allafrica.com
@allafrica Wed, 07 Aug 2024 06:56:27
Bugoma Forest Reserve Court Case - NGOs Withdraw
[Nile Post] Civil society organizations (CSOs) under the Save Bugoma Forest Campaign (SBFC) have withdrawn an appeal from the Court of Appeal concerning the protection of Bugoma Central Forest Reserve.
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@matookerepublic Wed, 07 Aug 2024 06:53:03
Health Ministry seeks additional Shs18 billion to deploy medical interns
The Ministry of Health needs an additional Shs18 billion to deploy medical interns, according to the Minister of State for Health (General Duties), Hon. Anifa Kawooya. Kawooya said that a total of 2,706 medical interns are eligible for deployment, but only 1,500 have been placed across the 73 internship centers for a period of one […] The post Health Ministry seeks additional Shs18 billion to deploy medical interns first appeared on Matooke Republic.
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@observer Wed, 07 Aug 2024 04:38:26
Can govt end the cycle of medical interns’ protests?
In Uganda, it has become commonplace for medical interns to stage protests, which often result in arrests and detentions, particularly when their internship period approaches. These demonstrations stem from delays and irregularities in the deployment process, prompting interns to call for government action. The persistent nature of these protests raises concerns about whether a permanent solution to this issue will ever be found. Medical interns, including doctors, pharmacists, and nurses who have graduated from medical school, are required to complete a one-year placement in a hospital to obtain a permanent practicing license. However, this process is often marred by prolonged waiting periods and, in some cases, lack of deployment, leaving the future of many interns in limbo. This year, protests erupted once again due to issues with intern deployment. Out of over 2,000 interns, only 1,263 were successfully placed, while the remainder faced uncertainty. Additionally, 12 doctors from the initially deployed group were recalled by the ministry of Health, as indicated in a letter from the director of Health Service, further reducing the number of deployed interns and fueling the protests. Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has voiced concerns about the numerous complaints from medical students seeking parliamentary intervention. He highlighted the students’ frustration and questioned why they must wait for an extended period after graduation while their peers have already been assigned to hospitals. “I have received several complaints from medical intern students. Many have bombarded my social media accounts. We are all aware of these issues as some of you support these students or have people from your areas affected. They face nu- merous challenges,” Tayebwa said. He emphasized the urgent need to address the deployment issue, noting that the current situation damages the government’s image. In a policy statement dated August 2, 2024, Minister of Health Dr Ruth Aceng revealed that the government currently lacks the financial and technical capacity to deploy the 2024 cohort of medical interns. With a budget of Shs 35 billion for the 2024/25 fiscal year, the ministry of Health can only support the deployment of 1,500 interns. Dr Aceng noted that there are 2,076 interns and 743 postgraduate medical doctors eligible for deployment. She explained that it costs Shs 1.3 million per month, or Shs 15.6 million annually, to deploy one intern. As a result, the available funds will only cover 1,500 interns. “Against this background, the Ministry can only deploy the Cohort of 2023 and the previous year’s totaling 1,435 medical interns,” Aceng said. She added that the remaining 65 positions will be allocated to 22 Dental Surgeons and 43 government-sponsored Pharmacists from the 2024 cohort, as these professionals are in short supply. The ministry’s response raises concerns about whether additional accredited internship facilities will be available to accommodate the 2024 and 2025 cohorts without provoking further protests. Wilson Bahinga, one of the medical interns, highlighted that the continued under-deployment is due to a backlog caused by a combination of insufficient budget allocations and the increasing number of graduates from both public and private medical schools. “Private universities have multiple intakes, resulting in a higher number of graduates seeking internship placements, which creates a situation where the Ministry of Health cannot accommodate all qualified interns due to budget constraints, which is almost Shs 18 billion short of what is needed,” he said.Bahinga noted that despite the ministry’s awareness of annual graduation numbers, it has not adequately planned for the necessary resources to deploy all interns. This has led to a recurring cycle of backlog each year. “We are always left in a limbo state because you can’t work anywhere without a medical license, and yet the minimum requirement to get it is through internship. Does the government want us to sell groundnuts after graduating?” he asked. Bahinga emphasized that the lack of deployment affects their professional growth and compromises the healthcare system, as there are not enough medical personnel to meet patient needs. He vowed that they will continue with peaceful protests as a means of advocating for their rights and addressing the ongoing issues surrounding their deployment. Amina Namukabya, a pre-medical intern, stressed the urgent need for the ministry of Health to adopt a more equitable and inclusive approach to deploying medical interns to address the backlog and ensure all qualified graduates can begin their internships. “I advocate for a systematic review of the selection process that considers the number of graduates from all universities, rather than favoring some as it was this time,” she said. {loadposition inarticle}
