NAKASEKE Central legislator Allan Mayanja Sebunya has written to Ms. Allen Kagina, Executive Director Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), demanding with immediate effect, return of titles and compansation of people who will be affected by Luweero-Kiwoko-Butalangu road project. In a letter dated June 4, 2023 to ED Kagina, MP Allan Mayanja wants the list of all those who have been compensated, those whose titles have been returned and UNRA to tell the whereabout of other titles. Mayanja who last week raised this matter on floor of Parliament is inquiring on status of compensation and return of land titles to their rightful project affected persons along Liuweero-Kiwoko-Butalangu Road (29.72kms). His letter to Kagina reads, “Whereas Rt. Hon. Prime minister Robinah Nabbanja on June 9th 2023 flagged off the construction of Luweero-Kiwoko-Butalangu road project, i have been reliably informed by a number of people in Nakaseke Central Constituency that compensation and return of land titles to their rightful project afected persons along Luweero-Kiwoko-Bukalangu has not been made yet.” As a matter of clarification, Mayanja says, “Kindly avail me with a statement detailing the status of those who have been compensated and returned their land titles and for those who have not yet compensated and their titles not returned, may i know,when will they be compensated and their titles returned.” By press time, Kagina had not responded to Nakaseke Central MP who looks to leave no stone unturned. On Thursday last week, hardworking legislator Allan Mayanja Sebunya (AMS), took on the floor of Parliament and raised a matter of National importance concerning the delayed compensation and return of land titles to their rightful Project Affected Persons along Luweero-Kiwoko-Butalangu Road, which is currently under construction by the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) which falls under Ministry of Works and Transport. Hon. Mayanja Sebunya commonly known as ‘MP Allan afaayo’ told Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament and Hon. Members that there is a potential risk that some of the land titles initially surrendered to UNRA might be untraceable. “Dont be shocked if my people, title owners drag UNRA to courts of law for the business opportunities foregone by denying them access to funds from commercial ban.” Hon. Mayanja told Parliament. For starters, Mayanja who is one of the most trusted legislators by NUP boss Hon. Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi, trounced former Finance Minister Syda Bumba. Before entering Parliament, Mayaja served Mengo as Speaker Buganda Youth Council (BYC), for four years. In an interview on Dream tv last week, Hon. Mayanja Sebunya who is one of the youngest legislators in the 11th Parliament but very vocal, assured viewers how he wil fight to the end, for his people to get back their land titles and be compensated. Let’s watch the space!
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PHOTO: From left; Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, Kiryowa Kiwanuka (Attorney General)and Edwin Karugire lawyer for DTB. On right is investor Hamis Kiggundu and his lawyer Fred Muwema
BY MOSES MUGALULA NEWS EDITOR MEDIA
LAWYERS of Muwema & Co. Advocates and Consultants, the Counsel for Ham Enterprises (u) Ltd, Kiggs International (u) Ltd & Hamis Kiggndu have finally spoken out on the judgement which was delivered by the Supreme Court in HAM Vs DTB civil appeal no. 13/2021. In the statement dated June 19th 2023, without mincing words, lawyers say, judgement was against the public policy in Uganda. “In handling of the case, the court intentionally set up its ladder against the wrong wall and it ended up resolving the wrong problem.” Reads response from Muwema & Co. Advocates. Lawyers who were dissatisfied and unanimously rejected the judgement said, there are two imaginary problems which influenced the Supreme Court decision. The first imaginary problem was that Ham is using legal technicalities to avoid paying his debts said to be owed to DTB. The second imaginary problem was that the high court decision which was made in favor of Ham outlawed syndicated lending transactions between foreign banks and Ugandans. Lawyers say, “We note that an unusual dissonance greeted the delivery of what should have been a landmark judgment in guiding the prudential regulation of the banking sector. This muted reception of the decision is caused by the courts failure to yield to the true facts of the case.” “The court also completely misdirected itself on the sovereighty of the Ugandan law when it declared incredibly, that here is no law which stops a foreign bank from lending in Uganda and that any transaction it carried out was legal per excellence. By subscribing to a deregulation of foreign led financial transactions conducted in Uganda, the judgment consigned itself into an irretrievable legal absurdity.” Reads statement from lawyers of Muwema & Co. Advocates.
ORIGIN OF DISPUTE Hams dispute with DTB Uganda started in 2019 when he conducted an audit of his bank accounts and discovered that DTB had over a long period of time, stolen the equivalent of UGX 123bn from his accounts. Ham sent his audit findings to bank in November 2019 and requested for a meeting to reconcile accounts. At that time Ham had an existing credit facility with DTB Uganda and Kenya amounting to us$ 10M. This facility had been contracted between 2017/2018. Ham was however surprised when DTB turned down the audit meeting request and instead started taking enforcement measures to recover the US$ 10M facility. Ham ran to court in early 2020 to report the stealing of money from his accounts and also to raise the issue of the illegal lending transaction of DTB Kenya which was done without prior approval of the central bank as required by the financial institution Act 2004 (as amended). The dispute would not have escalated to the courts if DTB had acted reasonably and sat down with its customer to look into the audit queries he had raised. On the facts, it is Ham who demands money from DTB, not vice versa.
