kfm.co.ug
@kfm Wed, 24 Jan 2024 06:42:50
Two civilians to spend 30 years in jail over murder, aggravated robbery
The Mountain Division Court Martial chaired by Lt Col George Achaya has sentenced two civilians to 30 years in prison upon conviction for unlawful possession of firearms, attempted murder and aggravated robbery. According to a statement issued by the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) Operation Shujaa spokesperson, Major Bilal Katamba, the two identified as Peter Basara, 26 and Gideon Mugisa, 31 both residents of Makindu village, Butungama sub-county, Ntoroko district appeared before the Division Court Martial and denied the charges. Katamba says the court heard that on the night of 19th September 2022 at around 11:00 pm, the duo shot and injured Mutegeki Timothy and robbed him of Shs2.8 million. “The prosecution produced overwhelming evidence that implicated the duo and […]
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observer.ug
@observer Tue, 23 Jan 2024 06:09:54
Museveni takes helm of G77 Plus China, outlines agenda
President Yoweri Museveni assumed the chairmanship of the Group of 77 (G-77) plus China on Sunday, January 21, succeeding Salvador Valdés Mesa, vice president of the Republic of Cuba.
This transition took place during the Third South Summit of G77 countries plus China at Speke Resort Munyonyo, marking a significant moment for Uganda on the global stage. This leadership role comes just two days after Museveni began his three-year term as the chair of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
In his address, President Museveni outlined Uganda’s objectives for its G77 chairmanship, focusing on accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for poverty eradication, intensifying efforts to combat climate change and biodiversity loss, and enhancing international tax cooperation and digital collaboration.
He emphasized the importance of unity within the G77 to defend the collective economic interests of its member states at the United Nations, urging adherence to the group’s foundational principles.
Museveni highlighted the challenges posed by the current international economic order and the rising trend of unilateralism, which threatens multilateralism. He stressed the need for unity in demanding global support for developing countries to address issues like poverty, hunger, the digital divide, and climate change.
Representing Chinese President Xi Jinping, Vice Premier Liu Guozhong commented on the changing international landscape and the role of South-South cooperation in promoting human societal progress. He discussed the strengthening of trade and investment liberalization and the significance of bilateral, regional, and multilateral cooperation in achieving economic and social development.
The G77’s role in the global economy was underscored, with developing countries now accounting for significant portions of world trade and high-tech exports. Liu emphasized the narrowing gap with developed countries and the substantial contribution of the South to global growth.
He also noted China’s support for a UN special envoy for poverty eradication to bolster global poverty reduction efforts. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concerns about slipping investments in sustainable development and climate action. He referenced the devastating impacts of wars around the world, including disruptions to global supply chains and widespread destruction.
Guterres called for reform of financial institutions and frameworks established post-World War II to better reflect contemporary global realities and respond to the needs of developing countries.
Highlighting his proposal for an SDG stimulus of $500 billion a year, Guterres focused on providing affordable, long-term finance for sustainable development and climate action in developing countries.
He urged G77 member states to unite against the climate crisis and hold developed countries accountable for climate justice and equitable transition towards renewable energy, in line with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.
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@observer Wed, 24 Jan 2024 05:40:56
Bobi Wine: Expect more protests
Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, the president of the National Unity Platform, has said they are going to engage in more protests to not only force government work on the poor roads but also demand the release of all political prisoners.
Speaking at his home in Magere village in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso district a day after the police withdrew from his home, Kyagulanyi said they have realised that protests actually work.
Last week, Kyagulanyi, together with Dr Kizza Besigye, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and other opposition politicians under their umbrella, United Forces of Change, demonstrated the poor roads in and around Kampala by planting banana stems and yams in the potholes.
The police reacted by sealing off the homes of the three leaders to stop them from joining the protests. Kyagulanyi beat the tight security around his house and showed up at different venues in Kampala.
Speaking to reporters, Kyagulanyi said they had come to the realisation that protests actually work because in many places where banana stems were planted in the roads, construction work on them had started.
“We thank the people who stood with us and participated in these protests. In most of the places where there were demonstrations, the roads have been worked on. Protests actually work, and don’t stop putting pressure on these guys because they don’t act without pressure,” Kyagulanyi said.
He said that although the protests against the bad roads will continue, the second phase of the protests will call for the release of all political prisoners, including those who are being tried in the military court martial and those whose whereabouts are unknown. “We are going to mobilise Uganda to join us in demanding for our people.
Museveni is releasing defilers and people who have stolen our money, yet he is refusing to release political prisoners. We are not going to stop; we will continue engaging other forces of change to demand the release of our people, and we will get our people back only with pressure,” Kyagulanyi said.
He also thanked the people who have been sheltering him for the time he has been on the run. He said these people were the true heroes of the revolution.
“I said I would only be back when the police leave my home. I want to thank the people who have protected us, who have been enabling us to move, and those who have been giving us advice. It shows that this struggle is not for us alone. Even when Museveni was fighting [President Milton] Obote, the people used to protect them,” Kyagulanyi said.
Asked why they chose to hold their demonstrations when the country was hosting two international conferences—the Non-Aligned Movement and the G77+ China—that have just ended in Kampala, Kyagulanyi said they wanted to unveil the abuses that are ongoing in Uganda for everybody to see.
“Museveni wanted to paint a picture that everything is ok in Uganda, but we wanted to show the world what Uganda exactly is,” Kyagulanyi said.
Efforts to speak to the police, who have previously stopped all opposition protests, were futile, as all their spokespeople neither picked up nor returned our calls.
muhammadkakembo@gmail.com
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