OLUNAKU lw’eggulo, Hon. Fred Mukasa Mbidde, ssentebe wa DP owa disitulikiti y’e Masaka era nga ye mumyuuka wa Ssenkaggale wa DP mu ggwanga ateekwa okuba nga yasuze bulungi oluvannyuma lw’ababaadde abawagizi 100 aba Hon. Mathias Mpuuga bwebavuganya ku ky’omubaka wa Masaka Municipality okusala eddiiro ne bamwegattako.
Mbidde ng’ayogera eri ab’amawulire eggulo nga y’akegattibwako ababadde bawagira Mpuuga
Bano abaabadde n’abakulembeze mu nkambi ya Mbidde abalala abaasobye mu 200 batindizze eggendo okuva e Masaka mu Buddu bonna nga bakwataganye n’ebirala, ne beeyiwa ku kitebe kya DP ekipya wali e Mengo, Balintuma road mu Kampala okumulaga essanyu n’obuwagizi.
“Hon. Mbidde, ffe tubadde bawagizi ba Hon. Mpuuga era bulijjo atugamba alina amaanyi era ajja kukusobola. Kyokka bwetwamulabye ng’akola ogwobwakasanke nga bakukubye ejjinja bakutte, kyatunyiizizza era ne kitulaga nti mutiitiizi, omuntu ow’ettima ng’oyo, tayinza kubeera mubaka waffe mu 2021.” Aba Mpuuga agaasuze eddiiro bwebagambye.
Mu birabo abawagizi ba Mbidde byebamwetikkidde mwabaddemu embuzi, enkota z’amatooke, ebibala, sseggwanga z’enkoko, ttule z’amagi n’ensimbi enkalu.
Mbidde eyabadde omusanyufu ennyo yagambye,”Mu Buganda tulina olugero olugamba nti ‘Nnyinimu w’ataba, ebikere birinnya enju. Bwenatuusibwako obulabe abalabe ba DP, naddukira mu ddwaliro ebweru w’eggwanga okujjanjabibwa. Olwo amalindirizi ne getuuma kyegatali nti ge ga Ssentebe wa DP e Masaka. Ago gaakulirawa agatakimanyi nti obukulu buno tebabulonda mu nguudo, wabula baba bw’akalulu mu disitulikiti? Ebibiina tukitwala mu maaso, move ku bacuba abo.”
Ennaku ezo, Omubaka Florence Namayanja ow’abakundi akalwanyisa Ssenkaggale wa DP Mao n’omumyuukawe, yerangiridde ku bwassentebe bwa DP, aba Mbidde kyebaayita omukyala ono okuzannya akandolindoli.
Mbidde asuubirwa okugenda e Masaka essaawa yonna ng’eno abawagizi be bamulindiridde okumwaniriza mu kitiibwa.
Mu kuddamu okulonda obukulembeze bwa DP e Masaka, Mbidde alangiridde, wakuddamu okuvuganya ku bwassentebe bwa Disituliki owa DP.
Ensonda zigamba, ne mu Ttabamiruka w’ekibiina anatuula e Gulu, Mbidde asuubirwa wa kuddamu okuvuganya ku kifo ky’omumyuuka wa Pulezidenti.
THE Powerful brothers of Hindujja Group in India, owners of Ashok Leyland sponsored an Operating local Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) called TONDEKA METRO to operate the 980 buses which already have been cleared by The Parliament and Government of Uganda.
Tondeka is a Luganda word meaning, ‘Dont leave me.’ These buses will be called Tondeka.
It has a Board of Directors and there sits UTRADA Chairman Mustafa Mayambala. Another taxi operators group KOTSA also has a position on TONDEKA Board only that, they still have leadership issues.
These are included to bring on board taxi drivers and conductors to embrace the project and get jobs. Board will also have three experts as Special Advisors.
This board has been tasked to deliver the Turn Key Transformational Project which will ensure affordable, reliable and efficient Greater Kampala Public Transport of up to 980 buses in phase 1.
News Editor Online today reveals TONDEKA Metro directors, who is who. Here they are;
DR. PETER KIMBOWA: He is commonly known as PK. He is the Board Chairman Tondeka Metro. Kimbowa is an Internationally Certified Executive Coach, Consultant, Trainer, Renowned Speaker and Business Adviser.
Dr. Kimbowa
Dr. PK was recently 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 28years 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).
Last week he led a team of TONDEKA Metro directors to meet the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament and take her through the public mean transport transition from matatus to buses as directed by H.E President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Thanks to Dr. Kimbowa for a superb submission about the project which left Rt. Hon. Speaker convinced about the project, cleared it and pledged to give TONDEKA Metro buses all required support.
A soft speaking gentleman, well educated, don’t to earth, approachable and a man of his word. You need to work under Dr. Kimbowa, then you will know how transparent managers behave.
CHARLES OCICI: He is the Vice Chairman Tondeka Metro. Ocici is theFounding CEO at Enterprise Uganda since 2001, a national character institution that provides business development Services (BDS) to MSMEs. Led the institution with distinction enabling it diversity donor partners from three at inception to more than 20 including banks, large corporates that out-source business to SMEs, charities and governments.
Mr. Ocici
Built a lean core team of multi-skilled professionals that are tested in their professional calling of offering diverse business development services. 30 years’ experience in Investment Banking; Private sector and micro, small and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) development; consulting on corporate governance, strategy and Business Plan preparation; staff productivity and career transformation solutions; programme/project design, monitoring, evaluation and impact assessments.
AMANDA NGABIRANO: An urban and regional planner, with more than 5 years of professional experience in the area of urban development, particularly in Uganda, Amanda Ngabirano is a Director, Tondeka Metro.
