By Racheal Nuwahereza

The Inspectorate of Government has recovered about UGX 4bn from misappropriated and misallocated funds between 2018 and 2021.

During an engagement with district chairpersons in Kampala, Anne Muhairwe Twinomugisha, the Deputy Inspector General of Government revealed that during the same period over 4,000 cases were investigated and completed leading to the arrest and prosecution of 97 public officers.

According to the 2021 survey by the Inspectorate of Government, the Ugandan government loses UGX 20 trillion every year to corruption with at least UGX 131bn lost through taxation, 459bn lost in user fees utilities, 820bn lost in natural resources,15bn lost in environmental degradation, 2bn lost as a result of absenteeism in government departments, 451bn lost in health care and education services, 86bn in security provision, 590bn in procurement and budgeting, and 233bn in regulation.

Muhairwe urged the leaders at local government level and their people to join the fight against corruption to ensure that it is a success.

By Racheal Nuwahereza

Several documents are feared destroyed following a fire outbreak at the Supreme Court building in Kololo, Kampala on Wednesday morning.

Fred Enanga, the Police spokesperson revealed in a statement released April 27^th 2022, that the fire which started at around 10.12am  at the Supreme Court, located at Plot 10, Upper Hill, in Kololo was rapidly and promptly responded to by the Directorate of Fire and Rescue Services.

The statement revealed that first firefighting crew that was dispatched from the Kololo Independence Grounds, arrived within five minutes and found heavy flames and smoke, coming from the Chambers of The Chief Justice. They immediately entered the building and aggressively started fighting the fire in the Chambers. They were joined by additional firefighters from the headquarters forming a total of 16 crew members in four firefighting trucks who attended to the scene and quickly put out the fire within 30minutes.

“Their efforts prevented the fire from spreading to the offices of His Lordship the Chief Justice and other adjacent offices,” partly read the statement.

“We are grateful that there were no injuries or lives lost. Only furniture and the AC system, inside the Chambers got burnt. We want to greatly thank the firefighters, for saving the multibillion complex and other properties in the building from getting burnt,” said Enanga in a statement.

An eye witness who preferred anonymity told our reporter that by the time the fire broke out, Justices Eldard Mwangusha and Mike Chibita had reported for duty. 

Adding that the fire broke out when a woman opened the door next to the Chief Justice’s chambers and switched on the light, which triggered a blast. The source further alleges that the fire burnt a number of vital documents in the chambers.

Jameson Karemani, the Judiciary spokesman told journalists that only one chamber has been affected and there were no causalities.

“Apart from the few things, which were burnt, no much damage was done,” said Karemani.

He said preliminary findings indicate that the fire could have emerged from a faulty air conditioning system but said that police will explain more.

Enanga said that the Director of CID, visited the scene with a team of experts from Forensics, Fire and Rescue, Electrical Engineers and Consultants to establish the cause of fire.

“A report revealing their findings will be released accordingly. We call upon the public to remain calm and further remind them to adopt better fire detection and protection measures. Remember fire can start anywhere and anytime. It is therefore, everyone’s role to fight fires,” said Enanga.

By Racheal Nuwahereza

Prof. Elijah Dickens Mushemeza, the Member of Parliament Sheema South Constituency has told teachers to stop the tendency of disturbing the President and government with demands to increase their salaries stressing that they are poor and needy and should patiently wait until government answers them.

Prof Mushemeza made the remarks during his address at Kitagata town council headquarters at a function to raise awareness about Malaria in Sheema Sub-County on Monday, where he said that most teachers have failed to know themselves that they are poor and needy and resorted to making noise that won’t help them.

‘’You teachers, its true President Museveni promised to increase your salaries but we are still in economic crisis and these things of putting President on pressure won’t work for you. By the way let me tell you open truth, those who need teaching jobs are as many as I can say, we have so many professional teachers, if you strike, we shall chase you all and employ those who need jobs” said Mushemeza.

Prof Mushemeza further intimidated teachers saying teachers that it is very hard for a poor person to make a successful strike and that whoever strikes again, he or she will be chased.

“I want to assure you in a broad day light that you can’t afford strikes. First of all you’re poor, needy and vulnerable, you can’t strike and you spend even three days at home not working,” he added.

