kfm.co.ug
@kfm Mon, 22 Jul 2024 05:39:08
Former UNEB Secretary Bukenya is dead.
Former Uganda National Examinations Board Secretary Mathew Bukenya has died. According to the UNEB spokesperson Jennifer Kalule, the Board is deeply saddened by Bukenya’s passing and that his mentorship and guidance will be always be cherished by those he left behind. She describes him an exemplary and inspiring leader whose legacy will continue to shine bright in the hearts of many Ugandans. “His guidance and mentorship meant the world to the most of us in UNEB, his leadership was exemplary, guiding and inspiring”,Kalule said. Bukenya was at the helm of the UNEB for over 17 years.
read morekfm.co.ug
@kfm Mon, 22 Jul 2024 05:42:40
Kabaka returns home safely from Namibia.
The Kabaka of Buganda Kingdom Ronald Mutebi 11 has returned home amidst speculations that the Namibian government declined to extend his visa for further stay in the country where he has been receiving medical treatment. He was last night received at Entebbe International airport by a team of Buganda officials led by the Kingdom Premier Charles Peter Mayiga and the Nnabagereka Sylvia Nnaginda. The Kabaka left for Nambia in April 2024, for medical treatment but his long stay prompted demonstrations at the Namibian high Commission in United Kingdom, with protestors demanding explanations for his prolonged stay in the foreign country citing a possibility of abduction. Here in Uganda, the police also blocked a group of Buganda youth who were planning […]
read morekfm.co.ug
@kfm Mon, 22 Jul 2024 05:49:33
Police on high alert ahead of planned Tuesday demo
By Andrew Bagala The police and military are on high alert ahead of tomorrow’s planned demonstration at parliament by a group of youth against corruption. Heavily armed military and police personnel have been deployed nearly in all major junctions of Kampala Metropolitan Area ahead of the anticipated match. This comes two days after the Police Field Force Unit commander for Kampala City, in a radio message, urged all units to keep their personnel and equipment on standby, ready to respond to demonstrations. During his address to the nation on Saturday, president Museveni said anyone planning to carry out demonstrations is playing with fire. Youth have organized a march to parliament tomorrow where they say they want to express their frustration […]
read morematookerepublic.com
@matookerepublic Sat, 20 Jul 2024 18:37:30
Rugby Cranes suffer narrow defeat to Zimbabwe in the Rugby Africa Cup at Namboole
The Uganda Rugby Cranes suffered a narrow defeat to Zimbabwe in a thrilling match on Day 1 of the 2024 Rugby Africa Cup at the Mandela Stadium, Namboole on Saturday. Despite being down 22-0 at halftime, the Rugby Cranes staged a remarkable comeback in the second half, with Philip Wokorach and Innocent Gwokto contributing to […] The post Rugby Cranes suffer narrow defeat to Zimbabwe in the Rugby Africa Cup at Namboole first appeared on Matooke Republic.
