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.