DECISION OF THE HIGH COURT After hearing the arguments of the parties, the high court declared that US$ 10M credit facility was illegal for want of regulatory approval. The illegality attached to the US$ 10M credit transaction and not Ham’s claim of UGX 123bn which court ordered to be refunded. Secondly, court refused to order the audit of the US$ 10M credit transaction since it had already been declared to be an illegality. “The above decision gave rise to the second imaginary problem which relates to the alleged outlawing of syndicated loans by the high court. For the record, the high court did not make any order in its decision, outlawing syndicated lending transactions between a foreign bank and any Uganda required the prior approval of the central bank.” Reveals Ham’s lawyers.
SMUGGLING OF THE SYNDICATE LOAN ISSUE IN THE CASE Lawyers say, the syndicated loans was never part of the DTB appeal lodged in the court of appeal nor was it part of Ham’s appeal logged in the supreme court. Anyone reading the file casually would have established that there was no syndicated loan arrangement between Ham and the DTB banks. In simple terms, a syndicated loan is an agreement where two or more lenders come together to raise a loan to a customer by issuing the loan under the name of one of the lenders who is licensed to operate in the territory of the borrower. “In our case, DTB Kenya issued a direct credit facility of US$ 4.5M by issuing offer letters on the 23rd of October 2017 and 24th of August 2018 for US$ 4M and US$ 0.5M respectively. There was no syndicated loan offered by the DTB to Ham and each bank made a separate loan offer.” Reads lawyers’ statement. For starters, in April 2023, the Commercial Court of Tanzania sitting at Dar es Salaam delivered an instructive judgment on the legality of a loan issued by a foreign bank and an alleged arrangement of syndication in the case of Kilimanjaro Oil ltd vs KCB (Tanzania) Ltd and KCB (Kenya) Ltd Commercial case no. 7/2020. In that case KCB (Kenya) Ltd issued a loan of US$ 1.5M directly to the plaintiff and KCB (Tanzania) Ltd, its subsidiary was the arranger/intermediary. The plaintiff challenged the legality of the transaction on the ground that it was procured in contravention of the banking and foreign exchange laws of Tanzania. The banks plea that this was a syndicated loan was rejected and Court nullified the loan transaction for want of regulatory approval.
SOVEREIGNTY OF UGANDAN LAW Under the principle of the savereighty of laws, a country’s legislature passes laws for the governance and regulation of any matter conducted in that country. If any person, local or foreign is involved in any regulated matter in that country, that person is subjected to the laws of that country to the extent that they are involved in the regulated activity. “It is therefore repugnant to the savereighty of our national laws for the Supreme Court to have ruled that the Financial institutions Act, which is the substantive law regulating banking business in Uganda, does not apply to foreign banks conducting the same business in Uganda.” Writes lawyers of Muwema & Co. Advocates. Under article 79 of the Constitution, it is only Parliament which has the power to make laws on any matter for the peace, order, development and good governance of Uganda. These laws are made to govern all persons that dwell and operate in Uganda, whether local or foreign. Lawyers say, “We take the view, the supreme court had no power to usurp the powers of Parliament and start discriminating between foreign and local banks in respect of a salute of a general application relating to the banking sector. (see article 21 of the constitution).”
DENIAL OF A FAIR HEARING Whereas there was no evidence of loan syndication, lawyers say, the Supreme Court still allowed DTB to smuggle a ground of foreign loan syndication into Ham’s appeal. This was allowed in violation of the rules of the court which required DTB to have submitted a cross-appeal or notice of affirmation of the decission of the Court of Appeal before introducing new matters. (See rules 87 and 88 of the Judicature (Supreme Court Rules) Directions S.1 13-11. Whereas the court allowed DTB to flout its rules and seek orders outside the appeal, the same court could not allow Ham’s request to be heard on a formal application for judgment against DTB in respect of the admitted grounds of appeal (See order 13 r.6 Civil Procedure Rules). It also refused to entertain an application to adduce additional evidence from the central bank of Kenya indicating that DTB Kenya had illegally conducted banking business in Uganda (see Rule 30 the Judicator (Supreme Court Rules ) Directions (supra). The public policy of Uganda does not allow the courts to selectively apply its rules and the law to favor one party against the other nor does it allow the courts to deny a litigant access to the courts to plead his or her case. “The Supreme Court judgment in Ham vs DTB was issued in contravention of the constitution and its constitutionally shall be challenged.” Reads lawyers’ statement. It goes further to read, “Despite the court indicating that the application for judgment on admission would be considered in the final judgment, it made no mention of this application in the said judgment. What is odd is that the application to adduce additional evidence is pending ruling even if the court has issued its final judgment. This is a real mockery of the administration of justice.”
