PHOTO: Swearing in of Justice Chibita in State House

NEWS EDITOR MEDIA

AN urgent meeting has been called over the appointment of Justices Mike J. Chibita and Catherine Bamugemereire to head the National Fellowhip of Born Again Pentectoal Churches (NFBPC) Tribunal after top pastors contested their appointment saying it is null and void.
They want the two thrown out and demand that Bishop Joshua Lwere follows the Fellowship constitution in making decisions on who should sit on the Tribunal.

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Speaking to our reporter, Bishop Leonald Sserwadda, leader of Southern Buganda Pentecostal Churches, Masaka who is one of the contestants for General Overseer (GO) in next month’s election, said however much the incumbent GO Joshua Lwere is mandated to appoint the Tribunal, he must be guided by the laws governing NFBPC or else, his appointments are null and void.
“It’s true NFBPC constitution empowers the General Overseer (GO) to appoint members sitting on the Tribunal being one of the organs mentioned in our constitution. But appointment of members who constitute this Tribunal must srictly follow the law.” Bishop Sserwadda told News Editor Media.
Asked whether the recent appointment of the Trubunal by Bishop Joshua Lwere headed by Justices Mike Chibita and Catherine Bamugemereire followed the law, Sserwadda said, many have raised eyebrows over Lwere’s Tribunal saying that is why, urgent internal meetings have been called to this effect.
He told us, “We want him (Lwere) to explain to us how he appointed this Trubunal. If he fails to convince us, mistakes must be corrected immediately as per our constitution.”

According to the NFBPC Constitution, Tribunal must have a quorum, those appointed by the General Overseer must be registered members of the Fellowship and vetting done by AGM and elders. 
After GO making appointments, he brings the names to the forum and members make deliberations about them whether they are known registered members.
About the appointment of Justices Chibita and Bamugemereire, Bishop Serwadda says the appointment would be okay if the two are members of National Fellowship of Born Again Pentecostal Churches.
“Being judges doesnt in any way stop them from heading NFBPC Tribunal provided they are registered members of the Fellowship. But if they are not members, definately their appointment is null and void. One who isn’t part of us can not start making decisions about us. That is impossible and unacceptable.” Said Bishop Sserwadda.
Without mincing words, he revealed to us that this isn’t a personal Tribunal, but a Tribunal for the Fellowship so any appointment must be carefully vetted and appoved by the General Assembly. There is no way it will be accepted without clearance from those mandated by the constitution.
Asked whether they will throw out justices Chibita and Bamugemereire after the meeting, Bishop Sserwadda responded by quoting Titus 1:5 in the Bible when Paul was telling Titus that, ‘The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.’
“This is what we are going to do, putting in order what might have been done wrongly by GO Bishop Lwere.”Sserwadda assured us as they head for the meeting.

For starters, Justice Michael Chibita who was appointed by Joshua Lwere, is a Ugandan lawyer and judge, who serves on the Supreme Court of Uganda, effective December 2019. 
From 15 August 2013 until 6 December 2019, he served as the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in Uganda. 
Lady Justice Catherine Bamugemereire, is a Ugandan lawyer and judge who, since 2015, has served as a Justice of the Court of Appeal of Uganda, which doubles as Uganda’s Constitutional Court. 
Justice Catherine Bamugemereire headed the tribunal which heard the petition filed by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) councilors against Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago. Her tribunal established a prima facie case against Lukwago and the councilors followed through by voting impeaching him which was successfully contested in courts of law.

A bout 3 years ago, President Museveni appointed Justice Bamugemereire to head The Commission of Inquiry into Land Matters. Her report is yet to be fully considered.  
The appointment of the two justices and other Tribunal members by Joshua Lwere to act as judiciary sitting to hear especially electoral discripancies that may arise after GO elections, makes some top pastors think Lwere who never wanted to leave office, might be up to something fishy! 
“We are almost getting done with the elections which started about three months ago. And everything was moving on smoothly. We are only remaining with National elections. What has he all along been waiting for, to appoint a Tribunal? Why now when he is remaining with less than two months to handle over leadership? And why appoint people who are not part of us without quorum? It is sad that Bishop Lwere ursuped powers of the Constitution and put a parallel organ.” Said one of the leading Pentecostal church Pastors in the Country.
This Trinunal had to be appointed and approved by elders during the General meeting. But the extra General meeting, we are reliably informed, failed to get quorum.

What next? Watch the space, our ears are on the ground!

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PHOTO: Rt Hon Speaker of Parliament Anita Among arrives at Ngariam County in Katakwi District accompanied by ministers and MPs.

