2020 NEWS TODAY – KMAUPDATES

Jun62020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

UGANDA: President Museveni has sacked the Executive Director NIRA.

KAMPALA — Ms. Judy Obitre Gama, the Executive Director National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) who has been at the helm of the Authority since 2015, will not have her contract renewed on the orders of President Yoweri Museveni. This website understands that Ms. Gama’s contract expires on July 15, 2020. In a May 18th, 2020 letter to Internal Affairs Minister, Jeje Odongo, President Museveni directs that a new executive Director with Legal or Information Technology background be identified to head the Authority. “I’m, therefore, directing you to work with the Board of directors of NIRA and identify a suitable candidate, consult me before, a final decision is reached on the matter, ” the President. Gama’s reign at the Authority has been bogged by several issues ...

Jun32020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

UGANDA: Four shot dead in a cattle raid attempt, Kaabong District.

AFRICA, CRIME, KENYA, UGANDA

KAABONG – At least four Kenyan Turkana pastoralists have been killed in the fight with the UPDF soldiers in Kaabong district. While addressing journalists on Wednesday morning at the division headquarters in Moroto, Major Peter Mugisa, the UPDF 3rd division Spokesperson said the raiders were killed on Tuesday, June 2 at 11pm as they attempted the steal animals in one of the protected kraals in Kamion Sub County in Kaabong district. He said the army failed the raid and one gun was recovered from the rustlers. “We had got intelligence information about their coming to raid animals in Kamion, so they came knowing the UPDF was not aware of their coming, they reached near the kraal but after noticing that UPDF had taken cover one of them shot one bullet which did not get our solider prom...

Jun32020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

UGANDA: Justice Kavuma appointed as new Aviation board chairman.

AFRICA, FEATURE STORIES, UGANDA

President Museveni has appointed former deputy Chief Justice Steven Kavuma as the new board chairman of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The appointment of Justice Kavuma was announced earlier today by Information and ICT minister, Judith Nabakooba. "It is true cabinet on Monday, approved Justice Kavuma as the board chair for Civil Aviation Authority for a three-year contract," Ms Nabakooba said by telephone on Wednesday morning. Justice Kavuma replaces Eng Edward Mike Ndawula, whose three-year term lapsed last month. Other board members who were approved by Cabinet include; Mr Lubowa Moses Paul ,Ms Ethel Kamba, Dr Alayo Ocero, Mr Thomas James Kiggundu, Mr James Kubeketerya, Ms Angela Kiryabwire Kanyima and Mr Musoke Zubairi. Ms Kiryabwire and Mr Kubeketerya were ...

Jun32020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

UGANDA: Another Ugandan shot dead at Rwanda border

AFRICA, CRIME, RWANDA, UGANDA

KABALE – A Ugandan businessman was on Monday shot dead by Rwanda security forces in Rwerere parish, Burera district, about 5km from the Uganda-Rwanda border. Warren Musekura, a resident of Kagogo village Bigagga parish Butanda sub county Kabale district, was reportedly killed while smuggling match boxes into Rwanda. The brother, Sidini Muhereza, confirmed the news, saying that fellow traders close to the border had informed him about the incident. However, he demanded that the deceased’s body is returned to Uganda for burial. “We appeal to the Rwandan government officials to handover the body of our deceased relative for a decent burial. The deceased has a wife and 5 children,” Muhereza said on Wednesday, June 3, 2020. The Kabale District chairman, Mr Patrick Besigye Keihwa...

Jun22020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

UGANDA: ‘People Power’ President, Bobi Wine unveils own electoral commission team ahead of 2021 polls.

AFRICA, Politics, UGANDA

KAMPALA – Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine on Tuesday, June 2, 2020, unveiled an 11-member team he said will manage the People Power Movement electoral commission ahead of the 2021 general election. Bobi Wine told the team at the People Power Movement headquarters in Kampala that what they have offered themselves to is not an easy task. “Comrades as we welcome you, I wanted first and foremost let you know that we’re in a charged mood. I want to thank the comrades that have offered themselves for this task. It is not an easy task at all. I have said this before and I repeat it again that we are leaders to serve and not to boast around. People Power is literally the power of the people. We have said it before, we retaliate it that the problem of Uganda is bad governanc...

