People’s Forces under AMISOM for doing a good job in liberating Somalia from the claws of the terror group that had made the entire Horn of Africa insecure.

“This is the only peacekeeping mission in the world that has made progress and we appreciate your support. You have sacrificed for the success and peace in Somalia.”

In response, President Museveni told his visitor that Uganda is the heart of Africans because of being home to various ethnic tribes that are present in other countries.

“We have the Bantu speaking group, Nilotics, Nilo Hamites, Sudanic people and many other tribes here,” Museveni said.

He noted that there is need for the region to support Somalia after ‘defeating Al Shabaab’ so that they can be able to develop their own country and also revive their weak economy.

According to Museveni, the 2 countries discussed the possibility of construction of a road joining Uganda (Karamoja) to the North Western Ethiopia.

The 2 leaders also held a serious of meetings where they discussed the Nile,South Sudan and  other issues related to cooperation of the 2 countries.

Uganda Premier League
Champions stadium, Mwererwe 4pm
The Saints vs KCCA FC

League leaders KCCA FC return to action on Tuesday against struggling Saints with the aim of maintaining their stay at the top.

KCCA FC come into Friday’s clash in a better shape than the Saints after a comprehensive victory against Onduparaka over the weekend and assistant Manager, Morley Byekwaso believes they have an edge against their opponents.

“I believe it will not be an easy game given the fact the Saints are playing at home, but I’m confident we can earn victory over them,” he said.

“I think we come into tomorrow’s game with an advantage because Saints are not the same team as they were last season. They have struggled a bit so that gives us an edge,” Byekwaso added.

KCCA FC have the chance to go four points clear ahead of second placed Villa who play against Proline on Saturday and skipper Dennis Okot is confident they can nick maximum points against the Saints on Friday.

“We are quite aware of the table standings and we believe we just need to keep winning our games to stay on top,” he said.

“As players, we are highly motivated and prepared ahead of the Friday game and the recent performance we have had automatically motivates us,” Okot stressed.

On the other hand, Saints come into this clash on the back of a 2-0 loss to Kirinya Jinja SS a result that throws them deep into the relegation mix.

The Army side are 11th on the log with 21 points just 5 above the drop zone and head coach Moses Basena is aware of the pressure as the season heads towards the final bend.

This will be Saints’ second game at their new home at the champions stadium in Mwererwe since shifting from Bombo military ground. The first game in Mwererwe was a 2-0 win for Saints against Bul.

The last meeting between the two sides was on 26th November 2016 and KCCA won 1-0 at Phillip Omondi stadium courtesy of Paul Mucurezi’s goal.

Striker Derrick Nsibambi and midfielder Brian Majwega who missed the game against Onduparaka have fully recovered and will be availabe for selection but Tom Masiko is sidelined after suffering a setback.

Saints have no major injury worries with Godfrey Wakaza and Julius Malingumu expected to lead the attacking line against KCCA FC.

Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) Executive Director and former URA Commissioner Legal Services and Board Affairs, Jennifer Musisi Ssemakula has called upon government to consider streamlining and setting up guidelines for giving out rewards to public servants.

The KCCA Executive Director made the recommendations while appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Enterprises and State Enterprises (COSASE) to account for her role in the Heritage Oil case which saw her being reward with Sh60m.

Musisi told the committee that she was thankful and proud to have been part of the team in the historical case which left a legacy to all Ugandans as well as the descendants in form of benefits from the God given mineral.

“My involvement in the Tullow, Heritage case was that I constituted the legal team, comprising Ms. Doris Akol, Mr. Ali Ssekatawa and Mr. Peter Muliisa to handle the case,” Musisi said.

 “I also provided leadership to the team and supported the Commissioner General on the Institution position regarding the taxability of the transaction which eventually became Uganda’s position on this matter.”

Asked by the Committee chairperson, Abdul Katuntu which areas she thinks would be improved in as far as rewarding of public servants; Musisi observed that there are gaps on the procedure of how people are rewarded which need to be addressed.

“It would be very useful for the country and government to have guidelines on rewards to public servants in as much as His Excellence has to exercise his power and prerogative,” Musisi said.

“I see the President giving rewards and awards to a lot of people; religious leaders, Athletes, car washers, market people to help them in their SACCOs, sick people helping them with medical treatment; I don’t know whether those are awards, rewards, handshakes or support but there needs to be streamlining to guide presidents and whoever would have the authority to reward public officers.”

