STORY BY:
MOSES MUGALULA
NEWS EDITOR MEDIA

COMMONLY known as ‘Hassan de mayor’, young man Hassan Kasibante was on Thursday this week appointed by President Museveni as a Resident District Commissioner (RDC) and posted to Obongi District, West Nile, Northern Uganda.
Political analysts say, Hassan Kasibante, a former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Party hardworking youth, is one of the best signings ever, made by His Excellency the President in the appointment of RDCs.
Until recently, Hassan Kasibante, a jovial and friendly youth was serving as Personal Assistant to IGG Beti Olive Namisango Kamya. In fact, he is her longest serving Personal Assistant.
Known for his superb mobilisation skills and being down to earth, there is no doubt that Hassan Kasibante will perform to pure satistifaction in Obongi district.
Hassan received his first public recognition as Hon. Beti Kamya’s personal assistant in 2006 right after Kamya had won the famous contest of the Rubaga North MP seat on Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) ticket. He became popular the day Beti kamya was spat by the FDC party on the position of her will.
Hassan then mobilised and arranged an informal congregation to attack the FDC headquarters, an event which earned him remarkable political popularity in the region. 
The departure of Beti kamya from the FDC party was the point of breeding a new party, The Uganda Federal Alliance (UFA) and in this party there was no boss above the two, Hassan being Beti’s right hand throughout the days of the UFA party. 
Insiders say, ” When Beti Kamya discovered that Hassan was a dependable youngman, very honest, hardworking and loyal, She did not want to leave him behind.” For starters, this is the boy who almost did all the donkey work when Hon. Beti Kamya contested for President in 2011.
He would excuse himself from the campaign trail, run to different radio talkshows to promote his UFA candidate, then get unto a bus to catch up with his boss and morale boost Hon. Beti Kamya’s campaign rallies.
Friends who donated funds to fuel Kamya’s campaigns, would assign Hassan to go and pick the money. Ask Hon. Beti, she will tell you, this boy didn’t steal even a coin! 
Him and a one Baker Byayi (now in NUP), were in charge of media desk for Hon. Beti, organising press conferences and booking for her radio and tv shows.
Shortly after 2011 General elections, things were not all that good financially for Beti Kamya but Hassan made sure her boss and UFA party activities get media coverage.
Sometimes Hassan would organise a press conference for Beti at UFA headquaters in Kabuusu and the party could hardly raise transport refund for journalists! With Hassan’s convincing tongue, journalists played it cool and some footed all the way to their workstations.   
Later on, when Beti Kamya received several position appointments in the central government and on all these favours, Hassan has always shared a piece as the Personal Assistant of Beti Kamya. 
A few hours after the appointment of Beti as Kampala minister, Hassan called one of his friends and told him how his chances to remain Beti’s PA were very slim!
“I am worried, she might give the job to one of her well educated family members. I am finished!” Hasssan told a friend.
However, very early in the morning of the next day, Hassan received a call from his boss Beti Kamya, the then newly appointed Kampala minister instructing him to urgently liase with journalists who were thronging her Lungujja residence for a maiden interview.
“Where are you Hassan, don’t you know that we have been  appointed by the President as Kampala minister? Hurry up, come at home and handle these journalists.” Hon. Beti told Hassan Kasibante.
Because of the excitement, he even forgot to put on shoes, instead jumped on a bodaboda from ku Munaku in Kasubi where he was renting a muzigo, to Kamya’s Lungujja home. 

While she served as Kampala minister, Beti did not leave this boy behind. She was always there for him and when he lost his dad, Beti and then State minister for Kampala Benny Bugembe attended the burial. Even when President appointed her Lands minister, she moved on with her PA.
When Beti was elevated to IGG last year, she didn’t leave Hassan behind. She moved along with him and he has been doing a recommendable job.
A very humble young man, incorruptible and workaholic, his excellent service as the personal assistant to Hon. Beti Kamya couldn’t let his several talents go unnoticed. Such as his super strategic mind and unmatched oratory skills.
No wonder Mzee and the minister of Presidency Hon. Milly Babalanda identified this resourceful young man and appointed him RDC Obongi district.
When this news website reached him to find out how he feels about this apointment, Hassan Kasibante had this to say, “I want to thank His Excellency the President for giving me this golden opportunity and i am ready to serve my country with one heart. I will make sure that all government programs are perfectly monitored, I am taking the anti-corruption message to Obongi district.”
“I will make sure that the Parish model funds work for the people of Abongi and will foster peace and security in the district. We will make sure the environment in the district is attractive for business.” Revealed Hassan Kasibante, who is well conversant with local government politics. He once contested for councilor representing Lubya at Lubaga district.

