Fears of higher oil prices after Red Sea attacks

Attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea risk pushing up the price of oil and other goods, analysts have warned.

Several firms have paused shipments through the route after vessels were attacked by Houthi rebels in Yemen. The world’s second largest shipping line, Maersk, said on Tuesday that it would reroute some of its vessels around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope.

The disruption has led the US to launch an international naval operation to protect ships in the Red Sea route. Countries joining the security action - named Operation Prosperity Guardian - include the UK, Canada, France, Bahrain, Norway and Spain. US defence secretary Lloyd Austin held a virtual meeting with ministers from more than 40 countries on Tuesday, and called on more nations to contribute to the security efforts.

“These reckless Houthi attacks are a serious international problem and they demand a firm international response,” he said.

The UK’s Ministry of Defence said the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Diamond would join the new task force, with the security situation “deteriorating”.

The Red Sea is one of the world’s most important routes for oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, as well as for consumer goods. It is bookended by the Bab al-Mandab Strait - also known as the Gate of Tears - in the south near the coast of Yemen and the Suez Canal in the north.

Houthis have declared their backing for Hamas in its war with the Israelis and the rebels based in Yemen said they were targeting vessels which they believe are heading for Israel. However, some firms, such as Investor Chemical Tankers, whose Swan Atlantic vessel was attacked on Monday, said that its ship had no links to Israel.

Despite the launch of the international operation to ensure safe passage through the Red Sea, Maersk said it was not clear when it would resume journeys along the route. Maersk said “a case-by-case assessment will take place to determine whether adjustments need to be made - including diversions via the Cape of Good Hope and further contingency measures”.

It said while it was pleased to hear of international efforts to improve security in the area, “at this time it remains difficult to determine” when it would return to the Red Sea route. Meanwhile, Hapag-Lloyd, a German firm whose Al Jasrah vessel was attacked last Friday, said that while it welcomed the new task force, the company needed 100 per cent assurance the Red Sea was safe for ships to return.

The alternative route, around the Cape of Good Hope, adds about 3,500 nautical miles to the journey and takes about 10 days longer. Attacks on ships have intensified in recent days. Investor Chemical Tankers said its Swan Atlantic tanker was hit by an “unidenti- fied object” on Monday, while Maersk described the situation as “alarming” on Friday after a “near-miss” incident involving Maersk Gibraltar and another attack on a container ship.

Oil giant BP said on Monday that it would temporarily pause all shipments of crude through the route. Rival energy giant Shell has yet to comment. At the moment, changes to the oil price have been minimal. Prices rose 1% on Monday, but on Tuesday they were little changed with benchmark Brent crude trading at around $78 a barrel.

As petrol is derived from oil, increases in the price of crude usually feed through to higher costs at the pump. Richard Meade, editor-in-chief of shipping newspaper Lloyd’s List, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “What is going to be very interesting is if the tankers continue to reroute.

“That’s a much more finely balanced market that could have serious implications for the global supply chain.”

But rerouting will affect more than just oil. Mr Meade said 12 per cent of global trade was taken through the Red Sea, which is about $1 trillion worth of goods a year “We’ve seen most of the main container carriers - these are the ones that carry fin- ished goods, TVs, electronics, trainers - they have almost exclusively started rerouting,” he said.

Hapag-Lloyd told the BBC that it will have rerouted 25 ships by the end of the year, costing it tens of millions of dollars as the ships were booked before the attacks. However, it said new orders would “probably” see a rise in costs.

“This industry is keeping world trade alive and attacks on merchant shipping are unacceptable,” said Hapag-Lloyd’s head of corporate communications, Nils Haupt.

Marco Forgiona, from the Institute of Ex- port and International Trade, told the BBC that rerouting would increase fuel and insurance costs for shipping, “and then you’ve got the issue that the ships are in the wrong place, the containers are in the wrong place and you get the potential for congestion at the ports and further delays”.

S&P Global Market Intelligence said that nearly 15 per cent of goods imported into Europe, the Middle East and North Africa were shipped from Asia and the Gulf by sea. That includes 21.5 per cent of refined oil and more than 13 per cent of crude oil.

A rise in oil prices can lead to higher infla- tion, which measures the pace of price rises. New figures out on Wednesday will show whether it has continued to drop but, at the current level, it is still more than twice the Bank of England’s 2 per cent target. The Bank has, until recent months, been raising interest rates to cool inflation.

‘Not acceptable’

Houthi rebels have been targeting ships travelling to Israel, using drones and rockets against foreign-owned vessels.

“The ballistic missiles are really the tough one. This is the first time we’ve ever seen ships hit by this type of weapon,” Sal Mercogliano, a naval historian at Campbell University, told the BBC.

“It’s a very difficult type of missile to shoot down. And if that’s the threat that the ships are facing, many shipping companies may decide not to go that way.”

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) said it was “closely monitoring devel- opments”.

CoCreate tops the social media and influencer of the year awards

CoCreate Advertising has emerged as the Social Media and Influencer of the Year at the 2023 Silverback awards held at the Kampala Serena Hotel.

Silverback awards recognise individuals, marketing agencies, brands, or corporations that excel in marketing and advertising. Organised by the Uganda Advertising Association (UAA), Uganda Marketers Society (UMS), and Lorries, the awarding ceremony took place on November 25, 2023.

CoCreate Advertising beat Saladin Media and Advertising, TBWA, Scanad Uganda, and Maad McCann to win the award. The awarding of agencies and brands is based on the impacts of the campaigns they conducted, innovation, and quality of their work.

Nicole Nyokabi, the general manager of CoCreate, said they have been playing a background role in so many brand journeys, like Nile Safari Lodge, Bank of Africa, Uganda Airlines, Georgina Eye Clinic’s social media presence, UNFPA, and others.

“We are the people behind those beautiful artworks, social campaigns, and websites.
“The awards aim at celebrating the people behind good artistic work, brands, and media campaigns and setting a standard in the industry. The awards motivate the people who work behind these brands because celebrating you offers you a reason to even do much more,” Aheebwa Job Atwooki, the creative lead at CoCreate, said.