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@kfm Wed, 07 Aug 2024 03:57:04
CSOs withdraw Bugoma forest court case
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) under the Save Bugoma Forest Campaign (SBFC) have withdrawn an appeal relating to Bugoma Central Forest Reserve from the Court of Appeal. This decision stems from frustration over the protracted litigation, which has allowed Hoima Sugar Limited (HSL) to continue the destruction of Bugoma Central Forest Reserve, rendering the appeal moot. While the CSOs initiated the case with the hope of halting Bugoma’s destruction, its prolonged legal process has hindered their advocacy efforts, necessitating withdrawal. In August 2020, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) issued an illegal Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) certificate of approval to HSL for its Kyangwali Mixed Land Use project. This certificate authorized HSL to engage in activities such as sugarcane […]
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@kfm Wed, 07 Aug 2024 03:26:05
Uganda’s Chemutai settles for silver
Uganda’s 2020 Tokyo Olympics 3000m steeplechase gold medalist, Peruth Chemutai failed to defend her title at the ongoing Paris Olympics, settling for silver on Tuesday. Chemutai who was in control throughout the race looked poised to defend the Olympic title but lost to Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi towards the end of the race. Yavi clocked a time of 8:52:76 while Chemutai crossed the finishing line with a new national record of 8:53:34, Kenya’s Faith Cherotich took bronze and Alice Finot was fourth with her best time of 8:55:15. The defending champion who looked disappointed at the end of the race won Uganda a second medal at the ongoing Olympics after Joshua Cheptegei’s Gold in 10000m.
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@observer Wed, 07 Aug 2024 02:57:26
NCS’s Ogwel and the underlying questions
It is a week since the permanent secretary of the ministry of Finance, Ramathan Ggoobi wrote a letter to the National Council of Sports (NCS) chairman, Ambrose Tashobya. In Ggoobi’s letter, he informed Tashobya that the general secretary of NCS, Bernard Ogwel, was no longer fit to be the accounting officer of the body. This was after the auditor general’s report that had actually found Ogwel not to have done well in accounting for funds under his docket. Just as Ggoobi, the auditor general did not disclose which funds Ogwel failed to provide accountability for.However, although Ogwel was declared unfit to continue in his accounting role, that did not translate into him being sacked from NCS, which has created another bizarre situation. As it is, Ogwel keeps his job, although that should prove a challenge for the person assigned with the duty of being the accounting officer of the NCS.How do they control the NCS finances while the person they are supposed to have replaced, remains around, overlooking them, and whatever decision they take? Is it not under similar circumstances, that after Ogwel was found unfit to continue as accounting officer, he should have been told to step aside as investigations are done?Individuals that have previously been caught in related circumstances involving money, have normally been told to step aside. That was seen in 2023, when the Uganda Netball Federation president, Sarah Babirye was told to leave office for three months (although she has since been out for one and half years now), to allow for easy investigations.That aside, Ogwel was right in the middle of the accountability problems that befell netball, and even though he faced counter-accusations of having asked for kick-backs from them, that allegation appeared to die on arrival. Every mud that was thrown at Ogwel did not stick even when so much that had been said about him looked compelling.For example, asking Babirye to account for over Shs 400 million, yet she claimed to have received only Shs 186 million seemed like a smoking gun. This was followed by the inspector general of government (IGG) also releasing a report that stipulated that Ogwel had to account for Shs 100 million.Yet, all that died out. The minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, did not call out Ogwel. Instead, she appeared to back Ogwel all the way since he continued in his job undisturbed. This appears to have changed suddenly, which has caught many by surprise.The minister has continued to keep silent on the matter, even though Tashobya, in his response to Ggoobi, subtly suggested that she has the ultimate power over whether Ogwel continues in his accounting role or not. This appeared to be putting Ggoobi and the Mrs Museveni on a collision course. Nothing has emerged from it though, since then.But the fact that the minister of Education and Sports has maintained her stance of silence, and not coming out into the media to talk, ever since the accountability issues first broke in 2022, has raised questions on whether she has decided to leave Ogwel out to dry.One federation official, who preferred anonymity, noted that there have been a lot of financial scandals over the last couple of years that have involved Ogwel and some sports associations. It should be made clear that none of those scandals have declared Ogwel guilty even though heavy fingers have been pointed at him. In light of that, it has been