News Editor Media wishes to congratulate Mr. Hassan Kasibante for this appointment. We wish you good luck and will give you full support as you serve your country.

For views/comments on this story, WhatsApp editor on 0772523039

PHOTO: Hon. Mukasa (in a tie) burying NUP’s Umar Lweere in Kikaaya-Bulenga, yesterday

ANNA LUGGYA
LUBAGA SOUTH 

MEMBER of Parliament for Rubaga South Constituency, Aloysius Talton Gold Mukasa was saddened by the death of Umar Lweere, a top National Unity Platform mobilizer in Lubaga who passed on yesterday after a short time illness.
The late Umar Lweere has been serving on Local Council One (LC1) Bulwa village, Lubaga Parish in Rubaga South constituency as the village Secretary for Defence.
At the burial function in Bulenga-Kikaaya, Wakiso district, Hon. Mukasa said people like Umar Lweere who stand for the truth and good governance in the country should be given a decent send-off because they choose not to betray their country.
As opposition NUP Party, MP Mukasa said they will dearly miss Lweere because he has been very fundamental in preaching the gospel of democracy and his efforts during the last General elections where the party banked on him to mobilise for its candidates in Lubaga South.
“On behalf of National Unity Platform, I want to salute my brother Umar Lweere for loving his country and for being a great NUP mobilizer. His death has been untimely, gone at a time we badly needed his immense contribution towards liberation of this country. We shall miss you Umar.” Said MP Mukasa.
On this note, Hon. Mukasa pledged to pay school fees for the late Lweere’s children sending a clear message to those in the struggle that their efforts will never be in vain! 
MP Mukasa who was in company of wife Lillian, contributed money in cash to help in burial arrangements.
In attendence were; Councillor Ronald Mutumba, Ssemuli Daniel, chairman Buwembo Yusuf, Ssegirinya John Baptist and other leaders.
A down to earth Rubaga South MP, Aloysius Mukasa shocked mourners when he took part in digging the grave of a fallen comrade.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, hundreds of Rubaga South People gathered in Busega to receive maize seeds from their area Member of Parliament Hon. Aloysius Mukasa ahead of a rainy season.
Function took place at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Busega.
This was the second time MP Mukasa was giving out maize seeds to his constituents, the first one was last year in Kitebi. Also click to read this story: ACTIONS NOW: MP MUKASA DELIVERS 3000 KGS OF MAIZE SEEDS TO LUBAGA SOUTH PEOPLE, SUCCESSFULLY BLOCKS RAILWAY’S LAND EVICTIONS
Hon. Mukasa told Lubaga people how other Mps from uncountry wanted him to give away these seeds he lobbied from Parliament since his constituency is in Kampala where there are no gardens. 
“I told them off how my people also have villages where they come from, their ancestral homes. And can use that land for planting maize. I am happy that you have gathered here in big numbers to receive the seeds. Go and plant them ahead of the season.” MP Mukasa told his constituents.

Area councilor Asia Nagudi said, “Great thanks to our Honorable MP Mukasa Aloysius. We appreciate your services, I also thank all leaders who were involved. To some of fellow leaders who like useless fights, i Quote from Mother Tereza, ‘If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other’. Intrigue and fighting each other will never bring peace amongst us.”
Nagudi did not name those leaders her message targeted. However political analysts say, this messages served better to other area councilors who skipped this function.
One Ssalongo Sam posted on a Lubaga WhatsApp group and said, “For years i have been in Lubaga, this is my first time i have seen an MP who gives geberously to his constituents and lobbies for his people. Others have been feeding us on words. Hon. Mukasa gives Lubaga people free clean water every week, and bow he has lobbied for us maize seeds. We will never think about substituting such a leader. Continue serving us our beloved MP, we appreciate.”
He was accompanied by councilors who included;; Kigozi Rose Nalubwama, Ronald Mutumba, Nakiyingi Dorothy, Damba Sunday, Isiko Jamil, Nanyange Leah, Nasozi Sylvia, Nagudi Asia, Kyambade Fred(Munyoro), Luyinda Moses, Mpungu Muluta, Nalubwama Ester, Najjengo Betty, Mukasa George Norman and NUP Lubaga leaders headed by Yusuf Buwembo and Ssegirinya John Baptist.
Present were religious leaders and other local leaders who thanked their MP for being a pro-people.