He said they intend to submit many more minimal works. “So we hope, pray, and believe that we have many more submissions, but also that many more words will come next year,” he added.

According to Rhoda Musiima, the digital lead at CoCreate, the agencies that were shortlisted against agencies are older than CoCreate, existed for a longer time, and had bigger teams.

“What we want to appreciate here is that with a shortlist, there was social media and influencers; so, out of all the submissions made in the subcategory of websites, only ours made it to the finals, which means that the other submissions did not gather enough points for judges to award them as finalists,” she said.

Aheebwa said that in the advertising sector, your work leads you to the next project. We believe that these two awards will attract attention to us. We shall feature in more and more campaigns.

“Our dream and hope are to grow in terms of the number and impact in the industry because it doesn’t matter the size, the number of people, or the number of clients you have, but the quality of the work you’re doing,” he said.

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At last, excellence of Justice Egonda-Ntende to be rewarded

Justice FREDERICK MARTIN STEPHEN EGONDA-NTENDE is widely considered one of the best judges Uganda has ever produced.

His judgments are so thorough they always leave no room for doubt. Yet for some reason, he has continued to remain an unsung hero, and top judicial offices continue to elude him.

At 66 years, Egonda-Ntende has only four years left before retirement. However, the powers that be at Makerere University couldn’t let his contribution to Uganda’s jurisprudence go unnoticed, and ahead of the 74th graduation ceremony on January 29, 2024, the university is set to bestow upon him an honorary doctorate of laws degree for his significant contributions to the legal fraternity in Uganda.

As Geofrey Serugo writes, the honorary doctorate is the least Egonda-Ntende deserves for his services to the judiciary. The honorary doctorate degree is the highest award granted by the university and constitutes recognition of distinctive achievement that has contributed materially to knowledge and to the betterment of society.

Prof Buyinza Mukadasi, the Makerere University academic registrar, said at the 161st meeting held on October 4, 2023, the university council received and considered the senate recommendation to award Justice Egonda-Ntende with an honorary doctor of Laws (LLD).

In the same vein, the former minister for Water Resources, Betty Bigombe, will also be awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree by Makerere University.

“The university council noted that you have done distinguished work in Uganda and around the world; notably, you have made a profound impact on legal training and practice and exhibited a high degree of integrity and dedication to service in the cause of justice,” Prof Mukadasi said in a statement.

The university said Justice Egonda- Ntende carried out his task as a judge with humility, utmost incorruptibility, and unwavering fealty to the cause of justice and equality embedded in the judicial oath.

“You have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in upholding ethical principles and the development of the judicial system in Uganda and globally,” the Prof Mukadasi said.

Prior to joining the Court of Appeal, Justice Egonda-Ntende served as the Chief Justice of the Seychelles in 2009, a position he held until 2014. He served as acting justice of the Supreme court of Uganda. He also took part in the setting up of an independent judiciary in East Timor, where he served as a judge of the Court of Appeal.

Egonda-Ntende lectured law at Makerere University in Uganda and was the chairperson of the Law Reporting Committee of the judiciary in Uganda. He also served as a judge for the United Nations Mission in Kosovo.

WHAT LEGAL BRAINS SAY

Dr Busingye Kabumba:  He is a most deserving recipient of this accolade. He has rendered a number of landmark decisions that display a depth of appreciation for both Uganda’s historical trajectory [in legal and constitutional terms] and the interaction between our legal framework and the broader body of international legal norms.

His decisions are important sources for students, practitioners and teachers of the law; they demonstrate courage of thought, rigour of analysis and a highly sophisticated approach to legal reasoning. He is not only a judge but, in many ways, a legal jurist, whose philosophical approach to the law shines through every one of his opinions.

Richard Omongole: Justice Egonda-Ntende is one of the best legal minds this country has ever had, and it is no surprise that he is going to be recognised by Makerere University with one of their highest honors. From the time I started practicing, even before, one of the leading decisions he made regarding compensation [Osotraco Ltd v Attorney General].

If the government compulsorily acquires a citizen’s property, it must compensate him, and his ruling had remained a leading authority at all courts, yet he made it as a High court judge.

He has performed with excellence and dignity; he is an incorruptible and a well-organized judge. You can’t go to his court when you are not prepared; you must be ready for the hearing, and he practices it with diligence and honesty. He is a judge you can’t bring allegations against because of his thoroughness and the way he handles matters.

He is also recognized outside the country. In fact, he should have been appointed to the Supreme court. It is prudent and good that Makerere recognizes such a person because we are not part of the culture of recognizing good performance. I hope the Judicial Service Commission thinks about taking him higher than he is at the moment. I am sure that even when he was to take up the position of chief justice, he would reorganize the judiciary.

Eron Kiiza:  He is the chief justice that this country missed and never had because of the depth of his knowledge and integrity. His integrity is unrivalled and has consistently excelled since the time he was at High court. He didn’t wait to go to a Constitutional court to start making ground-breaking decisions. He has never been involved in any kind of judicial misconduct; so, the legal fraternity wishes him all the best.

Another lawyer who declined to be named said Egonda-Ntende has been an outstanding judge in the country and has handled vicious cases like Gen David Tinyefuza, aka Sejusa vs Attorney General, in which he ruled in favour of Sejusa, declaring that his army membership was ceased in 1993 when he was appointed senior presidential advisor.

“During his tenure, Egonda-Ntende demonstrated competence and understanding of the law. This recognition should have come yesterday because he has been in the system for so long and has consistently delivered his mandate,” he said.

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KCCA scorecard shows gains but lack of funds holding it back

When Dorothy Kisaka took over as KCCA executive director in July, 2020, the main task at hand was to implement the four-year Kampala City Strategic Plan.

The goal of this plan is to ensure that Kampala will be an inclusive, resilient and well-planned city that provides economic opportunities. Three years down the road, KCCA has made progress in the face of several challenges. The institution recently released the summary performance of the 2022/2023 financial year as well as the recent developments.

As Geofrey Serugo writes, each of the eight directorates has made progress but the inadequate funding has hampered their ability to achieve the set goals. It is also clear that the negative public perception is holding back several city projects.