Ms. Amanda Ngabirano
She studied Bachelor of Urban Planning at Makerere University, and a Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning and Development, at Saxion University, Netherlands, and University of Greenwich, United Kingdom.
She has special interest in urban mobility and its obvious informalities in East African cities. Because of this Amanda has been engaged in several urban mobility projects in various capacities.
She has also conducted research on informality and transport complexities, road safety and quality of public space in Kampala. She is currently coordinating the regional urban mobility project for sustainable and inclusive transport, which is being implemented in Kenya and Uganda.
GAD MUGISHA: He is a Director Tondeka Metro. Mugisha is the Chairman Taxi Ownes Associations. For over 33 years he has been a major investor in the taxi industry. He has been in the leadership of the taxi owners for over 15 years. He is the current chairman of the Commercial Taxi Owners and Transporters Development Association (COTODA).
ROLAND MICHAEL SEBUWUFU: An Investment Banking professional with vast experience in Corporate, Finance and Investment Portfolio Management, Small and Medium Enterprise development, and Micro Financing. Currently the Chief Executive Officer of Buganda Kingdoms’ holding company, called Buganda Investment and Commercial Undertakings Limited.
Mr. Roland Sebuwufu
Outside work, Roland is a Rotarian and has served in positions of Leadership at both club and District level. He is also a Director in Tondeka Metro.
SHRIKESH GHEEWALA: Dedicated and result driven Property Developer with extensive East Africa Property experience. Processing a wealth of management experience and a proven ability to successful sales and business development.
Family background of 3 decades with numerous landmark projects. Excellent interpersonal communication and negotiating skills and ability to develop and maintain mutually beneficial internal and external relationships.
MUSTAFA MAYAMBALA: He has been in the taxi industry for over 30 years. For the last 10 years, he has been the chairman of the taxi operators and drivers association. He has been instrumental in shaping the taxi industry and public transport at large. Mayambala is a Director.
DOROTHY KABUGO: She is the Company Secretary TONDEKA Metro.
ENVIRONMENT and Natural Resources Parliamentary committee will on Thursday February 26th at 10.00am meet with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development on an attempt to resettle over 60,000 Artisanal and Small Scale Miners evicted in Mubende and Kasanda in 2017.
According to reliable sources, this is expected to be a very interesting meeting as the exploration license of AUC company that had evicted them expired and the owners of that company have formed another company and are trying to reapply under another company!
“So will priority be given to the new company or the Artisanal and Small Scale Miners that were evicted?” Asked sources.
INVESTIGATING ISSUES OF GOLD MINING IN KASANDA AND MUBENDE
AUC has been having exploration licences EL 1088 20.9 (SQ KM), EL 1089 (100.85 SQ KM), EL 1093 (207 SQ KM), and EL 1391 for the last seven years.
However, over all these seven years, it has not been undertaking any mining development activities!
According to inspection reports from the ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, there has been concerns about AUC not carrying out the mining plan submitted to the ministry, failure to submit returns as required by law, failure to submit annual financial reports, annual environmental reports, lack of competent personnel to carry out mining development activities and failure to notify the Commissioner Minerals that they had ceased mining activities.
AUC’s argument has been that the Artisanal Miners have been interfering with its exploration activities and as a result run to the president who ordered that, as a compensation for the interference, the licence be renewed 100% contrary to the legal requirement that 50% of the area should have been surrendered on renewal.
Subsequently, on the 4th of August 2020, over 60,000 ASMs were evicted from Mubende and Kasanda mining areas, allegedly to curb the illegal mining activities and encourage mineral development through exploration.
It was also intended to avoid loss of government revenue, use of unsafe mining methods and environmental degradation.
However, subsequently, the president also ordered that the investor should surrender at least 30% of the exploration area (10 sq km), to help resettle the evicted ASMs.
The ASMs have since petitioned parliament, that there is no gold in the area that they were allocated and that they are surrendering the 10 SQ KMs in exchange for one sq km of the area where they were previously operating and where they own land under AUC.
On December 10th 2019, a new company; Cratus Resources Limited, was incorporated with the same directors as the directors of AUC.
It was also registered on the same day with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau as a company with the objective of undertaking business exploration and developing of minerals.
On February 13th 2020, the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources convened a meeting of stakeholders to try and resolve the impasse on the resettlement of the ASMs.
However, Omunyoro Baguma, Director, Geological Surveys and Mines, told the Committee that although legally, AUC’s exploration Licence 1093 was expiring on February 19th 2020, it will continue running outside the law, for another one year, allegedly; “because presidential directives becomes law” and that therefore the ministry could not give any part of land under AUC exploration licence to the ASMs.
On February 20th 2020, according to the cadastre map, the Ministry of Energy accepted an application from Cratus Resources Limited for the exploration area of 159.43 sq kms, previously licenced to AUC under licence EL 1093.
Although, the application is subject to verification of documents, at the moment, no other company can apply for this area.
‘A VERY sad day!’ writes 2021 Presidential aspirant Hon. Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi, “Yet again, one of our solid leaders of the People Power Movement has been murdered.” “Because police saw Ritah Nabukenya wearing People Power colours riding on a boda boda, they ran after her with a patrol truck and knocked her dead.” Writes Hon. Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine.
The Kyaddondo East legislator who was in a sombre mood said, “Murderers, their time is also comming, they will pay for their sins. We must do everything in our might to ensure that Rita and other fallen comrades, get justice.”
Today morning, Ritah commonly known as ‘Priya wa Kyagulanyi’ was allegedly knocked down by a speeding police patrol as she was heading to Buganda road court where her President Kyagulanyi was attending court over OTT charges.
Different People Power supporters put it to police th7at it intended to end this young girl’s life, something, Police denies and has released a statement to that effect.