argued that the state will take its time to investigate without creating much uproar. Apparently, once they have all the information they require, they let the law take its course. Could that be what is happening to Ogwel now?Previously, reports from the auditor general regarding these accountability matters have been called for. Yet, none was released to the public, to either exonerate Ogwel or declare him as guilty of fraud, his main opponents in all these issues, that included Babirye or Moses Muhangi, the president of the Uganda Boxing Federation.Ggoobi’s letter discontinuing Ogwel as accounting officer of the sports funds from government is resounding. Perhaps it changes a lot as far as Ogwel’s clout is concerned. But he, like many others interested in this matter, must feel like this is a checkmate on the chessboard, where neither opponent knows not what the next move to take will be.jovi@observer.ug {loadposition inarticle}
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@observer Wed, 07 Aug 2024 02:43:31
Youth blame politics as jobs and militarization of society
Youth leaders and activists have criticized the degenerative and corrupting practice of turning politics into the most paying job and a selfish die-or-do scramble without regard for social cohesion and common prosperity. They observed that commercialization of politics has excluded many poor and young people with potential for leadership transformation, writes JOHN MUSINGUZI. This was organised by the African Youth Development Link (AYDL) at Hotel Africana on July 31, 2024. With the theme, ‘The 2026 general election in Uganda: opportunities, challenges and strategies for meaningful youth participation’, and sponsored by USAID, the dialogue brought together officials of government agencies, young leaders, activists and other stakeholders. The youth from various organisations and associations engaged with staff from Electoral Commission, Uganda Human Rights Commission and National Identification and Registration Authority to enhance civic education and competency, and to lay strategies for encouraging more youth to participate in electoral processes and have their voices heard and their demographic potential realized. Key organisations included Uganda National Students Association, National Youth Council, Inter-Party Youth Platform and Youth Coalition on Electoral Democracy in Uganda. Barbra Mulimira, District Election Administrator for Kampala, delivered a keynote on harnessing youth power to achieve optimal youth participation. She advised youth to avoid engaging in unlawful and dangerous activities such as pre-age voting and electoral violence. She said the Electoral Commission, which has already put out the roadmap for the 2026 general elections, will employ many youths on part-time basis for about two years. She described the electoral process as a multi-stakeholders’ responsibility, encouraged youth to contest for various positions, and called for peaceful resolution of any dispute through either the Electoral Commission or courts of law. Kamadi Byonabye, a director at Uganda Human Rights Commission, urged the youth to utilise their demographic advantage to influence the course of Uganda’s politics so that they live in a Uganda they desire and believe in. He urged the youth to utilise the expanding digital infrastructure to participate in political discourse and mobilisation, and to hold leaders accountable. Youth have the duty to carry out peer civic education and bring up a politically conscious and responsible generation despite challenges of unemployment and corruption, he stressed. Byonabye criticized the pessimism and cynicism towards elections that is common among the youth as negative attitudes that are self- hurting and counterproductive. He argued that free, fair and transparent elections are not determined by what takes place on the d-day of voting but, rather, the observance of various attendant rights such as the freedom of assembly, freedom of association and freedom of expression. He enjoined youth to shun treating politics as a job worth replacing their skills and professions, and genuine service to society. Lynette Nanyonjo from Inter-Party Youth Platform, quoted a recent Afrobarometer report which said 80 per cent of Ugandan youths are opposed to military rule and the creeping militarization of broader society. Julius Mucunguzi, head of Communications at Electoral Commission, counseled the youth to have long forecast about their own future because youth is not a permanent state. “Your big numbers are not enough; you must add value to yourselves by, for example, information, discipline and organisation. Do not ignore the local rural and lower-level youth and adults. You have to work with all levels of governance to be able to impact socio-economic transformation,” he said. Among the strategies brought up were regular and far-reaching civic education, mentorship programmes for youth, and working collectively as a generation with a clear purpose. {loadposition inarticle}
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@matookerepublic Tue, 06 Aug 2024 19:41:15
2024 Paris Olympics: Peruth Chemutai wins silver in Steeplechase
Peruth Chemutai has settled for a silver medal in the women’s steeplechase final at the ongoing Olympics in Paris, France. Chemutai, who was looking to defend the gold she won at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, looked comfortable clearing the barriers and was fast enough during all the laps but narrowly missed securing the gold with […] The post 2024 Paris Olympics: Peruth Chemutai wins silver in Steeplechase first appeared on Matooke Republic.