REVENUE

In revenue collection, KCCA registered the highest revenue collection of Shs 104.8bn in its 12-year history. Over the last three years, the institution also mobilized Shs 274.5bn, registering a 25% revenue growth. Revaluation of properties in Kampala’s five divisions using the computer-aided mass valuation techniques result into growth in property rates revenue by about Shs 10 billion after implementation of the new Central Division valuation roll in July 2023.

Added to the constitution of the City Property Rates Remission Committee (PRRC) to handle property rates remissions, reductions and waivers, this approach has saved the institution and government over 70% of the resources that would otherwise have been used for the property valuation process.

However, this has not been without challenges such as the inadequate legal framework. For instance, KCCA cannot collect outdoor advertising and abattoir slaughter fees because of absence of enabling laws. Meanwhile, the low levels of compliance to paying relevant fees, rates, rent and taxes as well as delays in implementing the owner-occupied property tax regime continue to plague the institution but KCCA plans to expand the taxpayer register by 15% next year.

GENDER

When it comes to production and marketing, KCCA supported 8,888 NAADS beneficiary farmers across the five divisions of Kampala with agricultural inputs, supported 70 model farmers to set up demonstration units. Meanwhile, construction of Kitintale market, which is to accommodate more than 2,000 vendors, is at 95 per cent and is expected to be completed by January, 2024.

That notwithstanding, implementation of the Presidential directive on markets has come with some conflict between landlords and tenants in many public markets. This is so because in some markets, land belongs to the government while the market facilities belong to vendors.

Matters have not been helped by the inadequate funds for rescue and rehabilitation of children from streets, especially in the absence of the adequate government rehabilitation homes. So, the continuous unsafe migration of street children from various districts
to the city is increasing the number of street children.

ENGINEERING

When it comes to roads infrastructure development, KCCA has upgraded 12.9km of roads with funding from government. At the same time, 43.12km of city roads have been reconstructed with funding from the World Bank, under the second Kampala Infrastructure and Institutional Development Project (KIIDP2).

Key among these are 17 junctions that were signalized on John Babiiha (Acacia) avenue, Nakawa-Ntinda, Lukuli, and Kabuusu-Bunamwaya -Lweeza road.

Meanwhile, KCCA, through a partnership with the Special Forces Command (SFC), is currently undertaking upgrade of 13.64km and rehabilitation of 8.66km of roads in the city using government’s capital development funds. Yet again, the report highlights
inadequate financing of the city infrastructure development. For instance, the budget for upgrade of the city road and drainage network was reduced from Shs 78bn in 2022 to Shs 43bn in 2023.

What’s more, whereas the estimated annual budget for road maintenance is Shs 2.2tn, KCCA also requires Shs 5.2tn to upgrade at least 50% of the unpaved road network. However, KCCA has over the years continued to have an allocation of only Shs 26bn, which is less than 50% of the annual requirement.

To compile the misery, funding from the Uganda Road Fund (URF) reduced from Shs 26bn to just Shs 10bn this financial year. Vandalism of city road furniture, including street lighting components, manhole covers and other city services installations has also hindered progress in the engineering directorate.

PHYSICAL PLANNING

This year, KCCA finalized the development of four Precinct Plans for Kololo, Nakasero, Mulago and Makerere, passed the Kampala City Tree Infrastructure ordinance to guide on green management in the city as well as planting 18,382 trees on top of maintaining over 376,890 square metres of green spaces across the city.

However, there is a deteriorating green cover as a result of usage by pedestrians, reckless drivers and boda bodas. In fact, the report notes that there is a poor public attitude towards physical planning in the city.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Here, KCCA has enforced compliance on a number of legislations relating to noise pollution, development control, trade order, street children and revenue collection. In fact, it registered 8,369 cases of different offences resulting into 2,155 arrests, 7,954 convictions and collected fines worth Shs 616 million.

Meanwhile, the introduction of body-worn cameras has greatly reduced the brutality of KCCA law enforcement officers in their operations against street vendors and street children. The initiative has also enhanced effectiveness, effective monitoring discipline, transparency and accountability. On the flip side, KCCA has no holding area for juvenile convicts.

PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

Solid waste management remains one of the most perturbing issues for the city dwellers and in spite of KCCA’s efforts to registered a solid waste collection performance of 73%, which was above the 70% target based on the available infrastructure and resources, it is not enough mainly due to the continued high financial dependence on external partner support.

Meanwhile, KCCA notes that its garbage fleet of just 27 trucks with an average carrying capacity of 380,000 tonnes collected garbage for free from the public institutions that include markets, schools and from the poor communities. Still, the number of trucks is inadequate and to compound matters, the Kiteezi landfill space has been exhausted yet the process for operationalizing Ddundu landfill is not yet concluded.

Going forward, KCCA plans to improve solid waste collection by eliminating solid waste dumping sites along roads within the city on top of increasing access to the sanitation facilities in congested areas such as markets, taxi/bus parks, barracks and police stations, among others.

EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES

There are 2,287 known education institutions in the city, most of which are Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). Of these, KCCA operates just 111 schools and managed to increase learner enrollment from 48,316 in 2021 to 76,907 in 2023, reflecting a 59% growth.

Importantly, through community engagement campaigns, KCCA also identified and assessed 201 children with special needs. Nonetheless, inadequate capitation grants still hinder the enrollment of learners. For example, each child receives Shs 3,000 per term as opposed to Shs 4,666 per child allocated to other local government-run schools.

That said, the biggest threat to schools is the ever-increasing threats of encroachment and loss of school land.

INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Commendably, the current staffing levels for KCCA permanent staff stands at 60.3%, more than doubled having been at 37.7% by June, 2020. This is still not enough because there is understaffing in some of the key service delivery directorates such as physical planning.

Like all the other directorates, there is lack of funding to meet the wage bill as well as emerging city structures and the overall institutional infrastructure improvement needs. KCCA also continues to operate in very old and dilapidated structures that do not meet the standard of the highly-touted smart city.