Hon. Zaake mourns Ritah
Mityana Municipality legislator Francis Butebi Zaake, who is People Power National youth Cordinator Uganda posted this on his facebook page: “I have been reliably informed that Ritah Owa Kyagulanyi who was knocked by a Police truck today morning as it tried to block her from proceeding to Court for the OTT case,has passed away at Mulago Hospital!
WE HAVE NOT KILLED RITAH – POLICE
ASP Luke Oweyesigire, Deputy PRO Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) has issued a statement denying killing Nabukenya.
The statement reads:
There was an accident today at around 8:00am behind Nakawa Market as one heads to Nakawa Division Headquaters.
In the accident, Motorcycle number UEY 675P was trying to overtake our patrol vehicle number UP 5841, but unfortunately, collided with another motorcycle whose registration was not captured immediately because he fled the scene.
The passenger of Motorcycle UEY 675P later identified as Ritah Nabukenya, a resident of Bunamwaya, sustained serious injuries after she fell off the motorcycle. The Patrol car rushed her to Mulago Hospital.
We have gotten to learn that Nabukenya succumbed to the injuries she sustained during this accident and passed on.
Traffic police are Jinja road has now opened up inquiries into the matter with the aim of ascertaining what exactly happened. Police is also looking for the other rider who is still on the run.
We have recorded statements from the eye witnesses and the crew of the 999 patrol vehicle.
We shall retrieve the CCTV footage to confirm what exactly happened.
The body has also been conveyed to city mortuary Mulago for postmortem as investigations proceed.
BLOCKING KYAGULANYI CONSULTATIONS
Meanwhile, Policemen and LDUs armed to teeth today Monday morning were deployed on all roads accessing a Catholic owned Pope Paul Memorial Hotel in Ndeeba – Lubaga, blocking all entrances and checking every car passingby to ensure People Power Movement leader Hon. Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine doesn’t access this venue for his presidential consultations.
Bobi Wine was today scheduled to hold consultations at Pope Pope Hotel after being cleared by the Elections body in Uganda.
There were road blocks along Nabukenya road, Kabuusu round about and Rubaga road where a forest of security officers were deployed to block Kyagulanyi.
At the Hotel main entrance, all cars were thoroughly checked, occupants ordered out and had to answer some questions before allowed to proceed.
This was going on as defiant Kyagulanyi supporters were battling with security teams to force themselves through. This scuffle took some good time especially on Rubaga road and Kabuusu round about.
AIDE ALOYSIUS MUKASA ARRESTED
Bobi Wine aide in Lubaga South Aloysius Mukasa, by press time, was still in confined in cells at Katwe Police Station, being arrested when he had gone to rescue People Power supporters. Mukasa eyes Lubaga South MP seat in 2021 polls.
Mukasa was arrested while driving to secure arrested people power supporters in Ndeeba
When News Editor Online accessed him at Katwe Police Station, Mukasa vowed to continue fighting for justice.
“Police arrested youth for being People power supporters. When I came in to help them secure their peace, I was also arrested. With such threats, we can’t be forsaken. We will fight on until our people are liberated.” He said.
THERE was excitement at the closing ceremony of the Nile Golf Cup when the Kyabazinga of Busoga, His Majesty William Gabula Nadiope, IV chose to Tee.
Kyabazinga on arrival at Jinja Golf Club
Flanked by the Kingdom Premier, Owek. Dr. Joseph Muvawala Nsekere, Chief Prince Samuel Menha Kakaire Zirabamuzaale Nkuutu and the Club President,Charles Kalumuna, Kyabazinga also planted a memorable tree at the club.
In his speech,Owek. Dr. Muvawala encouraged able members of society to join Golf.
“We should embrace this sporting activity since its cross cutting. The Kyabazinga’s presence here today is a clear manifestation that he’s ready and determined to identify and develop Golf and other sporting activities in his Kingdom and the surrounding areas”, the Premier argued.
Prime Minister of Busoga, Owek. Dr.Joseph Muvawala Nsekere with some of the current tourism queens at the tournament
On his part, Charles Kalumuna noted that part of their land was encroached upon reducing their holes to nine instead of eighteen.
He asked for the return of the same to enable development of the game.
He also revealed that Jinja Golf Club is the oldest one in the country having been established in 1952 during the construction of the Owen Falls Dam.
The Queen of England swum in their pool during her visit to commission the dam.
One of the Jinja Golf Club members kneels down to greet the Kyabazinga
Several companies participated that included Bank of Uganda, Civil Aviation Authority, Eskom Uganda Limited, Jinja Ladies, National Forestry Authority among others with Jinja Ladies emerging as the overall winner taking home a trophy and a mattress while Civil Aviation Authority emerged as 1st runners up bagging a trophy and crates of beer plus Rwenzori mineral water.
The event organized by Busoga Kingdom in partnership with Lock Events was sponsored by Century Bottling Company,Bank of Uganda,Eskom,Civil Aviation Authority,National Forestry Authority,Castle Lite,Basoga Baino among others.
I HAVE loved music for a good number of my years. Music reminds me quite many things.
AUTHOR: Counsel Denis Nyombi
The first song I watched on You tube, for example, was Glen Gold Smith’s “dreaming” off the 1988 album, “what you see is what you get.”
Artist Ronald Mayanja eyes Gomba MP seat in 2021
Preceeding this, are other intersting memories. For instance, “So So Def” was my best record label ever followed by Bad boy records, among others. If am not mistaken anyone close to my desk in high school from form 3 on words will quote me right.
Back home, I still have memories for three Ugandan songs. Philly Lutaya’s Kampala and Afrigo’s semuwemba then Jim.
Lutaya’s Kampala was my first song to be listened to in a car radio.
As a young man one day i was walking on Kla streets with mum holding me by hand, whilst crossing from what’s present day Security house, then UDIAM house (Guess the home of Tropicana 110 Those who recall do) i saw a Toyota Corolla DX pass by- (how did i know it’s a Toyota Corolla DX then ?).
