Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
UGANDA: IGG UNDER FIRE FOR SETTING BUKENYA FREE
As former Vice President Gilbert Bukenya was showering President Museveni with praises yesterday for “standing with him” until the Inspectorate of Government discontinued a case over his handling of the 2007 Commonwealth Summit car purchase deal, the Ombudsman was coming under heavy criticism over its actions.
The office of the IGG last Friday discontinued the case in which Prof. Bukenya was accused of abuse of office over the award of a Shs9.4 billion contract to supply executive vehicles for Chogm four years ago, saying it wanted to pave way for the conclusion of a civil suit lodged over the same matter.
In a statement signed by the Spokesperson of the IGG’s office, Ali Munira , the Ombudsman would “make a decision whether or not to continue with the prosecution at the Anti-Corruption Court after the conclusion of the civil suit.”
However, civil society activists, lawyers and members of the political opposition have rubbished the promise, arguing that the decision to withdraw the case against Prof. Bukenya were evidence of an institution that had caved in to political pressure from the Executive.
“Criminal cases take precedence over civil suits. Has the IGG got control over a civil case? Certainly not! Did he consult Spear Motors? He is simply taking President Museveni’s position? Museveni instituted this case out of pressure but he felt embarrassed that if he continues prosecuting Bukenya, he will have to continue prosecuting his political darlings,” said Busiro East MP Medard Lubega Ssegona, who also serves as Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs in the Shadow Cabinet.
The withdrawal of Prof. Bukenya’s case came about a month after President Museveni told a Cabinet meeting that he believed the former vice president was innocent of the accusations, a move interpreted in several circles as direct interference in the work of the Judiciary.
After details of President Museveni’s covert attempts to secure Prof. Bukenya’s release were made public by this newspaper, the Uganda Law Society sent out a statement condemning the Executive’s interference.
With the Judiciary insisting that it would stick to its constitutional duty, critics say the Executive has now infringed on the independence of the IGG in a case in which the IGG had initially said he had a water-tight case.
The Executive Director for the Anti-Corruption Coalition, Ms Cissy Kagaba, described the turn-around as “a sham” that erodes public confidence in the capacity of that office to fight “grand corruption” by political heavyweights in the country. “What is happening is that the government is using the same legal institutions meant to fight corruption to delay and defeat justice, which is very unfortunate. It is a gimmick and people in their right minds will not believe it,” she said. “At the end of the day, we are wondering, ‘isn’t all this coming after the President said Bukenya is not guilty? Does the IGG have the backbone to fight corruption?”
Commenting on the implications of the withdrawal, Mr Ssegona said it had helped the Ombudsman secure his own position with the President, who is the appointing authority: “Mr Baku is safe because he has answered to the dictates of those who appointed him.”
In a separate interview, Ms Kagaba, said the decision will leave Ugandans wondering “why we even have the IGG’s office in place.” “The public has lost the trust and confidence in the IGG’s office so he has to come out and show that he is still interested in the fight against corruption,” she said. “If he can’t tackle grand corruption, if he can’t go after the big political fish in the country, then he should step aside. If he can’t stand the heat, then I think he should move out.”
In IGG’s defence
The acting Inspector General of Government, Raphael Bakku, was not available to comment on the issues raised by his critics. However, Ms Ali denied that the decision to let Prof. Bukenya off the hook was evidence of pandering to the whims of the President and powerful officials in his government.
The acting Inspector General of Government, Raphael Bakku, was not available to comment on the issues raised by his critics. However, Ms Ali denied that the decision to let Prof. Bukenya off the hook was evidence of pandering to the whims of the President and powerful officials in his government.
“There is nothing politically motivated about that issue,” she said. “The IGG has a discretion to make such a decision and he realised it would not be good to run similar cases concurrently, so he exercised his powers to stop until the civil case is concluded,” she said.
Ms Ali said presenting the same witnesses for the two cases would be tantamount to “a collusion,” which she said they wanted to avoid because “the IGG realised that it would cause some disharmony.” However, Ms Kagaba wondered why the first case did not take precedence over the second.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
G77: Multilateral System at Stake: Kyoto Only Meaningful Outcome
From Panama City, this report came in: UN climate negotiations continue with a lack of commitment by developed country governments to the international climate control system .
"This is a negotiation that demands political will from the leaders of all countries. It is a very difficult negotiation, and having South Africa at the hem of the COP17 is no doubt very positive", said the Chair of the Group of 77 and China (G77), Ambassador Jorge Argüello of Argentina.
Amb. Arguello, on behalf of the G77, met yesterday with the Foreign Minister of South Africa, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, during the last resumed session of the process before the Climate Summit COP17.
Minister Nkoana-Mashabane arrived in Panama on Monday 3rd of October to participate in the meeting in her capacity as incoming president of the 17th Conference of Parties (COP17) which will take place in Durban later this year.
"We have had a very productive and positive meeting", said Amb. Argüello. "I am very encouraged by the determination of the Minister to help all parties work towards a meaningful outcome in Durban, even in the short time we have."
"South Africa's permanent contact with the Chair and the Group of 77, including several meetings with the plenary of G77 in Bonn, New York and now Panama, is a clear aknowledgement of the Group as a key player in these negotiations. We could not have expected less of South Africa." Amb. Arguello said.
"I once again had the pleasure to reassure the Minister of the full commitment of the G77 to support her country in making this African Climate Summit a definitive step forward in the right direction".
The Group of 77 and China reiterate the basis for fruitful negotiations must include: the preservation of the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol, in keeping with the Bali road map and the two tracks of negotiation agreed.
"The Group of 77 and China calls all parties to respect their obligations and agreements under this multilateral framework. The defense of multilateralism must go beyond words, this is a tool that has proved beneficial to all humanity and, definitively, to developing countries." Amb. Arguello said.
"Much as some rich countries like to repeat that discussing scenarios that they oppose is not "realistic" or "practical", they must recognize that there is no point in insisting on a solution outside of the Kyoto Protocol when 132 parties have strongly declared they can only accept a second commitment period as a meaningful outcome." Amb. Arguello said.
I think most parties understand by now that a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol is key for any positive outcome we can expect in Durban. I had the chance to update the incoming President of COP17 on the thinking of our Group and our firm commitment to that end." Amb. Arguello said.
"The second commitment period is paramount for the G77 and China", said the Chair, Amb. Argüello. "We are ready to negotiate and to produce actual texts in both tracks, but only on such a basis that respects our position as well as others. The elements are in place, we now have to translate this into an express political commitment from the developed countries."
The Group of 77 and China has been a key actor in international negotiations related to development issues since 1964. After the recent incorporation of Nauru on September 23rd, 2011, the Group now represents 132 developing countries.
The Chair of the Group, which rotates annually, is held in 2011 by Argentina, represented by Jorge Argüello, Ambassador of Argentina to the United Nations.
Press releases and other information are posted on www.g77.org
"This is a negotiation that demands political will from the leaders of all countries. It is a very difficult negotiation, and having South Africa at the hem of the COP17 is no doubt very positive", said the Chair of the Group of 77 and China (G77), Ambassador Jorge Argüello of Argentina.
Amb. Arguello, on behalf of the G77, met yesterday with the Foreign Minister of South Africa, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, during the last resumed session of the process before the Climate Summit COP17.
Minister Nkoana-Mashabane arrived in Panama on Monday 3rd of October to participate in the meeting in her capacity as incoming president of the 17th Conference of Parties (COP17) which will take place in Durban later this year.
"We have had a very productive and positive meeting", said Amb. Argüello. "I am very encouraged by the determination of the Minister to help all parties work towards a meaningful outcome in Durban, even in the short time we have."
"South Africa's permanent contact with the Chair and the Group of 77, including several meetings with the plenary of G77 in Bonn, New York and now Panama, is a clear aknowledgement of the Group as a key player in these negotiations. We could not have expected less of South Africa." Amb. Arguello said.
"I once again had the pleasure to reassure the Minister of the full commitment of the G77 to support her country in making this African Climate Summit a definitive step forward in the right direction".
The Group of 77 and China reiterate the basis for fruitful negotiations must include: the preservation of the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol, in keeping with the Bali road map and the two tracks of negotiation agreed.
"The Group of 77 and China calls all parties to respect their obligations and agreements under this multilateral framework. The defense of multilateralism must go beyond words, this is a tool that has proved beneficial to all humanity and, definitively, to developing countries." Amb. Arguello said.
"Much as some rich countries like to repeat that discussing scenarios that they oppose is not "realistic" or "practical", they must recognize that there is no point in insisting on a solution outside of the Kyoto Protocol when 132 parties have strongly declared they can only accept a second commitment period as a meaningful outcome." Amb. Arguello said.
I think most parties understand by now that a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol is key for any positive outcome we can expect in Durban. I had the chance to update the incoming President of COP17 on the thinking of our Group and our firm commitment to that end." Amb. Arguello said.
"The second commitment period is paramount for the G77 and China", said the Chair, Amb. Argüello. "We are ready to negotiate and to produce actual texts in both tracks, but only on such a basis that respects our position as well as others. The elements are in place, we now have to translate this into an express political commitment from the developed countries."
The Group of 77 and China has been a key actor in international negotiations related to development issues since 1964. After the recent incorporation of Nauru on September 23rd, 2011, the Group now represents 132 developing countries.
The Chair of the Group, which rotates annually, is held in 2011 by Argentina, represented by Jorge Argüello, Ambassador of Argentina to the United Nations.
Press releases and other information are posted on www.g77.org
Monday, August 29, 2011
School text books sold on the street- Story by Daily Monitor-Ug
By Patience Aimbisibwe
When her daughter was joining Namagunga Primary School last year, Ms Namata was asked to buy at least three textbooks of different authors per subject.
She wondered if a P2 child was going to use the books in that year because as a requirement, every pupil in the school is expected to buy the textbooks for every subject in the level they have reached.
“She is just a P2 pupil. I don’t think she will use the books but I want the best for my child so I have to buy them. The challenge is where do these books go after the child has left this class because then I will have to buy others?” Ms Namata asked.
She added: “I am a guardian to a student at Kibuli Secondary School. We were also asked to buy textbooks but hardly had the term ended when the boy called me telling me that someone had cut his suitcase and stolen all the books worth Shs200,000.” This is the dilemma of many parents.
Schools demand for books but whether the students use them or not is another issue.