read moresqoop.co.ug
@sqoop Sat, 20 Jul 2024 10:11:52
Lil Pazzo in trouble over copyright infringement
Lil Pazzo’s chart-topping song “Enkudi” might have brought him fame and fortune, but it could also land him in financial trouble. The Ugandan artiste has been served with a legal notice for copyright infringement by the late Kato Lubwama’s family, who claim that Lil Pazzo’s song uses their father’s original composition without permission. According to […]
read moresqoop.co.ug
@sqoop Sat, 20 Jul 2024 10:00:11
Lydia Jazmine plans to set up own studio
Some of the challenges artistes face is a lack of studios to record their music. Today, some studios charge hourly and then we have heard artistes who have paid for a session but have to wait for another session because a ‘bigger’ artiste used the same session to record. With this back-and-forth situation, Lydia Jazmine […]
read moresqoop.co.ug
@sqoop Sat, 20 Jul 2024 09:33:53
Uganda Police clarifies on King Saha alleged arrest incident
Contrary to earlier rumors, the Ugandan police have confirmed that artiste King Saha was not arrested. Luke Owoyesigyire, Deputy Police Spokesperson for the Kampala Metropolitan area, stated that King Saha was only cautioned, and the incident was actually related to the event organizers and bar owners. “We did not arrest Saha,” Owoyesigyire emphasized in an […]
read moresqoop.co.ug
@sqoop Sat, 20 Jul 2024 08:50:51
Ameria Nambala gets new management
For proper productivity, the only thing an artiste has to worry about is their music. Someone else should look into other stuff such as studio, bookings, and videos. Someone else, meaning proper management. That is Ameria Nambala’s latest accomplishment. The musician has been signed under Wajid Management who will push her career to greater heights. […]
read moreobserver.ug
@observer Sat, 20 Jul 2024 08:19:38
Death toll in Kikuube police truck accident rises to 9
The death toll in the Kikuube police truck accident has now risen to nine. The accident occurred on Thursday after a police truck, registration number, UP 9799 veered off the road and turned several times at Kitegwa B village, Kabaale parish in Hoima district. Seven people died on the spot while two others were declared dead on arrival at Hoima regional referral and Mulago national referral hospital respectively. Police have since identified the deceased as detective Charlis Matubwa Anvizo, Kikuube district crime intelligence officer AIP Richard Jene, the in-charge homicide at Kikuube police station, corporal Christine Cheruto, the in-charge of gender desk at Kikuube, detective Samuel Ojambo, attached to homicide at Kikuube police and Raymond Nuwamanya, the police driver who died on arrival at Mulago hospital last night. Others are Mubarak Rwamahe, a suspect, Martin Munyuza a suspect, Peace Tukamushaba, a suspect and a six-month-old child belonging to Peace Tukamushaba. Those who sustained severe injuries are Sgt Francis Bwango, police constable Michael Omamwo, police constable Abel Niringiye, police constable Johnson Tumusiime, and Apollo Turinoha, a special police constable attached to Kikuube police. Others are Julius Kabagambe, a suspect and Jonathan Kamugisah also a suspect. Julius Hakiza, the Albertine region police spokesperson explained that some of the police officers and the suspects were heading to Kyarushesha in Kyangwali sub-county to reconstruct a murder scene. He says the driver lost control, veered off the road, and overturned several times. According to Hakiza, this week alone, the Albertine region has recorded two fatal accidents with 13 deaths registered. He cautioned drivers in the region against overspeeding and reckless driving. {loadposition inarticle}
read moresqoop.co.ug
@sqoop Sat, 20 Jul 2024 06:44:36
Free music studios for artistes in all regions
Among the things Chameleone asked for recently at a function at Kololo Independence Grounds was a studio and his wish has been granted, but not just for him but for the rest of the artistes in Uganda. According to info we have received, President Museveni has given artistes a free studio in Mengo where they […]
read moreobserver.ug
@observer Sat, 20 Jul 2024 05:45:27
Corruption: Geraldine Ssali, MPs committed to High court
