NEWS EDITOR

SELFLESS Nakaseke South Member of Parliament Paul Ssemakula Luttamaguzi who this week wrote to Speaker of Parliament authuorizing her to deduct a sum of money from his monthly salary to fight against Covid-19 spread, is indeed a generous young man.

Latest from Nakaseke, this opposition MP has today cut over 200 bunches of Matooke from his gardens and he is going to give them away to hungry bodaboda riders, taxi drivers and conductors in the townships of Semuto, Kapeeka and Nakaseke who are no longer working after the presidential directive.

Luttamaguzi is also giving out sacks of cassava and UGX 500,000 (Five hundred shillings only) to each of the over 20 bodaboda stages in his constituency.

The give away function is today at 10am in Nakaseke.

Speaking to the News Editor Online,  Hon. Luttamaguzi said, “These days, our people are experiencing the most hard moments  just like it was during the NRA bush war which left Luwero Triangle and Nakaseke in particular in acute poverty.”

“This Saturday morning i have decided to cut bunches of bananas from my gardens at camp Luttamaguzi to give them away to my friends the Taxi drivers and conductors operating at Semuto, Nakaseke and Kapeeka stages in Nakaseke South.” Said Hon. Luttamaguzi.

He says, “Each will take atleast two bunches of bananas, half sack of cassava and each taxi stage will receive UGX 500,000/=, for the moment.”

Also each bodaboda stage in township of Semuto, Kapeeka and Nakaseke will each receive 500,000 this Saturday. 

 “I have decided to first help these groups because their gardens (jobs) were closed by the directives of President. We can’t sit by as our people are dying of hunger. United we will stand, and surely we will overcome this situation.” Noted MP Luttamaguzi.  

NEWS EDITOR

THIS is the time to see real Pastors and and comen in our churches! 

May God bless Rubaga Miracle Centre Cathedral senior pastors Jessica and Robert Kayanja for their generosity.

Last week, they launched a drive to distribute basic necessities to the most vulnerable families during this Covid-19 pandemic season.

Pastor Robert Kayanja yesterday said, “This charity campaign dubbed ‘bucket project’ in which 5.1 metric tons of maize flour, bars of soap, Dettol, sugar and rice will be given to at least 500 homesteads daily for the next 30 days and we will begin tomorrow (today) Friday in Kisenyi, a slum in Kampala Capital City.”

“The war is now at our door steps and I want to thank all those that are supporting the efforts  against the enemy through your giving.” Said the 77 Days of Glory man of God who owns Channel 44 Miracle tv.

He told News Editor Online that,  “This is the time to think about the most vulnerable amongst us. We are all in this and if we don’t save the needy ones, who knows you might be the next.”Harold Kaija has posted on his face book page thanking Pr. Kayanja for giving back to the needy.

POLITICIANS SALUTE KAYANJA

Politicians including opposition FDC Deputy Secretary General Harold Kaija, Lord councilor Moses Mulindwa and Haji Makolo Kavuma a regular radio talkshow caller have saluted Pr. Kayanja for feeding the needy at this time.  

“The Bible talks about that time when you will be told.’You did not feed me when I was hungry.’ God’s people are crying of hunger, it’s love and care that will see them through.” Said Kaija.

Haji Makolo said, “This is the time to see the real men of God and religious leaders. I want to thank Pr. Kayanja, for being exemplary, he is a real champion.”

He challenged other religious leaders like Sheikhs to learn from Pr. Kayanja and feed people who are sleeping on empty stomachs during this Coronavirus lockdown.

“Where are the celebs who are always in newspapers splashing money in bars? What about politicians) Or are they are waiting to come during elections period? Do you want to find graves?” Asked Makolo.

Moses Mulindwa who is eyeing Lord councilorship in Kampala Central has told us, he very grateful to Pr. Robert Kayanja for donating to his people in Kisenyi who are suffering.

“As you all know, Kisenyi is typically a slum. When I heard that Pastor Robert Kayanja was going to feed over 500 homesteads for 30 days, I approached him with a humble request, to consider my people in Kisenyi, Mengo. I am so happy that he has responded positively.” Said Lord councilor Moses Mulindwa

NEWS EDITOR

GOD is great! President Museveni has today morning announced the good news about over 300 people mostly returnees from Dubai who have been in quarantine that have all tested negative, only 4 infected with the deadly Coronavirus.