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What Sobi’s death tells us of state’s criminal enterprise

Paddy Sserunjogi, the infamous gang leader who ran a lowlife criminal enterprise in the heart of Kampala, enjoying free reign under the watch of intelligence services, and whose moniker - ‘Sobi’ - was linked to some of the most daring robberies and deaths around town, died early this week.

He was estimated to be close to 50 years old. Sobi’s death, reportedly at the hands of an angry mob that had failed to amicably settle a land dispute in Gomba district, more than 80 kilometres west of Kampala - marked a poetic climax to the way he pretty much lived his life – always in the thick of fights.

The police said in a statement that “a group of 50 people armed with sticks, pangas, and spears attacked another group, resulting in the death of one person (Sobi).” It added that more people were killed, although their bodies were not recovered. Only Sobi’s had been retrieved.

Social media, especially X formerly known as Twitter, received Sobi’s death with mixed reactions, with some saying that our streets are a lot safer with the notorious rogue gone, while others pitied a man who had outlived his usefulness in executing the state’s offbook operations.

It is the way Sobi bragged about his grisly executions on national TV that has left many with a chilling memory of him. In one interview, Sobi boasted: “We strangle people to death if there is anything we need from them.”

That no arrest or charges were brought against Sobi even after he had confessed his crimes publicly pointed to the deep-state power he enjoyed, and all the temptations that blind such criminals from figuring out just how far their powers reach. Ultimately, Sobi’s confessions showed so much of what has gone wrong in Uganda.

In another interview, while donning a black T-shirt with the words “Bazzukulu ba Museveni” (grand children of Museveni), and shorts, he said: “I am a fearless man” He later declared with so much bravado, “Nobody can determine my death other than God. I don’t fear anything in Museveni’s regime.”

Like many criminals before him, Sobi’s vision was blurred by the unfettered state power he enjoyed. He failed to figure out that this state power is simply fragile and fleeting. His days, as sure as night falls day, were numbered. Sobi’s story is not that much different from other gang lords that prowl around Kampala, causing mayhem.

A leader of the Kifeesi criminal gang, Sobi broke onto the public limelight nearly 10 years ago when his name was feared and revered in equal measure for his audacious crimes. He did all sorts of crimes; he broke into cars and homes to steal anything that appeared valuable.

He kidnapped, and sometimes killed people, for money. No price was too high for him to commit a crime. No line was too thick or hazy for him to cross. During the day, he, together with his squad of rowdy boys – high on anything illicit they could sniff or drink - ran amok around Kampala, terrorising pedestrians. And in the night, Sobi retreated to suburbs such as Nansana, waylaying commuters and manning illegal roadblocks.

In all this, Sobi was armed with guns and other deadly weapons. His army of ruthless thugs took his word as supreme. Uganda’s state intelligence knew him quite well. Kaka Bagyenda, one of Uganda’s renowned intelligence honchos, who headed the Internal Security Organisation, let Sobi scavenge the city for easy prey, for as long as the thug delivered on some of the state’s offbook assignments.

At the time Sobi burst onto the scene, Kampala had taken a drastic political shift as voters’ fatigue over the government’s failure to deliver the services it had promised appeared to have peaked.

The emergence of Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, and his People Power movement, which appeared to be ready to take on the state’s security outfits on street combats, presented government with a headache. Pouring the army on the street to quell riots by youths armed with stones appeared to be an expensive move.

Social media would be awash with bloody images that would taint Uganda’s profile and trigger international concern over the spate of human rights abuses in the country. And yet, Bobi Wine did not just appeal to the youths; he played right into the tribal card of Buganda.

Not only are the youths who dominate the riots that break out in downtown Kampala, Baganda. Neutralising the emergence of Buganda youths dominated some of the intelligence briefs that piled on Kaka Bagyenda’s desk at the Internal Security Organisation (ISO), according to our sources.

Getting spineless Baganda youths to take on their fellow tribesmates during riots and kidnaps became a strategy that the state would employ. The army would only be called in if the situation got out of hand. For easy money – and fleeting power – these Baganda men like Sobi fell for the idea.

Whenever the state needed boys to go and carry out a sensitive mission, Sobi and his gang was on hand to deliver. That was the kind of task that Zebra Senyange, also known as Mando, a former national boxer turned street thug, had. They all worked for the state.

Sobi and Mando’s boys were also information gatherers for the state. They would infiltrate groups of people and pick out any plans of possible riots. They would then report to their bosses at ISO. For a long time, these boys fought fellow rioters in downtown Kampala, and the state achieved its objectives.

There are claims that Sobi was one of the men who participated in the kidnap of many youths of Bobi Wine’s National Unity Platform in the run-up to the 2021 general elections, a big number of whom have never resurfaced, while others remain unaccounted for.

After Bagyenda was moved from ISO in October 2020, the future of thugs such as Zebra Ssenyange and Paddy Sserunjogi all of a sudden turned bleak. Two months after Bagyenda left ISO, Mando was gunned down by a group of elite army men in Bwaise in unclear circumstances that grabbed the attention of President Museveni.

In a rare apology, Museveni said the killing of Ssenyange was an error. Nearly two years after Mando’s death, Sobi was killed in a suspicious manner.

There are similarities in Mando and Sobi’s deaths. No suspects have been arrested. No witnesses have come forward to help with the investigations. For two thugs who moved with groups of boys, they died alone in what many will feel was an apparent execution.

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‘DP’s Mathias Nsubuga: A legacy of connections and compassion’

I first met Mathias Nsubuga Birekeraawo in 2001 when he led a delegation of the Bukalasa Seminary Old Boys’ Association to the
seminary day that year.

Prior to this encounter, I had only heard of him through various FM stations where his name was frequently mentioned. He had run for the position of member of parliament in Bukoto South. Later, due to his role as the personal assistant to the then mayor of Kampala, I occasionally spotted him at church events that we both attended in the Masaka diocese.

In 2009, during my tenure as the prime minister of the Makerere University students’ guild, we invited Nsubuga, who was then the DP secretary-general and party whip in parliament, to a UYD general assembly at the Guild canteen. He arrived in his distinctive maroon Toyota Surf.