For views/comments on this story, email editor at newseditor.info@gmail.com

NEWS EDITOR MEDIA

UGANDA Parliamentary Press Association (UPPA), a Parliamentary journalists’ body has congratulated the newly elected Speaker of Parliament of Uganda Rt. Hon. Annet Anita Among and her deputy Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, saluting the two for their promise to transform Parliament into a people centred institution.
Ruling NRM’s Anita Among defeated opposition candidate Asuman Basalirwa during yesterday’s Speaker of Parliament election at Kololo ceremenial ground, taking over from fallen Speaker Rt. Hon. Jacob L’okori Oulanyah. Thomas Tayebwa who has been serving was also elected Deputy.
UPPA has however asked the two elected leaders of Uganda Parliament to block unpopular bills like the one of computer misuse amendment bill.
Kampala Central MP Hon. Muhammad Nsereko was granted leave by the Parliament of Uganda to push for the amendment of the computer misuse act of 2011.
According to Nsereko, social media especially has for a long time now been used as an avenue by bloggers and other individuals to insult, abuse, threaten and blackmail people.
Nsereko says he is one of the victims after the National Unity Platform propagandist Fred Lumbuye declared that he should be killed along with other politicians like Mukono MP Hon Nambooze Bakireke Betty, Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga, and many others if Uganda is to be free and have peace in the future.
Nsereko said this was a direct attack on him as an individual but currently the law has weaknesses that don’t clear stipulate how one can be charged and jailed for such poisonous words.
“I will embark on sharing the draft and wide consultations to capture the views of the people of Uganda and other countries. The law shall guard the freedom of speech but also protect the rights of others in society.” Nsereko said.
In Sections 24 and 25, the Act criminalizes cyber harassment and offensive communication.
Cyber harassment, is defined as “the use of a computer” to make an “obscene, lewd, lascivious or indecent” overture (“request, suggestion or proposal”); threaten “to inflict injury or physical harm” to a person or that person’s property; or “knowingly permit any electronic communications device to be used for any of [these] purposes” is punishable by “a fine not exceeding seventy-two currency points or imprisonment not exceeding three years or both.”
Offensive communication, defined as the “willful and repeated use of electronic communication to disturb or attempt to disturb the peace, quiet or right of privacy of any person with no purpose of legitimate communication whether or not a conversation ensues” is punishable by “a fine not exceeding twenty-four currency points or imprisonment not exceeding one year or both.”
In a statement signed by Journalists’ president Moses Mulondo, UPPA is hopeful that unpopular Bills like Computer Misuse Amendment Bill which seeks to curtail freedom of expression including press freedom will not get greenlight under Speaker Anita and Deputy Speaker Tayebwa’s leadership.
Statement says, as professionals who have closely worked with both Rt. Hon. Anita and Rt. Hon. Tayebwa and understand very well their abilities and aspirations, Parliamentary journslists are very optimistic that leadership of the newly elected Speaker and Deputy Speaker will greatly improve the performance of Parliament as an institution and greatly contribute to the social-economic transformation of the country.
Mr. Moses Mulondo said, “We are happy that you have promised to implement the commitments the late Speaker Jacob Oulanyah made to the country which among others include promoting evidence based debates, making parliament people centred and organizing special sittings of Parliament to debate the Parliament Ugandas want to see at the end of the current term of office. That will be the greatest tribute the country will have paid to the late Jacob Oulanyah.”

UPPA assured Speaker and her Deputy  that, as eyes and ears of the public regarding what transpires in Parliament, “We will support you especially in terms of informing the public on the progress you will be making in fulfilling your commitments to the country. May God give you the necessary grace and wisdom and guide you to lead the institution of Parliament for the common good of all Ugandans.”

News Editor Media wishes to congratulates Rt. Hon. Anita Among and Rt. Thomas Tayebwa upon their victory.