In Kiboga District, the education officer, Mr Prosper Lwamasaka, recently reported that about seven government primary schools have lost textbooks worth millions of shillings to suspected thieves. He said the government had, as an intervention supplied books to schools including Lunya, Sinde, Kalagala, Kirinda, Bukomero and Kasega, but some people broke into the lockers where the books were kept and stole them. However, he could not put a cost to the stolen books.
“The government distributed new textbooks to seven schools in my district. We have not yet established who stole them and where they were sold. But police are handling it. I encourage teachers to put books in the hands of children because teachers,” Mr Lubwama said. But walking on Kampala streets, one asks where books sold on these streets come from.
At one stop opposite the General Post Office on Kampala Road, this reporter picked the essential Pure Mathematics 1 by JK Backhouse, a textbook widely used in secondary schools in Uganda. It had a stamp on the first page but clearly, there had been efforts to distort it. A potential customer would find difficulty identifying where it was got.
After haggling, we settled at Shs35,000 for a copy. When I threatened to move, I was called back. At Aristoc Booklex, a few metres away, the textbook was Shs5, 000 dearer.
For Judith Ninsiima, a student at Royal College Makindye, she would rather buy books on the street than go to bookshops because she believes they are generally cheaper. She says although her mother is strict on what she buys, as a person, she doesn’t mind whether the book has a stamp as long as she can have some change to help her go and watch a film at National Theatre.
Emma, by Jane Austen, and Lyssitrata by Dudley Fitts go for Shs13,000 and Shs10,000 respectively on the street. “These books are cheap. I bought Introduction to Biology and it had a stamp. My mother is strict.
Now I have to first check if there is a stamp. But I don’t mind because when I finish using these books I can bring them back and sell them to these people,” Ninsiima, a senior five student, said. Julius (he only identified himself thus), has sold books on Kampala road for 30 years now and says the business is not bad although it is seasonal.
Dealers depend on when students are going back to school and when institutions of higher learning open. He has been able to take care of his family of four children and bought land in Jinja, which he has developed. During the season, according to Julius, one can make between Shs600,000 and Shs2m a day in profit. “My biggest customers are students, especially at the beginning of the term.
In some cases, universities, ask us to supply them with textbooks. I buy these books from Kenya but sometimes when people no longer want to use a book, they bring it and get a bargain here,” Julius added.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Kampala has no Minister- Wabudeya
By Sylvia Nankya
Former Minister in charge of the Presidency Dr. Beatrice Wabudeya yesterday said she was no longer holding the portfolio of Minister in charge of Kampala.
Wabudeya told Journalists moments after handing over the portfolio for minister in charge of the Presidency to her successor Kabakumba Matsiko that the Kampala docket appointment was in the previous administration and could not stretch-over to the new administration without a new instrument.
President Yoweri Museveni appointed Dr. Beatrice Wabudeya as the first cabinet minister in charge of Kampala in a March 17th letter and Dr Wabudeya has been working as Minister at City Hall for at least two months where he presided over the administration of oath for the New KCCA executive
However her name was never forwarded to the appointments committee of parliament and did not feature on the full list of ministers who took oath recently.
Her successor Kabakumba Matsiko also advised that the country awaits a presidential decision on the matter because she was not in the know of who would be in charge of Kampala at ministerial level.
Earlier Wabudeya advised her successor to work towards maintaining the dignity and protection of the presidency in execution of her duties as the minister in charge of the Presidency.
She said in protecting the Presidency, a lot of secrecy must be applied due to the sensitivity of the office.
“I know you are coming from an office which is open for information, but the roles here might be different. The Presidency must be open to all visitors, but you must make sure that they enjoy comfortable seats in the sitting room without knowing what is in the bedroom.” She added.
Wabudeya said she had a lot of pride that after six years of being in charge of the presidency, she was leaving the office with clean hands.
“Whenever there’s an entrance there will always be an exit. But the question is how are you exiting? I am glad to inform you that after six years, I am exiting on a clean plate” Wabudeya said.
The outgoing minister without portfolio Dorothy Hyuha also handed over her office to the Presidency pending a presidential appointment for her replacement.
President Museveni had nominated former Kampala Mayor Al Hajji Nasser Ntege Sebaggala to be in charge but the nomination was rejected by Parliament’s appointments committee on the Basis of Sebaggala’s Criminal Record and Lack of academic qualifications.
Published in the New Vision June 14, 2011
Wabudeya told Journalists moments after handing over the portfolio for minister in charge of the Presidency to her successor Kabakumba Matsiko that the Kampala docket appointment was in the previous administration and could not stretch-over to the new administration without a new instrument.
President Yoweri Museveni appointed Dr. Beatrice Wabudeya as the first cabinet minister in charge of Kampala in a March 17th letter and Dr Wabudeya has been working as Minister at City Hall for at least two months where he presided over the administration of oath for the New KCCA executive
However her name was never forwarded to the appointments committee of parliament and did not feature on the full list of ministers who took oath recently.
Her successor Kabakumba Matsiko also advised that the country awaits a presidential decision on the matter because she was not in the know of who would be in charge of Kampala at ministerial level.
Earlier Wabudeya advised her successor to work towards maintaining the dignity and protection of the presidency in execution of her duties as the minister in charge of the Presidency.
She said in protecting the Presidency, a lot of secrecy must be applied due to the sensitivity of the office.
“I know you are coming from an office which is open for information, but the roles here might be different. The Presidency must be open to all visitors, but you must make sure that they enjoy comfortable seats in the sitting room without knowing what is in the bedroom.” She added.
Wabudeya said she had a lot of pride that after six years of being in charge of the presidency, she was leaving the office with clean hands.
“Whenever there’s an entrance there will always be an exit. But the question is how are you exiting? I am glad to inform you that after six years, I am exiting on a clean plate” Wabudeya said.
The outgoing minister without portfolio Dorothy Hyuha also handed over her office to the Presidency pending a presidential appointment for her replacement.
President Museveni had nominated former Kampala Mayor Al Hajji Nasser Ntege Sebaggala to be in charge but the nomination was rejected by Parliament’s appointments committee on the Basis of Sebaggala’s Criminal Record and Lack of academic qualifications.
Published in the New Vision June 14, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Former Kampala Mayor Nasser Sebbagala excited about Ministerial Appointment
Sylvia Nankya
Seated alone sipping a cup of African tea, Sebaggala’s phone was ringing off the hook with callers congratulating him on his new appointment. His response to them was, “God is great”.
When asked how he felt after the appointment, Sebaggala said it was a normal feeling but was rather excited that he had been given an opportunity to serve Uganda in a different capacity.
“I am not surprised that I am there, because every time you sow you have to reap. I am a politician who plans, not a gambler,” a beaming Sebaggala said
Sebaggala is, however, more excited about the appointment as a minister without portfolio, saying he wouldn’t want to be confined to one office throughout the term.
He explained that having been on President Yoweri Museveni’s campaign trail, he was well acquainted with the commitments outlined in his manifesto and the appointment would enable him to visit all departments to ensure that they are implemented.
Sebaggala is positive that he would go through the vetting process by the appointments committee.
“The committee is not a hurdle. The most important thing is that you have been appointed by the President and secondly all members on this committee are friendly forces,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bukoto Central MP Haji Muyanja Mbabaali, on whom the President bestowed the office of state minister for investment was equally in a jovial mood.
Sunday Vision found him at his home in Muyenga with family members, who included his daughter and two brothers who were present to share the excitement.
He told Sunday Vision that although the appointment came as a surprise, it was a befitting status which would give him the opportunity to accomplish his mission of fighting poverty, unemployment and improving the status of local investors who have been marginalised over the years at the expense of foreign investors.
Published in : Sunday Vision, 29th May, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Mafabi should change conduct, says NRM
By Sylvia Nankya, Barbara Nambozo and Jeff Lule
NRM MPs yesterday expressed their concern on the appointment of Budadiri West MP Nathan Nandala Mafabi as leader of the opposition.
MPs said although Mafabi was a hard-working and assertive politician, his character requires ‘fine-tuning’ to enable him fit in the new position.
“I congratulate him on performing well as the chairman of the public accounts committee. But the new position requires a particular clout and Mafabi should make adjustments in his conduct in order to fit within the description of the opposition leader,” Kinkizi East MP Chris Baryomunsi said.
He said at times Mafabi is emotional and advised him to control his temper.
NRM legislator Rosemary Seninde appealed to Mafabi to be cooperative.
She said the former leader of the opposition, Ogenga Latigo, cooperated with Parliament and the Government.
Seninde said they are yearning for a semblance of that character in his successor.
Pallisa County MP Jacob Opolot (NRM) said Mafabi should perform his duties objectively and put national interests above the party.
However, other opposition political parties said Mafabi was the most suitable person for the post because of his resilience and anti-corruption crusade.
Democratic Party’s Lulume Bayiga, Latif Sebaggala, Florence Namayanja and Sebuliba Mutumba praised Mafabi, saying the opposition needed a knowledgeable and focused leader to put the Government in check and strengthen the role of the opposition in Uganda’s governance.
‘‘Nandala has a track record for consistency and fearlessness in unearthing corruption scandals. This is the right person for the post. We will support him’’, UPCs’ Betty Amongi said.
Published in the New Vision, May 27, 11
NRM MPs yesterday expressed their concern on the appointment of Budadiri West MP Nathan Nandala Mafabi as leader of the opposition.
MPs said although Mafabi was a hard-working and assertive politician, his character requires ‘fine-tuning’ to enable him fit in the new position.
“I congratulate him on performing well as the chairman of the public accounts committee. But the new position requires a particular clout and Mafabi should make adjustments in his conduct in order to fit within the description of the opposition leader,” Kinkizi East MP Chris Baryomunsi said.
He said at times Mafabi is emotional and advised him to control his temper.
NRM legislator Rosemary Seninde appealed to Mafabi to be cooperative.
She said the former leader of the opposition, Ogenga Latigo, cooperated with Parliament and the Government.
Seninde said they are yearning for a semblance of that character in his successor.
Pallisa County MP Jacob Opolot (NRM) said Mafabi should perform his duties objectively and put national interests above the party.
However, other opposition political parties said Mafabi was the most suitable person for the post because of his resilience and anti-corruption crusade.
Democratic Party’s Lulume Bayiga, Latif Sebaggala, Florence Namayanja and Sebuliba Mutumba praised Mafabi, saying the opposition needed a knowledgeable and focused leader to put the Government in check and strengthen the role of the opposition in Uganda’s governance.