THE SOCIAL ECONOMIC IMPLICATION OF THE JUDGEMENT Lawyers say, it is ironic that the supreme court decision is promoting a shadow banking system at a time when Uganda is struggling to get off the grey list of the financial Action task force (FTF), an international watchdog which monitors countries with significantly weak anti – money laundering and terrorist financing enforcement regimes. “Whereas supporters of the supreme court decision would like us to believe that the decision is endeared to international practice of foreign lending which will increase foreign cash inflows, studies show that grey listing leads may lead to a decline of foreign capital inflows, downgrading of the country’s credit rating while increasing the cost of doing business in the respective country.” Reason lawyers of Muwema & Co. Advocates. The latter occurs partly due to the attendant’s high costs on electronic and financial transfers of commercial banks, large costs on processing letters of credit. They believe, logic would have dedicated that allowing unregulated foreign banks to engage in predatory practices which compete against the regulated banks can only increase the fragility of the financial system. Syndicated loans are regulated financial transactions everywhere in the world. The Supreme Court had no legal basis for ruling otherwise. The Supreme Court decision can also be used by other foreign money lenders who are not a deposit-taking banks in Uganda, to cross the border and just start transacting without obtaining a license under the tier 4 Microfinance institutions & Money Lenders Act 2016. “The decision has left the back door open to other foreign lenders to profiteer on the carte blanche offered by the Supreme Court in an apparent binge to exploit unsuspecting Ugandans whilst denying the country much needed tax revenue.” Reads the statement.
ABDICATION OF DUTY BY BANK OF UGANDA Lawyers insist, the BOU has abdicted its statutory by declaring that it does, not regulate lending obtained from foreign banks since they do not take deposits from the Ugandan public. However, one of the key functions of the bank of Uganda is to maintain monetary stability. (see S.4 Bank of Uganda Act Cap 51). One wonders how can BoU maintain the monetary stability of the country when it refuses to monitor the external cash inflows from foreign sources. Why should BoU as a regulator of the banking industry work so hard to constantly devise means of ensuring that some players in the banking industry operate outside the rulebook? It is the duty of BoU to ensure prudence of the monetary and fiscal policy of the country. It appears however that BoU has joined hands with the Supreme Court to take us in opposite direction.
CONCLUSION In conclusion, though the Supreme Court judgment is dangerous, it will remain largely irrelevant to the gainful regulation of commercial banking and the practice of the law in Uganda. No serious bank will be motivated to engage in illicit money transfers and come out to openly acknowledge it, because of this judgment. Secondly, no serious court (including the Supreme Court itself) can allow it to continue flouting its rules of procedure and the established principles of law. Any court which chooses to do that will cease to function as a court of law. “Thirdly, no serious lawyer in Uganda can risk his client’s case (whether local or foreign) by casually defying the courts rules of procedure and the governing law of Uganda. We cannot just mourn the passing of this Supreme Court decision, we shall challenge it.” Vows Ham’s lawyers.
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PHOTO: Speaker Anita wants investigations on murders
NEWS EDITOR MEDIA
THE Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament Annet Anita Among has directed the Minister of Internal Affairs to expedite investigations into the killing of five members of the same family in Bukoto County, Masaka District, on June 23, 2023. Speaker Among said the incident is one of the rising killings in the country that have left citizens in fear. She noted that the investigation is as necessary as the measures to prevent likely killings, which she said, are becoming rampant. “We need divisive and deterrent measures to restore safety and confidence in our population. This has not happened only in Masaka but in Kayunga and other places,” the Speaker said during plenary on Tuesday, 27 June 2023. Speaker Among who is also Woman Member of Parliament representing Bukedea District said, “We need that investigation, we need to give clear assurance to the affected communities that they will not be killed the next day.” On the fateful day at around 2am, unknown assailants descended on Kijonjo Village, Kamwoozi Parish in Buwunga Sub-county, Masaka District, and hacked to death five family members. The victims were Emmanuel Muteesasira, 57, (head of family), his wife Proscovia Ndagaano, 52, Beatrice Nakalyango, 13 (daughter), and two grandchildren – Shivan Nakasagga,5, and Robert Kayemba,2. Ms Among also tasked the Internal Affairs Minister to give Parliament an update on security issues raised by MPs, including the low staffing at police posts across the country. “Truth be told we have few police personnel; I have written so many times to be given police personnel in my district but I have not been helped. Just imagine when people are killed in the night and the nearest police post is 20kms away!” she said. She said Parliament is ready to support the Uganda Police Force to recruit more officers, refurbish their facilities, establish new police posts and acquire more patrol vehicles. Bukoto County East MP Ronald Kanyike, attesting to the Speaker’s reiterations, said the scene of crime in Masaka District is far from the police station, which serves the area. “Masaka has no police headquarters, the District Police Commander (DPC) and Resident District Commissioner all sit in Masaka City. In fact, when we contacted the DPC over the murder, he had to contact people of Masaka City to come to our rescue,” said Mr Kanyike. Mr Abed Bwanika (NUP, Kimaanya-Kabonera Division), who also hails from Masaka, said his constituency was not any different. “In Kimanya, we have zero patrol vehicles yet it is a whole division. When the minister is appraising us on the security issues, he should update us on police facilitation,” said Mr Bwanika. The Minister of Security, Maj Gen (Rtd) Jim Muhwezi, said the Uganda Police Force has revamped its operations, which were initially challenged by funding constraints.