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@kfm Tue, 06 Aug 2024 15:54:39
Bangladesh president dissolves parliament, frees former PM Zia
BY REUTERS Bangladesh’s president dissolved parliament on Tuesday, clearing the way for an interim government and new elections a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled following a violent crackdown on a student-led uprising. President Mohammed Shahabuddin’s office also announced that the leader of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Begum Khaleda Zia, a former prime minister who had feuded with Hasina for decades, had been freed from house arrest. Student protesters had threatened more demonstrations if parliament was not dissolved. The movement that toppled Hasina rose out of demonstrations against public sector job quotas for families of veterans of Bangladesh’s 1971 independence war, seen by critics as a means to reserve jobs for allies of the ruling party. […]
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@allafrica Tue, 06 Aug 2024 15:37:46
Government Fails to Compensate Bassajjabalaba Over City Abattoir Land
[Nile Post] Government has failed to compensate businessman Hassan Bassajjabalaba over the controversial city abattoir land dispute. The case has been a subject of legal and political attention for some time.
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@sqoop Tue, 06 Aug 2024 14:02:41
Who is Azawi referring to?
Swangz Avenue artiste Azawi has recently been vocal about various issues. She has called out several artists, including Bebe Cool, Chameleone, Kenzo, Vinka, and Winnie Nwagi, for their silence on ongoing corruption scandals. Despite receiving some responses, Azawi has expressed further disappointment. In a recent tweet, Azawi voiced her frustration with someone she once admired: […]
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@sqoop Tue, 06 Aug 2024 14:19:01
Benon Mugumbya opens up on Rabadaba’s short-lived tenure at Swangz Avenue
Swangz Avenue producer and shareholder Benon Mugumbya recently shared details about the label’s first artist, Faisal Seguya, better known as Rabadaba. In an interview on Vybe Life Ug with Eddie Sendi and Jenkins Mukasa, Benon explained that while Rabadaba was the first artist signed to Swangz Avenue, his time with the label was brief due […]
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@sqoop Tue, 06 Aug 2024 14:33:14
Uganda’s Nicholas Katushabe wins big at Kenya’s FOYA Awards
Ugandan business and investment consultant, Nicholas Katushabe, also known as M’ster Quest, has been named Founder of the Year at the prestigious FOYA awards held last Friday in Nairobi, Kenya. Competing against 14 other nominees from Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, Katushabe credits the improvement in his company’s consultancy work, with a focus on Small and […]
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@allafrica Tue, 06 Aug 2024 12:22:29
Govt Mobilises Additional Funding to Support Uganda Development Bank
[Observer] The ministry of Finance has pledged to capitalise Uganda Development Bank (UDB) with an additional Shs 55 billion in a bid to bolster access and affordable financing options for local businesses.
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@matookerepublic Tue, 06 Aug 2024 11:58:55
Opposition MPs reject regional parliament sittings, saying Shs 5 billion for each sitting is ‘total wastage’
A section of Members of Parliament has expressed strong opposition to the Regional Parliamentary sittings, citing the Shs20 billion budget as a wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money. Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi revealed that each sitting is expected to cost around Shs5 billion, which he described as “total wastage.” “We understand that about Shs5 […] The post Opposition MPs reject regional parliament sittings, saying Shs 5 billion for each sitting is ‘total wastage’ first appeared on Matooke Republic.
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@matookerepublic Tue, 06 Aug 2024 11:58:55
Opposition MPs reject regional parliament sittings, which will cost Shs 5 billion each
A section of Members of Parliament has expressed strong opposition to the Regional Parliamentary sittings, citing the Shs20 billion budget as a wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money. Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi revealed that each sitting is expected to cost around Shs5 billion, which he described as “total wastage.” “We understand that about Shs5 […] The post Opposition MPs reject regional parliament sittings, which will cost Shs 5 billion each first appeared on Matooke Republic.
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@theguardian Tue, 06 Aug 2024 11:15:49
No jobs, no trust: young Africans’ economic struggles fuel protests
Young people have taken to streets in Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria amid cost of living crises and lack of jobsYoung protesters in Kenya successfully demanded the withdrawal of a bill that would have raised taxes on everything from bread to vegetable oil and sanitary towels. Inspired by their neighbours, Ugandans marched against corruption. Nigerians rallied against “bad governance” and the soaring cost of living.Since the Covid pandemic, people have also taken to the streets in several other African countries including Ghana, Angola, Malawi and Senegal. Continue reading...
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