‘‘Nandala has a track record for consistency and fearlessness in unearthing corruption scandals. This is the right person for the post. We will support him’’, UPCs’ Betty Amongi said.
Published in the New Vision, May 27, 11
Opposition fills up appointments committee
By Cyprian Musoke and Sylvia Nankya
THE opposition has picked five members to sit on the appointments committee to vet new ministerial and other appointments.
They include Nandala Mafabi (Budadiri West, FDC), who is also the leader of the opposition in Parliament, Betty Aol Ocan (Gulu Woman MP, FDC) and Betty Amongi (Oyam, UPC).
Others are Ssebuliba Mutumba (Kawempe South, DP), Mathias Mpuuga (Masaka Municipality, independent) and Rose Nyakikongoro (Sheema Woman Indep).
Together with NRM’s 15 MPs, this brings the number to 20 committee members, as stipulated in the Parliamentary rules of procedure.
According to Rule 137, the committee shall comprise 20 members designated by party whips on the basis of proportional party membership in the House, taking into consideration the numerical strength of the parties and interests of independent members.
The Speaker, Deputy Speaker and leader of the opposition are not included in the number, as they are automatic members of the committee.
Last week, the President submitted 15 names that included Patrick Nakabaale (Central youth), Sofia Nalule (Disabled National), Mathias Kasamba (Kakuuto County), Rose Najjemba (Gomba County), Milton Muwuma (Kigulu South) and Saleh Kamba (Kibuku County).
They also include Christine Amongin Aporu (Kumi), Peter Alepa (Moroto Municipality), Hood Katuramu (Disabled West), Fred Omach (Jonam County) and Rebecca Otengo (Lira district).
Others are General Elly Tumwine (Army), Victoria Rusoke (Kabarole district), Kasirivu Atwooki (Bugangaizi West) and Paula Turyahikayo (Rubabo County).
The Speaker is the chairperson of the committee and has neither an original nor casting vote.
In the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker shall convene the meetings and its proceedings.
Its quorum shall be half its members and it shall be responsible for approving on behalf of Parliament the appointments of persons nominated by the President or any question which may arise.
The names of persons to be for appointment shall be communicated in writing to the committee through the Speaker.
Every decision of the committee shall be by open vote. A candidate shall be approved provided votes cast in favour of that candidate constitute majority of members present and voting.
If the votes are equal, the candidate shall not be approved.
They include Nandala Mafabi (Budadiri West, FDC), who is also the leader of the opposition in Parliament, Betty Aol Ocan (Gulu Woman MP, FDC) and Betty Amongi (Oyam, UPC).
Others are Ssebuliba Mutumba (Kawempe South, DP), Mathias Mpuuga (Masaka Municipality, independent) and Rose Nyakikongoro (Sheema Woman Indep).
Together with NRM’s 15 MPs, this brings the number to 20 committee members, as stipulated in the Parliamentary rules of procedure.
According to Rule 137, the committee shall comprise 20 members designated by party whips on the basis of proportional party membership in the House, taking into consideration the numerical strength of the parties and interests of independent members.
The Speaker, Deputy Speaker and leader of the opposition are not included in the number, as they are automatic members of the committee.
Last week, the President submitted 15 names that included Patrick Nakabaale (Central youth), Sofia Nalule (Disabled National), Mathias Kasamba (Kakuuto County), Rose Najjemba (Gomba County), Milton Muwuma (Kigulu South) and Saleh Kamba (Kibuku County).
They also include Christine Amongin Aporu (Kumi), Peter Alepa (Moroto Municipality), Hood Katuramu (Disabled West), Fred Omach (Jonam County) and Rebecca Otengo (Lira district).
Others are General Elly Tumwine (Army), Victoria Rusoke (Kabarole district), Kasirivu Atwooki (Bugangaizi West) and Paula Turyahikayo (Rubabo County).
The Speaker is the chairperson of the committee and has neither an original nor casting vote.
In the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker shall convene the meetings and its proceedings.
Its quorum shall be half its members and it shall be responsible for approving on behalf of Parliament the appointments of persons nominated by the President or any question which may arise.
The names of persons to be for appointment shall be communicated in writing to the committee through the Speaker.
Every decision of the committee shall be by open vote. A candidate shall be approved provided votes cast in favour of that candidate constitute majority of members present and voting.
If the votes are equal, the candidate shall not be approved.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Ebola case reported in Luweero district
By Raymond Baguma
and Sylvia Nankya
THE Ministry of Health has confirmed an outbreak of the deadly Ebola fever in Luwero district, 60 kilometres north of Kampala.
The first case was a 12-year-old girl from Zirobwe Sub County in Luwero district who died last week at Bombo Military Hospital.
“Laboratory investigations confirmed Ebola to be the cause of illness and death. So far a number of contacts are being observed and followed up,” the Ministry of Health said in a statement yesterday.
The New York Times newspaper yesterday reported that the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had helped Uganda with the initial diagnosis of the case.
In response to the outbreak, a taskforce has been formed with emergency teams at district and national level. Also, drugs and logistics for Ebola case management have been mobilised and an Ebola isolation unit set up to handle suspected and confirmed cases.
In a statement, the Commissioner for Community Health, Dr. Anthony Mbonye, called on the public to remain calm as measures are taken to control the outbreak.
During a press conference at the ministry, the World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative, Dr. Joaquim Saweka, said a team from Geneva would arrive in the country to carry out more investigations.
Dr. Mbonye revealed that 33 people who came in contact with the victim were under surveillance and being monitored from their homes, for signs of the disease. They include relatives as well as health workers at the clinic where the victim was initially treated before being referred to the hospital at Bombo, where she died.
Ebola is a highly contagious with a high fatality rate. The symptoms of the disease include fever, bleeding through body openings, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, headache, rash and red eyes.
There is no known cure or vaccine for Ebola, which causes up to 90% of victims to bleed to death in days.
The disease can be spread through direct physical contact with body fluids like saliva, blood, stool, vomit, urine and sweat from an infected person as well as soiled linen used by a patient. It can also be spread through using skin-piercing instruments that have been used by an infected person. Likewise, a person can get it by getting in touch with the body of a person who has died of the disease.
The ministry advised the public to take measures to prevent infection by avoiding direct contact with body fluids of a person suffering from Ebola by using protective materials like gloves and masks. Also, it is advised to disinfect the bedding and clothing of an infected person.
The ministry also advised the public to report suspected cases to nearby health units. Also Ebola victims should be handled with strong protective wear and buried immediately.
In November 2007, Uganda suffered an Ebola outbreak in Bundibugyo with 37 deaths and 148 infections. The outbreak was officially declared over on February 20, 2008.
According to medics, Ebola can never be too far from anybody because human beings can carry it across the world in a few hours. The virus is named after the Ebola River that is situated in DR Congo where it was first identified in 1976.
An Ebola outbreak in Gulu in October 2000 claimed more than 170 lives, including that of a doctor who struggled to treat victims putting his own life at risk.
Dr. Matthew Lukwiya was the superintendent of Lacor Hospital when he succumbed to the debilitating disease.
More Ebola cases were reported in nearly three districts including Kitgum, Masindi and Mbarara. Six months after that year’s outbreak, Uganda was declared Ebola-free in February 2001.
What is ebola?
Ebola is a killer disease which presents with high fever and bleeding tendencies. It is very infectious, kills in a short time BUT can be prevented.
signs and symptoms
# Headache.
# Vomiting blood.
# Bleeding through the body. Joint and muscle pain openings, i.e. eyes, nose, gums, ears, anus and private parts.
# Reduced urine.
how is it spread?
# Ebola is spread through direct physical contact with body fluids like blood, saliva, stool, vomitus, urine and sweat of an infected person.
# It can also be spread through using skin piercing instruments that have been used by an infected person.
# The virus can also be got through contact with persons who have died of Ebola.
prevention
# Avoid direct contact with, body fluids of a person suffering from Ebola by using protective materials like gloves.
# Disinfect the beddings and clothes of an infected person with a disinfectant such as JIK.
# Persons suspected to be suffering from Ebola should be taken to the nearest health unit immediately for proper management.
# Persons who have died of Ebola must be buried immediately, avoid feasting and funerals should take a short time.
# Persons handling the body of a person who has died of Ebola should wear strong protective materials.
# Report any suspected cases of Ebola to the nearest health unit immediately.
# Wash your hands with soap and water after handling the patient or the body of a person who has died of Ebola.
# Avoid communal washing of hands during funeral rites.
and Sylvia Nankya
THE Ministry of Health has confirmed an outbreak of the deadly Ebola fever in Luwero district, 60 kilometres north of Kampala.
The first case was a 12-year-old girl from Zirobwe Sub County in Luwero district who died last week at Bombo Military Hospital.
“Laboratory investigations confirmed Ebola to be the cause of illness and death. So far a number of contacts are being observed and followed up,” the Ministry of Health said in a statement yesterday.
The New York Times newspaper yesterday reported that the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had helped Uganda with the initial diagnosis of the case.
In response to the outbreak, a taskforce has been formed with emergency teams at district and national level. Also, drugs and logistics for Ebola case management have been mobilised and an Ebola isolation unit set up to handle suspected and confirmed cases.
In a statement, the Commissioner for Community Health, Dr. Anthony Mbonye, called on the public to remain calm as measures are taken to control the outbreak.
During a press conference at the ministry, the World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative, Dr. Joaquim Saweka, said a team from Geneva would arrive in the country to carry out more investigations.
Dr. Mbonye revealed that 33 people who came in contact with the victim were under surveillance and being monitored from their homes, for signs of the disease. They include relatives as well as health workers at the clinic where the victim was initially treated before being referred to the hospital at Bombo, where she died.
Ebola is a highly contagious with a high fatality rate. The symptoms of the disease include fever, bleeding through body openings, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, headache, rash and red eyes.
There is no known cure or vaccine for Ebola, which causes up to 90% of victims to bleed to death in days.
The disease can be spread through direct physical contact with body fluids like saliva, blood, stool, vomit, urine and sweat from an infected person as well as soiled linen used by a patient. It can also be spread through using skin-piercing instruments that have been used by an infected person. Likewise, a person can get it by getting in touch with the body of a person who has died of the disease.
The ministry advised the public to take measures to prevent infection by avoiding direct contact with body fluids of a person suffering from Ebola by using protective materials like gloves and masks. Also, it is advised to disinfect the bedding and clothing of an infected person.