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2026 CITY LORDMAYOR hopeful Alhaj Ali Nganda Kasirye Mulyanyama, the incumbent mayor for Makindye Municipality in Kampala has led the Division Executive Committee for an official visit to Kisugu health center in order to ascertain the challenges and positives in this Health center which serves hundreds of patients.
Mayor Mulyanyama accompanied by the Division Executive Committee, engages medical staff at Kisugu Health Centre
His Worship the mayor, had an engagement with the medics and was shocked to learn that this facility has not received supplies of medicine from National Medical Store (NMS). It has been missing out on four times out of the 6 times of supply in this ending financial year. “It was our recommendation which we shall follow up to ensure supplies are made in regards to the demand from the center.” Said Mayor Mulyanyama. During his visit, the NUP vocal mayor extended a helping hand to the patients and all expectant mothers by donating basic needs to them.
PHOTO: Hon. Allan Mayanja Sebunya on the floor of Parliament on Thursday
STORY BY: SHARON NALUGO PARLIAMENT
ON THURSDAY, hardworking legislator Allan Mayanja Sebunya (AMS), Member of Parliament representing Nakaseke Central took on the floor of Parliament and raised a matter of Public importance concerning the delayed compensation and return of land titles to their rightful Project Affected Persons along Luweero-Kiwoko-Butalangu Road, which is currently under construction by the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) which falls under Minister of Wprks and Transport. Hon. Mayanja Sebunya commonly known as ‘MP Allan afaayo’ told Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament and Hon. Members that there is a potential risk that some of the land titles initially surrendered to UNRA might be untraceable. “Dont be shocked if my people, title owners drag UNRA to courts of law for the business opportunities foregone by denying them access to funds from commercial banks against such titles as collateral security.” Said MP Mayanja Sebunya who has already assured his people of any support they want from him to force UNRA return their land titles as soon as possible. Mayanja who trounced former Finance Minister Syda Bumba to be declared Nakaseke Central MP on opposition NUP ticket, asked the Works and Transport Minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala to tell the public, when will people’s titles be returned. In his resonse, Gen. Katumba Wamala said UNRA wont wait to be draged to court, they will return the land titles, although he didnt specify, how soon because the land title owners wanted them back yesterday. After the sitting, Hon. Mayanja who os known to be a hardliner if it comes to serving his voters, vowed to pressing Works Minister until UNRA returns titles of Luweero people. For starters, MP Mayanja is among the youngest legislators in the 11th Parliament but very vocal and active. Before Nakaseke Central sent him to the August House, he served as Speaker Buganda Youth Council (BYC), a Buganda Kingdom Youth Parliament for a period of 4 years. He is one of the most darling NUP MPs before Principal Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi and wife Babra Itungo Kyagulanyi. We are told, Nakaseke central people recently chased away a certain State Minister in ruling NRM government who wants to contest against MP Mayanja Sebunya openly telling him to go and find something else to do, they are very confortable and well represented by Hon. Sebunya. We will return to this in details in our next article.
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PHOTO: Education Minister Dr. Muyingo taken around school boys’ dormitory which was set ablaze by rebels killing all students to ashes!
STORY BY: MOSES MUGALULA NEWS EDITOR MEDIA
MEMBER of Parliament repesenting Rubaga South constituency in Kampala Capital Hon. Aloysius Mukasa is deeply saddened by the senseless massacre of over 37 innocent students at Lubiriha Secondary school in Kasese over the weekend, most of whom were young girls saying students in other schools and their parents are now worried of their security. Government reportely said, the attackers were rebels of Allied Democratic Force (ADF) who crossed from neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In fact, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Sunday tweeted, “This new atrocity by the elements of the ADF is criminal, desperate, terrorist and futile. It will not save them.”
