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Territorial police in Kampala are investigating circumstances under which four children in the same household, have today morning died in a fire at Kawuku cell, Mulawa parish, Kira division, Kira Municipality in Wakiso district.
Luke Owoyesigire, the Police Spokesperson Kampala metropolitan identified the deceased as Namulindwa Even, 8, Kibuuka Isan 6, Nansubuga Noreen 3, and Cynthia were children and grandchildren of Annet Naigaga respectively.
It is alleged that Naigaga who is a local businesswoman dealing in Roasted Maize and Yellow Bananas, left her home early in the morning to go and fetch water from a nearby well about 500 metres from her home leaving the victims with their elder sister, 12-year-old Nakkasi Catherine who was preparing to go to school.
However, upon returning home from the well, she saw a lot of smoke coming from their old two-bedroom, semi-permanent house with the four children crying for help inside.
Naigaga says the door to the house was closed, she made an alarm and attempted to enter and rescue the children, but the fire was too much.
The Police at Kira Division have opened up inquiries into the incident and preliminary investigations indicate that there was a fueled motorcycle inside the house, hence the big fire.
It is also alleged that Nakasi Catherine who is the eldest child could have left the candle burning inside the house before she left for school.
The four bodies have been conveyed to the city mortuary Mulago for Postmortem.
“More details into this unfortunate incident will be availed as soon as they are available,” read the statement by police in part.
The Minister of state for youth and children affairs, Hon. Nyirabashitsi Sarah Mateke has appreciated the World Wide fund for Nature (WWF)’s efforts towards value addition on timber.
While presiding over the launch of the strategic road map for Kisoro timber dealers and carpenters cooperative society limited at Mubano hotel in Kisoro town, Mateke said that value addition should start from seedling, to planting, management up to harvesting with quality machines in cutting.
Mateke applauded WWF for assisting in developing a strategic road map that will help to add value on timber to ensure export market.
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She urged the members of the community to appreciate the importance of conserving nature including the surrounding national parks like Ichuya forest reserve which generate income and further appealed for international community to come to Kisoro district to invest in the gifted resources for tourism and economic development.
Alex Ndambajimana, the vice Chairperson Kisoro district appreciated WWF for the efforts towards helping the indigenous people, the Batwa to conserve their cultural heritage.
He noted that they are challenged by poor road network for tourism adding that it’s only Kisoro district that has the most beautiful short river in the world plus golden monkeys not seen anywhere in the world.
David Duli, the WWF Country Director said that WWF is there to bring glory of having the environmental supporting production systems and services that come naturally in having healthy environment to facilitate development activities.
He said timber and trees is one of the most common economic activities in south western Uganda and it’s when World Wide Fund for nature comes in to ensure sustainable development of natural resource management where trees are performing their functions.
Additionally, WWF offered a grant in form of revolving fund of UGX 20 million for the cooperative society for members to borrow and pay back at affordable interest rate.
Airtel Uganda has unveiled a new service dubbed Airtel Smart Plans that will enable customers enjoy data, voice and SMS services in one access.
Customers will be able to pay for the service using Airtel Money and can activate the Airtel Smart Plans in the comfort of their offices, living rooms or boardrooms by dialling *188# without the need to trek to Service Centres.
Speaking at the launch at Sheraton Kampala hotel on Wednesday afternoon, Amit Kapur, Chief Commercial Officer at Airtel Uganda said the new service will give customers the best experience.
Kapur noted that Airtel Smart Plans have been designed to enable customers’ access a one –stop solution for businesses, families and people who offer professional services. The Airtel Smart Plans offers a data, SMS, and voice resources in a single post-paid hustle free access.
Amit Kapur, Chief Commercial Officer at Airtel Uganda giving his remarks during the launch of Airtel Smart Plans at Sheraton Hotel Kampala on Wednesday.
He added, “At Airtel Uganda we continue to innovate and adjust our affordable product and service portfolio to support businesses to thrive. We are the technology enabler, of choice, as Ugandan Businesses journey to full recovery”.
Henry Njoroge, the Airtel Uganda Marketing Manager explained that new service will allow customers to share voice, data and SMS with about four other people.
“On one package, a customer can add as much as four other people. The Airtel Smart Plans will ensure customers receive one month free Airtel TV subscription and reduced roaming rates,” said Njoroge.
Airtel Smart Plan customers will;
Be able to share these resources using Tugabane
Receive one-month free ShowMax Subscription
Receive one-month free Airtel TV Subscription
Have priority service whenever they call the Call Centre
Have preferential roaming rates to all travel destinations.
