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By Wilber Muhwezi Kasibante

www.mknewslink.com

In Bushenyi—

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By Our Reporter

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In Kampala

Members of Uganda national teachers union (UNATU) have asked leaders on various levels of government to stop intimidating them but instead focus on having teachers’ conditions improved.

The UNATU secretary Philbert Baguma at a press told journalists that they have received reports that RDCs, DISOs and other different officials have started threatening teachers in order to quit the demonstration or else they will face repercussions.

“Nobody should intimidate teachers who are on lawful cause; those trying to do so I advise them to stop because because threatening may cause this situation worse,” Baguma said.

He also called upon all head teachers not to allow students in schools during this period because if anything happens to students, it will be them held accountable.

“As it has been done for other sectors it should also be done to us because we are willing to go back to classes on empty promises as we have been doing,” added Baguma.

He asked the government to engage them physically not by media to threaten them.

The chairman National Organization of Free trade Unions (COFTU) Turyamureba Milton, assured the teachers that they have a legal team on standby to defend any teacher who will be attacked in the course of exercising their rights.

On government claims that it is prioritizing infrastructure first, Turyamureeba said that the problem has not been lack of resources but how they are located.

Remember today 23th may2019 make a 5^th day of teachers in an industrial action.

The government needs to first address the issues of corruption because funds are there but they end up being misappropriated and swindled by corrupt officials.

On Monday this week as some schools opened for the second term, teachers are still sticking on the issue of salary increment as it was promised by the government.

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By Our Reporter

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In Kampala

The Chairman Electoral Commissioner Justice Simon Byamukama has warned politicians and political aspirants who are trying to engage in activities of campaign early.

The justice warned on Wednesday when he was in a press briefing held at the commission headquarters in Kampala.

He said that despite the commission having launched the roadmap of 2021 general elections last year, it does not permit individuals to start campaigning now.

“We have noted a number of politicians aspiring for various elective positions in the General election 2021. They started conducting public meetings supposedly to consult the electorate in preparation for their candidature in 2021 elections,” he said.

He also pointed out that some aspirants are organizing campaign meetings and rallies putting up posters, distributing campaign materials and soliciting campaign votes contrary to the complain period set out in the campaign roadmap issued by the electoral commission.

Mr. Byamukama hence urged all the aspirants and stake holders to acquaint themselves with the relevant laws, in order to appreciate and comply with the electoral laws and guidelines issued.

According to the chairman, the commission is currently separating electoral areas for representation at local governments in districts where new sub counties/towns were created after 2016 general elections.

www.mknewslink.com a greater western Uganda news website
Email: wmuhwezi75@gmail.com
Tel: +25670268010

By Our Reporter

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In Kampala

The Inter Party Organization for Dialogue (IPOD) summit has agreed to fast track the implementation of proposed Public Order Management Act (POMA) regulations that were proposed by the IPOD council a while back.

The regulations are likely to be passed two months from now and will be studied by the National Security Council team.

In the same matter, the Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda who is also the chairperson of the National Consultative Forum will consult with IPOD to finalize the conduct of political parties.

The summit also unanimously agreed to allocate 35 billion shillings towards financing political parties in parliament.

Effective FY 2019/2020, the leaders resolved, this money will be paid towards meeting the operational costs of these entities.

Public finance to political parties has previously been a paltry 10 billion shillings.

While delivering a joint communiqué yesterday night, Hon. Norbert Mao the Democratic Party president and summit chairperson said a formula on how to share the money has been set up.

He said all parties with parliamentary representation will receive an equal share for the day to day running of party headquarters and branches while 15% of these funds shall be set aside for the IPOD secretariat.

The summit was attended by Hon. Norbert Mao of the Democratic Party (DP), President Yoweri Museveni the National Resistance Movement (NRM) chairman, Hon. Jimmy Akena the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) president and Hon. Mohammed Kibirige Mayanja who represented Asuman Basaliirwa.

The summit also accepted the draft bill on regulation of independent candidates in a multi-party setting.

Part of this bill demands that individuals seeking to run as independents should resign publicly from their mother parties a year before elections.

The summit heads also called for the recognition of party heads with parliamentary representation.

www.mknewslink.com a greater western Uganda news website
Email: wmuhwezi75@gmail.com
Tel: +256702680106

By Our Reporter

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In Kampala

Bank of Uganda (BoU) last week threw out conflicted city lawyers of Lule and Sebalu advocates and instead appointed Joseph Byamugisha to represent them in the recent suit that was filed by city business mogul Sudhir Ruparelia.

In a notice dated May 17, 2019 to the High Court, BoU said Dr. Byamugisha had been appointed as their attorney. Last month, Commercial Court kicked out Sebalu & Lule Advocates, who were on April 29, declared conflicted and therefore unfit to represent BoU in a longstanding commercial dispute.