However, MP Mukasa says this doesn’t answer the fundamental question of why did military intelligence and counter-intelligence fail to detect these small “cells” (as you President Museveni call them in his official statement) during the two days they spent in the area before the attack? Mukasa who wrote to this leading investigative news Website told us that, what is even more disturbing is the fact that Kasese district has a high concentration of military and army personnel, yet such a gruesome act could take place without early detection.
Hon. Mukasa speaking at a function in Rubaga sometime back
As a legislstor, wants thorough investigations into this rebel attack and security officers who slept on job, given heavy punishment to act as a lesson to others who abscond from duties. “It leaves a question, why is our security system underperforming despite taking the largest share of our national budget? The public has a right to feel safe and secure in their own communities. It is unacceptable that our students cannot attend school without fear of being killed or abducted. We want to see officers who were on duty in Kasese that night our children were massacred, arrested and heavily punished.” Reads opposition NUP MP Hon. Aloysius Mukasa’s statement. He noted that, “We cannot allow this to become the new normal in our country. We call upon the government to intensify their efforts in providing security to all citizens, especially in areas that are prone to attacks. We need to invest in technology and intelligence gathering to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.” To the families of the victims, Hon. Mukasa extend his deepest sympathies and assured them that justice will be served at the right time.
He said we must come together as a nation to condemn this heinous act and work towards ensuring that our children can go to school without fear. He urged all Ugandans to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the security forces. “It is our collective responsibility to ensure the safety and security of our nation.” Hon. Mukasa said.
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PHOTO: Hon. Nkunyingi Muwada, Shaddow Affairs Minister
STORY BY: MOSES MUGALULA NEWS EDITOR MEDIA
HON. NKUNYINGI Muwada, Foreign Affairs Shadow Minister in Uganda is not shocked on learning about the issuance of level 3, travel advisory for Uganda dated June 12, 2023 by United States of America/International community concerns. In a Press Statement released, Shadow minister of Foreigh Affairs Nkunyingi who also doubles as Kyadondo East Member of Parliament, said Uganda citizens should take precautions following the issuance of level 3 travel advisory for Ugandans by the United States of America.
Press statement
The US level 3 travel advisory quotes inter alia critical aspects of insecurity, violent crimes, rule of law and human rights concerns. It further outlines precautionary measures for US citizens whilst in Uganda. MP Nkunyingi Muwada advised Uganda citizens to equally follow the precautionary isued by the United States of America to it’s citizens in the updated level 3 travel advisory. He noted that, strangely, the Uganda regime declined renewing host agreements for sensitive international organizations including the UN Human Rights office and several other International agencies. Several other International organisations some from USA announced closure. “We take keen interest in the strained relations between Uganda and the International Community plus resultant positions taken by the International Community. Though not surprised, we condemn the evasive conduct of the Uganda regime and ministry of Foreign Affairs on many critical concerns raised by the International Community some of which would have been settled diplomatically.” Reads Statement from Shadow Foreign Affairs minister in Uganda. He talked a out how Diplomacy warrants mutual and timely engagements. “As well, some salient concerns like the rule of law, Human Rights and democratic values have been regularly echoed by the Uganda opposition with no redress to date. In line with our alternative diplomacy, we shall keep the Uganda public informed as we mornitor developments in the world and the state of affairs in Uganda.” Said MP Nkunyingi Muwada. He demands that there should be negotiations between the USA and Uganda Government although he acuses Uganda concerned embassies on being silent. “Our embassies are silent. No embassy is speaking. As opposition we offer alternative. We need negotiations.” Foreign Affairs Shadow minister Nkunyingi Muwada told journalists in a Press conference.
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ENG. JOSEPH Sewava, National Cordinator for ‘Mzee Tova ku ballot’, a massive pressure group calling for ruling NRM Chairman Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s return for President in 2026 General Elections has announced prayer sessions for The Head of State who is in house- confinement since Wednesday June 7, 2023 when he was a confirmed corona-positive test. According to Sewava a Special Holy Mass for the President will take place at Christ the King in Kampala at 12:00 pm today.