Njoroge noted that the Airtel Smart Plans will be categorized in Platinum and Gold.
“For Platinum, a customer will have to pay shs 250,000 to get data worth 150GB, 2000 voice minutes, 1000SMS, Free Airtel TV monthly and 30 days free ShowMax. For those who subscribe to Gold ,they will to pay shs150,000 and will enjoy data worth 75GB, 2000 voice minutes, 1000 SMS,Free Airtel TV monthly and 30 days free ShowMax,”he noted.
Additionally, Airtel Uganda’s new Airtel Smart Plans package will allow customers to access a 30-Day Free subscription to MultiChoice’s ShowMax, an online subscription video-on-demand entertainment service accessible to customers across the country.
“Airtel has consistently invested in innovative solutions that are relevant to the customers, intended to offer value for their money while maintaining superior experiences as they connect to opportunities across the world” Amit concluded.
The US Senate has voted to approve a new $40bn (£32bn) bill to provide military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
The bill which was passed by the House of Representatives with broad bipartisan support on 10th May – was expected to be passed earlier this week, but was blocked by Kentucky Republican, Rand Paul over a dispute about spending oversight.
But the Republican’s Senate leader Mitch McConnell dismissed these concerns and told reporters that Congress had a “moral responsibility” to support “a sovereign democracy’s self-defence”.
The package which brings the total US aid delivered to Ukraine to more than $50bn, including $6bn for security assistance such as training, equipment, weapons and support is the biggest emergency aid package so far for Ukraine.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the aid package as “a significant US contribution to the restoration of peace and security in Ukraine, Europe and the world”.
Authorities in Bushenyi-Ishaka municipality have today launched the demolition of illegal structures across the municipality.
Jonan Mukundane, the senior enforcement officer, said one of the buildings demolished at St kaggwa trading center belonging to Patrice Rwecungura, a business Man, was a single business room constructed without being approved by the municipal physical planning board.
Passers-by look at an illegal structure that has been demolished.
Mukundane noted that in this exercise, they are targeting over 40 buildings across the three 3 divisions of Bushenyi-Ishaka municipality.
Mukundane who warned people against constructing illegal structures urged anyone in the process of constructing any structure to ensure that the plan is approved by the municipal authorities.
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Okoth Martin Ochola has extended a financial boost to the 11 Police marathon athletes expected to represent Uganda at the 2022 Commonwealth games due 28th July in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
The financial assistance which will cater for the athletes’ welfare to lift and boost their morale and stay at the high altitude training camp was delivered by Senior Superintendent of Police, (SSP) Kalule Abu on behalf of the IGP during his courtesy visit to Police Athletics Training Camp in Kapchorwa on Wednesday.
The team which is headlined by world champion, ASP Joshua Cheptegei and IP Chemutai Peruth has attracted upcoming young talent including; SPC Kiplagat Victor, SPC Chesang Priscar and SPC Chemistu Janat who will be taking part in the World Junior Championships in Colombia next month.
“The IGP has appreciated your efforts, endurance and discipline exhibited as you participate in different field tracks trials,” said Kalule.
Kalule applauded the Commonwealth Games- bound athletes for not only representing the Police Force, but also lifting Uganda’s flag high noting that the IGP had promised to promote all Special Police Constables (SPC) into full Police officers and all the paper work is in progress.
Kalule advised the athletes to continue being disciplined, focused and supportive to one another. This will help you achieve more as you build your career on track and in Uganda Police Force.
The same team will also represent at the Inter Forces games and the East African Police Chiefs Organization games (EAPCO) earmarked for September 2022.
SSP Abu Kalule poses with the police athletes at high altitude Police training camp in Kapchorwa on Wednesday.
Team manager Ali Ngainoka and Coach Njia Benjamin appreciated the financial aid rendered to the athletes and promised to work harder in spearheading the team towards achieving the objectives and talent development.
According to the Annual Crime report released on Wednesday at Police headquarters in Naguru, which highlighted details on management and performance, Crime distribution, status and gravity of the reported cases, it was revealed that the efforts of police to tackle and eliminate crime are hampered with internal and external challenges within the criminal justice chain among which are limited manpower, logistical constraints, insufficient budget, lack of electronic case tracking system and record management.
The report which was launched by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), John Martin Okoth Ochola indicated that in the year 2021, there was a 0.1% increase in the volume of crimes reported to Police up from 195,931 cases reported in the year 2020 to 196,081 cases in 2021.