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ON SATURDAY January 28, 2023, Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, the Speaker of Parliament was joined by senior cabinet ministers and over 100 Members of Parliament on the invitation of State Minister for Sports Peter Egwang to spearhead a fundraising drive for women saving groups in Ngariam, Katakwi district.
At a clourful function attended by Government Chiefwhip Hon. Hamson Obua, Health Minister Ruth Jane Acheng and others, Speaker Anita Among contributed UGX 120M for the Ngariam women SACCOs.
“I want to thank the people of Ngariam for the love, gifts and solidarity. I urge all the Leaders from Teso to unite and use the opportunities available to push for the development of the region.” Said 11th Parliament Speaker Anita Among.
Addressing hundreds of people who gathered to welcome her in Katakwi district, Speaker Anita said there is need to extend financial literacy to saving groups and Saccos  before funds are injected.
This, she argues, increases the capacity of such groups to innovate ways through which they can increase return on investment.
Madam Speaker said it is absurd that a lot of money has been lost in the hands of savings groups because beneficiaries lack capacity and skills to start and successfully operate income generating activities.
“We need to furnish these savings groups with financial literacy, business and life skills first. With this knowledge, our women will be able to borrow from pooled savings and start income generating activities,” she said, urging leaders to join hands and work together to address community challenges, especially those related to women and children to improve livelihoods.
Thanking Speaker Anita for her generocity, Ms. Mary Akol, one of the beneficiaries, said the initiative, “will enable me to get a small loan to start up a business”, given that accessing loans from big institutions is prohibitively expensive for the poor.
Eteru Otai Julius tweeted that, “Oh thanks for that volatile,rare and productive move you did today. It passed a strong message about the beauty and the weight of the NRM Govt. For us we came with the Serere team to show solidarity with the sister District.”
President Museveni has variously challenged Ugandans to use Saccos as a pillar through which they can pool resources as well as using them as channels to accelerate government programmes such Parish Development Model.

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PHOTO: NSSF Ag. MD Patrick Ayota addressing media today morning. (Photos from NSSF)

STORY BY 
MOSES MUGALULA
newseditor.info@gmail.com

ACTING Managing Director National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Mr. Patrick Ayota has assured members of the fund that their savings are very safe asking them to ignore baseless allegations circulated by people with ill intentions! He said, the test against a lie is time and the test against truth is also time.
“The state of the fund is fine, business is sounding, benefits are being paid each and every other day, politicians have no access to your funds. We dont keep your money in cash, it is invested, your money is in Bank.” Noted Mr. Ayota
The national Social Security Fund Uganda is a multi-trillion Fund mandated by Government through the NSSF Act, as amended, to provide social security services to employees in the private sector. 
The Fund is a secure, innovative and dynamic social security provider that guarantees safety, security and a competitive return on members’ savings of over 2% above the 10-year inflation average.
The Fund manages assets worth over UGX 17.8 trillion, invested in Fixed income, Equities and Real Estate assets within East Africa region. As the largest fund in the East Africa by value, NSSF has the ambitious goal of growing its Assets Under Management to 20 trillion by 2025.
The Fund is regulated by the Uganda Retirement Benefits Regulatory Authority while the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development , and the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development are responsible for policy oversight.

‘NO ONE CAN TOUCH YOUR MONEY’ – Ag. MD AYOTA
Addresssing Media at Workers House in Kampala today morning about the state of NSSF and the Fund’s half-year performance, MD Ayota said NSSF is on track to achieve its key performance targets for the Financial Year 2022/2023 after its contributions, collections and realized income grew by 22% and 17% respectively for half year as at the end of December 2022. He vowed that no one, be it who can touch savers money, members of the fund should ignore the allegations making rounds on social media.
Mr. Ayota was franked by Ms. Barbra Arimi, the Head Marketing and Communications, Mr. Victor Karamagi, Senior Manager, Public relations and Ms. Shaton Nabweteme the Public Relations officer.
“Half year contributions collected by the Fund topped UGX 786Bn, compared to UGX 643Bn over the same period last Financial Year. Realized income also topped UGX 1.054 trillion in December 2022 from UGX 900Bn over the same period last Financial Year, driven by higher interest rates on Fixed income investments.” Revealed Ag. MD Ayota.