PHOTO; When President Museveni met Eng. Sewava (1st on his right) and other members of ‘Mzee tova ku ballot’ during presidential trail to Greater Masaka, recently
Tomorow, prayers will be held at All saints Church Kampala. And full program for other places of worship will be given in details. President Museveni whose doctors are doing everything possible to see him return on duty, missed Heroes Day and delegated Prime minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja Musafiri. Speaking to The News Editor News Website Mr. Sewava said, “As team ‘Mzee tova ku Ballot’We continue to pray for Our dear President to get well soon and continue with his daily assignments for the country. We thank God for his improvement, we witness the healing power (Psalms 103:2-3)”
MAMA JANET’S TWEET In her tweet which has gone viral, First lady Mama Janet Kataha Museveni has thanked all those praying for her husband and the family. Tweet reads; “Bishops, pastors, brothers, sisters in Christ, men and women of God, today, the Lord leads me to thank you for your prayers for the health of the President, myself, and our entire family. Thank you for standing in the gap especially for your President, because the enemy, who has never known that he was defeated at the cross when Jesus said, ‘it is finished,’ is still trying to harm the servant of God.” However, First Lady said, “The enemy has no chance because that battle was won by the Lord on that day. And by His stripes, all of us are healed, and we stand strong and whole, forevermore!” “Therefore, I only need to say, ‘Thank you’ to all of you who are kind and gracious enough to stand with us in this season. We are not afraid because we know that with God on our side, we will indeed triumph.” Reads Mrs President’s message.
PRESIDENT MUSEVENI SPEAKS OUT ON HIS LIFE STATUS According to his tweet on Sunday June 11, 2023, President wrote; “Greetings. It is now day 5 of my corona-status. Last night, I slept very well up to the 10th hour of the night (saa kumi za usiku –what the Europeans call 4am). This time, the dull headache was not there, nor was the mild throbbing (enkuratima) on top of the head (oruhoora-hoore). Initially, on Wednesday, there was also some mild muscle soreness (kutonekara), typical of the usual flu. The soreness I was feeling on Wednesday was less than one would feel with the usual flu. That soreness of muscles, has now gone. Also, some roughness (obugiimbi) on the throat, has gone. However, we carried out corona tests today and they were still positive. We shall wait for a few more days and check again. I remain in self-isolation at Nakasero. In my self- isolation, I have had time to watch some UBC wealth creation programmes, apparently, captured by the Presidential Press Unit (PPU). They are most pleasing to watch. It seems that Ugandans in the countryside are getting our message of getting out of okukolera ekidda kyoonka (tic me ic keken) – subsistence farming. UBC should replay those programmes. In the cattle corridor, with the dairy; in the Masaka Region with coffee, bananas and palm oil; in the Luwero Triangle with coffee; etc., Ugandans are waking up. The spokesmen of the parasites that are always writing negatively in the Monitor Newspaper, can continue deceiving themselves but Uganda is moving. Kahendekye, taita mbogo (cursing a buffalo, does not break its leg). Ebikolimo by’enkonko, tebitta kamunye (the noises made by hens, do not kill a kite). Again, I advise all of you to get fully vaccinated against corona and the elderly should get the boosters. A day before Museveni wrote, “Day 4 of my corona status, has seen me assault, all day long, 3 loadfulls of government papers. I started at 6:30am (Saa kumi na mbiri, in our African languages, na nusu.) The corona virus, by domesticating me, is helping me to catch up with my paper work. The symptoms are more mild than yesterday. In the night, slight throbbing (enkuratima) in the ruhoorahoore area of the head. This is the part of the head that has a gap in children. Also, some slight roughness on the throat. Otherwise, I am even tempted to do my push-ups, but common sense reminds me not to disturb the bio-chemistry of the body where the war with the enemy (the virus) is going on with additional strains on the body. All the NRM cadres and followers should continue to understand the importance of robust health. I always avoid factors that can cause ill-health, not because I fear being sick but because I detest missing the struggle for Africa’s freedom. Our grand fathers’ generation (the founders of the ANC of South Africa in 1912, George Padamore, W.B. Dubois, Kabalega, etc.), our fathers’ generation (Nkurumah, Kenyatta, Nyerere, Mandela, etc.), our own generation (Samora Machel, Ngaraang, etc.), our children’s and grandchildren’s generations, are generations of the African anti- colonial resistance for Africa to survive and thrive. Our health is, therefore, a weapon in the fight against imperialism and all Africa’s enemies. You cannot fight when you are sick as well as you can fight when you are healthy. I am not sick in bed, but I have been house- confined, since Wednesday 7th when I had a confirmed corona-positive test. Consequently, I missed Heroes Day yesterday, where our daughter Nabbanja did a great job; I could not meet the guests I had invited from UAE and I have cancelled my plan to go to Kisozi tomorrow to supervise the half-yearly de-worming of my cattle. Therefore, health is not only wealth but also part of the weapons of the struggle. Afya ni utajiri na vile vile ni chombo cha mapambano ya kimapinduzi (part of the instruments of the revolutionary struggle). Otherwise, the Heroes Day went well. I thank the organizers and the Rt. Hon. Nabbanja. Our People are beginning to get the message of homestead incomes with ekibaro (cuura, aimar). It is dairy in the cattle corridor and coffee in upper Bulemeezi (Semuto etc.). I thank all the Ugandans that are wishing me a quick recovery. Maama Janet was tested on the 7th evening and all the tests were negative (rapid, PCR, etc.). We thank God for