The ministry also advised the public to report suspected cases to nearby health units. Also Ebola victims should be handled with strong protective wear and buried immediately.
In November 2007, Uganda suffered an Ebola outbreak in Bundibugyo with 37 deaths and 148 infections. The outbreak was officially declared over on February 20, 2008.
According to medics, Ebola can never be too far from anybody because human beings can carry it across the world in a few hours. The virus is named after the Ebola River that is situated in DR Congo where it was first identified in 1976.
An Ebola outbreak in Gulu in October 2000 claimed more than 170 lives, including that of a doctor who struggled to treat victims putting his own life at risk.
Dr. Matthew Lukwiya was the superintendent of Lacor Hospital when he succumbed to the debilitating disease.
More Ebola cases were reported in nearly three districts including Kitgum, Masindi and Mbarara. Six months after that year’s outbreak, Uganda was declared Ebola-free in February 2001.
What is ebola?
Ebola is a killer disease which presents with high fever and bleeding tendencies. It is very infectious, kills in a short time BUT can be prevented.
signs and symptoms
# Headache.
# Vomiting blood.
# Bleeding through the body. Joint and muscle pain openings, i.e. eyes, nose, gums, ears, anus and private parts.
# Reduced urine.
how is it spread?
# Ebola is spread through direct physical contact with body fluids like blood, saliva, stool, vomitus, urine and sweat of an infected person.
# It can also be spread through using skin piercing instruments that have been used by an infected person.
# The virus can also be got through contact with persons who have died of Ebola.
prevention
# Avoid direct contact with, body fluids of a person suffering from Ebola by using protective materials like gloves.
# Disinfect the beddings and clothes of an infected person with a disinfectant such as JIK.
# Persons suspected to be suffering from Ebola should be taken to the nearest health unit immediately for proper management.
# Persons who have died of Ebola must be buried immediately, avoid feasting and funerals should take a short time.
# Persons handling the body of a person who has died of Ebola should wear strong protective materials.
# Report any suspected cases of Ebola to the nearest health unit immediately.
# Wash your hands with soap and water after handling the patient or the body of a person who has died of Ebola.
# Avoid communal washing of hands during funeral rites.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Makerere University don advises on economic squeeze
By Sylvia Nankya
THE Government has been urged to revisit its taxation on petroleum products to salvage Uganda’s economic situation.
The call was made by Makerere University lecturer Prof. Augustus Nuwagaba during a public dialogue on promoting accountability in economic governance and management in Kampala on Friday.
He said tax reduction was the only practical short-term measure to Uganda’s economic problem.
Nuwagaba’s comments come a few days after finance minister Syda Bbumba rejected pleas to reduce taxes on fuel, arguing that the move would destabilise the budget.
Nuwagaba argued that tax reduction and civil engagement between the Government and the people would create confidence and enhance the Government’s capacity to handle the crisis.
He said lack of appropriate government response may aggravate the problem which has already caused unrest in several parts of the country.
Several politicians had also raised the same demand, saying the current tax regime was making life unbearable for ordinary citizens.
Currently, the Government levies sh850 from each litre of petrol, sh530 from each litre of diesel and sh200 from each litre of kerosene.
URA figures indicate that the tax body collects around sh700b from fuel annually and the net revenue collections for the month of March this year was sh412.3b against a target of sh392.26b. For April, the target was sh397.15.
Nuwagaba said retention of high fuel taxes will make the Government lose revenue since it will make many people unable to drive.
He said although the conflict in the Arab world had led to the rise in the cost of petroleum products, Uganda was feeling more waves because of high tax regimes particularly on fuel and due to political commercialisation.
Nuwagaba advised the Government to invest in food security through developing irrigation systems and enhancing export sector performance so as to have favourable balance of payments. He, however, said these could be adopted as long-term solutions to the problem.
Speaking on behalf of the development partners, World Bank’s Dr. Obert Pimhidzai said the increase in fuel prices, if not addressed, would hurt the purchasing power of the rich and middle income earners.
He expressed concern at the rate at which Uganda’s headline inflation is increasing, leading to doubling of food prices.
The headline inflation rose to 14.1 percent in April from 11.1 percent in March.
Pimhidzai said the trend is likely to increase the number of desparate people in the country.
THE Government has been urged to revisit its taxation on petroleum products to salvage Uganda’s economic situation.
The call was made by Makerere University lecturer Prof. Augustus Nuwagaba during a public dialogue on promoting accountability in economic governance and management in Kampala on Friday.
He said tax reduction was the only practical short-term measure to Uganda’s economic problem.
Nuwagaba’s comments come a few days after finance minister Syda Bbumba rejected pleas to reduce taxes on fuel, arguing that the move would destabilise the budget.
Nuwagaba argued that tax reduction and civil engagement between the Government and the people would create confidence and enhance the Government’s capacity to handle the crisis.
He said lack of appropriate government response may aggravate the problem which has already caused unrest in several parts of the country.
Several politicians had also raised the same demand, saying the current tax regime was making life unbearable for ordinary citizens.
Currently, the Government levies sh850 from each litre of petrol, sh530 from each litre of diesel and sh200 from each litre of kerosene.
URA figures indicate that the tax body collects around sh700b from fuel annually and the net revenue collections for the month of March this year was sh412.3b against a target of sh392.26b. For April, the target was sh397.15.
Nuwagaba said retention of high fuel taxes will make the Government lose revenue since it will make many people unable to drive.
He said although the conflict in the Arab world had led to the rise in the cost of petroleum products, Uganda was feeling more waves because of high tax regimes particularly on fuel and due to political commercialisation.
Nuwagaba advised the Government to invest in food security through developing irrigation systems and enhancing export sector performance so as to have favourable balance of payments. He, however, said these could be adopted as long-term solutions to the problem.
Speaking on behalf of the development partners, World Bank’s Dr. Obert Pimhidzai said the increase in fuel prices, if not addressed, would hurt the purchasing power of the rich and middle income earners.
He expressed concern at the rate at which Uganda’s headline inflation is increasing, leading to doubling of food prices.
The headline inflation rose to 14.1 percent in April from 11.1 percent in March.
Pimhidzai said the trend is likely to increase the number of desparate people in the country.
Women ask for more Cabinet posts
By Sylvia Nankya
FEMALE legislators have asked president Yoweri Museveni to increase the number of women in the next Cabinet.
They argued that the current posts are not sufficient enough to foster meaningful representation and the global agenda of women emancipation.
The deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, said Parliament expects a composition of at least 30% in the next cabinet up from the current 17%.
“We must use this opportunity to improve the way affirmative action works,” Kadaga said.
The current Cabinet has only 16 female ministers who include eight Cabinet and eight state ministers against 54 male ministers, who include 16 Cabinet and 36 state ministers.
Kadaga was speaking at the launch of the Uganda Chapter of the Women in Democracy Network, a global network that seeks to increase the number of women in leadership through political, public and economic empowerment.
She said increasing the number of ministers ranks high on the women’s agenda as the country awaits the formation of the next cabinet in less than three weeks.
Kadaga said although local governments have achieved 40% representation of women, the success may not offer meaningful progress if it is not adopted at national level.
She added that this can be successfully attained if the number of women appointees is increased in the Cabinet, the Judiciary and in government commissions.
Her request was endorsed by all the members with the sitting members saying they had already written to the appointing authority through the Uganda women Parliamentarians association, requesting the President to increase the number of women in the Cabinet.
At the same meeting held at Protea Hotel in Kampala, Kadaga solicited for support from the legislators to become the next speaker of Parliament, saying she wanted to use the seat to push forward the women’s agenda and to correct gender imbalances in the legislature.
She said quite often, issues affecting women have not been given priority because of the absence of more women in top positions.
“We have made strides in the eighth Parliament but failed somewhere along the way possibly because our message goes through someone else. I want to take over the speaker’s job to be able to correct such imbalances,” Kadaga said.
They argued that the current posts are not sufficient enough to foster meaningful representation and the global agenda of women emancipation.
The deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, said Parliament expects a composition of at least 30% in the next cabinet up from the current 17%.
“We must use this opportunity to improve the way affirmative action works,” Kadaga said.
The current Cabinet has only 16 female ministers who include eight Cabinet and eight state ministers against 54 male ministers, who include 16 Cabinet and 36 state ministers.
Kadaga was speaking at the launch of the Uganda Chapter of the Women in Democracy Network, a global network that seeks to increase the number of women in leadership through political, public and economic empowerment.
She said increasing the number of ministers ranks high on the women’s agenda as the country awaits the formation of the next cabinet in less than three weeks.
Kadaga said although local governments have achieved 40% representation of women, the success may not offer meaningful progress if it is not adopted at national level.
She added that this can be successfully attained if the number of women appointees is increased in the Cabinet, the Judiciary and in government commissions.
Her request was endorsed by all the members with the sitting members saying they had already written to the appointing authority through the Uganda women Parliamentarians association, requesting the President to increase the number of women in the Cabinet.
At the same meeting held at Protea Hotel in Kampala, Kadaga solicited for support from the legislators to become the next speaker of Parliament, saying she wanted to use the seat to push forward the women’s agenda and to correct gender imbalances in the legislature.
She said quite often, issues affecting women have not been given priority because of the absence of more women in top positions.
“We have made strides in the eighth Parliament but failed somewhere along the way possibly because our message goes through someone else. I want to take over the speaker’s job to be able to correct such imbalances,” Kadaga said.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Bidandi shuns walk-to-work protests
By Sylvia Nankya.
THE People's Progressive Party (PPP) chairman, Jaberi Bidandi Ssali, has advised opposition political parties to avoid confrontation as they address their grievances to the Government.
Bidandi said confrontation is a myopic approach to tackling the problems affecting Uganda and a dangerous path which puts people’s lives and property at risk.
He equally condemned security agencies for applying excessive force in quelling demonstrations.
Bidandi was speaking at his Party’s national executive committee retreat at Royal Impala Hotel in Munyonyo yesterday.
Making reference to the walk-to-work protests, Bidandi said although PPP shares the views on the state of affairs in Uganda, he is not convinced that force will deliver positive results.
“There are those saying that we have to follow the approach used in Egypt and Libya. They think this is the only opportunity. But, we are saying no. In the case of Uganda, this is not the right opportunity,” Bidandi said.
He said the protests should stop, arguing that the point has been made both locally and internationally.
