By Racheal Nuwahereza

The National Organizing committee headed by the Minister for Presidency; Milly Babalanda has confirmed in a statement that Former Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah will be laid to rest on April 8 which will be observed as a public holiday.

The body will lie in state in Parliament on Tuesday April 5 and on Wednesday it will be taken to Kololo ceremonial grounds for a state funeral.

Detailed Program:

Friday 1^st April 2022 at 2.00 pm the body will arrive at Entebbe International Airport aboard Ethiopian Airlines.

The casket will be received with full honors. A few leaders and family members will be allowed at this ceremony.

After which the casket will be handed over to A-plus Funeral Management.

Sunday 3^rd and Monday 4^th April at 9.00 am the body will lie at the home of the Speaker in Muyenga where friends and well-wishers will pay their last respects.

There will be a small service conducted and attended by few people on Sunday.

Tuesday 5^th April 2022 at 9.00 am the body will be moved to the Parliament of Uganda where the Rt. Hon. Speaker will lead the Members of Parliament to pay their final respects.

The body will spend the night in Parliament.

Wednesday 6^th April 2022 at 9.00 am the body will be taken to Kololo Ceremonial Grounds for a State Funeral.

His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda and NRM National Chairman will lead the nation in paying tribute to the late Speaker of Parliament. 

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda; His Grace Dr. Kazimba Mugalu will be the main celebrant.

A maximum number of 1,500 persons including Members of the Executive, Members of Parliament, Members of the Judiciary, Foreign Dignitaries, Heads of Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Family Members and Leaders from Acholi sub-region will access the grounds.

After the Ceremony, at 3.00 pm the casket will be airlifted to Omoro, Lalogi village; the Speaker’s ancestral home where it will be received by the family and Acholi leaders.

There will be a night vigil at the home.

Thursday 7^th April 2022 the body will lie at Lalogi for final respects by members of the public.

Friday 8^th April 2022 the burial ceremony will start at 9.00 am. The day will be observed as a Public Holiday as declared by H.E. the President.

The National organising committee has also prepared UGX 2.5b budget to cater for the above activities.

The breakdown of how the 2.5billion will be spent.

“𝐀-𝐏𝐥𝐮𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 – UGX 226m

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐞 – UGX 248.7m

𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢 𝐌𝐏𝐬 – UGX 312.9m

𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 – UGX – 158.5m

𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐲 – UGX 1.1b

𝐅𝐮𝐞𝐥 – UGX 124m

However, according to our independent analysis, nearly half of the controversial UGX 2.5b proposed budget will be spent on the actual day of burial in Omoro as it excludes medical and funeral home bills in the US as well as expenses of flying back Oulanyah’s body.

Milly Babalanda has called upon the public to stay united and calm; and follow the security guidelines issued as they observe and celebrate the final journey of former speaker Jacob Oulanyah.

“Members of the public need to know that the Speaker of Parliament is 3^rd in rank in the country’s leadership and he deserves a befitting burial, which anyway is legally provided for. Therefore, I would draw your attention to the burial activities planned for rather than dwelling on discussing budgets,” said Babalanda.

By Racheal Nuwahereza

Authorities in Kisoro district have suspended activities at Bunagana Primary School to secure accommodation for thousands of refugees from Democratic Republic of Congo streaming into the district.

According to reports, an estimated total of 13,000 refugees crossed into neighbouring Uganda on Monday after M23 rebels attacked Congolese army bases in the wee hours of Monday morning.

Emmanuel Mwunvaneza, the Kisoro District Education Officer says the Primary school has been sourced as the most secure location to receive and act as a reception for thousands of Congolese refugees who are still flocking in masses adding that all Primary school going children in the school have been asked to stay home until further notice.

Kivu Security Tracker (KST) said via their twitter handle that on Monday morning, M23 fighters attacked FARDC positions in Runyoni, Chanzu and Ndiza in Rutshuru territory in North Kivu.

The rebel group fighting in Eastern part of Congo Sabinyo MTS Ranges in particular was engaged by FARDC forces near Bunagana border in the of North Kivu province. The fighting continued until around 11am forcing locals to flee towards Uganda.

Elly Maate, the Kigezi region police spokesperson confirmed the development in a statement which revealed that the intensity in fighting forced Congolese citizens to flee their country for their lives.

“All security agencies however have taken charge of the situation including Uganda Police Forces, UPDF, intelligence services and UNHCR among others. The situation is under control and UNHCR has started ferrying Congolese to Nyakabande settlement camp,” said Maate.

A statement released by the Congolese army on Monday evening confirmed the attack revealing that the M23 rebels were being assisted by the Rwandan army. The area on the DRC side border of Bunagana is said to have been captured by the rebels.

Ruhinda North MP and former Government Chief Whip, Hon Thomas Tayebwa has been overwhelmingly elected as Deputy Speaker of the 11th Parliament following the resignation of Rt.Hon Anitta Among. He got 379 against Okot P’Bitek’s 82 votes.