that. We have, therefore, been using different parts of the house ever since. On Heroes day Museveni wrote. “It is now day 3 in my Corona status. Yesterday, day 2 of my corona status, I felt very sleepy around 11am (the fifth hour of the day according to we, the People of the Tropics), yet I had slept well the previous night. Hence, I slept soundly up to the ninth hour of the day (3PM according to the People of the Temperate lands). When I woke up, I was fresh and I wrote a short speech for the Rt. Hon. Nabbanja to give in Luwero today. I sent Nabbanja to Luwero because the VP, Alupo, is representing us in Lusaka- COMESA summit. I slept at the fourth hour of the night, which the Europeans call 10PM and woke up at the 9th hour of the night (Shaaha mweenda z’ekiro) with a slight vague headache. I call it vague because it was not obwaabe (temples headache), it was not oruhora-hoore (the crown of the head) headache and it was not around the engata (the ring) of the head. When I sat up and drank more water as advised by my daughter Patience Kokundeeka, the headache went away and I slept again. According to my longtime doctor, Diana Atwiine, this is a mild case and should be managed conservatively by using vitamin C, other vitamins, especially –D and some anti-histamines. “What are the other cases described as?” I asked Dr. Atwiine. The other cases could be described as: moderate or severe. These according to her, need different interventions. When Atwiine announced my corona-status the other day, I am the one who told her to do it. I was still busy with other issues. I will wait for two more days and do the test again. It seems immunization and the boosters for the immunization, do help. I will keep you informed. Let everybody be fully vaccinated and for the elderly get boosters. Here at News Editor Media, we keep our Prayers in Prayers and wish him a very quick recovery.
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OPPOSITION National Unity Platform (NUP) Member of Parliament for Rubaga South Hon. Talton Gold Aloysius Mukasa has talked about his fallen predecessor Hon. Paul Kato Lubwama as a man of many talents, a comedian, a musician, a radio presenter, and a politician. In his condolence message to the bereaved family, to the people of Rubaga South and Country at large shortly after family announced the sudden death of their beloved Kato Lubwama, his successor Hon. Aloysius Mukasa said , It is with a heavy heart that he mourns the loss of this former MP. Hon. Mukasa’s condolence message reads, “Our former MP Kato Lubwama’s untimely demise has sent shock waves throughout our nation, and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this difficult time. He was a charismatic figure who had a unique ability to unite people from all walks of life.”
“He was a tireless worker who dedicated his life to serving his constituents, always putting their needs and interests first. As the current member of parliament for Rubaga South constituency, I had the privilege of succeeding Kato Lubwama. I can attest to the incredible legacy that he has left behind, one that will be remembered for many years to come.” Reads Hon. Mukasa’s condolence message. Rubaga South legislator who massively won 2021 elections said although he unsat Kato Lubwama, the two have been friends and talking. Mukasa commonly known as Taata Rubaga said, “We will always be grateful for the contributions that Kato Lubwama made to our country. He was a true inspiration to so many of us, and he will always hold a special place in the hearts of Rubaga South people and all Ugandans.” Kato Lubwama served in the 10th Parliament as an independent although he was a DP lenient. He had offered himself for the second term but in 2021 but lost to NUP’s Hon. Mukasa. Our heartfelt condolences to CBS radio, his former employer.
PHOTO: When CID team from masaka visited locus to investigate burnt property
NEWS EDITOR MEDIA
RESIDENTS in Ndolo parish, Kabira Sub County in the Southern border district of Kyotera are living in great fear, having endured months of cascading violent attacks at the hands of a shadowy clique of politically-connected people who seek to evict them from their ancestral land. The attackers are said to be led by a one Ignatius Tumwesiga, who claims to be carrying out eviction orders on behalf of President Yoweri Museveni, although he has never shown documentation or any other form of proof of these orders. In fact, the Office of the President has clearly come out to deny knowledge of of Tumwesige who also claims to be related to president Museveni. Tumwesiga is accused by locals for unleashing attacks and destruction of their homes and farms apparently to arm-twist them into giving up their land, where they and their forefathers have lived as bonafide occupants for the better part of the past century.
Some of the burnt houses
He is reportedly working with district leaders and some law enforcement officers, but also with backing from three cabinet ministers (we will name and shame in our next edition), who have let his cruel actions against residents go unabated. On Tumwesiga’s orders, the locals told News Editor Media that, Police led by a one ACP Godfrey Matte and D/AIP John Kyaligonza have carried out arrests of innocent people, instead of arresting the attackers who burn’t houses and destroyed peoples’ farms moreover in broad daylight. In a complaint filed to the Inspector General of Police in March this year, residents who included Godfrey Luzibira, Stephen Kasigwa, William Kanini, Hosia Kigambe, Isaac Bigirwa, Grace Kasande and others accused the two police officers of, ‘descending on their farms and destroying all our food crops plus cattle kraals.’ These police officers have also issued several summons and illegitimate eviction notices to the locals, pushing them to leave their homes. Sources say that although Tumesige claims to act on behalf of the President, the Office of the President has come out to deny knowledge of him. Police had yet to respond to our queries on whether a probe has been opened into the allegations.