After our meeting, I whispered to him, “Thank you, my OB of Bukalasa Seminary!” This “code” seemed to strike a chord, leading to an invitation to his office at parliament and likely paving the way for our close working relationship. Nsubuga was a man who seemed to have no strangers; he was somehow related to everyone. He often referred to people as “my aunt, uncle, in-law, sibling, son, daughter,” and so on.

While his peers called him Matia, most city dwellers knew him as “500 500,” a nickname derived from his memorable telephone number. My association with Nsubuga began during the intense campaign leading up to the 2011 elections, where I had the privilege of working closely with him on the DP election campaign trail.

During my time as a team leader for the DP election campaign trail, I experienced the challenges of fundraising for party campaign activities. More importantly, I had the opportunity to delve into Nsubuga’s extensive network of DP stalwarts and sympathizers, whom he had introduced me to.

What amazed me, as a recent university graduate, was not only the vastness of Nsubuga’s network within and outside the country but also his ability to maintain strong personal relationships with each of those he connected me with. Nsubuga was not one to hold grudges for long. Whenever he expressed his dissatisfaction, he quickly moved on to the next task as if he had never been upset.

I recall an incident during the campaign trail when we were delayed in arriving at Katovu, Masaka, where Nsubuga had been waiting for us to kickstart the central leg of the program. We had faced logistical challenges during our Western tour, resulting in a lengthy delay from the expected 8am arrival time to finally reaching at 2pm.

My phone had been constantly ringing, and I had, at one point, stopped answering Nsubuga’s calls. I had run out of excuses for our lateness. When we finally met him, he was visibly upset and didn’t hold back his frustration and anger, especially directed at party candidate Norbert Mao.

He exclaimed, “No, no, no, Mr. President! This is not the way to do things!” For a moment, I feared that the Buganda campaign program was doomed from the beginning. What surprised me was that, just a few minutes later, the same Nsubuga, whose face had been almost purple with anger when we arrived, was actively ensuring that everything was back on track, including managing the heavy costs of our program.

That was Nsubuga! He could express frustration one moment if things weren’t going well, but then he would quickly switch to checking on your well-being and whether you had eaten. I was part of the core mobilization team during the turbulent days of the TDA (The Democratic Alliance). During one of the late-night candidate selection meetings at Crested Towers, Amama Mbabazi, a candidate, unexpectedly emerged from his office into the boardroom around 3:30am. No one had anticipated his presence at that hour.

He expressed his appreciation for our efforts and informed us that he had decided to suspend his campaigns for two weeks to visit his sick wife in the UK. Nsubuga immediately reacted, saying, “No, no, no, no, Mr. President, you can’t do that.”

He argued that many issues needed to be addressed, and it couldn’t be done in the absence of the candidate. However, within moments, the compassionate side of Nsubuga emerged as he empathized with Amama’s difficult situation. One afternoon, shortly thereafter, I met Nsubuga at a restaurant along Dewinton road.

After our meal, he realized he didn’t have his car that day; so, he asked, “Elvis, ogenda otya?” We hailed a taxi, and it dropped us off at the City House DP offices. After the 2016 elections, I was appointed as the executive assistant to the party president. Then, an opportunity arose to represent the party at the Democratic Union of Africa (DUA) summer school in Windhoek, Namibia. Nsubuga insisted that I attend and even offered me an out-of-pocket allowance.

Nsubuga often set aside his own concerns to bring happiness to others. It was quite common for him to share more than half of any money he received. It was a regular practice for his. Most of the time, you would find him meticulously working on small budgets in his elegant cursive handwriting.

On one sunny afternoon, Nsubuga and the late Issa Kikungwe had just left a bank after withdrawing money for party activities when they encountered the son of one of the deceased DP firebrands. With great excitement, Nsubuga tore open an envelope and handed the young man some money. Kikungwe inquired, “Nsubuga, ssente z’ogaba zizo?” (Is the money you’re giving out yours?) Nsubuga responded by introducing the son as one of the genuine members of the party. Kikungwe, the thrifty accountant, was left speechless.

TURNAROUND

The last time I saw Nsubuga active and well was at a DP strategic planning conference at the Floral hotel. He was in an overly jovial mood, cracking jokes. A day after the conference, I called him to inform him that I had shared the read-out of the planning conference via email for him to review.

There was silence on the other side of the line, followed by a query, “Why not a hard copy?” before he reluctantly agreed. Nsubuga and technology were not friends. He had taken his time to embrace technology, including WhatsApp, which he joined grudgingly after some young DP members nudged him.

About an hour later, while I was on my way home, I received a rather strange call from Vincent Mayanja, his then deputy. He sounded restless and asked if I had the telephone contact information for Nsubuga’s wife or any of his children. He said, “Nsubuga has suffered a very bad stroke.” Those words hit me hard. It was painful to hear.

From then on, Nsubuga was confined to his home in Lwengo district. However, the epoch-making visits to check on his health by the Papal Nuncio, Cardinal Christopher Pierre, and Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi are moments that will forever stay with the residents of Manja village.

He never recovered, and December 18, 2023, marked exactly seven years since Nsubuga’s passing. He was an admirable family man who had a beautiful relationship with his family. In church, Nsubuga was a devout Catholic and an ex-seminarian. With his personal connection to Archbishop Joseph Kiwanuka, the Lubaga Cathedral Foundation will forever miss him. In the Buganda kingdom, he was a loyal subject and a father figure to the wife of the Kabaka’s brother.

In politics, he was an advocate of inter-party dialogue and a staunch champion of the institutionalization of political parties. He also served
as the chairperson of the Pope Paul Social Club and consistently led various projects for the Mamba clan, collaborating closely with the clan head.

His relationships extended beyond the political spectrum and encompassed various other affiliations. Nsubuga was also a successful businessman. I speak on behalf of many when I say that I was honored to have known Nsubuga and privileged to have worked with him as my immediate supervisor.

Continue resting in peace, Hon Nsubuga!

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Bench book to guide jurists in SGBV cases

Principal Judge Flavian Zeija has lauded the collaborative efforts of Action Aid International Uganda, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Austrian Development Agency for their role in bringing to fruition the national sexual gender-based violence bench book.