Tayebwa, 40, replaces Anita Among, who was earlier elected speaker to replace the late Jacob Oulanyah.

The Ruhinda North MP’s political career traces back to the year 2006 when he stood for Youth parliamentary elections on FDC ticket but lost.

In 2016, he retreated and came back under NRM party representing Ruhinda North, Mitooma district. He served as member of National Economy Committee and Natural Resources Committee 2016 to 2021.

In 2021, he was elected back to parliament representing the same constituency and in May same year, he was appointed the government chief whip by President Museveni, a position he has held until today when he became duly elected the Deputy Speaker of 11^th Parliament.

Although no confirmation has been made, Oulanyah’s body is expected back into the country this weekend.

By Racheal Nuwahereza

By Racheal Nuwahereza

Bukedea District Woman MP and former deputy speaker of 11^th parliament, Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among has on Friday been duly elected Speaker of the 11^th parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

In a special sitting that took place at the monumental Kololo Independence Grounds, a total of 468 MPs voted, NRM’s Anita Among garnered 401 votes while her rival, opposition-backed Hon. Asuman Basalirwa got 66 votes and one Invalid vote was registered.

The ceremony that was graced by President Museveni, Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, members of parliament and several other dignitaries saw Hon. Anita Among become the second female post-independence Parliament Speaker as declared by the Chief Justice.

Among was on Wednesday endorsed by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) caucus after the Central Executive Committee (CEC), the top organ of the party nominated accepted her candidature in the speakership race.

“In Hon. Anita Among, we have a leader who’s tested. Her manner in handling Parliament is beyond reproach. It’s on record that Anita has presided over programmes intended to help the poor. Memebers, I seek your support to vote Anita” said Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja upon nomination.

“I thank all MPs who have taken time to be part of this democratic process. I appreciate the 66 members of Parliament that have bestowed upon me the title of shadow Speaker, although it’s not provided for in the rules of procedure,” said Asuman Basalirwa as he conceded defeat.

Hon. Adolf Mwesige, the Clerk to Parliament, thereby declared the seat of Deputy Speaker of Parliament vacant. The ruling NRM party will be fronting Hon. Thomas Tayembwa who will face opposition’s Okot P’Bitek Moses.

Article 82 (2) of the constitution of the Republic of Uganda provides for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Article 82 (4) of the 1995 Constitution refrains Parliament from conducting any other business other than the election of the Speaker at any time that office is vacant. 

The position of the Speaker fell vacant following the demise of the Speaker Jacob Oulanyah who died on 20th March 2022 in Seattle, USA where he was admitted in February this year. Oulanyah’s body is expected to be repatriated this week.

By Racheal Nuwahereza

Uganda’s army on Wednesday signaled a diplomatic plan to end the resurgent deadly attacks by armed cattle rustlers in the troubled Karamoja Sub-region.

This follows an incident where bodies of two UPDF soldiers and three geologists were on Tuesday recovered by security forces in a joint search operation after they were ambushed and killed by suspected armed cattle rustlers in Moroto District.

Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the commander of the land forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Force(UPDF) has through his twitter handle sounded a thorough warning to the rustlers; “My Karimajong brothers! We have begged you to stop attacking your neighbours but no avail! You have refused all our appeals! Well, now we are coming and hell is coming with us!”

“Karimojong killed my soldiers in cold blood! There will be hell to pay for that!! If they want to avoid retribution, they better get in touch with our RDCs and commanders in the region NOW!! Otherwise, let us see who the real men are!” he added.

UPDF has for long struggled to encourage armed cattle rustlers to abandon their activities but conservative estimates show the criminals have through persistent raids claimed almost 50 civilian lives and close to ten security officers in the last three months.

Almost every week, hundreds of animals are reported stolen across the Karamoja Sub region- even after UPDF reinforced deployment in October 2021 to deter the criminals feared to have over 500 guns, illegally.

“They have provoked us and now we are going for them wherever they are,” UPDF 3rd division commander Brig Joseph Balikudembe told journalists on March 22. Balikudembe says UPDF accounts revealed that 251 of the rustlers operating like bandits were killed in 2021 alone, at least 1,626 suspected rustlers were arrested, 291 of whom have since been prosecuted and a total of 14,898 livestock were recovered. Security forces also recovered at least 160 guns. 

Local leaders are however concerned that the insecurity in the Karamoja region has deteriorated and disrupted the peace that had been restored in 2008 after a five-year disarmament enforced by government.

500 illegal guns are estimated to still being kept by the suspected rustlers.

By Racheal Nuwahereza

Territorial Police in Moroto are investigating circumstances under which 03 officials attached to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development with 02 UPDF soldiers were shot dead by a suspected joint group of Turkana and Matheniko warriors and two guns taken by the assailants.