However, sources say Byamugisha who is also a close ally of Sebalu and Lule Advocates was seconded by Deputy Governor Louis Kasekende. In the twist of events, www.mknewslink.com has reliably learnt Counsel Timothy K. Masembe of MMKAS Advocate who was a lawyer for Dr. Byamugisha during his tenure when was an external lawyer for National Social Security Fund had participated heavily in having Byamugisha replace Lule and Sebalu.

According to sources, Masembe who is a close confidant of Dr. Kasekende played an inportant role to have Byamugisha appointed BoU lawyer in the current case involving city businessman Sudhir Ruparelia.

As a recap, in December 2017, the Commercial Court disqualified city lawyers Masembe and Mr David Mpanga from the Sh397 billion BoU case against Sudhir Ruparelia, also citing conflict of interest, thus acted in violation of the Advocates (Professional Conduct) regulations.

www.mknewslink.com has also reliably learnt that Dr. Byamugisha was a legal counsel for Mr. Masembe representing him on the transaction of the legal fees that were paid by BoU during the Crane bank takeover.

Byamugisha who also comes from Kabale district like BoU Governor Emmanuel Mutebile is also a member of well networked group of influential individuals who hail from same district. He is expected to battle lawyers from Kampala Associated Advocates that represents Sudhir.

The Central Bank in October 2016 closed Crane Bank Limited, previously one of the best performing banks before controversially transferring it DFCU Bank in January 2017 for a paltry Shs200 billion. The central bank has since come under the spotlight after the closure of Crane Bank Ltd backfired with both Parliament and the Auditor General faulting the BoU officials in the middle of the transaction.

Deputy Registrar of the Commercial Court Festo Nsenga on Monday April 29, 2019 delivered a ruling in which city businessman Sudhir Ruparelia emerged the victor after seeking dismissal of Sebalu & Lule Advocates from a case involving Crane Management Services Limited (CMS) and Dfcu Bank Limited which had hired the law firm to defend it in a suit where CMS was seeking rent arrears of about Shs3 billion as well as recovering US $385,728.5 from the bank.

The Commercial court is yet to hear the pending applications in the case between Bank of Uganda (BoU) and Ruparelia over sale of Crane bank to Dfcu bank. The BoU sued Ruparelia and his Meera Investments Company for allegedly fleecing Crane bank of Shs397 billion in fraudulent transactions and transfers.

The third application was filed by Ruparelia, demanding dismissal of BoU pleadings. Crane bank was taken over by the central bank on October 20, 2016 and later sold to Dfcu bank in 2017. Ruparelia has denied the fraud accusations and instead counter-sued the central bank, seeking compensation of about Shs28 billion in damages for breach of contract between him and BoU.

However, April 29th’s ruling means that BoU and Dfcu bank cannot hire any lawyers that were in the past employed by any company of the Ruparelia Group on the grounds that such lawyers or law firms have a privilege to some information that they can use against Sudhir and his companies, thus creating a scenario of conflict of interest as agreed by Justice Paul Gadenya Wolimbwa who said there exists an Advocate-client relationship between Sebalu & Lule Advocates and Meera Investments, a member of the Ruparelia Group.

Further the ruling which is a precursor to the main ruling puts BoU in a weaker position as officials BoU were hoping to bank on the knowledge of Sebalu and Lule Advocates in regard to Ruparelia Group businesses. Now they will have to look elsewhere for lawyers who have never worked for Sudhir. It will be hard for new lawyers to present evidence pinning Sudhir.

The ruling also came after parliament’s Committee on Commissions, State Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) established that Shs478 billion BoU claimed it put in Crane Bank during receivership was not all used as Shs320 billion is not accounted for. Interestingly CBL needed only Shs150 billion to remain operating, yet BoU handed over CBL assets to Dfcu bank at Shs200 billion. BoU will have to prove how Sudhir fleeced CBL of Shs397 billion in alleged fraudulent transactions and transfers.

ww.mknewslink.com a greater western Uganda news website
Email: wmuhwezi75@gmail.com
Tel: +256702680106

By Our Reporter

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In Kampala

Principals of Parties in parliament under the Interparty Organization for Dialogue (IPOD) have delayed their meeting on Monday morning while waiting for President Yoweri Museveni.

The leaders were today expected to discuss public funding for political entities, Public Order Management Act (POMA) and Electoral reforms.

This will form the talking points of the second IPOD leader’s summit that is slated to take place at Protea Hotel in Entebbe.

However, as soon as this article was about to be published, President Museveni, who is the National Resistance Movement (NRM) chairman was said to be held up in a cabinet meeting.

Museveni arrived early today from Arua where he had gone to commission infrastructural projects and deepen his wealth creation drive.

According to the programme, the event which was slated to commence at 9:00am with arrival of principals has been accommodated to cater for this delay.

Also as earlier reported, the largest opposition party Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) is not attending.

Other party leaders; Mr. Jimmy James Akena of Uganda People’s Congress president (UPC), Mr. Norbert Mao of the Democratic Party (DP) and all party secretary generals are present.

It is anticipated that midway the function, leaders will issue a joint communiqué on a number of pertinent issue.

www.mknewslink.com a greater western Uganda news website
Email: wmuhwezi75@gmail.com
Tel: +256702680106

By Our Reporter

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Donald Trump will finally be visiting Africa in 2019.