That’s another story for another day.
My escapades with cars is also another book. From walking to spear motors to ask about the price of a Mercedes Benz in S 4 vac, to stoping a benz truck to pay for the same UGx Sh200, in around P2 or 3, to keeping a picture of an old E190 1986 Mercedes from P3 to S2.
Artists; Dj Micheal, Bebe Cool and Catherine Kusaasira
Back to music, with a loud beat of an acoustic sound of string and metal, a with an outstanding beat I had never heard of, symphonying Lutaya’s praise of Kampala.
Joanita kawalya’s Jim is a 1995 Afrigo band single that rocked the new FM radio stations .
These two songs start off my discussion. What’s the secret behind what i will in my opinion deem the two of Uganda’s music aspects! Thats is to say,
a)The never fading passion for Afrigo Band.
b)The never ceasing sound of Uganda’s Christmas signature voice of Philly Lutaya’s lone Christmas album.
Understanding these two, gives us the index of discussing Uganda’s music.
President Museveni recently appointed artist Mark Bugembe, commonly known as Buchaman (Left) his advisor on Ghetto Affairs.
The two faces, Afrigo band and the person of Philly Lutaya are a corner stone in Uganda’s music and they start the journey of what we have as the present definition of music.
What is common with the two, manifests our music history and what separates the two, on the other hand, places our contemporary musicians in real context of this discussion.
Their history being a define of our music is partly as discussed below:
The setting of our societies prior to the colonial emergencies, saw different cultures with music as a fibre of the social set up.
The Baganda for example, had music for burials, weddings, worshiping, wars, travel , fishing etc this was the same with all the other of the major five interlucustrine kingdoms in the present day Uganda.
A friend from western Uganda once told me, he can whistle and all the cows gather around him I understood this to mean, that their was music too their that was used to symbolise the face of a herdsman.
I once played an akog (thumb piano,) an instrument whose percussion plays the jingle at the start of NTV’s akawungezi news bulletin. It’s a west nile instrument, that confirms that in The various parts of the country, music had space.
The coming of the guitar, saw a new direction of local music, especially here in central, as it moved from typical tradition folk songs to what was popularly called kadongo kamu (The would be country music in central )
This type of music carried on until the emergence of Congolese bands and rhythms. Many musicians were inspired by super mazembe and Tabley’s styles of this genre, not forgetting Franco.
What’s common of Afrigo and Lutaaya is the fact that both gather their original style, from these Congolese bands.
Afrigo band started as Africa go band. The band today led by a former school teacher and talented footballer Moses Matovu, played the drum beats picking style from Congolese Franco among others, to entertain Idd Amin.
Philly lutaya summarises his journey of music, in one of his singles “Osobolootya”
A song in which he narrates his journey from the dark days as he was discovered by Mr. Stelli.
He played with colleagues like sebiteke Gerald, Kiwanuka, Kasule , Kigozi, mbalala, Mzee Mansulu, Dungu Mukungu, Most analysts argue that he was referring to Summy Kasule another icon of the 80s who latter joined Afrigo band.
A friend of mine who went out much with Lutaya in Sweden narrates to me how “Hanifa omulongo” this writer’s favourite, was a true story.
All this was in Rwenzoli band, prior to Hope Mukasa connecting him to Sweden where he worked with small town studio based in Stockholm.
Why did the two dominate the late 1980s and early 90s?
As seen above, prior to the 80s Uganda’s music was basically a stock of kadongo kamu and a passion for congolese music.
Masagazi, Eclaus Kawalya, Elly Wamala , Frida Sonko, Christopher Sebadduka, Dan Mugula, Matia Kakumilizi, Namale, etc were the shape and fashion of our music.
It’s these icons who gave the 80s and early 90s musicians pace. Real kadongo kamu, dominated the one radio station “radio Uganda.” Haman Basudde, Fred sebbale, Paul Kafeero, Willy Mukabya, Haman Kasozi, Fred Sebata etc were the stars .
Amidst them, were band players . Emitos of Umar Katumba, the kads band, etc who were too in the picture. Others were Jimmy Katumba who also gradually silenced out as the 90s welcomed the modern genres.
Therefore Afrigo n Lutaya, had a totally distant style from their contemporary’s crowd which made them the lead figures to the modern stage.
The other reason why the two were dominate, was that, the 1970s n part of the 80s, were a half decade of war. This silenced substantially most of Kampala night life.
Howeverclose to the end of the 1980s NRA war, came songs that gave hope to Kampala folks. Peter Balijjidde sung “Agawalagana” a song that nearly cost him his life for it’s mystirical meaning – my grandmother tells me.
Never the less, it was a take of the forthcoming victory of the NRA rebels and how the country shall put Its self to order.
At the end of the war, Kampala saw life back . This partly explains why Philly lutaya outdid all his predecessors in dominating Kampala streets.
His Christmas album, came just after these times of war, with joy happiness. But above all, the quality of his music production was so above the ordinary Uganda.This explains partly why hither too, his Christmas album still dominates .
Afrigo on the other hand, gave rhythm to the social problems that struck the country then. A song like speed, was a caution against HIV while oliyigaddi okufumba, was a song about a woman who had failed to satisfy her husband sexually.
It’s dominance and playing house hold music , accounts for its playing the memorable early 90s advert for Nile breweries nile special.– “Ffe twagala nile speciallager kabaka wa biya awatali nile special lager tetunywa kilala…….”
One important point to note, Afrigo Band and Philly lutaya together much as they set the pace , non of the two has more than fifty songs. However , there are artists today, with over twenty songs but have failed to brake through why ?????