Prof Mushemeza was a lecturer at Ankole Western University before he joined Parliament to represent people of Sheema south as an independent candidate.

During the same address, Prof Mushemeza told residents of Sheema that they should get used to the current high prices of commodities saying that it’s just the beginning adding that in a few coming months, the situation is likely to be worse.

By Racheal Nuwahereza

Taxi operators under their umbrella body; Uganda Taxi Operators Federation (UTOF) have agreed to raise transport fares across the country citing the rising fuel prices.

During their meeting held at the UTOF offices in Kampala on Thursday, UTOF approved the increment in transport fare with effect from Friday 22^nd April.

Rashid Mugenyi Sekandi, the chairperson UTOF, asked passengers not to be surprised by the increased fare but to bear with them as they unanimously agreed to increase the fares due to increased costs of operation.

“We had thought of increasing the fare starting next week but members decided that it should be effected starting tomorrow (Friday),” said Sekandi.

 “We have increased the transport fares but it is not much, for example town routes have increased by Shs500 for 20km-30km, Shs1,000 for 30km-80km, Shs2,000 for 80km-120km, then long routes have increased between 3,000 and Shs5,000 depending on the distance,” said Sekandi.

Moses Birungi, the UTOF Spokesperson, says petrol and diesel pump prices now exceed Shs5,000 per litre at many petrol stations countrywide, a situation that has left them with no choice but to increase the fares.

Sekandi also revealed that they had reached out to the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen Katumba Wamala on Monday who said that the government has no alternative on the fuel crisis.

On April 21, UTOF through a document notified the Ministry of Transport and Works (MoWT) about the changes made in the public transport service, expressing their concern about the daily increasing prices of fuel.

Nelson Ssekandi, the chairperson of Kisenyi and Namayiba bus terminal revealed that at least 95 percent of the bus owners are willing to increase the fares.

Ssekandi said that association of bus operators has called for an emergency meeting on Monday where they will engage the stake regulators and see what to do on the fares of the transport.

“We heard that the taxi operators were to increase the fares by next week.  But we as bus operators, we have a body that governs us; Uganda Bus Owners Association (UBOA). Before we increase the fares, we have to get the directors and bus operators to have a meeting first,” said Ssekandi.

Ssekandi added that Buses that move across East Africa have already increased their fares. “For example they have been charging Shs120,000 from Kampala to Nairobi now it is Shs180,000-Shs200,000.  For South Sudan, they have been charging Shs150,000, but now it is Shs200,000 all because of fuel. Passengers cannot afford the new fares across East Africa, they have now resorted to carrying cargo,” Ssekandi noted

He also appealed to the government to revise the issues of fuel prices because people are running away from business.

Responding to the call on government intervention, Suzan Kataike, the Senior Public relations officer at MoWT, said the ministry has not yet endorsed the proposal of hiking transport fares.

“We requested them to submit their proposals. It is only after they have presented the proposals that the ministry will be able to assess and come up with an agreeable position,’’ said Kataike.

By Racheal Nuwahereza

President Yoweri Museveni has pledged to contribute UGX1 billion to Fort Portal Diocese towards the Fort Portal cathedral roofing, the Virika Cathedral renovation and preparations for June 3^rd Martyr’s Day celebrations at Namugongo.

The president made this promise on Wednesday afternoon during a meeting with leaders from Kabarole and eminent members of the Fort Portal Catholic Diocese at his country home in Rwakitura, Kiruhura District.

The delegation that met and held discussions with the president was led by the Minister of Tourism, Hon. Tom Butime, Bishop of Fort Portal catholic diocese, Rt. Rev. Robert Muhiirwa, Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze (who is spearheading the mobilization exercise), the MP Fort Portal central Division, Hon. Alex Ruhunda and Monsignor Isaiah Mayombo among others.

“I am going to give you Shs1 billion for the two, i.e. the cathedral roof and Martyrs Day preparations. As a custom, the celebration of this noble event is preceded by numerous preparations with spiritual and material mobilization,” said Museveni.

Uganda Episcopal Conference selected Fort Portal Diocese to spearhead the preparations for this year’s Martyrs Day slated on June 3, 2022.