The powerful permanent secretary in the ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, Geraldine Ssali Busuulwa has been remanded to Luzira prison on charges of conspiring with five others to defraud the government of billions of shillings. Ssali is charged alongside Igara East MP, Michael Mawanda, Elgon County MP, Mudimi Wamakuyu, and their Busiki County counterpart, Paul Akamba. The quartet is jointly charged with Leonard Kavundira, principal cooperative officer in the ministry of Trade, and city lawyer, Julius Kirya Taitankoko. On Friday, they appeared before chief magistrate Joan Aciro where they were charged afresh on an amended charge sheet. Ssali appeared before the same court where the charges were read to her. She was arrested on Friday and presented to the court but the charges were not read to her pending the amendment of the charge sheet.When court resumed, it allowed the prosecution to tender in an amended charge sheet. The accused persons were then asked to face trial in the High court because the magistrate said her court had no jurisdiction to try them. Court heard that Mawanda, Wamakuyu, Akamba, Kirya, Kavundira, and Ssali conspired to defraud Shs 3.4 billion that was meant for compensation of Buyaka Growers Cooperatives Society Limited based in Bulambuli district. The crimes were allegedly committed between 2019 and 2023. The prosecution alleges that Mawanda in October 2021, in Kampala diverted public funds amounting to Shs 1.5 billion for purposes unrelated to the intended resources. Wamakuyu and Akamba allegedly diverted Shs 2.3 billion and Shs 200 million respectively for their benefit. Taitankoko allegedly diverted Shs 3.5 billion. The prosecution further alleges that Taitankoko received the money from a dfcu bank account of Kirya and Company Advocates from the ministry of Trade. He then transferred the money amounting to Shs 911 million to Rajnish Jain on account number 3200370870 held at Centenary bank knowing such money to be proceeds of crime. He reportedly transferred the money to assist Wamakuyu who was involved in the conspiracy to defraud Shs 3.4 billion, which generated the proceeds to evade legal consequences of his action. The prosecution states that Kavundira during the financial year 2021/2022 and 2022/2023, abused the authority of his office when he influenced and coerced the chairperson of Buyaka to abandon their duly appointed lawyers from Angura and Company Advocates and Mungoma and Wakhakha and Company Advocates in favour of Kirya and Co Advocates. The prosecution further alleges that during the financial year 2021/2022 while employed as the permanent secretary and assigned the role of accounting officer of the ministry of Trade, Ssali abused her authority by doing an arbitrary act prejudicial to her employer. According to the state, that was done when she irregularly introduced Buyaka among the cooperatives to be compensated for the war loss by the government of Uganda. It is alleged that Buyaka was not listed on the request for the supplementary budget dated August 2021. Ssali is also accused of causing the financial loss of Shs 3.8 billion by making irregular payments to Kirya and Company Advocates meant for Buyaka. The DPP states that Ssali wrote to the secretary of the treasury ministry of Finance requesting a supplementary budget of Shs 54 billion that included Shs 10 billion for cooperatives.Evidence shows that Shs 2.3 billion was for Masaka, Teso Shs 1 billion, Nyakatonzi Shs 1.06 billion, North Bukedi Shs 1.2 billion, Bunyoro Shs 1.5 billion, Lango Shs 723 million, Kigezi Shs 1 billion and Central West Nile Shs 1.16 billion. The evidence shows that Ssali wrote a follow-up letter and submitted a list of the cooperatives to benefit. Among those listed were Masaka Cooperative Union, Jinja Multipurpose Cooperatives Society, Lango Cooperative Union, North Cooperative Union, Buyaka Growers Cooperatives Society Limited and Bumwambu Cooperative Society.Buyaka was not part of the list initially listed for payment. The records show that Buyaka was then listed to get Shs 1.5 billion. Consequently, on October 21, 2021, the minister for Finance wrote to the speaker submitting expenditure schedules for the financial year 2021 /2022 which included Shs 8 billion to the Trade ministry for war loss compensation. The evidence further indicates that parliament approved the said supplementary expenditure of Shs 8 billion and recommended an appropriation of Shs 17.5 billion to the Trade ministry for compensation of various cooperatives without any basis or justification. The cooperatives intended to benefit from the approved Shs 17.5 billion did not include Buyaka and as a result, various payments belonging to Buyaka were paid to Kirya and Company Advocates who later made irregular payments to Akamba, Wamakuyu and Mawanda. Further evidence shows that investigations later commenced as ordered by parliament and it was established that Shs 3.8 billion was paid to an account held in dfcu in the name of Kirya and Company Advocates by the Trade ministry between October 4th 2021 and June 2023. The