Of these, 43,583 were cases of theft, 29,317 cases of common assaults and 17,533 cases for domestic violence were reported to police compared to 41,950 cases of theft, 24,799 for common assault and 17,664 cases for domestic violence registered in 2020.
The revelation indicates an increase in the number of theft, common assaults and domestic violence crimes where by these cases have for two consecutive years been leading in the annual police crime report.
The report attributes the slight increase in theft cases to economic gain.
“These crime trends were greatly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and the subsequent opening of all sectors of the economy,” read the report in part.
The report indicated that sex related offences like rape and defilement came fourth with 16,373 cases reported in 2021, up from the 16,144 cases registered in 2020, whereas economic crimes, threatening violence and breakings followed in that order.
The report indicates that by the end of the year 2021, 19,017 cases had been taken to court, 6,459 cases secured convictions, 96 cases were acquitted, 1,181 cases were dismissed and 11,281 pending court.
The report also revealed that in 2021, 51% of the crimes were committed in rural areas, while 45% were committed in urban centres, and the rest committed along highways.
The report indicates that 3,362 theft cases were in 2021 registered in Kampala Metropolitan North which encompasses areas of Kawempe, Wandegeya, Old Kampala, Wakiso , Kasangati and Kakiri Police divisions and respective police stations.
The report also revealed that KMP North was followed by Rwizi region in Western Uganda in thefts whereas Kidepo region in Karamoja registered the least number of theft cases.
The report shows 4,308 cases of motorcycle theft were reported in 2021signifying a 7.0% increase.
The report indicates that 17,533 cases of domestic violence were reported in 2021 down from the 17,664 reported in 2020 indicating a 0.74% reduction.
The report attributed domestic violence cases to disagreements over family property, failure to provide for families, drug and alcohol abuse and infidelity.
According to the report, of the 17,533 victims of domestic violence,12,877 were females, 3,103 males and the rest were children.
According to the same report, 1,796 domestic violence cases were reported in Albertine Police region followed by Aswa with 1,663 cases with Kigezi and Elgon regions having the least number of domestic violence cases reported in 2021.
Speaking during the lunch of the report, the police CID director, AIGP Tom Magambo said going forward; the force will try to put in place efforts to manage the crimes.
AIGP Tom Magambo, the Police CID director speaking during the launch of the Annual Crime report released at Police headquarters in Naguru on Wednesday.
“There is an ongoing effort to have electronic case tracking systems and this will help us solve a number of issues including managing crimes. We also want to have centralized database to support our investigations,” said Magambo.
He noted that they intend to combine the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), vehicle and passport databases into one database.
“If we succeed at that, we shall move substantially to investigate and produce suspects before courts of law in the required time. We are also working at digitizing records to ease retrieval,” said Magambo.
Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the UPDF Commander of the Land Forces has revealed that Uganda will withdraw its troops from the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)where it has for the last 6 months been pursuing ADF rebels.
Muhoozi intimated that the original agreement signed with the Congolese government was for the operation in pursuit of ADF rebels to last for six months and as such, it ends in two weeks’ time.
“Operation Shujaa will officially cease in about two weeks according to our original agreement. It was supposed to last for six months. Unless I get further instructions from our Commander in Chief or CDF, I will withdraw all our troops from DRC in two weeks,” Lt Gen Muhoozi said via his official twitter handle on Tuesday.
Muhoozi however clarified that decision is susceptible to change if the presidents of the two countries; H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and H.E Felix Tshisekedi who are the ultimate authorities decide to extend the agreement, the joint forces of UPDF and FARDC will be happy to keep participating in the operation to eliminate ADF.
For several years, the ADF has operated in Eastern DRC’s volatile North Kivu province which has since 1998 been a battle ground for various armed rival ethnic groups in the country.
The province consists of the cities of Goma, Butembo and Beni as well as territories of Beni, Tondoli, Lubero, Masisi, Yayuwa and Rutshuru among others.
Following the arrest of Jamil Mukulu in 2015, Musa Baluku, consolidated power and served as the senior ADF Islamic legal official prompting the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, under the US government to designate the ADF as the deadliest terrorist group operating in eastern DRC.
The group is also blamed for the 2021 bomb attacks in Kampala that left over seven people dead.
This prompted Uganda to seek permission from the DRC President Tshisekedi to allow troops into his territory in a joint operation with FADRC forces to wipe out the ADF rebel and terrorist group.