The bench book, officially endorsed in 2022, is set to offer comprehensive precedents and analytical insights into judicial decisions on gender-based violence in Uganda.

At the grand launch at the High court recently, Zeija underscored the urgency of addressing the escalating numbers of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) cases that flood the judiciary annually. He brought attention to formidable challenges such as insufficient funding, inadequate witness protection, and a dearth of legal references that have impeded the prosecution and judgment of gender-based violence cases in the courts.

Dignitaries present at the prestigious launch included Dr Katja Yvonne Kerschbaumer (Head of Mission, Austrian Development Agency), Laura Criado (United Nations Population Fund), Xavier Ejoyi (Country Director, Action Aid International Uganda), Judge David Batema and High court registrar Rosemary Barebe.

Criado hailed the collaborative efforts and emphasized the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring justice for victims of gender-based violence, citing alarming statistics from the Uganda National Survey against Women and Girls in 2021, which revealed that 56% of women had experienced physical and sexual violence.

On his part, Ejoyi expressed gratitude for the support in launching the bench book. He underscored the critical role partnerships play in addressing the complex issue of gender-based violence and expressed optimism that the bench book would contribute to securing justice for survivors.

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Marketer Susan Nsibirwa is new NMG Uganda MD

Seasoned marketer Susan Nsibirwa is the new managing director of Nation Media Group Uganda (NMGU), the parent company of Daily Monitor and NTV.

Nsibirwa takes over from Tony Glencross, who left the entity after nine years early this month. According to a statement from Stephen Gitagama, the NMG chief executive officer, Nsibirwa will start her new work with effect from January 2, 2024.

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Susan Nsibirwa as Managing Director. The role reports to the Group CEO with a dotted reporting line to the Monitor Publications Limited (MPL) board chairman,” reads part of the statement.

“Please join me in congratulating Susan on her appointment. I am confident that you will all accord her the support required to succeed in this role.”

Nsibirwa will be responsible for leading NMGU, The East African and Africa Broadcasting (U) Limited (the broadcasting company that operates NTV Uganda and Spark TV) to deliver their long-term strategy, business plans and annual performance targets, to maximize value to shareholders.

Nsibirwa joins NMG from Ayiva Consulting Solutions where she is currently the managing director. She previously worked for URGE -Uganda, Vision Group, MTN Uganda and dfcu bank, among others.

Nsibirwa is currently a member of the Strategy and Audit, Risk & Compliance board committees of NMGU and is the board chair at African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME), among other boards.

She is a marketing and communications professional with over 25 years of experience, with 15 years of these in senior executive roles successfully leading corporate, marketing and communications teams and departments across diverse industries.

She also has proven experience in successfully implementing strategic corporate social responsibility programs and crisis management plans. She brings expertise in communication, business strategy, and the ability to build relationships with key stakeholders.

She is a holder of a master of Business Administration from the University of Nicosia, Cyprus and a bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Makerere University.

Work experience

Managing Director
Ayiva Consulting Solutions Jun 2022-December 2023

Managing Partner
Urge Uganda

Mar 2019 - Jun 2022
Head of Marketing and Communications Vision Group Feb 2011 - Feb 2019

Chairman
Uganda Media Owners Association (UMOA) Nov 2016 - Dec 2018

Managing Partner
Weaver Options Jul 2010 - Mar 2011

Head of Marketing
DFCU Bank Nov 2006 - May 2010

Head of Marketing
Commercial Microfinance Limited Jul 2005 - Oct 2006
Advertising/ Brand Manager MTN Uganda 2002 - 2005

Kikongo plans Mubajje exit

On August 7, High court judge Harriet Grace Magala made a significant decision by disallowing an application by the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), which sought unconditional leave to appear and defend a summary suit.

This suit had allowed businessman Justus Kyabahwa to auction UMSC’s properties. Little did Judge Magala know that her ruling would pave the way for a potential exit for Mufti Shaban Ramathan Mubajje. Since that ruling, a series of events have unfolded, presenting the most significant challenge to Mubajje’s leadership, a position he has held for the past 23 years.

On November 16, 2023, newspapers carried advertisements announcing the auction of not only seven prime properties owned by UMSC but also the national mosque located at Old Kampala hill. The fallout from this advertisement has drawn the attention of numerous individuals, including President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda.

In a letter addressed to Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, the president’s comments have ignited a public outcry due to concerns about interference in the judiciary’s work. In his letter, President Museveni questioned the rationale behind attaching a place of worship as collateral due to “debts carelessly entered into by officials of that faith.”

BACKGROUND

On June 24, 2020, the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, represented by its former secretary general Rama- than Mugalu, Mufti Shaban Ramathan Mubajje, and the late former chairperson Abdulkadir Idi Balonde, sold a two-square-mile piece of land located in Sembabule district to businessman Justus Kyabahwa for a sum of Shs 3.584 billion.

The agreement they signed stipulated the transfer of land ownership to the businessman within 150 days. In the event of failure to do so, they were obligated to refund the money with a 12 percent monthly interest rate.

However, it was later discovered that the land already had a 15-year lease with Enterprise Handling Services Limited, set to expire in 2028. As a result, UMSC faced difficulties in both transferring the land and refunding the money, leading to the accumulation of the current debt amounting to Shs 19 billion.

In August of this year, the High court issued a no-objection order for the attachment of several UMSC properties to facilitate the recovery of Kyabahwa’s debt. Among the properties attached are: land at William street in Kampala, land at Old Kampala (plot 23 to 25), which includes the National Mosque, land at Kyanja, one square mile of land in Bukwe, Hoima, one acre of land on Lubas road in Jinja, a plot of land in Mbale city, shares in Uganda Ranches Limited and Commercial Holding Ltd, two square miles of land in Migyera, Buluri, and a plot of land in Entebbe opposite Victoria mall.

It’s worth noting that the mosque has been excluded from the list of properties to be auctioned. Furthermore, on the same day that a panel of three judges from the Court of Appeal issued a stay on the auctioning process, President Museveni’s letter to Owiny-Dollo requesting a personal review of the matter became public.