To be continued…………
The writer Denis Nyombi is an advocate and Historian. 256-754 592 447
BUNDIBUGYO youths have been advised to maintain peace and security restored in the region by the NRM ruling government through engaging into developmental activities like farming and business.
While launching the youths pressure group dubbed ‘Generation Seven’ (G7) structures in Bundibugyo, Rwenzori region, the residential district commissioner (RDC) Mr’s Asiimwe grace kakwenza asked Ugandans to participate in the electoral commission’s program of checking for there names in the voters register as the country is preparing for the 2021 elections.
“Youths must engage in government programs like operation wealth creation, youth livelihood programs e.t.c to enable you uplift the future opportunities and fighting poverty other than wasting time in betting and other useless activities just for pleasure.” Said RDC Kakwenza.
The National co-ordinator Generation seven(G7) Mr.Gilbert Olinga appreciated Bundibugyo youths for the overwhelming support they usually give to president Museveni and persuaded them to continue with that spirit as they prepare to participate in the coming elections and to avoid politicians who are planning to use them into evils which may lead to destabilization of the region and uganda at large but to focus on developmental projects for poverty alleviation and and keeping president museveni’s legacy alive
THE Rt. Hon. Speaker Parliament of Uganda Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga has pledged to give TONDEKA buses all support they want from Parliament, to make sure 980 buses arrive in Kampala as soon as possible to curb the ‘annoying traffic jam’ in the Capital City.
Kadaga made this commitment on Thursday during a meeting she convened to be briefed by Tondeka Metro bosses led by Board chairman Dr. Peter Kimbowa about the Ashok buses which are set to replace matatus .
Dr. Kimbowa and Dorothy handing over the literature of the whole bus project to Speaker Kadaga
Other TONDEKA official present were, Dorothy Kabugo, the company Secretary, Mr. Shibir Karia, Mustafa Mayambala (Chairman UTRADA), Amanda Ngabirano who is a Board member an expert in urban planning and environment, and Gad Mugisha who is the Chairman Taxi owners also a board member, Sarah Musumba who is the Cordinator at secretariat of Tondeka and Morris Mukiibi communication and information executive.
Kadaga said, “I support the initiative of bringing buses in Kampala. When I was young, we were leaving in Naguru and I used to come to school at Shimon by a Kabandole bus.”
Causing laughter in the meeting, Speaker Kadaga said, “I would stand around Esso corner about 20 meters where our stage would be. The days when I did not eat the money, I would go by bus, the days I ate the money, would just walk back home.”
Kimbowa told Kadaga, “We are business people, we dont deal in conspiracies hiding this and that. We have had several constructive meetings with the Ministry of Works, we have had meetings with UDC which actually are the main organisation in this, we have had several meetings with KCCA and others.”
“We do believe that the ultimate impact of this project is going to be that we increase safety, reduce on the traffic jam, increase affordability, the fares are going to be low, one has to pay a monthly ticket of 55000 like London Metro, 18000 for a week and 3500 for a day and if you are going one way, is 1200.” He told Madam Speaker
“This is a very good idea, because the congestion is so sickening. I have just been with the president and was talking with him about Jinja road jam and said, we can not continue with this.” Said Kadaga.
She said, she is very much familiar with Ashok – Leylands TONDEKA bus suppliers seing them in different East African Countries.
According to Mr. Kimbowa, Ashok Leyland is number one bus manufracture in the World, TONDEKA are bringing best in class buses. They caters for disabled people, the old people and Children.
In the presence of journalists, the Speaker showed concern about the too much traffic of Kampala – Jinja road saying, “In the past, Jinja-Kampala was 45 minutes but now, 45minutes are between Kampala and Banda. Can you imagine? If you are going to Jinja, the journey will take you three to four hours. Its just a nightmare. It’s a very good idea and I want to commend you because I know it’s annoying travelling in this town, everybody is losing.”
KOTSA PETITION
In their petition to the Speaker of Parliament about Tondeka buses, a section of Taxi operators under Kampala Operational Taxi Stages Association (KOTSA) they said, “We implore you as an institution of Parliament to ensure the taxi drivers and conductors are part of this project for mis-inception to final launch of the buses less to be kicked out of the project.”
“We have been here when there was no body, helped this country to do transport. So if we are kicked out of the transport it will not be fair, we are so many and we have families.” KOTSA petition reads.
However, before the Speaker ruled on this petition, he asked TONDEKA Metro how incorporate this group of taxi operators.
“And tell me, how are you going to guarantee the transition from taxis to buses because that is the worry of these KOTSA people?” Asked Kadaga.
DR. KIMBOWA EXPLAINS
In his response, Dr. Peter Kimbowa, chairman Tondeka Metro said, “Madam Speaker, we are actually supposed to have KOTSA on our board but they still have leadership issues. When they agree on their leadership, we will definately welcome them. Their place is still vacant. “
“We have got a very phased program of managing a smooth transition. One, we held a multi stakeholder technical meeting which involved Wakiso, Entebbe, Mukono, Ministry of Transport, we have involved police, ISO. This technical consultative meeting took place in December.” He said.
“We held another one in Kansanga, again bringing together all stakeholders for consultations and engagement and finding out from them how they want this phase to be and to build some kind of harmonisation and concensus.” Explained a soft speaking Kimbowa adding, “We got very good ideas which we are implementing now, the most important thing madam Speaker, is that they are all represented on the board. And the three groups are actually shareholders of Tondeka Metro including KOTSA group owning about 4% shares.”
Kimbowa talked about the recruitment of the bus drivers saying all drivers of taxis are going to be do subjected to driving tests and those who will pass, automatically be included.
“The process has started. We have asked all taxi drivers to submit their papers, there is going to be a screening exercise in Kololo and we will proceed with the process in conjuction with the Ministry of Works who are have the best driving tests mechanism.” Said Dr. Kimbowa.