In his latest communication to the Nation, The Head of State has said, “I thank all of you for embracing the measures we announced to control the Corona Virus. Although it is too early to accurately determine whether we are defeating the virus or not, I have some good news in as far as the fight is concerned.”

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI’S FULL STATEMENT 

The good news is that yesterday but one, the 25th of March, 104 returnees from Dubai or their associates were tested for the virus and they were all negative. 

Yesterday, the 26th of March, another 197 people were tested and many of them were returnees from Dubai or other category one countries, only 4 tested positive.

These 4 had been under institutional quarantine in the various hotels identified by the sub-committee on quarantine.

They have been evacuated to Mulago Hospital for treatment. 

It seems, therefore, that the efforts of identifying by temperature monitoring at the airport, quarantining the people on whom there’s some suspicion and tracing the ones who escaped from the quarantine is working well. 

Fortunately, as we can see , many of the people are negative. 

The other good news is that the majority of the 14 people who are hospitalized at Entebbe, Mulago and Masaka with the virus are responding well to the treatment and seem to be improving. 

I will keep you updated. 

NEWS EDITOR

KENYA President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday announced measures to cushion Kenyans from Covid-19 economic effects in which he talked about reduction of his salary and salaries of the senior ranking officers of the National Executive with immediate effect.

This comes at a time when fighting the spread of Coronavirus in Kenya has intensified, with fresh orders, effective today Friday, March 27th, 2020, a daily curfew from 7pm to 5am shall be in effect in the territory of the Republic of Kenya, with all movement by persons prohibited.

Those whose movements won’t be interfered with are the medical Professionals, Health Workers, Critical and Essential Services Providers and security teams.

In neighbouring Kenya, March 25th 2020 marked 12 days since their first confirmed case of Coronavirus. 

Addressing Kenyans on cutting government officials’ salaries Uhuru said, “In sharing the burden occasioned by the present global health pandemic, over the duration of the global crisis and commencing immediately, my Administration has offered a voluntary reduction in the salaries of the senior ranking officers of the National Executive.”

“The President & Deputy President’signing salaries will be reduced by 80%, Cabinet Secretaries 30%, Chief Administrative Secretaries 30% and Principal Secretaries by 20%.” Ordered Uhuru Kenyatta saying, “My Administration has made and will continue to make targeted state interventions to cushion every Kenyan from shocks arising from COVID-19.”

He said, he recognizes the anxiety that this pandemic has caused millions of Kenyan families; fearful of what the future may hold for them and their children. 

And also, the possibility of job losses and loss of income weighing heavily on their minds.  

Read:https://www.newseditor.co.ug/2020/03/25/coronavirus-m7-forgets-to-tame-land-lords-bank-loans-power-water-tariffs-as-he-sends-home-market-vendors-bodaboda-taxi-drivers/

PRESIDENT UHURU’S FULL SPEECH

In order to protect jobs for our people and to provide some certainty for both employees and their employers, I, as your President, ORDER and DIRECT as follows:

1. That the National Treasury implements the following immediate reliefs and increase disposable income to the people of Kenya, through:  

(i). 100 % Tax Relief for persons earning gross monthly income of up to Ksh. 24,000. 

(ii). Reduction of Income Tax Rate (Pay-As-You-Earn) from 30% to 25%. 

(iii). Reduction of Resident Income Tax (Corporation Tax) from 30% to 25%; 

(iv). Reduction of the turnover tax rate from the current 3% to 1% for all Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs); 

(v). Appropriation of an additional Ksh. 10 Billion to the elderly, orphans and other vulnerable members of our society through cash-transfers by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, to cushion them from the adverse economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; 

(vi). Temporary suspension of the listing with Credit Reference Bureaus (CRB) of any person, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMES) and corporate entities whose loan account fall overdue or is in arrears, effective 1st April, 2020.