Musisi added, “What I understand is that the team that met the president had also requested that we should be given medals and awarded before the public and perhaps if that was done publicly, we would not have had this committee.”

Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) – North has released 150 senior and junior army officers of the Sudan army who have been in captivity, Chimp Corps report.

SPLM-North has been fighting President Bashir’s government for many years.

The Sudanese army officers were captured by the SPLM rebels about six years ago.

They have been prisoners of war since then.

However, intelligence officials told this investigative website on Thursday night that the freed officers landed at Entebbe Airbase today.

The group in a military chopper and was later transfered in a guarded Uganda prisons bus to an unknown location.

But in a twist of events, journalists who had been invited to cover the event were kept in the dark regarding details and an earlier scheduled press briefing aborted at the last minute.

They (journalists) who had waited for some 5 hours for the Sudanese Ambassador since 3pm would be told by members of the diplomatic delegation that an order from Khartoum had barred disclosure of any details to the press.
Both local and international press was not allowed to film or take photos of the prisoners.

The next batch is expected to arrive on Friday.

Museveni intervention

“Museveni has been able to persuade the rebels to release the prisoners,” said a highly placed source.

“The President will hand them over to Bashir’s government on Sunday,” the source added.

The development comes high on the heels of renewed ties between Kampala and Khartoum.

The two leaders have exchanged visits in recent years, signaling an end to decades of hostility.

Museveni indirectly supported rebel movements to fight Bashir who was a known sponsor of Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army.

Both leaders deny the counter accusations.

The SPLM-North has been a huge thorn in Khartoum’s flesh by launching repeated assaults on Sudan armed forces.

Officials told us that it appears to them Museveni has been entrusted to restore peace along the borders of Sudan and South Sudan.

“This is very good for the region,” said a source, adding, “So many organisations has tried to secure the release of those people but failed.”

Uganda’s representatives in the 2017 Total CAF champions league, KCCA FC have secured a friendly with a South African club ahead of their clash with Mamelodi Sundowns.

KCCA FC take on African champions Mamelodi Sundowns at Lucas Moripe stadium in the first leg of the first round phase next week and the club have thought it wise to play against another South African club before taking on Masandawana.

The club confirmed that they will have a friendly game with University of Pretoria FC on Tuesday before taking on Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday next week.

“Team arrives in Pretoria, South Africa on Monday and we shall have a practice match with University of Pretoria FC on floodlights,” confirmed the club PRO, Clive Kyazze.

“We shall play under floodlights because even the game against Mamelodi Sundowns will be played under similar conditions,” he added.

The Tuks under Shaun Bartlett play in the National first division and currently occupy 5th position as they seek to return to the Absa Premier Soccer League (PSL).

Mamelodi Sundowns come into the clash against KCCA FC with several  injury concerns. Goalkeeper Denis Onyango, playmaker Khama Billiat, defender Anele Ngcongca  and Liberian forward Anthony Laffor are all sidelined with injuries and likely to be out of action for a month.

KCCA FC will host the return leg on 18th March at Phillip Omondi stadium and the winner on aggregate will advance to the group stages.

Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital has announced a spike in the number of malnourished children admitted at the hospital.

Majority of these according to the hospital’s paediatric specialists are coming in from neighboring Isingiro district.

Dr. Elias Kubakumba says the cause of the influx of malnourished children is the persisting drought and famine in the neighboring district.

This was revealed at the launch of a 60 million house donated to Mbarara Hospital by the USAID Rhites SW Project, which is hoped to expand clinic space for sick children.

The USAID Regional Health Integration to Enhance Services in South Western Uganda is also being implemented in 13 other districts

The hospital was found with limited space and human resources for toddlers.

“Although we have enough incubators for the prematurely born babies, we don’t have resources to monitor those incubators since there are only 2 nurses working on about 85 admitted babies in the referral,” Dr. Kubakumba said.

More that 30% of the babies brought at the hospital according to the doctor are suffering from malnutrition.

Besides Isingiro, these babies also come from parts of Buhweju, Ntungamo, and Ibanda district.

USAID RHITES SW Director Dr. Mary Namubiru noted that 815 babies in Mbarara district are born weighing less than 2.5 kilograms and 48 new-borns die within 7 days.