In November 2021, the UPDF under the commanded of Maj Gen Kayanja Muhanga launched air and artillery attacks on ADF camps in the thick Eastern DRC forests in an operation, code named, “Operation Shujaa“.
The first offensive against the rebel group was opened using Nobili -Kamango- Mukakati route and advanced deep into Virunga impenetrable forest dislodging ADF terrorists in several camps including their stronghold of Kambi Ya Yua where several documents and military attires were recovered.
The second route was opened from Kasindi to Beni, Nobili- R. Semliki Bridge and in the third one from Burasi to Boga, the ADF airfield was seized by the UPDF.
UPDF combat vehicles then crossed into Burasi using the newly installed ferry at Haibale Landing site on River Semliki to cover the entire triangle of death.
The joint forces of the UPDF and FADRC have been able to either arrest or kill key ADF commanders and fighters and dismantled their hideouts in DRC.
At least 49 generals are set to retire from the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) in July 2022.
According to the list, two officers at the rank of General, three lieutenant generals, 10 officers at the rank of Major General and 19 brigadiers will beofficially relieved of active service.
In a statement released by the UPDF on Thursday, the 3-day documentation and sensitization exercise for the impending UPDF retirees was concluded at the Land Force headquarters in Bombo.
The statement also revealed that the last batch (batch 12) of the exercise which is specifically for about 49 General Officers impending retirement is set to be conducted on 16th and 17th May 2022 at Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs/UPDF General Headquarters in Mbuya in the Chief of Personnel and Administration boardroom.
Among the notable senior army officers set to retire is the former coordinator of Intelligence Agencies, Gen David Sejusa, a renegade officer, coordinator of intelligence services and a senior presidential adviser who first applied to leave the army in 1996, former Security minister, Gen Elly Tumwine who shot first NRA bullet, the long serving chairperson of General Court Martial; Lt Gen Andrew Gutti, , Lt Gen Prossy Nalweyiso, first female UPDF General attached to State House, Lt Gen John Mugume, Maj Gen Elly Kayanja, the Operation Wembley lord that rid Kampala city of violent crime, Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary, Maj Gen Kyomukama Kasura, Maj Gen Stephen Kashaka, Maj Gen Joram Kakari and Maj Gen Phenehas Kaitirima, Maj Gen Geoffrey Muhesi, Maj Gen Burundi Nyamunywanisa, Maj Gen Michael Odonga, a two-time commander of AMISOM, currently attached to Saudi Arabia, Maj Gen Gavas Mugyenyi, and Maj Gen Octavius Buturo among others.
Full list of officers set to retire.(Courtesy Photo)
An independent research by this publication established that most of those to retire are part of the 1986 National Resistance Army liberation war that brought the current government into power.
According to sources in the military, the retirement of the top generals, most of whom are Bush War heroes, is set to be followed by a major promotion of other officers as the army leadership undergoes a transition.
The UPDF Conditions and Terms of Service provide that it’s illegal to keep army officers in active service once they clock a certain age but are not promoted to the next rank. For instance, at the age of 40, if a captain is not promoted to major, the army must retire that officer.
Section 28, Cap 307 of the UPDF law, Terms of Service specifically indicates that from the rank of Lieutenant to Captain, one can apply for early retirement at 40 years, while a major can leave service at 45. A lieutenant colonel can retire at 47 and a colonel at 51.
From the rank of 2nd Lieutenant to General, an officer can rightly apply for retirement after 14 years of service, while for the lower ranks, one can retire after nine years of service.
Authorities in Mbarara city led by the resident city commissioner Lt. col. James Mwesigye have embarked on a move to restore Rukyekye wetlands in Nyakayojo Mbarara city where over 12 acres of the swamp have already been encroached on by residents.
During a monitoring exercise, Mwesigye asked residents to immediately vacate from the degraded wetlands in Rukyekye cell in Ryakishakizi ward in Nyakayojo Mbarara city south or else risk forceful eviction by security.
Leo Tumuhiirwe, the Chairman LC I Rukyekye cell in Rwakishakizi ward Mbarara city south, says in areas of Katukuru ,Misyamo, Nyarubungo, and Rukyekye, most of the swamp cover has already been degraded by farmers planting crops.
He appealed to residents in the area to leave the swamps as early as possible as they are living on a ticking timing bomb of prolonged dry spells if they choose to degrade the environment.
Zubeda Nuwagaba Makopo, a member of the Makopo family that is being pinned in the ongoing encroachment of Rukyekye wetlands, says her family has lived on the wetland since 1949 and thus asked the government to allocate them enough time to harvest their gardens.