records show that of the total monies approved, Buyaka got only Shs 290 million. The summary of evidence by the DPP further shows that money was later diverted to different individuals and for different purposes majority of which was paying money lenders. Mawanda allegedly received the money worth Shs 1.05 billion and in October and November 2021, Shs 200 million was again transferred to the bank account of Owoyesigyire, Muhereza and Company Advocates held in Bank of Africa for settlement of civil suit number 28 of 2020 between Beginner George Turyakira and Michael Mawanda in the Commercial Division of the High court.Evidence submitted before the court further indicates that Shs 33 million was paid to Centenary Bank for Mawanda to pay loan obligations to satisfy Akamba and Wamakuyu among other money lenders. The prosecution concludes that during the trial, they will adduce overwhelming evidence both physical and non-physical to show that all the accused persons have no defense whatsoever and they should be convicted as charged.The accused persons were not allowed to say anything about the charges against them are capital in nature and the magistrates court has no jurisdiction to entertain their plea as well as to try them. They have been advised to seek bail in the High court if they so wish. {loadposition inarticle}
read moresqoop.co.ug
@sqoop Fri, 19 Jul 2024 15:13:37
Butter yellow: A must-have hue this season
VERSATILE: Butter yellow is versatile and can easily become a staple in your capsule wardrobe. It is a unisex colour, making it ideal for coordinating his and hers looks. Colour has a unique ability to elevate not only your ensemble but also your overall mood. Whether you are dressing up for an occasion or putting […]
read moresqoop.co.ug
@sqoop Fri, 19 Jul 2024 15:23:48
Streaming: Find Me Falling
Director: Stelana Kliris Genre: Romance/Comedy Cast: Harry Connick Jr., Agni Scott, Ali Fumiko Whitney, Tony Demetriou, Aggeliki Filippidou, Lea Maleni, Athina Roditou, Clarence Smith. Duration: 1 hour 33 minutes Now streaming on Netflix Coming off a flop album and his biggest hit’s dwindling popularity, ageing rock star John Allman (Harry Connick Jr.) decides to take […]
read moresqoop.co.ug
@sqoop Fri, 19 Jul 2024 15:35:16
THE VIDEO: Tukilimu – Gloria Bugie
There is a visual concept we have refused to kill. It is the hiding place for every director who is confused about a romantic concept. It is a return to the African traditional society, but imagineered with illusions of modernity. In this concept, the men are always bare-chested, the lady is often coming from the […]
read moresqoop.co.ug
@sqoop Fri, 19 Jul 2024 14:59:14
The Ugandan Zeitgeist: Ogon, a cartoonist with rizz
In the Ogon bible are the potholes, the parliament…name it. DRAWING ATTENTION: When our bu-kids ask what we did in our times, I will pull out this book.. see me I had even forgotten about the Togikwatako battle, but everything, the story of our times is locked in that ka-book. Mbu it does not matter […]
read moresqoop.co.ug
@sqoop Fri, 19 Jul 2024 13:23:38
‘We are so fortunate that people like what we do’
WATCH OUT WORLD: You have seen them on most social media platforms such as X, TikTok and Instagram doing freestyle sessions, one singing Luganda and another one singing Lunubi. What started as a free-flowing freestyle for Leghacity and Munubi is turning into a serious career for the duo. Isaac Ssejjombwe met up with the duo […]
read morematookerepublic.com
@matookerepublic Fri, 19 Jul 2024 12:30:44
UBL, KCCA commission Shs130m sanitation block in Bukoto market
Uganda Breweries in partnership with the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has commissioned a Shs130m new sanitation block in Bukoto market, one of the suburbs of Kampala which currently has a population of about 500 people. This newly commissioned block is intended for use by the traders of this particular market and the neighboring community. […] The post UBL, KCCA commission Shs130m sanitation block in Bukoto market first appeared on Matooke Republic.
read morematookerepublic.com
@matookerepublic Fri, 19 Jul 2024 12:40:55
Rugby Africa Cup set to kick off in Uganda on Saturday
All is set for the Rugby Africa Cup Men’s Tournament 2024, scheduled to take place in Uganda from July 20 to 28. This continental showcase, which Uganda won in 2007, brings together eight nations from across Africa, featuring the finest rugby talent. The tournament, featuring defending champions Namibia, Kenya, Algeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Zimbabwe, and […] The post Rugby Africa Cup set to kick off in Uganda on Saturday first appeared on Matooke Republic.