For views/comments about this story, WhatsApp editor at 0772523039

STORY BY:
MOSES MUGALULA
NEWS EDITOR MEDIA

NEWLY elected Speaker of the 11th Parliament of Uganda Rt. Hon. Annet Anita Among has openly told off those who thought that she has taken on the 6th floor majorly to blow ruling NRM’s trumpet, she says, that is a wrong perception. She will be a Speaker for all, she is going to serve the nation not a particular political party.
Meanwhile, President Museveni has banned celebrations by both Speaker Anita and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa’s camps upon their candidate’s victory, saying country is still mourning the passing of Speaker Jacob Oulanyah.
The Head of State has directed that all celebrations be halted. Both camps ha
Giving her acceptance speech after 401 legislators elected her Speaker Paliament of Uganda, today at Kololo ceremonial grounds, Anita Among has clearly said, “I am going to be Speaker for all, I am not Speaker for NRM.”
Anita was defeated her competitor Asuman Basalirwa who polled 66 votes only.

BELLOW IS SPEAKER ANITA’S FULL ACCEPTANCE SPEECH
Your Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Your Excellency the Vice President, Your Lordship, the Honourable Chief Justice of the Republic of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State, Colleagues Members of Parliament, The Clerk and Staff of Parliament, Fellow Country Men and Women, Praise be to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
It is with great honour and privilege that I stand before you to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to you for electing me to the Chair of Speaker of the 11th Parliament of the Republic of Uganda. 
With humility and respect, I would like to say; thank you, Eyalama Noi…. Eyalama noi noi…
Today is a day of mixed emotions. A day when we continue to mourn our fallen leader, comrade, friend, father and brother; Rt. Hon. Jacob L’okori Oulanyah and yet the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda which, we swore to uphold, dictates that constitutional processes to legitimise the business of Parliament to go on. 
I am happy that as statesmen and women we have lived up to our constitutional obligation.
The times have been challenging, especially the last few days. The grief, sorrow, and pain have taken a toll on all of us. The worries and the struggles. But we have also witnessed your courage, your resilience, and the generosity of your spirit to run the course of the Rt. Honourable Oulanyah’s vision.
Your Excellency and Honourable Members, this is a day I never imagined would happen this soon, especially because I believed that for the next five or ten years I would have a strong mentor and leader to hold my hand. Little did I know that God had a different script. 
I request that we rise and observe a moment of silence in honour of our fallen leader, brother, father, mentor and friend; the Rt. Hon. Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah.
Your Excellency and Honourable Colleagues, I am humbled and indeed overjoyed by the faith and trust you have placed in me. I am greatly indebted to you for what I have become today.
The leadership of the 11th Parliament will continue to be guided by a vision to have a people centred Parliament that is anchored on evidence based debates. Honourable Colleagues, we shall base all our decisions on facts as presented to the House. 
Indeed we committed that reason and sound logic shall be used in tabling our positions, this will enable us to derive correct interpretation from agreed facts. I implore everyone to be tolerant and have mutual respect. 
Economy, efficiency and effectiveness shall underpin our utilization of the financial, material and human capital resources available to us. 
Your Excellency and Honourable Members, the ongoing re-organization and institutional Reform of the Parliamentary Commission and the Parliamentary Service will continue until we achieve optimal performance and adequate support to the Members of Parliament. Legislative and Administrative support services must meet the needs of the Members of Parliament. 
Ours shall be a Parliament where the needs of the common man take centre stage in order to achieve the social – economic transformation that the NRM manifesto strives to achieve.  
Honourable Colleagues, you have been unanimous in your assessment of my leadership; I’m here, ready to serve you, but I will serve you; as we walk the journey together. 
United as we have always been, let us deliver a transformed country that we all call home.
A better Uganda is good for everyone irrespective of your political affiliation. The reason we have reached out to all political parties in Parliament to work for our country. I will be a Speaker for all. 
I therefore, thank my party the National Resistance Movement and all the Members of the 11th Parliament for choosing and elevating me to the position of the Speaker of the 11th Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
I trust that with the guidance of the Lord I will steer the House in a manner that will not only satisfy and inspire Ugandans but also make my party and yourselves proud of your choice and indeed, honour the legacy of my fallen mentor and brother Jacob.
It is the greatest honour of my life to accept this responsibility to serve the 11th Parliament and indeed, the Republic of Uganda as Speaker.