Jun22020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

AMERICA: TV, radio and music industries mark ‘Blackout Tuesday’ after George Floyd.

Entertainment, FEATURE STORIES, George Floyd

BBC Radio 1Xtra is hosting a series of discussions and debates in support of the black community, with song choices that reflect black pride and identity. Many record labels and music stars have gone quiet to observe the initiative. MTV will go silent for eight minutes - the length of time a white police officer knelt on Mr Floyd's neck. The gesture will be replicated on other channels including VH1 and Comedy Central, while 4 Music will pause its output once an hour throughout the day. There will also be moments of reflection on BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2, while commercial radio stations including Kiss, Magic and Absolute Radio are observing a social media blackout "to show that racism of any kind cannot be tolerated". ITV daytime show This Morning briefly went dark, showing ...

Jun22020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

AMERICA: Floyd Mayweather offers to pay for George Floyd funerals.

AMERICA, FEATURE STORIES

Former five-division world champion Floyd Mayweather has offered to cover the funeral costs for George Floyd, who died while being restrained by Minneapolis police. Protests have been held in the US and worldwide after Floyd, an unarmed black man, died while being pinned down by white police officer Derek Chauvin. Chauvin, who kneeled on Floyd's neck, has been charged with his murder. Several US reports say Floyd's family have accepted Mayweather's offer. A "distraught" Mayweather, 43, will pay for funeral services in Houston - George's hometown - Minnesota and Charlotte. His family are also looking to hold a fourth funeral, which Mayweather has also offered to cover, according to Hollywood Unlocked."He'll probably get mad at me for saying that, but yes, he is definitely pa...

Jun22020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

UGANDA: Jinja RDC, Eric Sakwa loses case to block interdiction.

AFRICA, FEATURE STORIES, UGANDA

Court in Jinja has dismissed a case in which Jinja Resident District Commissioner, Mr Eric Joseph Sakwa was challenging his interdiction after being charged with an alleged criminal offences.On April 24 this year, Mr Sakwa was charged and remanded to Kirinya Prison over accusations of manslaughter in connection with the death of Jinja businessman Charles Isanga. He is jointly charged with Bazimbyewa Bumali also known as Chris Umar Dindodi a mechanic and Mohammed Simba alias Meddie, a businessman in Jinja.High Court Judge Jeanne Rwakakooko ruled that Mr Sakwa, though appointed by the President in accordance with the Constitution, is a Public Officer and bound by the Public Service Standing Orders. The Public Service Standing Orders of 2010 defines interdiction as “the temporary removal ...

Jun22020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

UGANDA: Only 60 people to attend this year’s Martyrs Day celebrations.

AFRICA, FEATURE STORIES, UGANDA

The annual Martyrs day celebration will be attended by only 60 people, this year. This is the only number expected at both the Church of Uganda and Catholic shrines in Namugongo on Wednesday, June 3 as the country maintains restrictions on public gatherings as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Dr Steven Kaziimba Mugalu has invited only 40 people to attend the annual prayers, these are mostly bishops from other dioceses. The revelation was made by the Bishop of Namirembe Diocese Rt. Rev. Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira during an on-site visit to the shrine on Monday. In previous years, millions of people from within and outside Uganda, thronged both the Anglican and Catholic shrines to commemorate the martyrs, a brave group of young m...

Jun22020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

BUSINESS: MTN Uganda ordered to pay UGX. 44.2b over flouting mobile money taxes.

Business, FEATURE STORIES, UGANDA

KAMPALA – MTN Uganda has been ordered to pay the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) UGX. 44.2 billion in two separate court cases that could forever define how telecoms pay their taxes. In one case, MTN will pay UGX. 24.2 billion, on the dispute on taxing airtime and pay UGX. 20 billion, in another where the dispute involves taxing inputs for telecom services and mobile money. The Tax Appeals Tribunal (TAT) ruled on May 28, 2020, in the first case involving MTN Uganda against URA on how taxes applying to airtime should be assessed. MTN sought to change where the tax on airtime should be charged. Take the case of 10,000 cards, MTN argued it sells airtime at 8,000 Shillings to an agent and that therefore the tax should be applied at that level. URA also argued that tax must be applied ...