read moreobserver.ug
@observer Wed, 17 Jul 2024 04:54:06
Katanga trial: Defense lawyers tear into prosecution witnesses
Molly Katanga is accused of causing the death of her husband, Henry Katanga, by shooting him with a pistol on the night of November 2, 2023. Her two daughters, Patricia Kankwanzi and Martha Nkwanzi, have been charged with conspiracy to destroy evidence that could have been used in the judicial trial. The house help, George Amanyire, and the family nurse, Charles Otai, are charged with being accessories after the fact of murder. All the accused persons denied the charges against them during a court hearing presided over by Justice John Muwata on July 2. The highly publicized murder trial finally commenced after roughly seven months of legal proceedings, which included the denial of two bail hearings for the accused, a protracted search for the complete disclosure of trial documents, and explosive allegations from Martha Nkwanzi. On behalf of the defendants, Nkwanzi accused the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of deliberately withholding vital pretrial evidence. Additionally, the judge decided to lock the media out of the pre-trial hearings. Molly Katanga, currently held in the high-security women’s prison in Luzira, appeared via Zoom before the High court to hear her trial. She was seen wearing a surgical mask, a white headscarf, and a dera, looking somewhat distraught on the big screen behind the judge. The two daughters, the house help, and the family nurse were seated in the third row with masks covering their faces. A Rutooro language translator, Joyce Amono, was assigned for Amanyire, following his request to be tried in a language he best understands. The prosecution team, seeking justice for the late Henry Katanga, comprises Samali Wakooli, assistant director of public prosecutions, and chief state attorneys Jonathan Muwaganya and Anna Kiiza. They bear the burden of proof and must demonstrate the guilt of the accused. The defense team is represented by prominent legal figures including Macdusman Kabega, Bruce Musinguzi, Elison Karuhanga, Peter Kabatsi, and John Jet Tumwebaze. Their task is to prove the innocence of Molly Katanga and the four others. On Tuesday, July 9, the case was presented before Justice Isaac Muwata. The courtroom was filled to capacity, with some attendees standing due to lack of seating. The court began cross-examining the witnesses presented by the prosecution at 10:20am. The first witness, Dr Julius Muhwezi, 44, is a police medical doctor who offers services to suspects in detention and police officers stationed at the Directorate of Police Health Services in Nsambya. He examined the two suspects, George Amanyire and Charles Otai, upon their detention. DETAILED REPORT When asked by the prosecution to describe his process for handling suspects, Dr Muhwezi provided a detailed report. Although he appeared nervous, he remained firm in his statements. He explained that, according to protocol, he examines suspects using Police Form 24, where he records the details of his examinations, including the date, and then stamps and signs the form. He testified that he examined the two suspects on November 12 and found no external injuries, noting that they appeared to be in normal mental condition. The defense, during its cross-examination, asked the witness how he identifies the police forms of the suspects’ medical examinations presented before him. The witness responded, “It is my handwriting, stamp, and signature,” and confirmed that both forms were handled by him. The defense then introduced a document showing a superficial examination of Amanyire conducted six days before the main medical examination by the witness. The exhibit presented to the judge indicated that the suspect was arrested on November 2. Defense lawyer Bruce Musinguzi asked the witness to confirm that the suspect was arrested on November 2 but was in Jinja on November 12, implying illegal detention. He asked, “As a trained police officer, you know that it is illegal to detain a person for more than 24 hours without being charged. Do you examine people who have been detained in this manner?” Further examination of the witness confirmed that he is not aware of when the suspects he examines are arrested. He stated that he is only responsible for the medical section of the examination and the forms presented. The defense then asked the witness how many stamps the form holds. He replied with the number and was then asked to confirm that he stamped the form twice, on November 12 and 13, and that both stamps were made by him. The witness, looking perplexed, examined the form critically before answering, “Yes, I confirm that I signed on the 12th, but it appears adulterated.” The defense asked the witness to confirm the form’s adulteration, to which he responded, “Because, my lord, what should have been the 12th reads 13th.” He confirmed that the stamp on the 12th belongs to him, but the one on the 13th was not stamped by him. He reiterated that he examined the suspects as required of him. ON RETURN The court took a one-hour break at 12:43 after cross-examining Muhwezi for about three hours. The second witness, Samuel Osede, 56, an assistant inspector of police in the Jinja Road Police division and currently in charge of Bugolobi community policing, has been in the police force for 31 years. The prosecution asked Osede to identify the accused persons, among whom he recognized Patricia Kakwanzi, who had introduced him to her sister Martha, the shamba boy, and the family nurse on the day of the incident. The prosecution