God Bless You
FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY 

Anita Annet Among, MP
SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT

FACTS ABOUT SPEAKER ANITA AMONG
Born 23 November 1973, Anita is a Ugandan accountant, lawyer and politician who served as the Deputy Speaker of the 11th Parliament of Uganda (2021–2022).
She also concurrently serves as the elected member of parliament for the Bukedea District Women Constituency, the same position she held in the 10th parliament (2016–2021). She was in FDC party before she joined the ruling NRM where she was voted as the Deputy speaker of the 11th parliament.
She attended local schools for her elementary and secondary education. She graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, from Makerere University, in 2005. In 2008, she was awarded a Master of Business Administration degree, also by Makerere University.
In 2018, Among graduated from Kampala International University, with a Bachelor of Laws degree. At that time she was in the process of attaining qualification as a Chartered Certified Accountant.
From 1998 until 2006, Ms Among worked at Centenary Bank, one of the large commercial banks in the country. At the time she left in 2006, she had risen to the rank of branch manager. For the ten years prior to her election to parliament, she served as a lecturer in accounting, at Kampala International University.
For two parliamentary election cycles in 2007, when Bukedea District was created, and 2011, Among lost the District Woman Representative seat to Rose Akol of the National Resistance Movement political party.
Among, a long-time member of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change political party, ran in 2016 as an independent candidate. She won and is the incumbent MP.
In 2020, she joined the National Resistance Movement (NRM) after falling out with her party FDC and won the party primaries. In the 2021 general elections, she was one of the few legislators who was elected unopposed to join the 11th parliament .
Among has been declared the speaker of the 11th parliament of Uganda in the by-election

Also read: BREAKING: HERE ARE THE 401 MPS WHO HAVE ELECTED ANITA AMONG AS OULANYAH’S SUCCESSOR FOR SPEAKER PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA

BY MOSES MUGALULA 
NEWS EDITOR MEDIA
KOLOLO

ALL the way from Bukedea, Teso Subregion, here is Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, the newly elected Speaker of Parliament. She has advanced from the fifth floor from where she has been serving as the Deputy Speaker for Parliament to the 6th floor of the Parliamentary building, where Speaker of Parliament sits. Thanks to the ruling NRM MPS, the independents and a section of opposition member of Parliament who has massively voted for her.
The Bukedea district woman Member of Parliament has defeated opposition candidate Asuman Basalirwa to be crowned 11th Parliament Speaker, taking over after the fallen Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah.
In the presence of her party chairman, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, also president of Uganda, Anita Among almost swept all votes to be crowned new Speaker.
She has polled 401 against Basalirwa’s 66 in an election presided over by Chief Justice of Uganda Alfonse Owiny Dollo.
Earlier before elections commenced, Rt. Hon. Anita Among promised to serve the nation with one heart. She said, “I want to thank you for this confidence the house has showed me. I am forever endebted to you for this confidence that you are giving me, in nominating me for  speaker of the 11th Parliament. It is with great honour and humility that I accept the nomination and I am ready to serve the nation.”

HOW ELECTIONS OF THE SPEAKER WERE CONDUCTED
It all started by the Chief justice proclaiming that Parliament shall sit at Kololo ceremonial grounds on the 25th day of March 2022 at 10am, to elect the Speaker of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
He said, on Sunday 20th March 2022, the country received sad news of the demise of Rt. Hon. Jacob Lokori Oulanyah. He died in Seatle, Washington DC in USA. 
“This rendered the office of the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda vacant. 
Under Article 82 (4) of the Constitution of Republic of Uganda and rule 5 (4) of Rules of Procedure of Parliament of Uganda, NO business can be transacted by Parliament other than election of the Speaker at any time that office fell vacant.” Said Chief Justice.
He noted thst, “This is the reason for my coming here today as the Chief justice of the Republic of Uganda to preside over the election of the Speaker in fulfilment of Article 82 (5) of The Constitution of Republic of Uganda.” 
This Article provides that, “The Chief Justice or the Judge designated by the Chief Justice shall preside at an election of the Speaker and this Speaker shall preside of the election of the Deputy Speaker.”
The importance of carrying out this election, CJ said, when the body of Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah arrives in this Country, a number of things will happen. Chief among which, will be his lying in State of Parliament and Parliament honouring him. That will be a sitting Parliament and such a Parliament can only be presided over by a Speaker. “Honouring Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah in Parliament is what we can give him.” CJ told Parliament before calling about nominations of candidates for Speaker and nominees given time to consent as Item no. 6 of the order paper read.