One of the countries listed on his travel calendar is Uganda. The other countries include South Africa, Ghana and Ethiopia.

It is not known whether he will make the Africa trip shortly after the trip to Chile in November or it will be after his trip to United Kingdom in December.

Following Ivanka Trump’s visit to the continent this year, he made amendments to his calendar in order to accommodate Africa.

Uganda will be the first Country in Africa to receive Donald Trump.

Trump is believed to share a special connection with President Museveni and sees him as a great US ally.

www.mknewslink.com a greater western Uganda news website
Email: wmuhwezi75@gmail.com
Tel: +256702680106

By Our Reporter

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In Kawempe

A leading external laboour exporter in Uganda, Premier Recruitment has donated food items worth millions of shillings to Muslim communities in the areas of Bwaise in Kawempe division.

It donated posho, rice, sugar, assorted cooking oil among others as part of its cooperate social responsibility to Muslims during the fasting season.

Sharifa Nanyombi the financial controller from Premier Recruitment which is also part of Ruparelia Group while handing over the items said the leadership at Masjid Jamia in Bwaise wrote to Mr. Rajiv Ruparelia the executive director Premier Recruitment to assist them with food stuffs to feed Muslims who break their fast at the mosque.

Mr. Rajiv tasked me and we are here with food items like sugar, posho, rice , water and other stuffs to help our Muslim brothers Said Nanyombi.

Premier Recruitment is located at 1^stfloor of Crane Chambers along Kampala road and deals in labour export to countries like Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Qatar among others.

Nanyombi explained that they take ladies who work as house helps, cleaners to different countries and added that the company helps its clients to get passports, letters of good conduct from the International police and any other requirements for travelling abroad.

We take you outside to work and we get you good and safe homes because our girls whom we have taken abroad are in safe hands and can testify.

She added that they are connected to renowned and registered labour recruiting abroad and that they also have jobs for boys who want to work in Qatar.

Imam Sowed Sirajje Wasswa on behalf of Masjid Jamia Bwaise commended Mr. Rajiv for responding to his request to assist in providing food for Muslims who break their fast at the same mosque.

Sowedi Wasswa explained that Masjid Jamia hosts over 1600 Muslims who come to break their fast at the mosque every day.

We want to thank our Brother Mr. Rajiv for responding to this call because we have very many people here and we still need a lot of help. We need about 4000kgs of food to make sure that people have what to feed after fasting. Imam Sowedi said.

He called up on more people and well-wishers to assist them with more food to enable them have a successful holy month of Ramadhan.

www.mknewslink.com a greater western Uganda news website
Email: wmuhwezi75@gmail.com
Tel: +256702680106

By www.mknewslink.com Reporter

in kampala—

The debate in Parliament turned chaotic after MPs traded insults over allegations that there were soldiers in the some of the place were legislators pray from within parliament.

Kadaga was forced to adjourn the House until 2 PM this afternoon.

The allegation was raised by Lucy Akello, the Amuru Woman MP who said MPs were feeling insecure about the presence of soldiers in the place of worship.

But NRM MPs brushed aside the allegations saying it was a tactic of the opposition to delay the proceedings.

Solomon Silwany, the spokesperson of the NRM caucus, appeared to have confirmed the allegation but only insisted that the soldiers go there for prayers.

Silwany’s confession appeared to have added fuel to the tension and before long, opposition MPs crossed over to the NRM side and they started tagging at each other’s shirts. Later, they mini-scuffles ensued.

Kadaga called for order but her pleas fell on deaf ears forcing her to adjourn

Before the adjournment, MPs had started debate on the two age-limit reports; the report of the majority and that of the minority.

It has been anticipated that debate would wind down by the end of today but current events show that the matter could take longer to be resolved.

Source:www.mknewslink.com a western Uganda news website.

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By www.mknewslink.com Reporter and Agencies
In South Africa/Uganda—
Science Technology and Innovations minister for South Africa Naledi Pandor cemented ministerial relations with that of her Ugandan counterpart Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye by inviting him to a two day conference on science technology and innovations.
The conference took place on 7th and 8th Dec.2017. it was aimed at promoting science and Technology and innovations in Uganda, South Africa and other African Countries.
The conference was opened by the South African deputy President, Syril Ramaphosa and Other Ministers from Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland and Jamaica also attended.
Other participants were from Academia, Scientists, students, Diplomats from all over the world.
Dr. Tumwesigye in his speech thanked his counterpart from south Africa for inviting him to the conference and cementing the relations.

Participants during the conference in South Africa
He added that the forum provided platform for promoting innovations and an avenue for sharing information.
He thanked the president of Uganda President Museveni for creating innovation ministry in Uganda and has already achieved some key progress in some areas like capacity building, training centers, research promotion of innovation effective policy.
Source:www.mknewslink.com a western Uganda news website.
Email:wmuhwezi75@gmail.com
Tel:+256702680106