The Fund registered 2,078 employers and 67,277 controbutors respectively over the last 6 months.
Records show, the Fund Asset size also increased from UGX 17.65 trillion in July 2022 to UGX 17.88 trillion in December 2022. Although the rate growth reduced compared to the same period last Financial Year, Mr. Ayota said the reduction is attributed to increased benefits  payout.
This leading investigative news website have information showing how NSSF paid UGX 712Bn over 6 months in December 2022 compared to UGX 364Bn over the same period in the previous Financial Year.
MD Ayota noted that, “The increase in benefits payments does not suprise us because this is the trend in the first half of the year because qualifying beneficiaries tend to wait for interest rate declarationat the end of September every year before they submit benefit claims. That is why, in the month of October and November following interest declaration, we paid UGX 217.9Bn and UGX 208.6Bn respectively.”
Commenting on the planned initiatives to recruit savers from small and Mediam Enterprises (SME) and informal sectors, Ayota said that the Fund is ready to fulfil its mandate following presidential assent to the National Social Security Fund (Ammended Act) 2022.
He said that the Fund will roll out a recruitment plan after issuance of the Regulations by the minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development.
“Our plan revolves around two strategic pillars; Creating the capacity of Ugandans to save and creating a willingness by Ugandans to save. That will enable us to achieve the overriding national goal of expanding coverage of basic social security in Uganda from 1.3M members with balances in NSSF to 15M Ugandans by 2035. A capacity to save will also tackle the strategic challenge of ensuring compliance with the NSSF Act as amended.” Mr. Ayota told journalists.

Asked whether he wants to be appointed MD NSSF, Ayota was postive. ” Yes i want to be the MD but i dont guarantee whether i will be. My responsibility is for today, tomorrow it might be a different story.” Replied Ayota who journalists saluted for being a very sharp leader.
About NSSF bosses meeting Gen. Saleh and what was the discussion about, Mr. Ayota said he didnt attend the meeting because he wasnt invited. “So i can’t speculate on what transpired in the meeting. However on whether it was fine for NSSF to meet Gen. Saleh, Ayota said that was ok.”
“NSSF works like any other Financial institution. You can not enter any bank and get money without relevant documents. Savers money here is tracked.” Ms. Arimi nailed it.

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PHOTO: Nangabo Foundation Executive Director Hon. Muwada Nkunyingi interacting with his people in Kyadondo East Constituency

STORY BY
MOSES MUGALULA
NEWS EDITOR MEDIA

NANGABO Foundation, a fully registered local Human Rights Non Government Organisation (NGO) has organised a mega symposium tomorrow on Wednesday January 25, 2023 under the Theme: Human Rights, Climate and Environment conservation. It will run from 8:00am to mid day at Hotel Africana, Kampala.
We have been reliably informed that, a good number of high profile people have already confirmed their attendance.
According to the Executive Director Nangabo Foundation Hon. Counsel Muwada Nkunyingi (Kyadondo East Member of Parliament), from 7:00am to 8:00am will be arrival of Participants. Then Symposium will start at 8:00am sharp with panelists Xavier Ejoy (Country Director, Action Aid), Dr. Lina Zedriga ( Deputy President National Unity Platform) and Ms. Mariam Wangadya (Chairperson, Uganda Human Rights Commission). Topic of this first session will be Human Rights Values and Protection. The role of Citizens and Leaders. From 9:30 am to 10:30 am it will be open discussion and responses.
Second session will kick off at 10:30 am to 11:30 am under the topic: Climate and Environment conservation as a right, the role of cotizens and leaders.
Panelists will be; Kate Airey Obe (British High Commission), Mrs. Barbie Itungo Kyagulanyi (Caring Hearts Uganda) and Dr. Barirenga Akankwasa (Executive Director NEMA).
Open Discussion after this session will take one hour from 11:30am to 12:00pm. Then closing remarks and departure.

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PHOTO: Dr. Kimbowa

● Commonly known as Dr. PK, a few years ago, Dr. Peter Kimbowa was named one of the 101 World’s best Corporate coaches by the World Human Resource Development Congress that is celebrated in USA, UK, Europe, Africa, GCC and Asia.
● Tondeka was name and awarded by Gen. Katumba Wamala, Best Passenger Transport Company of the Year 2022 Award.

STORY BY
MOSES MUGALULA
NEWS EDITOR MEDIA

FORMER workers MP Dr. Sam Lyomoki together with a clique of disgruntled elements have been cited in a blackmail drive to taint National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Board Chairman Dr. Peter Kimbowa and Tondeka Bus, a Company working hand in hand with Kiira Motors Corporation Uganda on the directives of President Museveni to make new buses.
Kiira Motors Corporation is a State Enterprise in Uganda established to champion the Development of the Domestic Automotive Value Chain for job and wealth creation and commercialize the Kiira Electric Vehicle Project. 