She added that the USAID project in partnership with the Elizabeth Glaser Paediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), is aiming at reducing Maternal neonatal and child deaths in South Western Uganda.

She said next on plan is to visit Isingiro district to make an assessment of the malnutrition problem, and train mothers on feeding their babies and when to wean them.

Uganda Premier League
The Saints 0-1 KCCA FC

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) football club stretched their lead at the top of the Uganda premier league table picking win on the road against the Saints FC.

In the game played on Friday at the Champions stadium in Mwererwe the defending champions nicked a hard fought against struggling Saints to stretch their lead to four points ahead of second placed SC Villa.

Prolific striker Geoffrey Sserunkuma scored the all-important goal on the day as KCCA FC registered their 4th away win in the season.

The other away wins for the Lugogo based side include Lweza,Bright stars and BUL.

Both sides played a cautious game in the opening minutes with either side failing to find the spark coming early in the game.

Goalkeeper Charles Lukwago who started ahead of first choice Benjamin Ochan needed to pull off an acrobatic save to deny Robert Nakyenalire at the half hour mark.

Moments later, Robert Ssentongo had the chance to put KCCA FC ahead but failed to find the target in a tight angle.

Julius Malingumu got the first chance after recess to fire Saints in the lead but goalkeeper Lukwago once again came out early enough to deny the stocky forward.

The deciding moment came in the 57th minute when Kayizzi who had replaced Paul Mucureezi at the start of the second half won possession and passed to Ssentongo.

Ssentongo then laid up Geoffrey Sserunkuma who placed the ball into the far bottom corner of the net way beyond goalkeeper Alex Mugabi’s reach.

The result means KCCA FC register their 13th win in the season moving to 41 points Ann stay on top of the table while Saints remain 12th on 21 points.

The Saints starting XI

Alex Mugabi, Aggrey Kirya, Issa Mubiru, Dennis Ssekitoleko, Joseph Othieno, Noah Kasule, Rogers Aloro, Gerald Bagoole, Robert Nalyenalire, Julius Malingumu, Abdunoor Lukwata

KCCA FC starting XI

Charles Lukwago, Dennis Okot, Habib Kavuma, Paul Musamali, Joseph Ochaya, Isaac Kirabira, Paul Mucureezi, Brian Majwega, Muzamir Mutyaba, Geoffrey Sserunkuma, Robert Ssentongo.

Companies providing life insurance in Uganda are still straining with the largely apathetic reception of these products and a considerably low uptake, owing to a somewhat rigid society.

Uganda at the moment has the lowest insurance penetration in East Africa.

The insurance growth rate (at 33%) however, has been promising for some of the players in the industry.

According to officials at new market entrants Prudential Assurance Uganda Ltd; at this growth rate, there is hope for deeper penetration especially with the country’s blossoming middle class.

Life insurance is the most important insurance, according to Zephania Dube, the Prudential Uganda Chief Operations Officer.

“People take up insurance policies for their cars for instance. The first question I always ask these people is, when you are trying to cover your car, who in particular are you protecting? What they forget is that the car when involved in an accident will have a driver in it. What is more important; the car or the person in it?” he says.

Life insurance in Ugandan according to Prudential Uganda CEO Arjun Mallik is still riddled by lack of proper awareness.

He noted, “Contemplating death is still a major challenge among people. The unwillingness to talk about death makes it hard for some people to give an audience to the life insurance companies.”

Mr Mallik however, notes that with more tailor made products, people’s perception about preparing for their death is changing and that deeper penetration is apparent.

“Our products are considered the best in the market, which means that every day of the 170 years of our existence we have been perfecting our products and adopting them to the needs of the consumers. We have practice in doing that,” he said.

One of the most famous Prudential Life Insurance products is the Pru EduSave which caters of the education of the customer’s child in the event that that customer passes away or becomes permanently disabled.

“What we ask people is that they should go and enjoy their life, but put aside a small portion of their income, so that in the event that they pass way, or become unable to work again, we will hold their hand all the way,” he said.

“If I die today, my children because I am the bread winner, might not afford school any more, simply because I did not plan. This is what life insurance is here to address.”

Rwanda football association, FERWAFA, has settled on German-born coach Antoine Hey to take over the Amavubi Stars head coach role.