“Those who are calling for a continuation of protests are only sacrificing people’s lives,” Bidandi added.
He said he could not personally participate in the walk-to-work protests because this was unlikely to offer the change that politicians are yearning for.
“Just imagine if I was bundled on a pickup at my age, would I come out alive? I cannot therefore offer myself to die intentionally because then I will not be able to fulfill my mandate,” he added.
He advised Government to develop a strategy that brings reconciliation in the country.
“For the sake of our country, let us create an atmosphere where you form an administration that will bring all people on board instead of narrowing the politics of the country to Besigye and Museveni,” Bidandi added.
Bidandi said confrontation is a myopic approach to tackling the problems affecting Uganda and a dangerous path which puts people’s lives and property at risk.
He equally condemned security agencies for applying excessive force in quelling demonstrations.
Bidandi was speaking at his Party’s national executive committee retreat at Royal Impala Hotel in Munyonyo yesterday.
Making reference to the walk-to-work protests, Bidandi said although PPP shares the views on the state of affairs in Uganda, he is not convinced that force will deliver positive results.
“There are those saying that we have to follow the approach used in Egypt and Libya. They think this is the only opportunity. But, we are saying no. In the case of Uganda, this is not the right opportunity,” Bidandi said.
He said the protests should stop, arguing that the point has been made both locally and internationally.
“Those who are calling for a continuation of protests are only sacrificing people’s lives,” Bidandi added.
He said he could not personally participate in the walk-to-work protests because this was unlikely to offer the change that politicians are yearning for.
“Just imagine if I was bundled on a pickup at my age, would I come out alive? I cannot therefore offer myself to die intentionally because then I will not be able to fulfill my mandate,” he added.
He advised Government to develop a strategy that brings reconciliation in the country.
“For the sake of our country, let us create an atmosphere where you form an administration that will bring all people on board instead of narrowing the politics of the country to Besigye and Museveni,” Bidandi added.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Think twice before you reach out for that toothpick
By Sylvia Nankya
DESPITE several warnings to stop cleaning her ears with a toothpick, Mary ignored her parents’ advice. One fateful day, she was be hospitalised, following an incident in which she accidentally pricked her eardrum with a toothpick.
Like Mary, many people use toothpicks for various things including removing food particles from between the teeth and eating fruits.
Used properly, a toothpick can be a great tool to remove food from between your teeth, but if used aggressively, it can injure your gum or break off between the teeth.
So before you think of feasting on a sumptuous meal, you may need to invest in dental floss because toothpicks have been proven dangerous. In addition to pricking your gum, a toothpick leaves some food stuck between their molars.
Dr. Robert Kironde, a dental expert with Dino Dental, Kampala, says tooth decay and damaged teeth are on the rise as a result of regular use and misuse of toothpicks. Many people reach out for toothpicks after a meal instead of brushing or flossing.
“Despite costing less than dental floss, toothpicks strip the gum and push more food between the teeth,” Kironde says. The decayed food results in cavities, also exposing one to gum diseases.
According to Kironde, about 50% of the Ugandan population has dental problems including caries (tooth decay), bad breath (halitosis) and gum inflammation (pulpitis).
Kironde advises that one invests in dental floss to help remove plaque and decayed food that tends to stick between the teeth. Food decay and plaque also causes irritation to the gums, allowing the gum tissue to bleed more easily.
It is, therefore, important to use toothpicks gently and chew on them, (if you must toothpicks), or use the more rounded ones as they are less likely to damage the gum.
DESPITE several warnings to stop cleaning her ears with a toothpick, Mary ignored her parents’ advice. One fateful day, she was be hospitalised, following an incident in which she accidentally pricked her eardrum with a toothpick.
Like Mary, many people use toothpicks for various things including removing food particles from between the teeth and eating fruits.
Used properly, a toothpick can be a great tool to remove food from between your teeth, but if used aggressively, it can injure your gum or break off between the teeth.
So before you think of feasting on a sumptuous meal, you may need to invest in dental floss because toothpicks have been proven dangerous. In addition to pricking your gum, a toothpick leaves some food stuck between their molars.
Dr. Robert Kironde, a dental expert with Dino Dental, Kampala, says tooth decay and damaged teeth are on the rise as a result of regular use and misuse of toothpicks. Many people reach out for toothpicks after a meal instead of brushing or flossing.
“Despite costing less than dental floss, toothpicks strip the gum and push more food between the teeth,” Kironde says. The decayed food results in cavities, also exposing one to gum diseases.
According to Kironde, about 50% of the Ugandan population has dental problems including caries (tooth decay), bad breath (halitosis) and gum inflammation (pulpitis).
Kironde advises that one invests in dental floss to help remove plaque and decayed food that tends to stick between the teeth. Food decay and plaque also causes irritation to the gums, allowing the gum tissue to bleed more easily.
It is, therefore, important to use toothpicks gently and chew on them, (if you must toothpicks), or use the more rounded ones as they are less likely to damage the gum.
Mao walk-to-work charges dismissed
By Sylvia Nankya
and Violet Nabatanzi
NAKAWA Court yesterday dismissed all charges against Democratic Party president Norbert Mao and six other party members who were arrested during the walk-to-work demonstration two weeks ago.
This came after their lawyers, Caleb Alaka, Dalton Opwonya and Medard Lubega Sseggona, objected to a move by the state to transfer the accused persons from City Hall Court where they first appeared two weeks ago to Nakawa Court.
They also resisted attempts to open fresh charges against the accused persons before terminating the initial charges, adding that transferring the charge sheet to Nakawa Court could not also clear the irregularity.
“The charges to which the accused persons took plea were illegal. They were filed in a court that had no jurisdiction, therefore, that trial was a nullity,” Sseggona submitted.
Presiding magistrate George Obong concurred with the team and ruled that “a case filed in a court which is not competent is presumed to be non-existent.”
“I therefore sustain the objection raised by the defence lawyers that the case transferred from City Hall is non-existent.
The state was at liberty to register fresh charges against the accused persons in a competent court,” he added.
Soon after, Mao led a chanting crowd out of the court premises in a Kampala suburb, heading for the city centre.
There was a scuffle at Lugogo as the Police pleaded with Mao to divert from Jinja Road to Lugogo Bypass after his release.
Teargas was used to disperse the crowd and in the process, one journalist, Christine Nabatanzi, was injured in the leg reportedly by a rubber bullet.
Mao is jointly charged with Kenneth Paul Kakande, John Mary Sebuwufu, Kamya Kasozi, Moses Bigirwa, Elvis Kintu and Taddeo Kalule.
and Violet Nabatanzi
NAKAWA Court yesterday dismissed all charges against Democratic Party president Norbert Mao and six other party members who were arrested during the walk-to-work demonstration two weeks ago.
This came after their lawyers, Caleb Alaka, Dalton Opwonya and Medard Lubega Sseggona, objected to a move by the state to transfer the accused persons from City Hall Court where they first appeared two weeks ago to Nakawa Court.
They also resisted attempts to open fresh charges against the accused persons before terminating the initial charges, adding that transferring the charge sheet to Nakawa Court could not also clear the irregularity.
“The charges to which the accused persons took plea were illegal. They were filed in a court that had no jurisdiction, therefore, that trial was a nullity,” Sseggona submitted.
Presiding magistrate George Obong concurred with the team and ruled that “a case filed in a court which is not competent is presumed to be non-existent.”
“I therefore sustain the objection raised by the defence lawyers that the case transferred from City Hall is non-existent.
The state was at liberty to register fresh charges against the accused persons in a competent court,” he added.
Soon after, Mao led a chanting crowd out of the court premises in a Kampala suburb, heading for the city centre.
There was a scuffle at Lugogo as the Police pleaded with Mao to divert from Jinja Road to Lugogo Bypass after his release.
Teargas was used to disperse the crowd and in the process, one journalist, Christine Nabatanzi, was injured in the leg reportedly by a rubber bullet.
Mao is jointly charged with Kenneth Paul Kakande, John Mary Sebuwufu, Kamya Kasozi, Moses Bigirwa, Elvis Kintu and Taddeo Kalule.
Sh5b needed for cattle branding
By Sylvia Nankya
THE Office of the Prime Minister has requested for sh5b to brand over 200,000 heads of cattle in Karamoja.
The request is part of an additional funding of sh259b that the department requires above its annual budget to implement various activities during the financial year 2011/2012.
The OPM approved allocation for the financial year 2011/2012 is sh149b.
The Prime Minister, Prof. Apollo Nsibambi, told the parliamentary committee on presidential affairs that the cattle branding exercise was part of the Karamoja Agricultural Livelihood Programme and the theft prevention project which involves inserting electronic chips into cattle to guard against rustling.
He said 25,000 out of the estimated 1,200,000 head of cattle in Karamoja were branded last year in Kaabong, Abim, Kotido, Moroto, Nakapiripirit, Amudat and Napak districts.
“Under this project, 25,000 cattle were branded and handed over to the owners with certification. This year, we intend to upscale the implementation of this project.” Nsibambi said.
He said the cattle would be tracked down if stolen and anybody selling them would have to produce proof of ownership.
Within the same Budget estimate for the financial year 2011/2012, Nsibambi said his office needed sh127b as capital investment into the digital migration from analog to digital television.
The migration is in line with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) recommendation and the Geneva 2006 agreement which set 2015 as the deadline for analog transmission globally.
Uganda, however, wants to phase out analogue transmission by the end of next year.
Nsibambi said the funding would be used to coordinate and evaluate the digital migration which is being championed by the ICT ministry and facilitate the switch from analog to digital for the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation.
Another allocation of sh93.5 b is required to facilitate the full scale implementation of the Luwero-Rwenzori development programme during the next financial year.
The programme launched last year involves disbursement of funds as grants to parishes and sub-counties.
THE Office of the Prime Minister has requested for sh5b to brand over 200,000 heads of cattle in Karamoja.
The request is part of an additional funding of sh259b that the department requires above its annual budget to implement various activities during the financial year 2011/2012.
The OPM approved allocation for the financial year 2011/2012 is sh149b.
The Prime Minister, Prof. Apollo Nsibambi, told the parliamentary committee on presidential affairs that the cattle branding exercise was part of the Karamoja Agricultural Livelihood Programme and the theft prevention project which involves inserting electronic chips into cattle to guard against rustling.
He said 25,000 out of the estimated 1,200,000 head of cattle in Karamoja were branded last year in Kaabong, Abim, Kotido, Moroto, Nakapiripirit, Amudat and Napak districts.