Tondeka assured the Speaker that they are going to have continuous communication with all the various stake holders.
“We have meetings scheduled between now and in June to ensure that we keep meeting these people and keep sharing information and all crucial milestones we are achieving before the buses arrive. So that when they arrive, we are ready to move.” Said Kimbowa.
Kampala ministers Betty Amongi, her deputy Beny Namugwanya, Works minister Gen. Katumba Wamala, Kampala businessmen and TONDEKA officials during a Stakeholders consultative meeting in Kansanga recently
DETAILS KIMBOWA GAVE KADAGA ABOUT TONDEKA BUS PROJECT
Briefly who are we and what do we do, Madam Speaker, I have come with some literature which I will be leaving behind but I will briefly say, that we are locally a constituted company.
It’s a local company, Ugandan company Tondeka and it’s owned by Ugandans. So it has been constituted as a local company to address some of the problems that we have in Kampala.
We have a very inefficient and almost difficult transport system and among challenges we all face is the traffic jam, a lot of congestion, pollution, Kampala is the 2nd most polluted city in the world and there is lack of safety and affordablity of transport within.
So our intervention is to bring in 980 buses to start with and we are in partnership with Kiira Motors that the subsequent deliveries of the buses will be assembled here by Kiira Motors. So this all project of Tondeka is conceived with the understanding that we are going to work togather with Kiira Motors. So, we are going to bring the first batch of the buses, the rest of the buses 200 per month, will be worked on by Kiira Motors which is 100% owned by government.
There will be a self financing mechanism in this project, there will be no exchange of cash, it will be cashless. The fees are going to be a lot more affordable. So there is going to be a lot of convenience, safety and comfort for the passengers.
We have constructively engaged all key stakeholders both in government, development partners and civil society to get their opinions on making this project work.
In terms of revenue, we are going to pay taxes and will increase the tax base. Uganda has been losing USD 800M in traffic jam.
I understand there are other social issues around traffic jam which has been brought to the attention of Parliament but are more concerned about the loss in terms of money. Then there is employment. There is going to be almost 20000 of jobs created directly and 40000 jobs created indirectly within Tondeka because we are not only talking about the buses but the entire eco-system of buses which includes other things like the terminals, which is like starting new cities outside Kampala.
Sample of Ashok-Leyland buses comming to Kampala
Because that is where people come to pick buses, go shopping, park their vehicles, enter buses and come to town.
The tax owners are shareholders in this company, the tax operators are also shareholders. The president made this very clear that from the word go, we have to be with the taxi owners and operators at the centre of this whole project.
The other shareholders are companies like IV consultants, Transport management consultants and other local investors and Entrepreneurs.
As this project was conceived, the commitment that we made and we still do, is that after three years, there will be an IPO that will open broad ownership of this projects to Ugandans.
Right now our core shareholders are taxi owners and operators and the rest of the entrepreneurs.
ASHOK-LEYLAND OFFICIAL ASURES PARLIAMENT
Mr. Shibir Karia said, “Ashok Leyland are offering sufficient solution of transport system and not only supplying the buses but also offering training of drivers, mechanic technical training, Cashless digital solutions including the financing solution which is forwarded by EXIM Bank of India, it’s finance credit to the government of Uganda.
“It’s a self financing project. So all the revenues, the first priority will be paying off the loan and clear taxes.”He said.
The Indian man explained that, “Ashok Leyland is number one bus company in India, we have been supplying buses in Africa now for 25 years, we first launched in Lagos in 2008 and before we went there, the situation in their capital was worse than here in Kampala. Today, almost 5000 buses operates in Lagos. Other cities like Abuja, Accra to Ghana, Ivory Coast, Abidjan, Senegal, Kinshasa and many other African countries.”
Speaker Kadaga thanking Dr. Kimbowa and TONDEKA team for work done
ANY RIFT BETWEEN TONDEKA & KIRA MOTORS?
Dr. Kimbowa told Kadaga that, “We saw the MP on the floor yesterday talking very eloquently about the need to protect local jobs, the need to support local industries and so on”
“Well he has his opinion but as far as this project is, it is conceived with full understanding that apart from the 980 buses, all the subsequent buses are going to go through Kira Motors which is government owned. It is set up and has got infrastructure, got an assembling plant and its growing it and Ashok Leyland has inspected and offered to support it all the way.” Said TONDEKA Board Chairman.
He revealed that, “With the other initiative of the person in Namanve, their capacity we don’t know, but as far as concerned, for us we are working with Kira Motors.”
“And another clarification madam speaker, we have opened the door. Any Ugandan who has buses and would want them integrated in Tondeka, is free to do so.” Kimbowa explained, adding, “The people in Namanve are actually free bring those buses for as long as they match our standards, the specifications, we have no problem.
So the doors are open, we believe in inclusive growth of the country. Any one who has anything can come and fit in, we are not excluding any one at all.”
About the taxi owners having loans, Kimbowa daid, “Madam speaker, some of the taxi drivers and owners have debts. Some have just bought the taxis. We have actually the product already we have designed with financial institutions to enable the current drivers of taxis to actually offset those debts and be reintegrated especially those who are going to be drivers and conductors the process of recruitment has started now”.
DOROTHY KABUGO GIVE MORE EXPLAINATION
One may wonder how the 980 buses will be brought and navigate through this jam! We are talking to the minister of Works and also to KCCA and we are going to work within the infrastructure we have today but there are a number of extention plans of the roads which is now on going.
We are encorporating bus stops and where possible, they are going to create priority lines within the Central business district and then as you move out of the city because the project is within the greater Kampala, the ministry of Works is talking to UNRA to see how best we can work on the infrastructure.
The buses are not going to have a park within the city. They will be going through and rotate and goes to its terminal like that until the end of the shift.