Hey was chosen from a shortlist of eight coaches who were later on reduced to three alongside Raoul Savoy (Swiss) and former Portugal and Cape Verde experienced coach Jose Rui Lopes Aguas.

Fifty two tacticians initially applied for the job but only Nigeria’s Samson Sia Sia made to the eight shortlisted for the post from all local (Africans) who expressed interest.

Other high profile coaches who missed out, but applied include Belgium national Paul Put who took Burkina Faso to the 2013 Nations Cup final, George Leekens who spent less than six months with Algeria before quiting following a disastrous Afcon is also on the list.

2002 Afcon winner with Cameroon, Winfred ‘Winni’ Schafer was also on the queue.

About Hey

The Rwanda job fell vacant in August last year when John McKinstry was fired.

The former Schalke O4, Birmingham City and Germany midfielder moved to Africa in 2004 and spent two years at the helm of Lesotho national team before crossing over to Gambia for another year.

He later joined a Tunisian club for a short stint and then to Liberia and Kenya national teams in 2008 and 2009.

The Mbarara district security officers yesterday convened a meeting to discuss action against school heads that defied a Ministry of Education directive against operating without license.

Ahead of the opening of the new academic term, the ministry instructed Chief Administrative Officers, District Education Officers and local government officers to implement closure of schools that were found without operating licenses and those operating below minimum school standards.

Mbarara DEO Mr. Gabriel Ahimbisibwe however, called an impromptu security meeting after it emerged that majority of the closed schools defied the directive and opened for business.

The meeting involved sub county chiefs, school inspectors, GISOs, the DISO and the RDC.

The officials were told in the meeting that out of 146 schools that were closed in the district, only 20 have complied.

The DEO Ahimbisibwe said that the ministry’s order was stubbornly challenged by the political wing, especially LC 3 chairpersons who decided to stand with the closed schools.

During the meeting, Mbarara RDC Capt. Martha Asiimwe warned that an order from the central government cannot be overlooked by local council leaders.

Some of the defiant schools include Day Star P/S, Mother Care P/S, Christian P/S, California P/S, Kagwisagye memorial school, Bwizibwera Parents P/S, Rutoma Parents P/S, Bwizibwera Standard P/S, Victorious P.S among others.

Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Frank Tumwebaze has Saturday represented President Museveni at the launch of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidentail Library in Nigeria, an event that was attended by many heads of state Past and present

The event which was held in Ogun State in Nigeria also served as the celebration of President Obasanjo’s 80^th birthday.

Liberian President, Ellen Sirleaf who was the chief guest congratulated President Obasanjo and members of his Obasanjo foundation for “having chosen to leave a legacy of nothing else but a place where knowledge and history are captured and kept.”

Frank Tumwebaze with other leaders in attendance at the event

At the event, Minister Tumwebaze presented two books to Obasanjo as gifts to contribute to the library on behalf of President Museveni.

The Olusegun Obasanjo library is the first in Africa next to a few ones in the USA. The designers of the same are the ones working on the Baraka Obama Presidential Library in USA.

Born on March 5^th 1937, Obasanjo served as Nigeria’s military ruler from 1976 to 1979, and as a democratically elected president from 1999 to 2007.

He also served as the Chairperson of the African Union from July 2004 to January 2006.

President Obasanjo displays the books that were handed to him by Minister Tumwebaze on behalf of President Museveni

The library launch was attended by among others; Presidents of West African countries both past and present, Malawi former president Joyce Banda, former President Koufo of Ghana, Former President Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania, Former UN Secretary General and Kofi Anani.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga represented Kenya.

Vipers Sports Club take on Soana FC on Sunday in an all topflight affair in the last match of the Uganda cup round of 32. Vipers SC are the defending champions of the 42 year old competition. They beat Onduparaka in the finals last year.

The two clubs have met eight times in the existence; seven in the league and once in a Uganda cup quarter final where Vipers cruised 3-1 and went on to lose to SC Victoria in the 2013 finals.

Soana have not won a single game losing six and picking only a single point in the eight games played.

Vipers enter the game at the back of a backbreaking 2-1 win over BUL FC in Jinja on Friday- a match that ended in chaotic scenes.

Soana walloped Lira United 7-0 to stroll to this round last month at Kavumba but their form in the league against topflight clubs is very worrying going into the game. The club has only managed two points out of a possible 15.