This year’s celebrations will be the second Martyrs celebrations led by the Fort Portal Diocese since 1997; 25 years ago.

Museveni’s pledge comes almost a month after Fort Portal Diocese launched a fundraising campaign to raise approximately UGX 1b it needed to lead this year’s Uganda Martyrs celebrations.

“Thank you Excellency for giving us an opportunity to meet and share with you issues of Fort portal diocese and Toro development in general. And thank you again sir for your support of UGX 1b towards Virika Cathedral Renovation and preparations for Celebration of martyr’s day at namugongo,” said Hon. Tumwebaze via his Twitter handle.

Robert Muhiirwa, the Bishop of Fort Portal Diocese, appreciated the President and revealed that the budgeted UGX1bn will cover a range of activities including liturgy, finance, protocol and security, catering, transport, construction, and decoration.

The celebrations shall be under the theme, “Baptised and sent to witness Christ with love and hope Mathew. 28:19, Romans. 8:35” which is a reflection of the way the martyrs died; they were men of faith baptized with water, but some were not yet baptized (baptism of blood).

By Racheal Nuwahereza

National Drug Authority has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Anglican Church of Uganda (COU) intended to implement a school-based drug abuse prevention program in COU-founded secondary Schools.

The launch of this partnership that happened on Wednesday coincided with the visit of Archbishop of COU, the Most Rev Dr. Samuel Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu to inspect NDA’s quality control laboratory in Mulago.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Kazimba said that the ultimate objective of this partnership is to help youths in secondary schools avoid initiation into the use of drugs and if they have already started, they are helped to stop it.

Kazimba said that drug abuse has become a global problem today especially among the youth and Africa is at cross roads as far as addressing the drug abuse problem is concerned.

While referring to the African Union report 2020, Kaziimba reechoed that Africa will experience the largest growth in numbers of drug abuse by 2050 with drug abuse in East Africa is set to increase by 150% from 2 million to about 5.5 million by 2050.

“This is a challenge to us, drug abuse is predominantly a male problem, that’s why we need to give attention to the boy child because if we don’t we are losing,” he said.

Kaziimba revealed that males account for 90% of people getting drug abuse treatment.

Hellen Ndagije, the NDA head of product safety revealed that Kuba is the most common drug used in schools this is being packed in small packs and smuggled into schools.

She said the available drugs being used are in the form of biscuits, and sweets, and they are smuggled into schools.

She noted that the campaign which the organization has initiated in partnership with the church of Uganda will go a long way in curbing the vice.

Dr. Medard Bitekyerezo, the NDA Board Chairperson, noted that NDA has been deploying a multi-pronged approach including; creating and enhancing collaborations, physical and virtual engagements, use of information, Education and Communication tools and conducting research to end drug and substance abuse.

He said that the COU has for a long time exhibited strong stand against drug and substance abuse in its teachings, adding that they have been working with COU especially with the Northern Uganda Diocese to end the problem especially among the youths.

The MOU expects to widen NDA’s collaboration with the Anglican Church which notably has over 13 million believers in Uganda and is affiliated with several other institutions including schools, universities and media platforms.

“Faith based institutions are well positioned to reach almost all Ugandans as most of Ugandans have a religious inclination,” said Bitekyerezo.

In 2015, Uganda signed and ratified the United Nations (UN) Narcotic Convention, and passed a narcotic law which criminalizes substance abuse.

By Racheal Nuwahereza

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has endorsed Andrew Ojok Oulanyah, the son of the late Jacob Oulanyah as flag bearer for the Omoro Parliamentary seat ahead of the by-elections.

In a meeting organized by the NRM secretariat led by Richard Todwong, the NRM secretary general, held at the president’s country home in Rwakitura, Kiruhura district on Tuesday, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Chairman of NRM held discussions with the leaders over the Omoro county constituency by-election.

During the meeting between President Museveni, the District executive committee, the aspirants, cultural, religious and opinion leaders from Omoro District, the five aspirants were given an opportunity to sell their candidature and the other four aspirants from the NRM agreed to step down in favour of the late Oulanyah’s son to continue with his father’s term in the August house, leaving him unopposed in the party.