The greater Kampala Metropolitan area has been divided into zones which includes: Eastern, Western, Southern and North.
And at the end of this zones we have a terminal, because you can’t have it in the city.
The terminal will have a taxi park but a bigger one sitting on about 10 acres and has a place where buses load and offload passengers.
Traffic jam is caused by those who leaves their houses with three, four, five cars and all driving to the city.
So what this solution is offering, is also allowing the people who use taxis use the buses.
So that means that, instead of spending 600,00 shillings per a month on fuel, I can just buy my card at 550,00 shillings. But also to ease jam within town.
It also means that within the town here, some of those parking slots may go especially along the major routes to create priority lanes so there is an opportunity for an investor to invest into park and ride service so that by insisting on coming to town with my car, I must be charged for parking.
The terminals/bus stops have the shopping centers, the markets and in every place where a terminalis created is indeed a new town or a new city because we will have hundreds of people converging there.
This means that, just at a terminal, you can have up to 3000 people being employed. Of course there are washing bays, restaurants, etc.
We have the depots for Tondeka to park buses at the end of the day, wash them, service them and ensure that they are ready to go on the road the next day. Then the drivers’ changing rooms, all that. We don’t want any bus park within the city, there are depots along each of these routes.
There are bus stops along the road. Unless like the ordinary taxis or bus stops we have now where every after a meter there is a stop, people jump on and off, we are coming with a systematical way.
We are working with KCCA to mark them out and actually know that within such a distance, we will have a bus stop so that we don’t bring jam again.
So when you access the infrastructure, this is not an issue of bringing in buses, its an issue of reorganizing transport in the city and we are working with experts like Ms. Amanda Ngabirano and also and Engineers to plan carefully so that we don’t dump it on the people.
But as work, we are with UDC. Tondeka Metro is the operator.
KCCA on a number of times put up bids for investors to invest in buses and failed. In fact one time they got, but failed to provide the buses. Here we are, and we will manage.
Public transport internationally is a public good. Essentially, government is supposed to invest in it.
But when an investor coming in to work with government to make sure it is streamlined, then it is a plus.
We have identified the sites of terminals and its private investors that are investing in these terminals.
We are planning five terminals. On Jinja road we have one in Mukono – Wantoni stage onwards, we have already identified the site. Along Jinja road, we have up to three park and ride services, where people can drive and park their cars and then jump on the buses.
Other terminals are in Matugga on Bombo road, Buloba on Mityana road, a terminal in Nsangi on Masaka road. Entebbe road, there is no terminal there but a park and ride service at Kitubulu. The same way to Gaba road and Luzira.
We have a major workshop for the buses because they will need to be serviced.
AMANDA ON CONGESTION
The level of intensity of the activities in the city is quite high.
This is easy because the level of service provision was quite focused on Kampala as a capital. And therefore, this generated travelled much people to access places for schools, jobs, markets, for home and all this happens very fast that Kampala started chocking.
One of the obvious chocking is traffic and transportation. Every body is now discussing, every body is concerned even a lay person is complaining about a traffic congestion.
Kampala isn’t the richest city that we have so many cars. The only problem, we don’t have an alternative means of transportation, we don’t have an efficient public transport system.
The city of our status, the population and how it is growing, there is nowhere in the world that the city will operate on private car system dominating the transportation system.
And the way we are developing as a country, we are getting more people educated, more people who want to live comfortably. So many will choose getting personal cars. This is going to be unsustainable, it will choke the environment which is very bad for the city and therefore, make people spend more money in traffic jam.
Transportation is going to eat up our people income, they wont be in position to save and invest for their economic growth. This brings me to how the transportation system in our city has encouraged private car ownership.
The land use planning system has not been well integrated in traffic and transportation such that, you find someone staying 25kms away from where they work and why, because they know can buy a car, there is no public transport system.
There is also a problem of first and the last mile. If I work at the parliament of Uganda, and the taxi or bus leaves me in Lugogo, how would I get here, probably that is my last mile?
So the first mile from my home, through the dark streets to the stage has encouraged people to own cars, because if you are to leave home at 4:30 am to 5:00am, you cant walk to the stage so you are going to start planning for owning a private car.
The city must think about a multi-model transport system whereby, you focus on carrying people not carrying cars. The system we have today, is that of carrying vehicles.
Because, per a person, the carrying capacity is two people in a private car and if it’s a higher carrying capacity vehicle, you can have the same number of private cars lets say 64 cars, being taken up by one bus. The current system, we have 64 cars occupying a space of one bus.
So I highly encourage the city and the government to think about higher capacity carrying systems.
MAYAMBALA GIVE DRIVERS & CONDUCTORS POSITION
Chairman Uganda Transport Development Development Agency (UTRADA) an association of Drivers and conductors said, the bus project isn’t new in their ears.
“When we met President in 2015, we had our issues against KCCA, local government, police and other bodies.” Said Mustafa Mayambala.
He told the Speaker, “When the president listened to us, he assured to settle our issues andhe indeed settled them. We want to thank the president.”
“But the president told us to start preparing for transition because taxis will be phased out to mass out but assured us, we will be given the first priority.” He said.
In 2019, they were informed about TONDEKA Metro in charge of preparing them for the transport transition. “True, we have also travelled to places like Kenya, Rwanda and saw, their transport has greatly changed. Jam has been affecting us in fuel and time. In our association, we will make sure protect the jobs of our people. We are happy, taxis will not totally phased out.” Said Mayambala.
Gad Mugisha, the chairman tax owners said, for them are very ready for the transition.