In fact, they have not won a league match since September; losing all their previous four including 1-0 to Vipers in December.

Makerere University has organised a week filled with activities to celebrate the international women’s day.

Dubbed the Gender Identity Week, the university’s school of women and gender studies, have lined up leading women leaders in the country to lead the dialogue in a number of issues affecting women.

Among topics up for discussion include women in leadership, family planning, ICT and gender, sexualization of the body, sexually abused women on kyeyo, social media and gender based violence among others.

Associate Prof Consolata Kabonesa, the Sida Gender Mainstreaming Project coordinator, said The Gender Identity Week will start on Monday March 6 till Saturday March 11.

On Monday will be the matching from Freedom Square at 8am before women activist Miria Matembe addresses participants on women and leadership.

On other days will be Dr Gorrette Nalwadda and feminism pioneer Rhoda Kalema, as well as Dr Sylvia Tamale who will discuss the sexualizing of the female body, among other presenters.

The event #genderidentityweek will be held at the School of Women and Gender studies at Makerere University @SWGS_MUK

The Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn, has concluded a 3-day State Visit to Uganda that he made at the invitation of President Yoweri Museveni.

During his stay in the country, Premier Desalegn who was accompanied by his wife, Roman Tesfaye Abney, held bilateral talks with his host President Museveni at State House, Entebbe. Their wide-ranging talks mainly centred on the River Nile and the utilization of its waters among the 10 member River Nile Basin countries, the situation in neighbouring South Sudan, Somalia and the promotion of trade between Uganda and Ethiopia.

The two leaders addressed a joint press conference at Entebbe after the conclusion of their bilateral talks and observed that the dialogue on the River Nile was necessary because of the importance of the river to the countries through which it traverses to the Mediterranean Sea. Member countries in the River Nile Basin are Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Eritrea currently participates as an observer but has expressed interest to join the River Nile Basin.

President Museveni and the 1^st Lady, Hon. Janet Museveni, also hosted their guests to a State Banquet. Yesterday, President Museveni hosted the Ethiopian Premier and his wife at the President’s Kisozi ranch in Gomba district.

Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and his wife were seen off at Entebbe International Airport this morning by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sam Kuteesa.

Others at the airport to bid farewell to the Ethiopian guests included the Minister for Presidency, Hon. Esther Mbayo, the Head of Public Service, Mr. John Mitala, the Ethiopian envoy to Uganda, the Deputy Commander of the Chief of Defence Forces, Major General Wilson Mbasu Mbadhi, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr. Okoth Ochola and the Commissioner General of Uganda Prisons, Dr. Johnson Byabashaija.

She Corporate recovered from the 3-2 loss to Uganda Martyr’s last weekend to put up a resuscitated performance as they outwitted Kawempe Muslim Junior team.

In the Fufa Women’s cup round of 16 game played at the Uganda Institute of Information Communication Technology (UICT), Nakawa on Saturday, She Corporate defeated Kawempe Muslim Junior team 5-2 to book a berth in the quarterfinals.

Despite Kawempe Muslim taking the lead through Samali Nakachwa, the home side surged up to eventually win the game convincingly.

Sarah Namulindwa (brace), Maggie Munizero, Aisha Babirye and Aisha Mbabazi were all on target for She Corporate while Kawempe’s goals were scored by Samali Nakachwa and Florence Nalumansi.

In Soroti, the game between Olila High School and Alleluyah 2008 ended prematurely.

Alleluyah 2008 who started the game with just 10 players went ahead to lose four more due to injuries and the game couldn’t proceed without the minimum of 7 players that is mandatory.

At the time of abortion, Olila High School were leading 4-0 with Fazirah Ikwaput scoring a hattrick while midfielder Ritah Nabossa netted the other.

In the highly anticipated university derby, Muteesa I Royal University eliminated She Makerere with Sharon Namatovu scoring the all important goal.

Taggy High School progressed on penalties (4-3) after a barren stalemate in normal time against Kakungulu Memorial while Western United advanced with a walkover against Masaka SS who failed to make the trip to Mbarara.

Action continues on Sunday with Kampala Queens hosting UCU Lady Cardinals.

Saturday results

She Corporate 5-2 Kawempe JunUniversity

Kakungulu Memorial 0-0 Taggy High School.