This decision indicates that NRM will not hold any primaries for the Omoro seat.

“We have been interacting with them and have engaged them to have one person. Cultural leaders and religious leaders have participated in the mediation process,” revealed Todwong.

The aspirants included, Ojok Andrew Oulanyah, Okello Douglas Peter (current LCV chairperson), Olal Obong, Acellam Ben, and Okello Francis.

The president commended leaders from Omoro district for mediating the four aspirants and also thanked the aspirants for listening to their leaders, putting the party first before themselves and agreeing to step aside for a smooth process. Adding it is a matter of decency but also avoiding wastage of time.

“People get tired of endless elections. If Oulanyah had not died, we would not have elections in that area until 2026. If there is a sentiment that one of the children of Oulanyah stands in for him and for us, I think it is really decent to support his son to complete the father’s term. Let the boy go. If he is given a chance and he doesn’t perform in the remaining 3 years, you can come and compete with him in 2026,” said Museveni.

In the recently released programme for by-election of Member of Parliament for Omoro County Constituency, Omoro District, the Electoral Commission stated that the nomination of candidates will be conducted at Omoro district council hall between May 12 – 13, 2022 and campaigns will run from May 16 to 24, 2022 before elections are held on May 26.

The Omoro County Constituency Parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of the former Member of Parliament and former Speaker of Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah on March, 20, 2022 in Seattle, USA where he had been admitted.

By Racheal Nuwahereza

The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries has revealed intentions to procure and distribute over 3,001 litres of the recommended pesticides and appropriate gear required to beat back the raging African army worm invasion that has devastated crops in many parts of the country.

Fred Bwino Kyakulaga, the State Minister for Agriculture, said that the ministry has contacted various distributors of the relevant pesticides and advised them to ensure that enough stocks exist in the country especially nearer the affected communities to control the pest.

Kyakulaga revealed that one litre of pesticide which costs about UGX 20,000 can effectively contain one acre of affected crop/ pasture land. Adding that the government will continue to conduct surveillance and monitoring of the pest, with a view of minimizing its buildup and potential full-blown epidemic.

“Ministry Crop Inspectors have been dispatched to various affected districts to verify reports, establish the pest status as well as provide guidance to the district staff and farmers on the control measures,” said Kyakulaga in a statement.

In the Tuesday plenary sitting, Members of Parliament tasked Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja to present a report on the African armyworms that are ravaging crop gardens across the country and threatening food security in the country asking for immediate action to be taken by government.

Information received by the House indicates that more than 47 districts across the country including; Mukono, Wakiso, Katakwi, Bukedea, Bugweri, Serere, Busia, Bugiri, Mityana, Kiryandongo, Namutumba, Kumi, Luwero, Kasese, Masindi, Soroti, Nakapiripirit, Bulambuli, and Hoima have among others been invaded by the African armyworms that have left several acres of maize, millet and sorghum gardens destroyed.

In response, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja said that on Monday, cabinet got the report from the Minister of Agriculture about the issue and they came up with some resolutions, among which is the provision of pesticides to the different districts that have been affected.

Nabbanja appealed to MPs to support government in the fight against the armyworm in the different areas.

Dr. Stephen Byatwale, the commissioner in-charge of crop protection department in the Ministry of Agriculture recently said that the African Armyworm is a migratory moth suspected to have migrated from neighbouring countries renowned for higher temperatures into Uganda as a result of the climate change that the country is currently experiencing. Adding that the moth whose larvae stage is pest (army worm) causes a lot of losses to cereals.

“The caterpillars move in large numbers, attacking crop fields and that invasions are mostly common at the onset of the wet season. They feed on cereals including; maize, millet, sorghum and pastures. It has also been observed to also feed on sugarcane and wheat. In maize and other cereals, yield loss as a result of caterpillar feeding goes up to 100%,” he said.

The worst outbreak of the armyworm was reported in Kenya and Tanzania in 2001, where at least 157,000 hectares of cereals were destroyed.

By Racheal Nuwahereza

President Yoweri Museveni has described the deceased former speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah as a great cadre of the ruling NRM party who used his talents well to benefit the country and made an impact at his young age.