then asked Osede to recount the events of November 2, as he was the first responder to the crime scene. He stated that on November 2, 2023, around 8 o’clock, he was at his home in Mukono when he received a call from Patricia, who said, “In our home, someone has committed suicide by shooting himself.” He then made his way to Mbuya, the home of the late Henry Katanga. Upon his arrival, he was ushered in by a man who he later identified as the family chef. The chef led him through the lower sitting room up a flight of stairs to the upper sitting room, which is next to the main bedroom, where he found Patricia and Otai. “I moved with the doctor [Otai] to the room where the deceased was,” Osede stated. The prosecution then asked, “Where was Patricia’s mother?” He answered that he did not see her. He asked who the deceased was, and Patricia said it was her father. He then asked where her mother was, and she replied, “The incident took place when mummy was not around.” He noticed someone in the room mopping. “I didn’t inquire a lot since the mother was not around; so, I told them to stop what they were doing, and I took over the room. There was a lot of blood in the room, and Amanyire was cleaning the blood.” There was a pistol on the bed with a live bullet beside it. The body was placed on a small three-inch mattress. There was a lot of blood on the main bed and the mosquito net. The body looked clean, with gauze tied around the legs, and there was no blood seeping from it. He then called his superior, Peter Ogwang, who informed him that he had already been made aware of the incident by Doctor Otai and was on his way. As it approached 10am, the OC of Bugolobi police station, Peter Ogwang, arrived, to whom Osede handed over the scene. Shortly after, a team from the Jinja Road police division arrived and took over the investigation. The defense then took the floor, accusing the police officer of lying by stating that Patricia had not told him it was her father who had died, despite this being recorded in the officer’s statement of events that day. The officer remained silent, though visibly angry. The defense then asked the witness if he was aware of the proper procedure for a first responder to a crime scene in the Uganda Police. He replied that he was aware of it but had not received the training. The defense then proceeded to question the methods and protocols he used to assess the situation as untrained personnel. He explained that after receiving the call from Patricia, he decided to first reach the scene to ascertain the situation on the ground before reporting to his superior. Upon his arrival, he assessed the situation, restricted access to the crime scene by closing off the room and called his superior while guarding the room and awaiting his superior’s arrival. He confirmed to the prosecution that he might not have recorded everything he saw that day in his statement. The court was then adjourned to Wednesday for the examination of the next witnesses. On Wednesday July 10, as court proceedings began and the accused stood in the dock, the defense asked the judge to allow one of the accused to take a seat as she had recently given birth. Small murmurs of disapproval, displeasure, and sarcastic giggles filled the court, and the judge replied that she would sit after roll call. He then proceeded to describe the grotesque scene he found in the bedroom, similar to the previous witness. Upon his arrival at the scene, he said Madam Patricia asked him to report the incident as an accident. He responded that he could not report it as an accident and that a senior police officer (SP) needed to cover the scene. He immediately called Detective Akong Bibiana, who arrived with a homicide team. He did not see Martha upon his initial arrival at the scene but noted that he saw her about an hour later. The defense then asked Ogwang to confirm that Patricia had asked him to report the matter as an accident. He confirmed this, but the defense argued that the officer had not spoken to Patricia and requested to see the statement he made. When the statement was shown, it contained no record of Patricia asking to report the incident as an accident or the officer seeing Martha. The defense argued that the officer was lying, as his statements did not align with what he had told the court. The prosecution then asked the witness if he had recorded everything he observed that day. He admitted he had not, explaining, “I might have forgotten, but everything I said is true.” This concluded his cross-examination. As the court session ended, murmurs were heard, suggesting that “Uganda police is lazy, and now defense lawyers are going to take advantage of it. But where was the mother when all this was happening? No one is asking.” After a short break, the last witness for the day was called to the stand: Timothy Nyangweso, 40, an accountant and assets manager at Watoto, and a cousin to two of the accused. He is also the son of the sister of the late Katanga. He identified the accused as Tricia, Martha and Amanyire, the house help. He was asked to recount the events of November 2. He stated that he was at his mother’s house that morning but had to leave and return to his home. His mother called him at 8am, asking him to call his uncle because she had tried reaching him but had failed. He called both of his uncle’s numbers, but there was no answer. He then proceeded to call Martha, who made the line busy the first two times but picked up on the third attempt around 8:30am or 9am. She informed him that her dad was sleeping and that he should call back later. With teary