“I was most surprised to read in Mufti Mubajje’s letter that among the Moslem properties to be affected is the National Mosque at Old Kampala!! Really!! What sane person, let alone a judge can make such orders? How can a mosque or church be attached for debts carelessly entered into by offi- cials of that faith?

“If there is no law protecting institu- tions of worship, then common sense is there. I, therefore, request you to review this matter yourself and see how to restore sanity...Mubajje alleges other examples of misconduct and collusion. You should study all those. What, however, provoked me was the audacity of attaching the National Mosque. The NRM freedom fighters and the government they head, cannot be associated with sick logic,” Museveni’s letter reads in part.

MUBAJJE MUST FALL

The president’s letter was in response to a petition from the Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramathan Mubajje, dated November 29. In his petition, the mufti expressed his concerns about the way the matter was being handled by the judiciary. A portion of Museveni’s letter reads, “I had been aware of these disputes, but I had not given them my full attention because I believed that capable national institutions, especially the Judiciary under your leadership, were responsible for handling such issues.”

There is a growing consensus among many Muslims in the country that Sheikh Shaban Ramathan Mubajje can no longer continue to hold the position of mufti of Uganda due to his tarnished reputation. While the current controversy stems from a 2020 land transaction, the inclusion of a 12 percent interest rate in the sales agreement, which caused the debt to skyrocket from a modest Shs 3.58 billion to nearly Shs 19 billion, became a breaking point for many within the Muslim community.

Many argue that a sheikh of Mubajje’s stature and as a leader of the Muslim community should never have agreed to terms involving interest payments. Additionally, the prospect of auctioning the Gadafi National Mosque, which is one of Kampala’s iconic landmarks, was met with widespread disapproval, leading many to conclude that Mubajje’s tenure must come to an end.

Two weeks ago, prior to the removal of the mosque under intense pressure from the list of properties slated for auction, Hajji Moses Kigongo, the national vice chairman of the ruling NRM party, convened a gathering at his country retreat in Maya, located in Wakiso district.

This meeting brought together leaders and individuals from various Muslim groups, including Old Kampala, the Tabliqs, Bannakyewa, and others. Among its objectives, the meeting aimed to discuss the future management of Muslim affairs following Mubajje’s tenure. Sources who have spoken with Kigongo, but have requested to remain anonymous, reveal that he is collaborating closely with the minister of Kampala, Minsa Kabanda, and they assert that Kigongo is operating with the full consent of President Museveni.

“It’s evident to everyone that Mubajje’s reputation has been severely tarnished; even President Museveni acknowledges this. However, Kigongo conveyed to us that Museveni’s primary concern is not whether Mubajje should be removed but, rather, who should succeed him. That’s the question at hand, not the desire to retain him,” disclosed a source who had spoken with Kigongo and was granted anonymity to discuss private conversations.

There exists a perception among many Muslims that Mubajje’s leadership is being bolstered by President Museveni. This perception is underscored by the significant military protection provided by the government to Mubajje personally, often seen deployed at Old Kampala mosque whenever Mubajje’s leadership is under threat. However, according to another Muslim leader who has conversed with Kigongo, their primary concern is to allow Museveni to select a new Mufti for them.

“Clearly, we find ourselves in a catch-22 situation because removing Mubajje from the Muslim leadership necessitates involving Museveni. However, if we also allow Museveni to select our leader, it implies that we may end up with a government official rather than a leader representing the interests of Muslims in the country,” explained the Muslim leader, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly about private conversations.

Some argue that it’s this interpretation of Museveni’s evolving stance towards Mubajje that led to the selection of Sheikh Abdallah Ssemmambo as the interim mufti on Saturday. Sheikh Ssemmambo has held the posi- tion of First Deputy Mufti since 2016. He was chosen to serve as interim mufti for a period of six months, during which time an investigation into Mubajje’s involvement in the questionable sale of Muslim properties will take place.

According to another anonymous Muslim leader, the fact that an extraordinary General Assembly was allowed to convene at Gangu Muslim primary school in Wakiso district for three days without any security interruptions indicates a shifting dynamic on the ground.

“First, they obtained a court order authorizing this gathering. Second, they successfully mobilized over 180 members of the General Assembly to meet the quorum requirement. Third, there was no security presence to intervene, unlike in other situations where government interests are at stake. Clearly, all of these factors indicate that Mubajje’s tenure is coming to an end,” remarked the anonymous Muslim leader.

He went on to suggest that no one should be taken aback if Ssemmambo is accompanied by security personnel to Old Kampala to oversee Mubajje’s eviction. Old Kampala remains steadfast in asserting that Mubajje is the legitimate mufti, and they view the proceedings at Gangu as a futile exercise, arguing that those who organized and convened the meeting lacked the authority to do so.

In an official statement, Dr Muhammad Lubega, the chairman of UMSC, contended that the individuals who filed the court petition are not recognized within their organizational structures and, therefore, any resolutions they reached should not be considered binding. It’s noteworthy that Lubega himself was replaced as the chairman of UMSC by Isa Gule.

In an interview with The Observer, Sheikh Siraje Kifampa Nsambu, the secretary general of the Jumuyyiat Tabligh D’awa Assalafiya, commonly known as the Tabliq, expressed their belief that the time for Sheikh Mubajje’s tenure as mufti of Uganda has concluded. 

“Twenty-three years of Sheikh Mubajje’s leadership are sufficient; he has accomplished what he could in that time. What remains undone after all these years is unlikely to be achieved, even if he were given another 20 years. We firmly believe it’s high time for a change and to introduce new leadership into UMSC. When you gauge public opinion, the majority believe that Mubajje should either retire or be compelled to do so,” Kifampa asserted.

He further stated that he fully supports the actions taken at Gangu to establish an interim leadership that will pave the way for new leaders.

“We cannot continue to have a religious leader who frequently appears in the news for lack of integrity. Our faith is built on principles of integrity, and our leaders should exemplify that. Clearly, Sheikh Mubajje has fallen far short of these standards,” Kifampa remarked.

When contacted, Dr Muhammad Kiggundu Musoke, the spokesperson of the Office of the Supreme Mufti, commented, “The internal disputes within the Old Kampala leadership are their own concern.”