While addressing mourners on Wednesday at Kololo independence grounds, Museveni said: “As NRM, we started dealing with Oulanyah when he was the chairperson of the Parliamentary legal committee. Although he was still in UPC, we noticed him and saw that he had potential. We supported him to take up the duties of Deputy Speaker, he took that time to multiply his talents. He used his talents well. He was a good orator .He was hardworking. Losing Oulanyah now is a big loss. He was somebody who was coming up and the country was going to get a lot of benefits from him.”

According to the president, many governments before the ruling NRM government, tried to solve the problems in Northern Uganda that dated back to 1966 and failed, Oulanyah sped it up when he was voted as the NRM vice chairperson for Northern Uganda last year.

“He had already done good job in uniting northern Uganda. It had been messed up by bad politics. When he became vice chairperson, in short time he had deepened unity. I need to salute Oulanyah and commend him as an example. He broke away from sectarian politics of opposition and made good contribution to the country,” said Museveni.

The president also warned against tribalism that had started to manifest itself following Oulanyah’s death.

“I don’t want to hear talk of northern. He was not speaker of north but Uganda. When you hear opportunists talking of northern Uganda, tell them to shut up. NRM supported him not because he was this or that but because was good cadre. He would never have won if NRM didn’t support him. Ugandans supported him because of his patriotism and pan Africanism and not because of his clan,” said Museveni.

“We have lost so many people, from 1972 when we fought Amin to 1986. I know more about the pain of losing people. However, instead of crying, we said we must continue and succeed so that those who died did not do so in vain. Let us succeed for Jacob Oulanyah,” he said.

“I want to salute the Chief Justice for the idea of the Oulanyah Education Fund. Instead of just crying and mourning, you should be looking at how to help the children. Government will contribute to that fund so that the children continue,” said Museveni.

He added that parliament has resolved that every March 23, which is Oulanyah’s birthday will be honoured as the Jacob Oulanyah Memorial Lecture Day. 

By Racheal Nuwahereza

Oulanyah succumbed to multi organ failure -Dr Jane Ruth Aceng

Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, the Minister of health has confirmed in a brief medical report that the former speaker of the 11th parliament Jacob Oulanyah succumbed to multiple organ failure.

In a report presented during the special sitting at Parliamentary on Tuesday, Aceng informed parliament that Oulanyah’s ill health started in 2019 when he discovered a big swelling in the neck.

“He took it upon himself to seek medical attention in Germany where the swelling was analyzed and established to be cancerous. It was removed and he was started on treatment which he finished at the Uganda Cancer Institute,” said Aceng.

Aceng however says after he had completed treatment for this swelling, he later developed some challenges during the lockdown and election period when he was unable to be in hospital.

“On 23 January January 2022, he was admitted to Mulago Hospital for twoo weeks and during that time, he was being prepared to travel to get gene therapy treatment known as the CART-Cell which did not require more chemotherapy which had suppressed the bone marrow,” she said.

Aceng added that tests were carried out, biopsy tissues recalled for further analysis and the bone marrow analyzed.

Aceng revealed in thisreport that the heart failed, the lungs failed and the kidney failed.

“The liver started failing while he was still in Uganda and the lungs started collecting fluid. The heart and the kidney started failing while in Seattle, USA” said Aceng.

Aceng also revealed that while in Makerere, Oulanyah sustained an injury during a student strike there which led to the loss of his spleen (an organ for manufacturing red blood cells) which resulted into splenectomy.  

He had lymphatic system depletion and challenges with stem cell, poor immune system response because of chemotherapy.

“These were also contributory conditions which included lymphatic system depletion. We had multiple bacterial infections discovered here and several viral infections discovered in Seattle and unfortunately, the treatment for viral infection further suppressed the bone marrow,” said Aceng.

“He started having gastrointestinal bleeding because of lack of platelets and we couldn’t stop the bleeding, he also had drug resistant bacteria which is usually hospital-acquired when you spend long in the hospital,” she revealed.

All this resulted from Progressive Recurrent Defused Large B Cell Lymphomia; a type of cancer and the chemo he received.

Oulanyah passed away on March 20 at the University of Washington Medical Centre, Seattle, USA where he had been taken to receive specialized medical care.