red eyes and a shaky voice, he told the court, “At 9:30am, mum called me and said Uncle Henry was dead.” The defense argued that Timothy made his statement two months after the incident and suggested that his statement was an attempt to fill in gaps. Timothy made the statement on January 8 after a court proceeding in Nakawa related to this case, where Martha was remanded. The defense contended that it was only when he saw Martha that he recalled the phone conversation and decided to make a statement at Jinja Road police station. Timothy, unscathed by the defense’s argument, stated that he had not voluntarily gone to the police to make a statement but had been summoned through a phone call. The defense proceeded to state that Timothy did not make any phone calls to Martha, presenting a statement he made in which he recorded Martha’s number and his uncle’s number. The defense asked the witness to read his personal number to confirm with the forensic report from his uncle’s phone that there was a call from him. Timothy refused to read his number aloud to the public and instead wrote it down for the judge to confirm. It was confirmed that he indeed called his uncle that day. The defense then asked Timothy to dial the number he had written down as Martha’s in his statement. When he rang the number, it was unavailable. Timothy then clarified that the number listed in the statement, 0788149415, was incorrect and that the correct number in his phone was 0788148415. The defense argued that according to Martha, there was no conversation between the two on November 2 and that Timothy’s claim was a fabrication. They stated that during the police investigation, all the phones of the involved persons were taken, and a forensic analysis was conducted. The defense presented a list of the numbers that called Martha’s line, or rather her call logs from MTN, and asked the witness to show where his number appeared on the call log. The prosecution objected to this request, arguing that the method of cross-examination used by the defense was prohibited. They cited Section 147 of the Evidence Act, stating, “Our learned friend cannot bring evidence and ask the witness to verify it.” The defense argued that the same section of the Evidence Act allows testing veracity and character, which is what they were doing—trying to prove that the witness was lying under oath. The judge permitted the defense’s request, and the witness could not locate his number in the call log. Timothy then stated he had no way of verifying if the document was authentic, but he stood by his word that he called Martha and had that conversation. Pierre Kajura, 27, an IT technician at Nkrumah road opposite the police post, testified that he knew Henry Katanga as a jolly man whom he sometimes referred to as an uncle, although they were not related by blood. However, he denied knowing either Molly Katanga or the other four accused persons. Kajura told the court that he met the late Katanga in 2017 and had a business relationship with him, handling transactions and other tasks. “I would deposit money for him, and he was our good client. I helped him with technical issues like connecting his laptop to the printer,” he said. When asked whether he interacted with the late Katanga prior to his death, Kajura mentioned that Katanga had told him someone was trying to hack and track his phone and sought advice on installing passwords, including phone and email passwords. “I told him that he could use passwords as it was the only way in IT, and this included changing the phone and email password,” he said. Kajura further told the court that Katanga inquired whether placing his phone on the bed could make it susceptible to tracking or hacking, indicating his insecurity at his marital home in Mbuya. “Katanga asked me if putting his phone on the bed would allow someone to track or hack it, and I asked him whether he had kids at home. He replied that they were all grown-ups,” he said. However, on November 1, 2023, the day before he died, Katanga asked for the passwords to be removed because he found it very difficult to access his phone and no longer wanted them. MONDAY, JULY 15 On Monday, Ronald Mugabe Ruranga, a 45-year-old lawyer, businessman, and farmer, was the only witness cross-examined. He has been practising law with Agaba and Company Advocates for over 17 years and served as a legal advisor to the late Katanga. During the cross-examination, the witness told the court that he had received documents pertaining to the making of a will from Henry Katanga. The envelope contained original documents of ownership and land titles. He mentioned that he was closely related to the late Katanga as a family friend, often invited to family functions. The defense presented a document from the Chief Registrar claiming that Ronald Mugabe Ruranga is not an enrolled advocate. They argued that if he is practising, it is illegal as there are no records of him as an advocate. The defense also presented a folder of documents showing business transactions by the late Katanga, highlighting the absence of the witness’s participation in these documents as proof that he was not as acquainted with the deceased as he claimed. In response, the witness explained that his practising certificate is under the name Ronald Mugabe and that he has documents in his office that can demonstrate his work with the late Katanga. This concluded the cross-examination. The court then adjourned to the next hearing, scheduled for August 20, when Naome Nyangweso, sister to the deceased, will be the witness. The court will be on leave until then.