1. The National Treasury shall cause immediate reduction of the VAT from 16% to 14%, effective 1st April,2020; 
2. That all Ministries and Departments shall cause the payment of at least of Ksh. 13 Billion of the verified pending bills, within three weeks from the date hereof.  Similarly, and to improve liquidity in the economy and ensure businesses remain afloat by enhancing their cash flows, the private sector is also encouraged to clear all outstanding payments among themselves; within three weeks from the date hereof.
3. That the Kenya Revenue Authority shall expedite the payment of all verified VAT refund claims amounting to Ksh. 10 Billion within 3 weeks; or in the alternative, allow for offsetting of Withholding VAT, in order to improve cash flows for businesses. 
4. That Ksh. 1.0 billion from the Universal Health Coverage kitty, be immediately appropriated strictly towards the recruitment of additional health workers to support in the management of the spread of COVID-19.  

In that regard, I further direct the Ministry of Health, the County Governments and the Public Service Commission to expedite the recruitment process. 

1. I call on the other arms of Government and tiers of Government to join us in this national endeavour, by making similar voluntary reductions; which will free-up monies to combat this pandemic.
2. Further to the guidelines issued encouraging State Agencies to establish and implement frameworks for staff to work from home;
3. I hereby order and direct that all State and Public Officers with pre-existing medical conditions and/or aged 58 years and above, serving in Job Group S and below or their equivalents, take leave or forthwith work from home, excluding personnel in the security sector and other essential services as outlined in the circular issued to the Public Service on 16th March, 2020.

ON LOANS & INTEREST RATE

Fellow Kenyans, 

The Central Bank of Kenya has additionally rolled out the following Measures: 

9 (i) The lowering of the Central Bank Rate (CBR) to 7.25% from 8.25% which will prompt commercial banks to lower the interest rates to their borrowers, availing the much needed and affordable credit to MSMEs across the country.

9 (ii) The lowering of the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) to 4.25 percent from 5.25 percent will provide additional liquidity of Ksh. 35  Billion to commercial banks to directly support borrowers that are distressed as a result of the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

9 (iii) The Central Bank of Kenya shall provide flexibility to banks with regard to requirements for loan classification and provisioning for loans that were performing as at March 2,2020 and whose repayment period was extended or were restructured due to the pandemic.

Every time we have been faced with adversity Kenyans have coalesced together and pulled each other out of the situation. 

Our nation shall prevail, the aspirations of our destiny shall stand. Together we shall be victorious, Pamoja tutashinda. We can and we shall defeat the Coronavirus Pandemic. 

God Bless each and every one of us, and God Bless Kenya.

NEWS EDITOR

PRESIDENT Museveni has left for Moroto in Karamoja for State duties.

Museveni who yesterday night addressed the Nation on fresh measures to fight Coronavirus, before leaving for Moroto advised Ugandans to behave cautiously, maintain social distance, wash hands regularly, and those sneezing and coughing keep away from the public.

OPINION

THE government has addressed us enough on the preventive measures that curb down the spread of COVID19! 

Prevention is important because it forms the primary line in fighting the pandemic.However, in my thinking, if this government was people centered by now its helping hand would be felt by the citizens. 

This may not necessarily mean supplying food or consumables directly to Ugandans because as you are aware the corruption rate in Uganda cannot warrant that, before you know the earmarked funds will be swindled. 

Therefore, I strongly believe that exempting taxes on consumables like soap, detergents, sanitizers, etc and household food items can greatly lower the prices of commodities for our people.

Government agencies like NWSC should lower their rates.

My opinion is that, the Minister of Finance cum the President of Uganda can renegotiate the interests on loans already issued by Bank of Uganda to the money lenders.

This will subsequently  reduce the interests meant to be paid by Ugandans thus mitigating the pressure on their part.

The other thing is that the government may advise all money lenders and landlords to suspend collection of money during the lock down period.

Important to note is that if government remains indifferent about the welfare of Ugandans, we are bound to register deaths arising from poverty, stress, depressions etc before they even contract COVID19.

Lastly, I wish to advise government agencies enforcing President’s directives, especially Uganda Police Force and the UPDF to stop beating Ugandans under the guise of implementing the directives.

We are Ugandans, Corona Virus found us here and we are here to stay treat us with respect.

#StaySafe, #stopCovid19 and live to see the New Uganda!

The writer Hon. Francis Butebi Zaake is the Member of Parliament for Mityana Municipality, also National Youth Cordinator People Power.