Jun12020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

SPORTS: Manchester United extend Odion Ighalo’s loan to January

ENGLAND, Soccer, Sports

Ighalo, 30, joined United in January from Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua, initially until 31 May. There is no option for the Premier League club to buy the Nigeria international. "It's been a dream for him and hopefully he can finish what he started and win a trophy with us," said United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. "Shanghai Shenua have been great towards us, allowing him to play for his dream club." Ighalo has scored four times in eight appearances for the Old Trafford side, including a goal in the 5-0 Europa League win over LASK on 12 March, which was United's last competitive match before the season was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Premier League season is set to resume on 17 June. United are fifth in the table, three points behind ...

Jun12020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

AFRICA: UPDF shoots dead four South Sudanese soldiers for illegally crossing into Uganda

AFRICA, CORONAVIRUS, SOUTH SUDAN, UGANDA, updf

KAMPALA – Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) leadership says four Sudanese People Liberation Army soldiers have been shot dead in a clash with the UPDF in Moyo district, north of the country. Ugandan army says South Sudanese national forces illegally crossed into Ugandan territory in total violation of the law and declined to follow instructions when confronted. UPDF Spokesman Brig Richard Karemire says the soldiers have dressed in civilian uniform apart from one who had uniform “but were all armed and walked about 1.5 Kms into Uganda until they were spotted at Goboro by UPDF officers.” “When stopped, they refused to follow orders, the UPDF soldiers guarding the border opened fire killing 04 instantly,” Karemire says. “The rest ran and crossed back to the other s...

Jun12020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

UGANDA: High Court pays Nakasero Mosque UGX. 50m compensation for illegal security raid

AFRICA, FEATURE STORIES, UGANDA

KAMPALA – High Court Judge Musa Ssekaana has awarded Shs50m to Nakasero Mosque Administration for the illegal and unlawful raid on them by Security Operatives without a search warrant in 2016. Two People; Siraje Kifampa, the then Public Relations Officer and Yusuf Musa Musuda, an Imam at the said Mosque sued government challenging the security raid that occured on December 27, 2016 at a place of worship for the Jammiyaat Daawa Asaalafiyah Muslim Community in Kampala. Through their lawyer Isaac Ssemakadde, the applicants argued that the operatives forced themselves inside the mosque with no search warrant and indiscriminately battered and arrested whoever was found inside the mosque’s compound. Its against this background that Justice Ssekaana ruled that the actions by the operati...

May312020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

AFRICA: Gunmen kill 20 at cattle market’ in Kompienga, Burkina Faso.

AFRICA, Burkina Faso, CRIME

At least 20 people have been killed in eastern Burkina Faso when gunmen stormed a cattle market, reports say. Gunmen on motorbikes fired into the crowded market in Kompienga town in the middle of the day on Saturday, eyewitnesses were quoted as saying by local media. It is unclear who was behind the attack. Burkina Faso has seen a sharp rise in jihadist violence and inter-communal clashes in recent months. The violence has forced hundreds of thousand of people to flee their homes. On Friday at least 15 people were killed when suspected Islamist militants attacked a convoy of traders in the north, near the border with Mali. The government blamed the attack on "terrorists", a phrase usually used to the al-Qaeda and Islamic State-linked jihadists Burkina Faso has been battl...

May312020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

EUROPE: Belgian Prince Joachim tests positive to Covid-19 after lock-down party.

Belgium, CORONAVIRUS, COVID-19, EUROPE

Prince Joachim, 28, travelled from Belgium to Spain for an internship on 26 May, the palace said. Two days later, he went to a party in the southern city of Córdoba, before testing positive for Covid-19. Spanish reports suggest the prince, a nephew of Belgium's King Philippe, was among 27 people at the party. Under Córdoba's lockdown rules, a party of this size would be a breach of regulations, as gatherings of no more than 15 people are currently permitted. Spanish police have launched an investigation into the party. Those found to have flouted lockdown rules could be fined up to €10,000 (£9,000; $11,100). Everyone who attended the party is said to be in quarantine. Prince Joachim, the youngest son of Princess Astrid and 10th in line to the Belgian throne, is said to have...