Taggy won (4-3) on penalties

Olila 4-0 Alleluyah 2008 (Abandoned)

Western United 3-0 Masaka SS (Walkover)

She Makerere 0-1 Muteesa I Royal University

Sunday fixture

Kampala Queens vs UCU Lady Cardinals – Villa Park Nsambya

A group of about 130 senior and junior officers from the Sudanese army who had been captured were on Sunday repatriated back home.

The group had been held in captivity for 6 years by Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) – North who have been fighting the Khartoum government for many years.

The group were freed this month after the intervention of president Museveni before being flown to Entebbe airbase.
On Sunday afternoon, they were led to a waiting Ethiopian airlines plane and flown back to Khartoum.

Museveni intervention
According to a highly placed military source that preferred anonymity, President Museveni was instrumental in seeing that the SPLM – North release the Khartoum soldiers.

“Museveni has been able to persuade the rebels to release the prisoners,” said the source.

The development comes high on the heels of renewed ties between Kampala and Khartoum.

The two leaders have exchanged visits in recent years, signaling an end to decades of hostility.

Museveni indirectly supported rebel movements to fight Bashir – who was a known sponsor of Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army.

Both leaders deny the counter accusations.

The SPLM-North has been a huge thorn in Khartoum’s flesh by launching repeated assaults on Sudan armed forces.

Officials told us that it appears to them Museveni has been entrusted to restore peace along the borders of Sudan and South Sudan.

“This is very good for the region,” said a source, adding, “So many organisations has tried to secure the release of those people but failed.”

Duncan “Kikankane” Mubiru beat off stiff competition from other drivers to emerge the 2017 Gorillas in the mist rally champion.

The crew of Duncan Mubiru and his navigator George Ssemakula in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X led a cast of 27 crews to win the second edition of the Gorillas in the Mist rally on Sunday.

The second event on the National Rally Championship (NRC) got underway on Saturday with nine stages covering a distance of 118.14 km on the opening day.

The second day (5th March) had 4 stages covering 86.48km with rough and tight bends along the Kigezi Highlands in Kabale.

Mubiru who led right from day one clocked 2 hours 11 minutes and 12 seconds to finish in prime position ahead of Ronald Ssebuguzi and Kuku Ranjit who finished second and third respectively.

10 crews dropped out of the race on the opening day including Arthur Blick who got a mechanical problem. Hassan Alwi also bowed out with just one stage left on day one with a broken drive shaft while Musa Kabega only drove for 3 stages and opted out in Katagata.

The other drivers who dropped out on Saturday include; Andy Musoke,Sadat Negomba,Eddie Mukiibi,Musa Kizito,Yasin Mukasa,Tim Gakwaya and Daudi Umar.

Omar Mayanja who came into the event leading the championship after his triumph in the Mbarara Rally also bowed out with his car failing to start on the second day.

Mubiru now leads the NRC constructors standings with 160 points while Ronald Ssebuguzi follows closely in second position with 150 points after two events.

GORILLAS IN THE MIST RALLY 2017 RESULTS

1.Duncan Mubiru/George Semakula 2:11:12

2.Ronald Sebuguzi/Leon Senyange 2:15:46

3.Kuku Ranjit /Musa Nsubuga 2:21:38

4.Fred Wampamba/ Paul Musazi 2:21:38

5.Kepher Walubi/Susan Kalema 2:23:28

6.Fred Busulwa / Kibuuka Mildred 2:35:31

7.Edward Kirumira/Kavuma Mohammad 2:41:42

8.Pole Pole /Unissan Bakunda 2:43:10

9.Ismail Lule/Bunya stephen 3:23:50

10.Fabrice Nyiridandi /Regis Remera 3:37:07

Mbarara District Police Commander Jaffar Magyezi has sounded a warning to Telecom Companies, mainly Airtel Uganda, that are said to be aiding a new kind of thieves.

Police in Mbarara yesterday arrested 10 men for plucking number plates off people’s cars and using them to steal money from the owners.

Magyezi said the thieves originate from the city suburbs of Katete, Kakoba, Bwizibwera and Nyamityobora.

Some of the arrested include Didas Musinguzi, Emmanuel Mwebe, Nazarius Kanyesigye, Isagaba Mugisha and others.