“Under this project, 25,000 cattle were branded and handed over to the owners with certification. This year, we intend to upscale the implementation of this project.” Nsibambi said.
He said the cattle would be tracked down if stolen and anybody selling them would have to produce proof of ownership.
Within the same Budget estimate for the financial year 2011/2012, Nsibambi said his office needed sh127b as capital investment into the digital migration from analog to digital television.
The migration is in line with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) recommendation and the Geneva 2006 agreement which set 2015 as the deadline for analog transmission globally.
Uganda, however, wants to phase out analogue transmission by the end of next year.
Nsibambi said the funding would be used to coordinate and evaluate the digital migration which is being championed by the ICT ministry and facilitate the switch from analog to digital for the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation.
Another allocation of sh93.5 b is required to facilitate the full scale implementation of the Luwero-Rwenzori development programme during the next financial year.
The programme launched last year involves disbursement of funds as grants to parishes and sub-counties.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Cyprian Musoke and Sylvia Nankya explore how strong the opposition MPs were in the 8th House.
BEFORE the birth of the multiparty dispensation, parliamentarians served on individual merit. They debated unimpeded by party rules or collective responsibility. Each expressed their argument without fear of being reprimanded for contradicting the official party position.
But things changed when the multiparty system was endorsed, forcing members into caucuses that sit before a major decision is tabled to hammer out the official party line.
Bukedea MP Albert Oduman Okello (FDC) concurs that although they would have loved to do better, they are constrained by the principle of collective responsibility that gives the NRM an undue advantage on every crucial vote.
“We would love to do better, but considering the circumstances, I think some of us did our best. I also think multiparty politics has become a problem where members are forced to toe a collective line and end up abandoning the cause to an extent that you cannot even appeal to their integrity,” he laments.
Besides MPs sticking to the official party line, there is the question of numbers. Even when the opposition has put up a sterling show during debates, the ruling NRM has by far outweighed the opposition when it comes to passing through crucial votes, because of the NRM has the majority MPs.
“The opposition cannot thrash the NRM’s numerical strength,” says Rubanda East MP Henry Banyenzaki, one of the MPs dubbed rebels for siding with the opposition on controversial issues, especially corruption.
He contends that while some NRM legislators are sympathetic with the opposition on some issues that would demand collective action, they have not been helped by the opposition’s stance on most issues.
“They mostly played boardroom politics and their way of doing things was in one direction. When they were defeated in Parliament, they just gave up and sometimes we were forced to play the oversight role, even where the opposition would have carried the day,” he said.
Compared to the Sixth Parliament, which the President accused of having blocked the passing of money for construction of dams (if that is to assess their negative impact), opposition members of the Eighth Parliament have by and large been plagued by defections to the ruling establishment or crossing from one party to another.
These MPs include former UPC stalwarts Aggrey Awori, Daniel Omara Atubo, Ben Wacha and Cecilia Ogwal. They have been so obsessed with their own political survival that they have not had enough time to concentrate on debate on the floor. “Even when they could have made an impact, they gave up early,” Banyenzaki contends.
Before the birth of the multiparty dispensation, parliamentarians served on individual merit. They debated unimpeded by party rules or collective responsibility. Each expressed their argument without fear of being reprimanded for contradicting the official party position.
But things changed when the multiparty system was endorsed, forcing members into caucuses that sit before a major decision is tabled to hammer out the official party line.
Bukedea MP Albert Oduman Okello (FDC) concurs that although they would have loved to do better, they are constrained by the principle of collective responsibility that gives the NRM an undue advantage on every crucial vote.
“We would love to do better, but considering the circumstances, I think some of us did our best. I also think multiparty politics has become a problem where members are forced to toe a collective line and end up abandoning the cause to an extent that you cannot even appeal to their integrity,” he laments.
Besides MPs sticking to the official party line, there is the question of numbers. Even when the opposition has put up a sterling show during debates, the ruling NRM has by far outweighed the opposition when it comes to passing through crucial votes, because of the NRM has the majority MPs.
“The opposition cannot thrash the NRM’s numerical strength,” says Rubanda East MP Henry Banyenzaki, one of the MPs dubbed rebels for siding with the opposition on controversial issues, especially corruption.
He contends that while some NRM legislators are sympathetic with the opposition on some issues that would demand collective action, they have not been helped by the opposition’s stance on most issues.
“They mostly played boardroom politics and their way of doing things was in one direction. When they were defeated in Parliament, they just gave up and sometimes we were forced to play the oversight role, even where the opposition would have carried the day,” he said.
Compared to the Sixth Parliament, which the President accused of having blocked the passing of money for construction of dams (if that is to assess their negative impact), opposition members of the Eighth Parliament have by and large been plagued by defections to the ruling establishment or crossing from one party to another.
These MPs include former UPC stalwarts Aggrey Awori, Daniel Omara Atubo, Ben Wacha and Cecilia Ogwal. They have been so obsessed with their own political survival that they have not had enough time to concentrate on debate on the floor. “Even when they could have made an impact, they gave up early,” Banyenzaki contends.
Leadership
The leadership of the opposition has not gone unscathed in the critique, with most members questioning its foresightedness and faithfulness to their cause. This criticism came mainly from the young turks like Odonga Otto, Geoffrey Ekanya, Elijah Okupa and Abdu Katuntu, whom the Leader of Opposition, Ogenga Latigo, referred to as having been “troublesome and undisciplined” under his tenure.
Could this and other weaknesses of the opposition explain why Latigo lost his seat to James Okot (NRM) in the recent parliamentary elections? Addressing journalists at Parliament, he said losing an election did not mean that he was out of politics.
“Losing an election does not mean I am out of politics. Obviously, I will miss Parliament. But I have made big contributions in Parliament. When Bills were presented, a few of us remained to sort them out. That means I will not be there to do that. I regret that,” Latigo said.
He said as the leader of the opposition, he faced challenges from what he described as ‘indisciplined” opposition MPs, mainly from FDC. Latigo said some MPs declined to attend meetings, while others violated meeting resolutions. He cited an incidence when an opposition caucus meeting agreed to challenge the creation of new districts, but he was surprised when some FDC members demanded for districts.
He observed that the workload for his successor in the Ninth Parliament would be light since most of the MPs who won the elections are ‘mature’. Latigo said he spent a lot of time grooming members who lacked mutual respect for party leaders. “I had problems guiding young people, especially FDC members. UPC and DP members were disciplined,” Latigo said.
He attributed his political loss to the State, which he said, assigned the wife of a senior cabinet minister to plan his downfall.
Objection
Banyenzaki, who ranks the opposition performance at 30%, refuses to acquit Latigo completely of blame.
“They (opposition) have also been let down by the leadership because in almost all important debates, the leader of opposition would be away. Take the CHOGM debate for example, Latigo was conspicuously absent, yet that was an important and big report.
“And when he was around and a disagreement arose, he would lead the entire opposition to storm out of the house. This raised questions as to how some of the opposition leaders took issues,” he says.
Banyenzaki, however, absolves a few individuals who, he says, stood out for carrying the entire opposition burdens on their shoulders. He cites Nandala Mafabi, who put up a spirited fight to save public resources.
“Nonetheless, we need to give them credit because their work is stressful and arduous and needs a high level of commitment,” he says.
Opposition view
One of the most ardent and critical opposition MPs, who was also shadow minister for finance, Oduman Okello, takes exception to Banyenzaki’s stinging remarks, opining that members’ cohesion was often broken by the many individual obligations, if not the fight for political survival.
“We also needed to operate in unison as a government-in-waiting, but we were quite often scattered. You would more or less find that we were acting individually,” he says.
Taking blame, he pleads for forgiveness for shortcomings they could have committed, but takes solace in the fact that this is Uganda’s first multiparty parliament in 25 years.
“I believe our brothers and sisters in the Ninth Parliament will learn something from us and take the struggle forward and ensure that the presence of the opposition can make a difference,” he says.
But Oduman, being the assertive character he is, does not take the blame lying down. Despite their shortcomings, he notes, the opposition influenced government policy by and large.
“Over 70% of what the Government does is xeroxed from opposition presentations, especially so when it comes to the national budget. Many of the issues we raise as urgent budget needs are embraced by the Government. Donors will not do anything for the Government until they get a response from the opposition,” he asserts.
Uganda’s Eighth Parliament has seen grand debates and eloquent speeches pertaining to a diversity of proposed legislation.
But like one commentator observed, the public or electorate out there do not gauge performance by how eloquently their representatives hammered out an issue, or the level of acrimony an MP was able to raise in the House.
Rather, this performance is measured by referring to major issues pertaining to the people’s lives that were successfully resolved, the number of petitions an MP was able to push through and actually made an impact. This is one of the strong points that people like the new Kampala mayor and erstwhile Kampala Central MP, Erias Lukwago, employed.
Points against which MPs should be judged
The functions of Parliament against which members should be judged are, but not limited to:
1. Passing laws for the good governance of Uganda.
2. Providing — by giving legislative sanctions, taxation and acquisition of loans — the means of carrying out the work of the Government.
3. Scrutinising the Government’s policies and administration.
4. Pre-legislative scrutiny of bills referred to the parliamentary committees by Parliament.
5. Scrutinising of the various objects of expenditure and the sums to be spent on each.
6. Ensuring transparency and accountability in the application of public funds (Chogm and Temangalo probes, for instance).
7. Monitoring the implementation of government programmes and projects.
8. Debating matters of topical interest, usually those highlighted in the President’s State of the Nation address.
9. Vetting the appointment of persons nominated by the President under the Constitution or any other enactment.
Published on: Saturday, 30th April, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Local govts want to tax farmers
By Sylvia Nankya
THE Local government finance commission has advised the Government to introduce taxes on commercial farmers, idle land and on residential houses.
In 2010, local governments only collected sh7b out of the expected sh70b, Johnson Bitarabeho, the commission chairman, said.
He was on Friday presenting the annual report of the local government finance commission to the speaker of Parliament, Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi.
Bitarabeho argued that the current local service tax and the hotel tax were not viable and their performance has remained extremely poor.
He noted that the two taxes introduced in the 2007/2008 National Budget were not properly studied to ascertain their effectiveness prior to implementation.
As a result, they could not effectively bridge the gap arising from the abolition of graduated tax.
Graduated tax collections were above sh80b at the time they were abolished.