MP MUWANGA KIVUMBI
Rising on point of procedures, Butambala county MP who doubles as Chairperson of Buganda Parliamentary caucus said he is a Chairperson of 126 members of Parliament from Central region, a population of about 12 million people. 
“A few days ago, Your lordship you were quoted in the Press making comments to the effect that a particular group of people in Central region were tribalistic which was not true….. ” Said Hon. Muwanga Kivumbi who was cut short by Prime minister Nabbanja on point of order, accusing the member of Parliament of diverting the House, “When we are handling a very important issue.” 
She was however booed by members of Parliament who believed that nothing was more important than Kabaka of Buganda which they say was blackmailed by Chief justice.
CJ put it to the people of Central region that they protested against flying late Oulanyah to the hospital in America, “Yet even their ethnic leader was flown by the Presidential jet to Germany for treatment and they did not protest.”
Muwanga Kivumbi openly told CJ how he misrepresented facts because it is not true that central Uganda People protested against Oulanyah’s treatment and it is also not true that Kabaka used a presidential jet as alleged by CJ.
Oulanyah however ruled in favour of PM Nabbanja that Muwanga Kivumbi was not in order, promoting a group of members of parliament to start singing ‘Ekitiibwa kya Buganda’ the Buganda Anthem in protest of what CJ said against the people of Buganda.

MP SHAMIM MALENDE ON IMPRISONED MPS SSEGIRINYA AND SSEWANYANA
The Kampala woman MP said, “My lord I rise on a point of procedure, under rule 78,1d of Rules of Procedure of Parliament.
My lord, we have two Honourable members of Parliament currently who are not here and they are jailed in Kigo Prison that is Hon. Ssegirinya Muhammad of Kawempe North and Hon. Allan Ssewanyana of Makindye West.”
She revealed that, “Unnder article 28, (3a) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, every person charge with a criminal offence is presumed innocent until proven guilty or until that person is pleaded guilty. The two Honourable members of Parliament have never pleaded guilty, no evidence have so far been laid against them.”
“And according to rule 5 of our rules of procedure, the members of Parliament are entitled to participate in this election. So my point of procedure my Lord, is that, are we proceeding right when we have not established whether any fora has been put in place for the two Honourable Members of Parliament to participate in this election? I take to submit my lord.” Malende, who is a lawyer by profession, told Chief justice. 
In his response, CJ said Hon. Malende did not cite any where the Constitution that if any member is incarcerated, Parliament can not proceed! 
“I don’t see it anywhere in the Constitution. And with rules of procedures, once there is quorum, Parliament can proceed,”He ruled that members proceed with the nomination of Candidates for Speaker.

PRIME MINISTER NABBANJA NOMINATES ANITA AMONG
Your Excellency the President of Republic of Uganda Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, my Lord the Chief justice, Hon. Members, my name is Nabbanja Robinah, woman representative Kakumiro district. I beg to move under Article 82 of the Constitution and rule 5 of our rules of procedures of Parliament that Hon. Anita Annet Among woman representative of Bukedea district do take the Chair of this Parliament as the Speaker of the 11th Parliament of Republic of Uganda. I beg to move.
Hon. Dennis Obua Amson, MP Ajuri County, Alebtong district seconded the nomination of Rt. Hon. Anita Among for Speaker Parliament of Uganda.

LOP MPUUGA NOMINATES ASUMAN BASALIRWA
Your lordship the chief justice, in compliance with rule 5 sub rule 9 of rules of procedure, I hereby move a motion that the Hon. Asuman Basalirwa member of Parliament for Bugiri Municipality take the chair of this Parliament as the Speaker. 
He was seconded by Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, MP Nakawa West.
Hon. Jonathan Ebwaru MP Soroti City in Teso Subregion said, “I rise here to close nomination!  I move to close the nominations.” Causing laughter from members of Parliament until he gathered himself again and said, “I move the motion that nomination be closed.”
Hon. Wilfred Nuwagaba MP Ndorwa County East seconded the motion to close the nominations.
CJ put the question whether nomination be closed as proposed and majority supported nomination to be closed. 
CJ declared Hon. Anita Among and Hon. Basalirwa candidates for speaker. Both candidates consented
Hon. Basalirwa said,  “I Asuman Basalirwa, member of Parliament Bugiri Municipality do hereby consent the nomination as Speaker of Parliament. I think you.”