ON 20th February 2020 The Daily Monitor ran a one sided story amplifying the false claims of land grabbing by a one Matia Lubega in a suit against Owek. Kiwalabye Male, Buganda Land Board and myself (Owek. Apollo Nelson Makubuya)
I did not steal or grab Mr Lubega’s land. I have filed a robust defense in the Court. Buganda Land Board has similarly filed a defense dismissing his spurious claims.
The brief facts are as: 1. In 2004 the Kabaka leased land in Block 268 Plot 485 at Lubowa to one Eriya Kabiswa. 2. In 2008 I bought the said land from Eriya Kabiswa and I became the owner with a lease from the Kabaka of Buganda. This was not an allocation of land to me by the Kabaka. 3. Mr. Lubega has never occupied, been gifted or granted a lease on Block 268 Plot 275 at Lubowa. He has no document to show he was given the said land by the Kabaka. 4. When I purchased the land I had no idea of Mr. Lubega’s claims. 5. It is surprising Mr Lubega has waited since 2004 (16 years now)to claim that his land was stolen. 6. Mr Lubega alleges that I used my position to acquire his land. This is false. I have asked my lawyers to seek punitive damages against Mr. Lubega for his bogus accusations. 7. The claims on social media that my undeveloped half acre plot is valued at Shs. 5.3 billion demonstrates both the falsehoods and the length at which some will go to tarnish others. 8. I have been constrained to make a public statement to counteract false information about the suit that is being peddled against me in the media by a person with ulterior motives.
The Writer is a senior counsel, Buganda Kingdom top official, Director Buganda Land Board and chief advisor to His Majesty the Kabaka of Buganda
THIS is unbelievable but it’s true! Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and ruling NRM party have entered into a swap deal in the KCCA Speaker elections due March 05th 2020, to share the two elective positions and technically kick out People Power’s endorsed candidate Haji Abubaker Kawalya.
The information on the News Editor desk shows, the deal is coordinated by Mukono Municipality legislator Hon. Betty Nambooze Bakireke on orders of Dr. Kizza Besigye and Lord mayor Erias Lukwago who fronted this Makerere University female councilor Doreen Nyanjura for Speakership.
At the beginning of this week, FDC President Eng. Patrick Amuriat Oboi (POA) declared Nyanjura as the party sponsored candidate for KCCA Speaker and Doreen Sabuka, as Party candidate for the deputy Speaker.
However, a section of top FDC officials led by FDC Buganda Vice president Owek. Joyce Juliet Nabbosa Ssebuggwawo, who is also Lubaga Mayor rejected this move saying, the nominations lacked transparency, so she will support Abubaker Kawalya, who is the FDC councilor representing Lubaga North at KCCA.
We shall come back to this later.
DETAILS OF FDC/NRM DEAL
According to this deal, our inside sources have revealed to us how MP Nambooze is holding night meetings with NRM’s Kyambogo University councilor Bruhan Byaruhanga who has also been contesting for the Speaker job.
Nambooze is on orders to convince Bruhan Byaruhanga stand down for FDC’s Nyanjura and “We will give you the deputy Speaker job.”
In fact as you read this, Bruhan Byaruhanga has already given up on the Speaker post and now looking for Deputy Speaker votes.
Bruhan Byaruhanga looks to have bought the deal and his party has okayed it. So expect to other announcements, Bruhan and Nyanjura are now in a political bed, thanks to Hon. Nambooze and Peoples Government squad.
News Editor has talked to Bruhan Byaruhanga and confessed how he is no longer interested in Speaker job.
“Yes tell every one,I am contesting for Deputy Speaker. I am meeting councilors to vote for me.” Said Bruhan Byaruhanga. However, when we asked him about Nambooze deal, he just switched off his phone!
We can authoritatively state that, Lord mayor Lukwago met Bruhan Byaruhanga over the same deal. If Bruhan Byaruhanga and Nyanjura go for an alliance like it is expected, Kawalya will be finished!
For Starters, 32 councilors will cast their votes for Speaker and deputy Speaker. The winner must get 50%, meaning, he or she must get over 16 votes. Now, out of these 32 councilors, 18 are FDC members, NRM has 7 and DP has 3. Four are independents.
According to the calculation, Kawalya is comfortably having 13 FDC votes, while Nyanjura has 5 votes, plus 3 DP votes totaling to 8 votes. Now if the alliance is a success, she will be having the 7 NRM votes. With 15 votes in her bag, Nyanjura will only need to independents, and she will be announced KCCA Speaker.
Speaking to this Online site, Asuman Ssemakula, who is Dr. Besigye’s driver, he said, “Nyanjura is unstopped! She has already won. We are masters in such political games. Wait for the election day, she will be declared the winner.”
Asked why Nyanjura camp is too confident, Ssemakula said FDC is doing everything to make sure, their candidate carries the day.
KAWALYA CASE LEAVES FDC DIVIDED
Ssebuggwawo isn’t the only top FDC official to defy Peoples’ government candidate Doreen Nyanjura.
We are reliably informed, FDC Party Spokesman Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, who doubles as Kira Municipality MP is a Kawalya man.
In fact during the Monday FDC press conference, Hon. Nganda arrived at the Najjanankumbi party headquarters to address the press but on learning that Eng. Amuriat and Party Secretary General Hon. Nathan Nandala Mafabi had plotted to use this press conference announce Nyanjura as the party flag bearer for KCCA Speaker race, he got so annoyed and asked the two, why they want FDC to be a laughing stock!
“Who nominated Nyanjura? Which criteria did you use? Don’t expect me to be part of this drama. Let me even go away.” Ssemujju left.
Journalists who had come to cover the Monday Party presser left, only to be called back three hours later that Amuriat and Mafabi were going to address the Country about KCCA and Kampala division flag bearer for Speakers and deputy speakers.
We are also told, the KCCA Speaker contest has divided FDC party as a good number of top leaders are rallying behind Kawalya, while others are team Nyanjura.