The incident occured on Monday afternoon at Kubebe area, Lokisilei Parish, Lotisan Sub-county, Moroto District where the officials were conducting a Mineral mapping exercise in the area. The officials had been assigned to pick soil samples from Lokisilei village in Lotisan Sub County in Moroto District. They were attacked about 40 kilometers away from Moroto town.

The three officials identified as Charles Olweny (male Adult), Kigwe Richard (male Adult) all from the department of Geology and Mineral survey and Musiime Edna (female adult), an intern student from Makerere University are said to have been attacked and killed alongside their UPDF escorts who are yet to be identified.

Brig Joseph Balikudembe, the UPDF 3rd division commander, told journalists that the geologists and their security escorts were attacked “out of ignorance” by the suspected rustlers who have been wreaking havoc in the sub region for years.

He said the translator who was in the geologists’ company explained to the suspected armed rustlers their mission but his words fell on deaf ears as the assailants opened fire at them.

“The translator managed to flee to his safety but the geologists being new on the ground had no option but to accept to be killed in cold blood, “he said Balikudembe.

AIP Longole Mike, the Ag. PRO Mt. Moroto revealed in a statement that the bodies of the deceased had been conveyed to Moroto Regional Referral Hospital mortuary where the postmortem has since been done, adding that the scene is yet to be revisited by a team of investigators.

“Other Proceedings will be communicated in due course as Joint security forces are committed in ensuring that the perpetrators of this incident are brought to book and two guns added to wrong hands will be recovered,” said Longole.

Balikudembe added that security forces are pursuing the assailants and that they will be apprehended because they can easily be tracked.

The motive of this incident is still a question of investigation.

By Racheal Nuwahereza

On Tuesday, the ruling NRM electoral commission started receiving expression of interest forms from party MPs willing to be the NRM flag bearer vying to replace Oulanyah as the next speaker of the 11th parliament, the 13 legislators expressed interest. These include;

1. Current Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Anita Among who picked her forms through her personal Assistant, Athiena Mary.

Having chaired over 76 sittings because the Speaker fell ill shortly after occupying the office, several NRM MPs were today filmed rallying behind the Anita Among as their potential candidate for speakership.

• The West Budama Central MP, also state minister for defence and veteran affairs, Hon Jacob Oboth Oboth.

“I am humble and I strongly believe in God, I’m doing this to avoid meeting Oulanyah one time and he says; why didn’t you try? I am availing myself. Nobody can ever be like Jacob Oulanyah but I have the ability to fill the gap,” said Oboth.

• Hon Theodore Ssekikubo, MP, the Lwemiyaga County.

“I am a member of NRM, and I appeal to my party’s CEC, President of Uganda and fellow Members of parliament and the NRM Cuacus to receive my Speakership bid,” said Ssekikubo adding that he has wide experience referring to his work as an advocate of the high court.

• Also in the race is current Deputy Attorney General and Kyaka legislator Hon Jackson Kafuzi Karugaba who said he is picking inspiration from former speakers Kadaga and Oulanyah to steer the house.

Hon. Jackson Kafuuzi says he is ready to resign from his position should he be endorsed by the NRM CEC and Caucus for the Speakership race.

• The Arua Central Division MP, Hon Jackson Atima Lee Buti has said the vast experience he has amassed makes him the best candidate to steer affairs of the August House through emulating speaker Jacob Oulanyah ways of handling parliamentary affairs.

“I have vast experience of work right from primary school, secondary school and at university. After graduation, I lectured at Uganda Christian University, Arua campus for three years. Parliament needs a research-based debate and it is me to do that. I feel I have capacity to drive parliament in a pro-people direction,” said Atima.

• Health minister, Hon Jane Ruth Aceng who also the Lira City legislator has also expressed interest in becoming the next Speaker of Parliament.

Nomination forms have been picked by her personal assistant George William Ssebamala.

• Hon Sarah Opendi, the Tororo Woman MP has expressed interest in being the NRM flag bearer for Speakership seat through her lawyer Mujurizi Jamil David.

Others are;

• Hon Wakabi Pius, the MP Hoima City
• Hon Asiimwe Florence Akiiki, the Masindi legislator
•  Hon Felix Okot Ogong, the legislator Dokolo district
•  Hon Obua Denis Hamson, the legislator for Alebtong district
•  Hon Kintu Alex Brandon, the Jinja legislator and;
•  Hon Okot John Amos, the legislator for Agago district.

Whereas the legislators from the Northern Region have been campaigning for a regional card consideration, asking that the position return to Northern Uganda, the NRM electoral commission chairperson, Dr.Tanga Odoi says after expressing interest, the names will be presented to the top organ of the party for consideration.

Meanwhile, the leader of Opposition in Parliament, Mathias Mpuuga has said that the opposition will hold a meeting on Thursday to decided on the speakership race slated for Friday this week.

The position of the Speaker of Parliament fell vacant on Sunday, following the death of now-former Speaker Jacob Oulanyah who died in Seattle, United States of America where he had been flown for treatment.