SSEWUNGU AND OLANYAH GILBERT ON M7’S CAMERAS
Before electons started, members of Parliament Joseph Ssewungu and Gilbert Olanya complained about Prwsident Museveni’s car with cameras parked near where elections wereally going to be conducted to make sure MP seen who they vote. MPs wanted this car to be taken away but CJ ruled them out.
Elections started and final results have given Rt. Hon. Anita a win as the new Speaker.

News Editor media congratulates Rt. Hon Anita Annet Among

For views and comments about this story, WhatsApp editor 0772523039

Gender Minister, Hon. Amongi Betty (third left) with the delegation from Oman after the meeting in New York

NEWS EDITOR MEDIA

THE Government of Uganda has made tremendous progress in advancing gender equality and women empowerment as a key driver of inclusive economic growth and social development.
While presenting a paper at a dialogue held on the sidelines of the ongoing 66th session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York on Thursday, the Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, Hon. Amongi Betty Ongom observed that a host of progressive laws, policies, programmes and interventions had been instituted to support the drive.
“As a country, Uganda has entrenched a clear belief system which recognizes that societies where women and girls are treated as inferior to men and boys are a recipe to establishing and perpetuating a vicious cycle of limited education, poor employment opportunities, ill health, forced marriages and all too frequent violence and exploitation.” Amongi said.
She added that more attention had been directed to eliminating cultural and religious practices that subjugate women and perpetuate multiple forms of discrimination, oppression and violence.
She called for studies on how to liberate women who remain custodians of protecting and reinforcing such practices. 

The Minister however decried the slow progress at global level noting that of the 72 million children of primary-school age still excluded from school systems, two-thirds are girls while women hold only 18 percent of the world’s parliamentary seats and throughout the world, too many women live in fear of violence. 
“In too many countries, policies, legal frameworks and social justice systems are just not adequate. Of all the Sustainable Development Goals, the one where we have achieved least success is on maternal health,” she noted adding, “Each year, between 10 to 15 million women suffer long-term disability due to complications during pregnancy or childbirth. Every year, more than a million children are left motherless”.
The Minister said the Gender Ministry in Uganda is prioritizing economic empowerment for women because research has shown that women face greater hurdles than men in almost all spheres of economic activity including; access to finance, assets, technology, good-quality jobs and peer-to-peer networks.
She pledged to develop a comprehensive approach to reducing gender inequality, repealing laws that discriminate against women and girls, increase protection against violence, close the gap in girl’s education and digital technology, guarantee full access to sexual and reproductive health services and rights, and end the gender pay gap. 
“We are making sure that women have equal representation in peace processes, and strengthen our work on the links between violence against women and international peace and security,” She added.
Amongi was optimistic that women’s equal leadership and participation is fundamental and with the quotas that have been in implementation, there is a growing shift in balance of power and that dividends are starting to show towards gender parity in Government, Parliament, Corporate Boards and Institutions across the world.
“We are now moving to a very exciting time in history where the world now expects diversity, equity and inclusion. The world notices its absence and celebrates its presence.” She observed.
Meanwhile, the Minister has held bilateral meetings with Ministers and executive officials from South Africa, UN AIDS, Oman and Norway on a cross section of issues.
The discussions revolved around the need to increase peer-to-peer learning programmes between Uganda and South Africa. 
The South African Minister for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Hon. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane also pledged more cooperation on Gender and Equity budgeting as key empowerment strategies for women and girls.
The Norwegian State Secretary for International Development, Bjorg Sandkjaer pledged more financial support to Uganda in areas of sexual and reproductive health for pregnant girls, the elimination of Female Genital Mutilation and the gender equality programming.
Oman pledged to work closely with Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to ensure that Ugandan girls working as housemaids are safe and their rights are protected while the UNAIDS Africa Director, Anne Githuku-Shongwe pledged collaboration with Uganda on scaling up the campaign for reduction of HIV infections arising from the COVID-19 impact, especially among young girls.

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