One of the suspects Musinguzi says their job has been eased by Airtel employees who provide them with unregistered lines which they leave behind for owners of cars to call on and send money to recover their stolen number plates.

“We just move randomly, sight a car and remove its number plate using hands. We then leave behind a line which we acquired from Airtel Service Centre at Shs. 5000 for the car owner to use when contacting us with our money. They can then get their plate back once we have our money,” said the suspect.

After receiving the money, he said, they immediately destroy the sim card used, which beats police’s efforts to track them down.

 The DPC told reporters, “We call upon telecommunication companies to operate within the laws because they now are helping criminals.”

Most of the lines used, DPC Magyezi said, are Airtel.

The Telecom Company has a provision where somebody can buy a line which is fully registered on Airtel Money in nonexistent names, according to the DPC, which he says is very dangerous.

He added that police are going to take up the matter with Airtel Uganda to make sure that this loophole is sealed.

However, when contacted on this matter, Airtel Uganda’s Public Relations Officer Faith Bugonzi dismissed the possibility of a person using a brand new line to make Airtel Money transactions.

Bugonzi said every new Airtel line has to be unbarred during registration before it can be used for any operation.

“For Airtel Money, once the phone has been registered in the names of the customer, he or she is sent a code which must be altered for the line to be activated for transactions,” she told us this morning.

Bugonzi noted however, that in cases where Airtel employees are selling pre-registered lines, the customer is advised to report to Airtel offices with the details of the line, which she said the company will track and investigate immediately.

Meanwhile, DPC Magyezi went on to warn car owners to be extra careful with their vehicles.

“It’s our mandate as police to secure people and their property but sometimes it requires that you as the owner of the property must put some simple security measures where police can start from; don’t just pack your vehicle anyhow and think that police will keep your vehicle’’ he said.

About 100 number plates he said have so far been reported stolen in Mbarara district according to the DPC.

Rwenzururu Premier Applies for Bail Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu Prime Minister Yowana Tembo Kitsumbire has asked Jinja High Court to have him released on bail.

Kitsumbire who was arrested on December 15 last year following the Rwenzori region bloodshed earlier in November, through his lawyers told Justice Eva Luswata that it was his right to get bail.

“He is of advanced age (64 years), presumed innocent until proven guilty and will not interfere with investigations once released,” the lead lawyer Caleb Alaka told the judge.

 According to the lawyers, the Rwenzururu Prime minister is sickly and suffering from hypertension, ulcers and prostate related problems.

“These are the reasons he was transferred to Luzira in order to have access to medical treatment.”

The lawyers also presented 3 sureties including Busongora South Member of Parliament Jackson Mbaju and the premier’s son Moses Abili to stand surety for him.

Asked by Justice Luswata where Kitsumbire would be residing after release, the lawyers said he would stay at his son’s place in Wakiso.

The state however asked court not to release the Prime minister on bail saying he would interfere with investigations which are still ongoing.

“Being the Prime minister, he is an influential figure and will interfere with investigations,” said State Attorney James Muliro.

He however said that in case of release, stringent terms and conditions should be put in place.

Justice Eva Luswata however said she would decide on whether to grant Kitsumbire bail or not on March 14. The Rwenzururu Prime minister is charged with a number of offences including murder, terrorism, treason and robbery among others in relation to the November 2016 violence.

The violence climaxed with the arrest of the Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere and his palace overrun.

Onduparaka football club caught the country by storm with their brand of football and their Ultra fanbase. However, last week, UPL secretariat cracked the whip and fined the club up to four hundred thousand shillings for violent acts demonstrated by a clique of their supporters.

It is to that effect that the team has launched a new anti-violence campaign to sensitize their followers against such barbaric acts during matches.

“The events of the past week have led us to review our actions and strategies in making football a game of love, passion and unity,” the club posted on their media platforms.

“One of such strategies is strongly affirming our belief in nonviolent acts. We have developed two compaign messages that will accompany every official message and one that will be shared with all stakeholders to ensure these acts of violence will not repeat themselves.”

The club hosts Bright Stars on Tuesday with a chance to reclaim the third position if they pick maximum points from the game.

“The compaign messages are #SayNoToViolence and #SayNoToHooliganism. Kindly join Onduparaka FC in sharing this message with all football lovers. Let us spread the love.”