By Racheal Nuwahereza

Robert Menendez, the Chairperson of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations has petitioned President Joe Biden asking him to withdraw an invite to President Museveni ahead of the 2022 US-Africa Leaders’ summit over alleged violation of human rights in Uganda.

In a letter dated March 28, 2022, Menendez also wants Lt Gen  Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the  Commander of the Land Forces in the UPDF, also son to Museveni sanctioned by the US for his alleged participation in the torture of novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaijja.

Menendez states despite Lt Gen Muhoozi denying knowing who Kakwenza is, Rukirabashaijja, firmly alleges that Muhoozi personally participated in at least one interrogation session.

Citing the 2021 general elections, Menendez claims opposition candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu was tortured and illegally detained alongside other party members and leaders adding that Museveni has long relied on torture, violence and illegal detention to punish his critics.

He adds that no one has been held accountable for numerous instances of other security force abuses such as the 2016 Kasese massacre in which more than 100 men, women, children were killed or the 2020 killing of the 54 civilians protesting the arrest of Robert Kyagulanyi during the course of his election campaign.

Menendez also argues that President Museveni has on two occassions changed the constitution to remain in power, overlooked democratic processes, turned a blind eye to rampant corruption, and subjected civil society, political leaders to illegal detention, violence and torture with impunity.

“Mr President, if the outcome of the elections in Uganda does not reflect the will of the people, I will be calling for the Biden administration to re-evaluate our relationship with the Museveni administration. Uganda’s stature and importance as a security partner should not prevent the United States from speaking out in support of democracy, and taking action in support of those Ugandans fighting for democratic freedoms,” said Menendez in a Senate record statement about safeguarding democracy in Uganda.

“Despite this troubling track record, Uganda remains one of the top recipients of US foreign aid and security assistance. While the US has issued statements and expressions of concern after human rights violations come to light, such statements are insufficient. Personal targeted sanctions would have greater impact,” Menendez added.

Menendez now wants the US to sanction all Ugandan officials implicated in the violation of human rights, eliminate army officers from any form of training with US army, and also sanction the individuals running detention facilities where Ugandans are illegally kept.

He says that recent sanctions against Gen Kale Kayihura and Maj Gen Abel Kandiho came a little too late and could not necessarily impact.

Uganda has of recent accused the West, especially the US government of meddling into its affairs.

By Racheal Nuwahereza

The suspended Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Airlines; Cornwell Muleya has written to Waiswa Bageya, the airline interim Chairman Board of Governors and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) indicating that he will take legal action against the airline over unlawful suspension and termination of his employment contract.

In April 2021, Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, the minister MoWT, suspended a number of senior managers at the airline for at least three months. The 13 affected top managers included the CEO Muleya.

This was on the orders of the President Museveni to pave the way for investigations into allegations of financial mismanagement, collusion and nepotism in staff recruitment among other issues.

After nine months on suspension, interim board of directors chaired by Bageya, took the decision to terminate the CEO’s contract and that of the director commercial and procurement, Rogers Wamara on February 18, 2022.

The decision to terminate their contracts came weeks after Auditor General, John Muwanga, noted in his latest audit report that Uganda Airlines was losing billions due to the delayed conclusions of the suspension cases.

Muleya says he shouldn’t have been suspended and terminated without following proper procedures of the law adding that he was not accorded an opportunity to respond to the allegations nor was he heard before sending him on leave of absence.

According to a notice from his lawyers Muwema & Co Advocates dated March 28, 2022, Muleya is seeking UGX 3.5 billion in damages, payment arrears and other costs from the airline, failure of which will lead to a legal challenge.

“Despite the above glaring irregularities, our client was directed to keep away from the company premises without any lawful or just cause. Investigation into alleged mismanagement by our client never took place. In fact, no investigation report has ever been produced to this end,” said Muleya through his lawyers.

Muleya explains that whereas his employment contract provided for dismissal from employment on grounds of serious misconduct or gross negligence, it did not provide for termination.

The lawyers noted that their client never furnished with the particulars and nature of his offense which contravened regulation 1(11) (a) of the disciplinary code Under Schedule 1 of the Employment Act 2006 adding that his suspension was illegal because it exceeded the maximum period of four weeks allowed under Section 63 (2) of the Employment Act, 2006.

Through his lawyers, Muleya now wants immediate reinstatement as the Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Airlines, an unconditional apology for material inconvenience, reputational damage and the loss he suffered.

Muleya who had been earning UGX 60 million per month inclusive of allowances and other benefits wants the airline to pay him UGX 3.5 billion in damages and other costs including salary arrears. 

By Racheal Nuwahereza

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces engineering brigade is racing against time to complete construction works on the multi-billion mansion of former Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah in Ayom Lony village, Lalogi Sub-county, Omoro district.

Douglas Peter Okello, the chairperson LCV Omoro district, said they are hoping to ensure that the body is housed in the mansion, in a presentable condition, as the funeral ceremonies are underway toward April 8th when his body will laid to rest.

The Acholi parliamentary caucus has through Lillian Aber, the Kitgum Woman MP refuted media reports that the unfinished country home for the late speaker Oulanyah is hampering the return of his body from the United States of America.

Meanwhile, the law under the 2011 Parliamentary Pension’s Amendment (No.2) Act stipulates a number of benefits the spouse of the speaker will enjoy following his demise.

According to Parliamentary Pensions (Amendment) Act 2011, schedule 4(c) the spouse of or spouses of the speaker is entitled to a monthly allowance equivalent to 60% of the monthly allowance payable to the deceased speaker.

She is also entitled to a one four-wheel chauffeur driven car with a cubic capacity of 3500 to 4000, two security guards and two domestic staff.

The spouse of the late speaker is also entitled to a health insurance policy of up to fourteen currency points per month. According to the act, currency point is equivalent to twenty thousand shillings which means the spouse will get UGX 280,000 as monthly insurance.

The Parliamentary Pensions Act, 2007 section 16 (a) (b) provides that “where a member dies when he or she is not eligible for pension under this act, his or her spouse or children shall be paid; a refund of the contributions calculated with interest and a gratuity amounting to two years annual salary based on the last salary earned by the member before his or her death.”

56 year old Oulanyah was last week announced dead by President Museveni from a Seattle based hospital in the United States where he had been admitted since February.

Government has through National Organizing committee revealed that the body of the deceased will land at Entebbe International Airport on Friday 1^st April.

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.