The locals have also rushed to Masaka High Court seeking orders against tycoon Tumwesiga, who refers to himself as the ‘Liaison Consultant of Sango Bay land’ and the two named police commanders.
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BACKGROUND The affected residents occupy an expanse of land in Ndolo Parish, measuring about 6 square miles. Here, in the open grasslands they do mostly cattle farming and grow food crops for their homesteads. This land makes up part of what used to be the 250 square miles (65,000 ha) which was leased to the Indian-owned Sango Bay Estates Ltd by the British colonial government back in the 1930s. Owing to the enormous size of the land, the Indians only used part of it for sugarcane production, sisal and timber processing, while the remainder was taken up by settlers, including the parents and grandparents of the current occupants. The 1972 Indian expulsion by the then Head of State Idi Amin Dada destroyed most of the estate as the factory and other infrastructure was looted. When the owners returned in the early 1990s, their efforts to restore the estate to its former glory were fruitless. In 2003, Government signed an MoU with Bidco Uganda Ltd, promising to allocate 14,500 of the 65,000 hectares of the Sango Bay estate to grow palm oil. As it turned out however, the palm oil project presented a perfect opportunity for land grabbers who co-opted ravenous local leaders and security, and started processing dubious titles on the remaining land and displacing scores of bonafide occupants. As the grabbers (some of whom occupy top government positions) took up other parts of Sango Bay, Tumwesiga allegedly had eyes set on the 6 square miles of Ndolo. Over the past 10 years, the parish has seen the most spate of violence and bloodshed. When he started planting trees in the residents’ crop gardens, however, tempers started flaring. In 2011, residents put a strong resistance against Tumwesiga’s stubborness. He disappeared until around 2015 when he returned and launched fresh attacks, aided by some men in police uniform. In the court case filed in Masaka by the locals, lawyers representing Sango Bay Estates said in an affidavit that their company had no interest whatsoever in the Ndolo area as claimed by Tumwesiga. The Ministry of Lands too, has denied involvement in the Ndolo area, noting that official demarcation of the land for Bidco’s palm oil production has not even started yet. In March 2021 shortly after the Uganda Land Commission finally took possession of the Sango Bay land, President Museveni directed the Commission to evenly split the 22,028 hacrares between Bukora Estates Ltd and UPOL Sango Bay Ltd. In his letter, President Museveni expressly ordered for cancellation of the dubious land titles that have been acquired on the land, writing; “…the practice of encroachers who have been obtaining illegal titles on the land and want to disrupt the development is not acceptable and must stop.” Museveni further directed that, “All “wanainchi” who are genuine bibanja holders on the land should be verified by Commission and handled in accordance with the law. “
As of last year, State minister for Lands Sam Mayanja, pursuant to the president’s directive, had ordered cancellation of up to ten titles on the land.
SNUBBED President Museveni just returned last week from greater Masaka, where he spent 4 days touring and assessing the government’s development programs. There had been high anticipation that the President would address the issue of land grabbing and the ongoing displacement of families in Kyotera. The President however, made no mention of the issue or even a spot visit to the contested land much, to the chagrin of the residents. Some of the locals believe the president was dissuaded from visiting the affected area. Sources have told us that a certain Minister from Greater Masaka, who owns hundreds of acres of land in Sango Bay, had days earlier called a meeting of local leaders and asked them to write down their concerns for him to deliver to the President because he wasn’t going to be able to make it to Kyotera.
POLICE UNIT This leading Investigstive News website established that the raids on people’s homes are being carried out by a unit called the “Sango Bay Police Unit” commanded by Godfrey Matte himself. Matte was transferred from Kalangala district where he was also cited in mass evictions of people. It is unclear when this Unit was formed, but it is said to be based in Kyotera town. “The policemen usually come on two police pickup trucks dressed in uniform and they unleash the violence; setting people’s grass thatched homes on fire and cutting down their crops,” a source told our reporter adding that, “They arrest people every other day and release them on police bond. They never charge them. They dont account to anyone, even if they find you taking pictures in this parish, they will arrest you and confiscate your gadget.” Efforts to reach Mr. Tumwesiga by press time were negative. Our news desk is doing everythung possible to get his side of the story.
Wait for Part II of the story. For views/comments on this story, email us at newseditor.info@gmail.com