This leading investigative news website has landed on an anonymous letter said to have been crafted by the Lyomoki clique petitioning The Insepector General of Governm Attorney General of Government requesting to investigate Mr. Peter Kimbowa alleging that no sooner had he been appointed Chairman Board of Directors NSSF, than, Tondeka bus company was able to put 10 new buses on Kampala street on guesswork that, he might have used workers money to buy, the 10 new Tondeka buses on the street”.
Meanwhile, this anonymous letter dated January 18 2023 has been rubbished by sources in both Tondeka bus company and NSSF saying the allegations don’t add up, doesnt have any iota of truth and letter is good for dustbin.
“If it is true that it is Dr. Sam Lyomoki and his clique behind these baseless allegations, we advise him to find something meaningful to do and stop being idle. We can all imagine how he feels after losing an MP seat. We advise him to try farming or rearing goats, it is good business. Let him desist from spreading lies and blackmailing people.” Said our source in NSSF asking public to disregard that rubbish.
Our reliable sources in Tondeka have told us, “In Tondeka, we dont have time to respond to lazy minds. Actions will speak for us. Mr. Kimbowa was once our Chairman, and when he got a job at NSSF, we congratulated him and he resigned. At Tondeka, we moved on. So there is nolonger anything like that attachment between Tondeka and Mr. Kimbowa.”
Showing gaps in the anonymous letter said to have been received by the office of The IGG, sources in Tondeka say, it is not true that the company brought 10 buses as alleged.
“Fact is, we have so far boought 5 buses from Kiira Motors Corporation. Those are the buses you see, giving service to our people in and around Kampala. We entered into parternship with Kiira Motors who are making the buses for us.” Said sources in Tondeka.
They said, Tondeka is a private company and its owners have never got even a single coin from government or any government parastatal. 

“Its true we have a target of over 1000 buses to simplify transport and traffic jam issues in Kampala. The Head of State welcomed the idea and he was grateful to learn that we are buying our buses from Kiiro Motors Uganda, locally made buses.” Sources who preferred not to mention their names, told us.
This clears Mr. Kimbowa’s name and those spreading lies to tarnish his clean name are just logging a dead horse.

ABOUT DR. PETER KIMBOWA
Commonly known as Dr. PK, a few years ago was named one of the 101 World’s best Corporate coaches by the World Human Resource Development Congress that is celebrated in USA, UK, Europe, Africa, GCC and Asia.
Kimbowa received the citation at Celebrations to mark 28 years of the World HRD congress that took place at the Taj Lands End, Mumbai, India.
Dr. R. Bhatia the founder of the world sustainability Congress said that the awardees were identified after an international research process undertaken by the research cell which consists of Post Graduates in History & Management with over 5 years research experience, an iconic job that produced a shortlist of Individuals who are doing extraordinary work. The shortlist was then reviewed by a Jury comprising of senior professionals from all over the globe. Chairman of the jury, Professor Indira Parikh, Ex Dean of IIM Ahmedabad & President – Antardisha, spoke of Dr. Peter Kimbowa as a leader who has set a big example for transformation and change not only in Africa but also around the globe. Dr. Kimbowa is a corporate Board member and advisor to several Boards including but not limited to; ESKOM (U), Equity Bank, Baylor College of Medicine which is based both in Mulago Hospital and Houston Texas, Kampala Archdiocese and advisor to the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU). He is the reigining Board of Directors NSSF.
A soft speaking gentleman, well educated, down to earth, approachable and a man of his word. You need to work under Dr. Kimbowa, then you will know how transparent managers behave. 

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WHITE SMOKE: Enos Kitto Kagodo is the Bishop-elect Mukono Diocese