“The hotel tax, in particular, was not feasible for rural areas because many of them lack hotels which can contribute revenues. So, we realised this could only benefit a few districts, not the entire country,” Bitarabeho said.
The commission has the constitutional mandate to advise the President on matters relating to the distribution of revenue between the Government and local governments and advise local governments on the suitable tax to be levied.
There are many commercial farmers earning close to sh10m a month, but remain untaxed yet they equally require service delivery from the districts, according to Bitarabeho.
“What is the rationale of taxing teachers, who earn less than sh200,000 a month, yet farmers who earn between sh8m and sh10m enjoy a duty-free regime?” he asked.
“We can collect money targeting the poor,” Bitarabeho added.
He said the tax on residential houses would help local government’s obtain the resources they require to maintain areas where the tax is collected, while the tax on idle land would encourage production and have a multiplier effect when the land is eventually utilised.
“Low collection of local revenues implies that many key programmes of local governments under funded.
These include co- financing of development projects, supervision and monitoring of government programmes and holding council meetings, among others,” he said.
In 2010, local governments only collected sh7b out of the expected sh70b, Johnson Bitarabeho, the commission chairman, said.
He was on Friday presenting the annual report of the local government finance commission to the speaker of Parliament, Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi.
Bitarabeho argued that the current local service tax and the hotel tax were not viable and their performance has remained extremely poor.
He noted that the two taxes introduced in the 2007/2008 National Budget were not properly studied to ascertain their effectiveness prior to implementation.
As a result, they could not effectively bridge the gap arising from the abolition of graduated tax.
Graduated tax collections were above sh80b at the time they were abolished.
“The hotel tax, in particular, was not feasible for rural areas because many of them lack hotels which can contribute revenues. So, we realised this could only benefit a few districts, not the entire country,” Bitarabeho said.
The commission has the constitutional mandate to advise the President on matters relating to the distribution of revenue between the Government and local governments and advise local governments on the suitable tax to be levied.
There are many commercial farmers earning close to sh10m a month, but remain untaxed yet they equally require service delivery from the districts, according to Bitarabeho.
“What is the rationale of taxing teachers, who earn less than sh200,000 a month, yet farmers who earn between sh8m and sh10m enjoy a duty-free regime?” he asked.
“We can collect money targeting the poor,” Bitarabeho added.
He said the tax on residential houses would help local government’s obtain the resources they require to maintain areas where the tax is collected, while the tax on idle land would encourage production and have a multiplier effect when the land is eventually utilised.
“Low collection of local revenues implies that many key programmes of local governments under funded.
These include co- financing of development projects, supervision and monitoring of government programmes and holding council meetings, among others,” he said.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
NMS wants own purchase rules
By Sylvia Nankya
THE National Medical Stores (NMS) has demanded separate regulations for the procurement of its medical supplies.
NMS described the current rules under the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets as hectic and bureaucratic.
Moses Kamabare, the general manager, told the parliamentary finance committee this week that the PPDA law does not provide a favourable regulatory regime for the procurement of medicines and medical supplies.
“Instead, the regulations slow down the process,” Kamabaare said.
“Procurement of medicines and medical supplies should be more flexible in order to ensure that life-saving items are available as and when they are needed by medical practitioners and the patients,” Kamabare told the committee.
The committee was scrutinising the PPDA (Amendment) Bill 2010.
The Bill seeks to strengthen the PPDA and streamline the functions of accounting officers and contracts committees by making them personally liable for their actions in the procurement process. Kamabaare said delays in procurement of medical supplies could result into loss of lives or serious deterioration of health services, because it also impacts on the lifespan of the medicines.
He explained that although some waivers exist in the current PPDA regulations, they do not adequately address the specific attributes of medical supplies as well as recent developments in the procurement, storage and distribution of medicines for government health facilities.
Such developments include a Presidential directive that all medicines and medical supplies for government health facilities be embossed to guard against pilferage to the private health facilities.
“This means that the stock of these items must be specially embossed from industries for NMS and such items will not be available on the open market as ex-stock,” he added.
He said since medicines used in Uganda were registered by the National Drug Authority, no value would be added to the process even if the open bidding method was used in procurement because they are limited to the registered trademarks.
THE National Medical Stores (NMS) has demanded separate regulations for the procurement of its medical supplies.
NMS described the current rules under the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets as hectic and bureaucratic.
Moses Kamabare, the general manager, told the parliamentary finance committee this week that the PPDA law does not provide a favourable regulatory regime for the procurement of medicines and medical supplies.
“Instead, the regulations slow down the process,” Kamabaare said.
“Procurement of medicines and medical supplies should be more flexible in order to ensure that life-saving items are available as and when they are needed by medical practitioners and the patients,” Kamabare told the committee.
The committee was scrutinising the PPDA (Amendment) Bill 2010.
The Bill seeks to strengthen the PPDA and streamline the functions of accounting officers and contracts committees by making them personally liable for their actions in the procurement process. Kamabaare said delays in procurement of medical supplies could result into loss of lives or serious deterioration of health services, because it also impacts on the lifespan of the medicines.
He explained that although some waivers exist in the current PPDA regulations, they do not adequately address the specific attributes of medical supplies as well as recent developments in the procurement, storage and distribution of medicines for government health facilities.
Such developments include a Presidential directive that all medicines and medical supplies for government health facilities be embossed to guard against pilferage to the private health facilities.
“This means that the stock of these items must be specially embossed from industries for NMS and such items will not be available on the open market as ex-stock,” he added.
He said since medicines used in Uganda were registered by the National Drug Authority, no value would be added to the process even if the open bidding method was used in procurement because they are limited to the registered trademarks.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Japan to Fund New Jinja Bridge
By Sylvia Nankya
CONSTRUCTION of the new bridge on River Nile in Jinja will officially start in August 2012, works and transport minister Eng. John Nasasira has said.
The bridge, estimated to cost $135m, will replace the current one at Nalubaale Dam (formerly known as Owen Falls Dam) which has cracked.
Nasasira said the work would be completed within four years.
The Japanese government is providing $102m through the Japan’s Overseas Development Assistance Programme as a soft loan and Uganda will raise the remaining $33m, Nasasira added.
Nasasira was yesterday afternoon meeting the Japanese Ambassador to Uganda, Keiichi Kato.
Kato has just completed his tenure of service in Uganda for over three years.
Nasasira said the project tenders will be called before the end of this year.
“Nalubaale Bridge, completed in the 1954, has exceeded its lifespan. We need an urgent replacement because it is a main gateway for traders in the region,” Nasasira said.
According to the project design, the new bridge will be 525 metres long, with a dual lane and three span cables, making it the largest in the country.
Nasasira said the bridge, once completed, will boost trade between Uganda and its neighbours since it serves as the major trade link through eastern Uganda.
“A country like Uganda can only increase foreign direct investments through improving its general infrastructure,” Kato said.
For the last 25 years, Japan has supported projects in Uganda in road construction, improvement of traffic flow, improvement of trunk roads and resettlement of internally displaced persons.
CONSTRUCTION of the new bridge on River Nile in Jinja will officially start in August 2012, works and transport minister Eng. John Nasasira has said.
The bridge, estimated to cost $135m, will replace the current one at Nalubaale Dam (formerly known as Owen Falls Dam) which has cracked.
Nasasira said the work would be completed within four years.
The Japanese government is providing $102m through the Japan’s Overseas Development Assistance Programme as a soft loan and Uganda will raise the remaining $33m, Nasasira added.
Nasasira was yesterday afternoon meeting the Japanese Ambassador to Uganda, Keiichi Kato.
Kato has just completed his tenure of service in Uganda for over three years.
Nasasira said the project tenders will be called before the end of this year.
“Nalubaale Bridge, completed in the 1954, has exceeded its lifespan. We need an urgent replacement because it is a main gateway for traders in the region,” Nasasira said.
According to the project design, the new bridge will be 525 metres long, with a dual lane and three span cables, making it the largest in the country.
Nasasira said the bridge, once completed, will boost trade between Uganda and its neighbours since it serves as the major trade link through eastern Uganda.
“A country like Uganda can only increase foreign direct investments through improving its general infrastructure,” Kato said.
For the last 25 years, Japan has supported projects in Uganda in road construction, improvement of traffic flow, improvement of trunk roads and resettlement of internally displaced persons.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Judiciary in rent wrangle over premises
By Sylvia Nankya
THE Judiciary is battling with the owners of Bhatia Chambers in Kampala over delayed payment of monthly rental charges for the Constitutional Court premises.
The court has for the last 12 years operated from the building, located on Parliamentary Avenue but risks eviction if the standoff is not resolved.
The court’s tenancy agreement expired on April 30, 2008 and has not been renewed although the department continues to occupy the premises, Dorcas Okalany, the judiciary secretary, told the parliamentary public accounts committee.
She explained that efforts to renegotiate the contract had failed as the landlord does not give the judiciary audience.
“The landlord is difficult and has been holding us at ransom for breach of contract for the last three years. Efforts to renew the contract have proved futile,” Okalany said.
The initial tenancy agreement for the Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court office premises was signed in May 1999 and renewed on September 18, 2007.
Clause (7) of the agreement provided for a 2% interest per month on delayed payment of the rent and other charges.
Prior to the expiry of the agreement in 2008, delays on rental payment caused a compound interest of over sh987m. Of this, sh586m was paid and another sh42m was paid on simple interest.
The money accumulated in the 2009-2010 financial year because the landlord refused to take payments and instead ordered the Judiciary to vacate the building and sued the Government.
A report by the Auditor General indicates that in the 2008-2009 financial year, the Government spent over sh1b paying rent arrears and interest.
According to Okalany, the tenancy agreement was negotiated by the President’s office, which had the authority to enter rental contracts for government offices.
“However, to save the judiciary from further embarrassment and harassment, alternative premises are being sought,” she said.
THE Judiciary is battling with the owners of Bhatia Chambers in Kampala over delayed payment of monthly rental charges for the Constitutional Court premises.
The court has for the last 12 years operated from the building, located on Parliamentary Avenue but risks eviction if the standoff is not resolved.
The court’s tenancy agreement expired on April 30, 2008 and has not been renewed although the department continues to occupy the premises, Dorcas Okalany, the judiciary secretary, told the parliamentary public accounts committee.
She explained that efforts to renegotiate the contract had failed as the landlord does not give the judiciary audience.