read moreobserver.ug
@observer Wed, 17 Jul 2024 07:50:23
Govt launches UPPC Service Portal for all your printing, publishing, and gazetting needs
Last week, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja launched the Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation (UPPC) Service Portal, a one-stop centre for all your printing, publishing, and gazetting needs. The portal was launched during the UPPC’s stakeholder engagement, which was held at Hotel Africana. The digital platform grants users seamless access to diverse range of services and publications. “Over the years, the Uganda Gazette has been available only as a traditional hardcopy newspaper. We are now pleased to introduce the E-Gazette, enabling the public to submit documents electronically. The digitization of the Gazette not only enhances convenience but also significantly reduces the time required for submission and publication,” Professor Sudi Nangoli, managing director of UPPC, said. He noted that a one-stop centre will provide a seamless end-to-end experience, making it easier to access the official government newspaper, The Uganda Gazette. With this new development, the online Uganda Gazette is now available for as low as Shs 3,000, compared to Shs 5,000 for the hardcopy. Professor Sudi said, “The online UPPC service portal and online help desks have made our services more accessible, providing convenience and saving valuable time. The reduced turnaround time for submitting and gazetting documents has significantly sped up the submission, approval, and publishing processes. The service is at a click of a button, as you will later see, taking less than five minutes.” Additionally, Nabbanja launched the Online Bookshop, another milestone in the UPPC digital transformation journey. It makes our vast collection of publications easily accessible to everyone, reflecting our commitment to leveraging technology to provide better services and make our products globally available. Represented by Robert Kasule Sebunya, the former MP of Nansana Municipality, Nabbanja said conducting business in an intensely competitive marketplace is no child’s play. It is more than just conducting transactions; it is more about cultivating trust, enhancing loyalty, and establishing enduring relationships to ensure business continuity and success. “UPPC has recently been recapitalized with state-of-the-art tech-print high-quality jobs and deliver them on time. This technological advancement has revolutionised our turnaround time, making the corporation more efficient and responsive to client needs,” she said. She said leveraging technology has made UPPC’s services more accessible, providing convenience and saving valuable time. The reduced turnaround time for submitting and gazetting documents, coupled with the digital application and online help desks, has significantly quickened the approval and publishing processes. Milly Babalanda, the minister for Presidency, said the partnership with the German consortium of Veridos and the collaboration with the Uganda Security Printing Company (USPC) to print secure documents such as passports, driving permits, and land titles mark a new era for UPPC. These initiatives enhance UPPC’s capabilities and broaden its service offerings, ensuring that it meets the highest standards of security and quality. It is estimated that Uganda has spent approximately $10 million annually on outsourcing printing work abroad. This expenditure not only drains our foreign exchange reserves but also has a ripple effect on the growth prospects of our economy. By keeping printing jobs within the country, we can redirect these funds to support local businesses, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth. The impact of such a shift cannot be overstated, as it supports our national agenda of self-reliance and economic resilience. She urged all ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to continue prioritising UPPC for printing jobs to ensure sustained growth as well as save the government foreign exchange for the printing works that would have been outsourced. {loadposition inarticle}
read more