● Meanwhile Mothers’ Union elect new President, other leaders

BY MOSES MUGALULA
LWEZA

NEWLY elected 5th Bishop of Mukono Diocese Church of Uganda the Very Rev Canon Enos Kitto Kagodo of St. Philip’s and Andrew’s Cathedral Mukono has testified before The House of Bishops how he was a drunkard thanking God for saving him.
Addressing fellow servants of God, Bishop-elect Kagodo said, “I thank God who saved me from being a drunkard and from the life full of destructive behaviours which I had started as a juvenile.”
Kagodo who was elected by The House of Bishops today morning at Lweza Training and Conference center, has taken over from Bishop James William Ssebaggala, defeating Godfrey Ssengendo of Mukono Nassuuti in one of the hottest races ever! 
Bishop-elect Kitto Kagodo will be consecrated and enthroned as Bishop of Mukono Diocese on February 26th 2023 as the Fifth Bishop of Mukono Diocese at St. Philip’s and Andrew’s Cathedral, Mukono.
Rev. Enos was born on 13th December 1968 in Nakisunga Sub-country in Mukono District. He was born again on 14th October 1994. 
He earned a Master of Divinity degree and a Bachelor in Health Administration from Uganda Christian University, after receiving diplomas and certificates in the same fields. 
Rev. Enos is currently the Provost of St. Philip’s and Andrew’s Cathedral in Mukono. Prior to this position, he has served as a parish priest, Archdeacon, and Diocesan Health Coordinator. 
He was ordained a deacon on 9th June 2002 in Mukono Diocese and then made a reverend on 12th December 2004. He has served on school management committees as well as various Diocesan Boards in the course of his ministry.
Rev. Enos is married to Catherine Namuddu and God has blessed them with seven biological children and many spiritual children.
In one of the messages congratulating him, Manafwa Deputy RDC Kagenyi Lukka has said, “He is a son to Late Philip Kalule Kagodo and a brother to Ambassador Moses Kalule Kasujja.”

ASIIMWE TAKES NORTH KOGEZI DIOCESE
Rev. Onesimus Asiimwe has been Elected 6th Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese. He testified how he was a heavy smoker before getting born again. He was born again on January 8th 1988. After a night of heavy alcohol drinking, he heard the Lord say to him the next morning, “Onesimus, do you not know that your body is the Temple of God?”
In response to the voice, Onesimus told Bishops, “I threw away the cigarette dangling between my fingers ad called on Jesus for salvation. The Holy Spirit 
convicted me to repent of my sins and to make a public confession of my new found faith, which I did that very evening during our family prayer time and a couple of days later in our local church in Kihanga.”
He will be consecrated and enthroned as Bishop on 12th March 2023 at Emmanuel Cathedral, Kinyansano, Rukungiri.
Rev Onesimus was born on 24th April 1965 in Mparo, Rukiga District. He earned a Master of Divinity from Uganda Christian University, a Bachelor of Education from Makerere University, and a Diploma in Education from the National Teachers College in Kabale. He has attended numerous capacity building trainings locally, as well as internationally.
Rev. Onesimus is currently the Chaplain of St. Francis Chapel, Makerere University. Prior to this position, he served as the Provincial Youth and Students Coordinator where he helped develop the very influential PAYSCO (Provincial Annual Youth and Students Convention) programme. He also served as the Chaplain to Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi, and Coordinator of the Provincial Healing, Deliverance, and Intercessory Prayer Ministry.
Rev. Onesimus is married to Florence and the Lord has blessed them with three children.

MOTHERS’ UNION ELECT PRESIDENT
Early morning, The Mothers’ Union Annual General Meeting sitting at Lweza Training and Conference Centre today elected Mrs. Grace Murengezi from the Diocese of Kampala as the Provincial Mothers’ Union President replacing Canon Dr. Ruth Senyonyi who has served for eight years.
During the same meeting, Mrs. Caroline Cik from Northern Uganda Diocese was elected as the Vice President replacing Maama Dr. Alice Mwesigwa from Ankole Diocese.
Mrs. Grace murengezi who was until her election today been the Provincial Mothers’ Union Treasurer, is married to Eng. Moses Murengezi and God has blessed them with four sons and grand children.
The election was presided over by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, The Most Rev Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu; Rev Canon William Ongeng, the Provincial Secretary and Rev Simon Peter Ddembe, the Director of Missions and Outreach.
During the same meeting, members elected Regional Presidents and Community Development Coordinators (CDC’s) as follows;
Western Uganda President- Mama Jean Magezi (North West Ankole Diocese)
CDC: Mrs. Olive Magezi (West Ankole Diocese)
Eastern Uganda President: Mrs. Natasha Isabirye Kagoya (Busoga Diocese)
CDC: Mrs. Betty Taata Nesihwe (Bukedi Diocese)
Central Uganda President: Mrs. Roseline Biingi Kawiso (Namirembe Diocese)
CDC: Mrs. Janet Kibuuka (West Buganda Diocese)
Northern Uganda President: Canon Grace Kissa (Lango Diocese)
CDC: Rev. Capt. Hellen Munduru (Madi West Nile Diocese). 
According to Mrs Barbara Mugisha the Mothers’ Union and Family Life Ministry coordinator, the rest of the committee positions will be filled by the Mothers’ Union Council which will sit very soon.
Past Provincial Mothers’ Union Presidents are; Mama Geraldine Kauma, Canon Gwennie Rukare, Canon Jolly Babirukamu, Mrs. Vivian Kityo, Rev. Canon. Dr. Edidah Mujinya and Canon Dr. Ruth Senyonyi.

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