“The landlord is difficult and has been holding us at ransom for breach of contract for the last three years. Efforts to renew the contract have proved futile,” Okalany said.
The initial tenancy agreement for the Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court office premises was signed in May 1999 and renewed on September 18, 2007.
Clause (7) of the agreement provided for a 2% interest per month on delayed payment of the rent and other charges.
Prior to the expiry of the agreement in 2008, delays on rental payment caused a compound interest of over sh987m. Of this, sh586m was paid and another sh42m was paid on simple interest.
The money accumulated in the 2009-2010 financial year because the landlord refused to take payments and instead ordered the Judiciary to vacate the building and sued the Government.
A report by the Auditor General indicates that in the 2008-2009 financial year, the Government spent over sh1b paying rent arrears and interest.
According to Okalany, the tenancy agreement was negotiated by the President’s office, which had the authority to enter rental contracts for government offices.
“However, to save the judiciary from further embarrassment and harassment, alternative premises are being sought,” she said.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Prime Ministers office to stop people resettling in Bududa
Sylvia Nankya
THE Prime Minister’s Office has deployed an emergency team in Bududa to persuade people who have forcefully resettled in the landslide-affected areas to vacate before another calamity befalls them.
The team is comprises about 130 UPDF army personnel under the leadership of Maj. Gen. Julius Oketta, the director of emergency relief co-ordination and evacuation in the Office of the Prime Minister.
This comes on the heel of reports that thousands of families had ignored warnings of a possible disaster and were resettling in Nametsi, one of the areas which were severely devastated by the landslides which covered three villages and claimed hundreds of lives a year ago.
“The majority of people who were affected in last year’s landslide have gone back to where the landslides were but we are persuading them to leave the place before another catastrophe occurs” state minister for Northern Uganda David Wakikona told Sunday Vision.
He said he had met the families and tried to convince them that it was risky to stay in Nametsi during a rainy season but it seemed to be a hard task as many claimed they would rather die while there than move into any camp.
Wakikona said many of the persons resettling in Nametsi had moved from Bulucheke camp, where they had been resettled because they wanted to take advantage of the ongoing rains to begin planting their crops.
Others claim that it’s hard for them to stay far away from their traditional places.
He said “Tradition seems to govern them more than anything else. Some body will tell you I was born here, I grew up here, my parents are buried here, and so I would rather die here.” Wakikona added.
Last year Government moved over 600 families of the Bududa landslide survivors and resettled them at Panyomoli in Kiryandongo district.
Each family was allocated two-and-a-half acres of land and sh250, 000 as start-up cash. But many others rejected the move and opted to return to the risky Nametsi area.
Wakikona said the emergency team is tasked to talk to them and convince them on the need to move to safer places because there is enough evidence that another landslide may be imminent as cracks in one of the hills overlooking Nametsi village are widening.
The hill which is home to at least a thousand people developed a larger fracture caused by continued torrential rains.
He says if the ongoing efforts fail to yield results, Prime Ministers office will forcefully evacuate them.
Published on: Saturday, 2nd April, 2011
THE Prime Minister’s Office has deployed an emergency team in Bududa to persuade people who have forcefully resettled in the landslide-affected areas to vacate before another calamity befalls them.
The team is comprises about 130 UPDF army personnel under the leadership of Maj. Gen. Julius Oketta, the director of emergency relief co-ordination and evacuation in the Office of the Prime Minister.
This comes on the heel of reports that thousands of families had ignored warnings of a possible disaster and were resettling in Nametsi, one of the areas which were severely devastated by the landslides which covered three villages and claimed hundreds of lives a year ago.
“The majority of people who were affected in last year’s landslide have gone back to where the landslides were but we are persuading them to leave the place before another catastrophe occurs” state minister for Northern Uganda David Wakikona told Sunday Vision.
He said he had met the families and tried to convince them that it was risky to stay in Nametsi during a rainy season but it seemed to be a hard task as many claimed they would rather die while there than move into any camp.
Wakikona said many of the persons resettling in Nametsi had moved from Bulucheke camp, where they had been resettled because they wanted to take advantage of the ongoing rains to begin planting their crops.
Others claim that it’s hard for them to stay far away from their traditional places.
He said “Tradition seems to govern them more than anything else. Some body will tell you I was born here, I grew up here, my parents are buried here, and so I would rather die here.” Wakikona added.
Last year Government moved over 600 families of the Bududa landslide survivors and resettled them at Panyomoli in Kiryandongo district.
Each family was allocated two-and-a-half acres of land and sh250, 000 as start-up cash. But many others rejected the move and opted to return to the risky Nametsi area.
Wakikona said the emergency team is tasked to talk to them and convince them on the need to move to safer places because there is enough evidence that another landslide may be imminent as cracks in one of the hills overlooking Nametsi village are widening.
The hill which is home to at least a thousand people developed a larger fracture caused by continued torrential rains.
He says if the ongoing efforts fail to yield results, Prime Ministers office will forcefully evacuate them.
Published on: Saturday, 2nd April, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Expelled MP attacks Speaker Ssekandi
By Sylvia Nankya.
THE Speaker’s decision to expel 78 members of Parliament whose political affiliation changed before the end of their term is arbitrary, misguided and inconsistent with the Ugandan legal system, according to the former Nakasongola county MP, Peter Nyombi.
His discontent is embedded in a 14-page letter addressed to the speaker Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi and copied to President Yoweri Museveni, the Vice President, The Chief Justice and the Leader of the Opposition. It’s also copied to all members of Parliament and the chairman of the electoral commission.
Speaker Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi evicted the members after the Constitutional Court ruled that it was illegal for independent MPs to stand for elections on any party ticket and also for political party MPs to contest as independents without first resigning in line with article 83 of the constitution.
The ruling is contained in a Judgement in a case filed by George Owor against the Attorney General and William Okecho, the NRM flag-bearer for the West Budama North constituency.
But Nyombi blames the speaker for rushing into making a decision which eventually contradicted the court advice and denied a big portion of Ugandans a chance to be represented in Parliament.
He said court called for corrective measures without restricting the speaker’s authority on what sort of collective measure he had to take.
“Court did not direct you to take particular action, but urged you to take appropriate action. Therefore denying 1/3 of the country an opportunity to be represented in parliament cannot be taken to be appropriate action,” Nyombi added.
However, Ssekandi dismissed the complaints, saying the affected MPs and their lawyers went to court and agreed they had erred.
“I don’t have time to waste on that. I am not the Supreme Court. The court ordered that we take action. I can’t oppose the Supreme Court,” said Ssekandi.
He demanded that if the speaker insists on the implementation of the directive, he should also consider the legality of the legislation that were passed and resolutions that were made in the presence of the 78 members.
Nyombi suggests that it would be necessary to clean the Hansard of such legislation with the same swiftness with which the members of parliament were told to vacate their seats to avoid wastage of time in litigation. He sites the controversial Cultural leaders Bill as one of the legislation whose legality should be examined.
He also blamed the speaker for bundling them in the same boat without giving them an opportunity to be heard although they had consulted him and he advised that they were free to contest in the various political parties since the August 2010 primaries had nothing to do with the 8th parliament.
Nyombi contends that their decision is not in anyway inconsistent with article 83 of the constitution which compels any person who changes political affiliation to vacate his seat in Parliament.
“Your decision tends to be consistent with the wrong view and erroneous presumption that the provisions of article 83 were intended merely to prevent members of parliament from switching over parties and hence contradicting other constitutional provisions on freedom of association” he added.
Nyombi said the manner in which they were evicted from parliament was an insult to the electorate and the entire body of members of Parliament.
“Changing the Locks of the doors of the offices previously occupied by the 78 members, is an insult to parliament and the implication of that action is that you are presiding over a parliament comprising of people with no integrity” Nyombi added. Ends-
THE Speaker’s decision to expel 78 members of Parliament whose political affiliation changed before the end of their term is arbitrary, misguided and inconsistent with the Ugandan legal system, according to the former Nakasongola county MP, Peter Nyombi.
His discontent is embedded in a 14-page letter addressed to the speaker Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi and copied to President Yoweri Museveni, the Vice President, The Chief Justice and the Leader of the Opposition. It’s also copied to all members of Parliament and the chairman of the electoral commission.
Speaker Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi evicted the members after the Constitutional Court ruled that it was illegal for independent MPs to stand for elections on any party ticket and also for political party MPs to contest as independents without first resigning in line with article 83 of the constitution.
The ruling is contained in a Judgement in a case filed by George Owor against the Attorney General and William Okecho, the NRM flag-bearer for the West Budama North constituency.
But Nyombi blames the speaker for rushing into making a decision which eventually contradicted the court advice and denied a big portion of Ugandans a chance to be represented in Parliament.
He said court called for corrective measures without restricting the speaker’s authority on what sort of collective measure he had to take.
“Court did not direct you to take particular action, but urged you to take appropriate action. Therefore denying 1/3 of the country an opportunity to be represented in parliament cannot be taken to be appropriate action,” Nyombi added.
However, Ssekandi dismissed the complaints, saying the affected MPs and their lawyers went to court and agreed they had erred.
“I don’t have time to waste on that. I am not the Supreme Court. The court ordered that we take action. I can’t oppose the Supreme Court,” said Ssekandi.
He demanded that if the speaker insists on the implementation of the directive, he should also consider the legality of the legislation that were passed and resolutions that were made in the presence of the 78 members.
Nyombi suggests that it would be necessary to clean the Hansard of such legislation with the same swiftness with which the members of parliament were told to vacate their seats to avoid wastage of time in litigation. He sites the controversial Cultural leaders Bill as one of the legislation whose legality should be examined.
He also blamed the speaker for bundling them in the same boat without giving them an opportunity to be heard although they had consulted him and he advised that they were free to contest in the various political parties since the August 2010 primaries had nothing to do with the 8th parliament.
Nyombi contends that their decision is not in anyway inconsistent with article 83 of the constitution which compels any person who changes political affiliation to vacate his seat in Parliament.
“Your decision tends to be consistent with the wrong view and erroneous presumption that the provisions of article 83 were intended merely to prevent members of parliament from switching over parties and hence contradicting other constitutional provisions on freedom of association” he added.
Nyombi said the manner in which they were evicted from parliament was an insult to the electorate and the entire body of members of Parliament.
“Changing the Locks of the doors of the offices previously occupied by the 78 members, is an insult to parliament and the implication of that action is that you are presiding over a parliament comprising of people with no integrity” Nyombi added. Ends-
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