May312020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

EAST AFRICA: Kenya, Uganda scramble to clear Malaba border crisis.

AFRICA, COVID-19, EAST AFRICA, KENYA, UGANDA

Despite an agreement arrived at on Wednesday by government officials from Kenya and Uganda on the process of Covid-19 testing for truckers at the common border, an association for Kenyan truck drivers on Thursday advised its members to suspend services until both governments address stigma and harassment. Secretary-general of the Kenyan truckers union Nicholas Mbugua said on Thursday: “There is no safety agreement between Kenya and Uganda and yet drivers are being coerced by police officers to cross over to Uganda. We demand to be guaranteed the safety of our drivers in Uganda.” Speaking at the union’s offices in Mlolongo, Mr Mbugua said the drivers were tired of ‘’unbearable humiliation drivers were subjected to in Uganda”. The truckers had blocked the Kenyan side of the border ...

May312020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

UGANDA: Police operations director AIGP Asuman Mugenyi quits.

AFRICA, FEATURE STORIES, UGANDA, Uganda Police Force

The director of Operations Services in the Police Force, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Asuman Mugenyi has officially quit the institution he has served for over 32 years. AIGP Mugenyi served his last day in police uniform on Friday, May 29 and has since handed over to his deputy Senior Commissioner of Police (SCP) John Nuwagiira. Although earlier reports indicated that AIGP Mugenyi had been suspended and others claiming he had been fired, police spokesperson, Mr Fred Enanga, clarified that he had served his contract. “He simply observed his contract to the end,” said the Police spokesperson.Mr Mugenyi becomes the fifth AIGP to quit the institution in the last three years. Two months ago, AIGP Steven Kasiima, who was director traffic and road safety was forced ou...

May312020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

AFRICA: Rwanda confirms first COVID-19 death.

AFRICA, COVID-19, HEALTH, RWANDA

KIGALI — Rwanda has on Saturday May 31 recorded the first coronavirus death. The country’s Ministry of Health says the deceased is a 65-year old truck driver who was residing in a neighbouring country. “After seriously falling ill, the patient decided to return to his home country,” the ministry wrote without specifying the country. “He received intensive care treatment at a specialized COVID-19 facility but unfortunately passed away due to severe respiratory complications,” Rwanda’s Ministry of Health wrote As of May 30, 2020, the coronavirus tally of confirmed cases in Rwanda stands at 359 of which 250 have fully recovered and discharged from the hospital. The active cases according to latest update stand at 108. So far Rwanda has eased a nationwide Covid-19 lockdown, ...

May312020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

CORONAVIRUS: Uganda registers highest single-day COVID-19 cases.

AFRICA, CORONAVIRUS, HEALTH, UGANDA

KAMPALA – Uganda has on Saturday, May 30 recorded 84 new COVID-19 cases, the highest number the country has registered in a single day. This brings the total confirmed cases now to 413. According to the ministry of health, 52 new cases are truck drivers of whom 50 arrived from South Sudan via Elegu, while 2 arrived from Kenya via Busia. “32 of the new confirmed cases are contacts to previously confirmed cases. All were under quarantine at the time of test,” said the ministry. The ministry says that samples from Points of Entry tested were 1,477 and those from alerts and contacts were 358. “Total samples tested today: 1,835.” The ministry also revealed that total recoveries are now 72. Additionally, 51 positive foreign truck drivers were handed over to their country of or...

May302020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

AMERICA: Backlash after Trump signals US exit from WHO

CORONAVIRUS, COVID-19, united states of america

President Donald Trump has been criticised at home and abroad after announcing he is ending US ties with the World Health Organization (WHO). The EU urged him to reconsider the decision, while Germany's health minister called it a "disappointing setback for international health". The head of the US Senate's health committee, a Republican like Mr Trump, said now was not the time to leave. Mr Trump said the WHO had failed to hold China to account over coronavirus. The WHO, a UN agency that helps countries promote healthcare and tackle outbreaks of disease, has faced regular criticism from the US president over its handling of the outbreak. He suspended US funding to the WHO last month and on Friday permanently halted the payment, which last year stood at more than $400m (£324...