He went on to emphasize that their approach to Muslim leadership is not profit-driven but, rather, a service to the Ummah.

“We view it as our responsibility to invest our resources in providing leadership rooted in the Qur’an and the Hadith,” Kiggundu added.

He stressed that they operate as an independent leadership with a unique administration based on Islamic values and principles. Their primary aim is to restore the virtues of Islamic practice, and they consider themselves a distinguished class within the community.

The establishment of the Office of the Supreme Mufti in Kibuli in 2009 was a response to a previous dispute regarding the sale of Muslim properties, notably Masgid Noor located at William street in Kampala. Sheikh Mubajje, in collaboration with other leaders at the time, was involved in the sale of the mosque.

Mubajje vehemently denied having sold the mosque, a claim that was contradicted by a court ruling presided over by the then Buganda Road court magistrate, Margret Tibulya.

In her ruling, Tibulya affirmed that Mubajje had indeed sold the property, albeit in accordance with his legal authority, contrary to the arguments against him. It was the revelation that he had misled the Muslim community by denying the sale, which prompted those in opposition to him to form a separate leadership.

At that time, Sheikh Zubairi Sowedi Kayongo assumed leadership, who has since passed away. Kayongo was succeeded by Sheikh Silman Ndirangwa, who in turn was replaced by the current Supreme Mufti, Sheikh Muhammad Galabuzi.

Notorious Kampala robbery suspect Sobi killed in Gomba land fight

By BRIAN ADAMS KESIIME & Benson Tumusiime A notorious suspected killer and operative with Internal Security Organisation (ISO) Paddy Sserunjogi, aka Sobi has been killed in a land wrangle in Gomba District, police sources have said. It’s alleged that at around 12:30pm in Kibaale village, Kigumba parish, Maddu sub county in Gomba district, a group of around 50 people armed with sticks, machetes and spears attacked another group of people who claimed a piece of land said to be owned by one Kalisa. A fight ensued and ended with the death of Sobi who was leading one of the groups. Several others were reportedly left injured. “The land in question was bought by Kalisa at Shs100 million but paid only Shs20 million in […]

DR Congo campaigns end ahead of tomorrow poll

By AFP Presidential candidates in DR Congo made their final pitches to voters on Monday as campaigning officially ended in the vast and impoverished central African nation of 100 million people. Forty-four million Congolese are registered to vote in Wednesday’s presidential, parliamentary, provincial and municipal elections, in a country ravaged by conflict in its east. The presidential race is a first-past-the-post vote, giving President Felix Tshisekedi, 60, who is seeking a second five-year term, a healthy chance of winning against a divided opposition. With two days to go, several presidential candidates have withdrawn from the race, leaving 18 in addition to the incumbent. Analysts say Moise Katumbi, a 58-year-old business magnate and former provincial governor, poses the strongest challenge to […]

Gov’t planning to spend Shs35 billion on mindset change

In the forthcoming financial year 2024/2025, the government is earmarking Shs35.075 billion for initiatives aimed at mindset change and community mobilization. This allocation is part of the National Budget Framework Paper totalling Shs52.7 trillion, which the government has proposed before parliament for approval. Henry Musasizi, the Minister of State for Finance (General Duties), said that […]

Rwanda: Kagame Promotes 700 Soldiers

Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has promoted over 700 soldiers, Chimp Corps report. The promotions include four brigadiers who were elevated to the rank of Major General. The Defence Ministry did not disclose the identities of the promoted officers as it has always done. The development comes high on the heels of heightened tensions with neighbouring …

Details emerge of how notorious gangster Sobi was beaten to death in Gomba

Paddy Sserunjonji, also known as Sobi, a self-confessed former leader of Kifeesi, a criminal gang in Kampala, has been killed. Sobi met his demise in Maddu, Gomba, during a land eviction fight. According to Superintendent of Police Karim Majid, the acting Katonga region police spokesperson, Sobi was attacked by a mob in Kibaale village, Kigumba […]

23 Arrested for Public Smoking

Twenty-three smokers were picked up in Kabale municipality in an...

Vatican authorises blessings for same-sex couples, with caveats

By AFP The Vatican on Monday approved blessings for same-sex couples, a hugely contested issue in the Catholic Church, as long as they are not in contexts related to civil unions or weddings. In a document approved by Pope Francis, the Vatican backed “the possibility of blessings for couples in irregular situations (including unmarried couples or divorcees) and for couples of the same sex”. “One should not prevent or prohibit the Church’s closeness to people in every situation in which they might seek God’s help through a simple blessing,” it said. But the document, published by the Vatican’s faith department, does not change the Catholic Church’s stance on same-sex marriages or unions. It reiterates the long-held position that marriage is […]

State of Uganda’s forest cover

Patrick Kamara hosts Mr Tom Okello Obong, the Executive Director, National Forestry Authority on the KFM Hot Seat show to discuss the state of Uganda’s forest cover. Listen to the show below;

Artistes, faith-based groups urged to deliver stellar Christmas experiences

Ugandan artistes and faith-based institutions planning Christmas concerts and end-of-year prayers have received a significant financial boost from MTN Uganda, but with a crucial plea: don’t disappoint your fans and followers. Ms. Mildred Nsinda, head of trade and marketing at MTN-Uganda, announced the company’s investment of over Shs500 million to support top organizers of festive music concerts. However, she emphasized the importance of fulfilling promises made to fans. “MTN has been over the years sponsoring various festivities to enable its customers to end and begin the next year in their preferred way,” she said. MTN’s support extends beyond music, with Nsinda confirming sponsorship for various faith-based institutions holding end-of-year prayers across Kampala and upcountry regions. This commitment was unveiled at […]

Johnnie Walker shuts down Najjera with exhilarating second edition of Najjera Fest

Christmas and year-ender celebrations came early for the people of Kiwatule and Najjera, as La Venti Kitchen and Lounge partnered with global celebratory whisky brand- Johnnie Walker, to host a riveting second edition of the Najjera Fest. Imagine a grand stage, with six of the biggest DJ’s from around Africa, taking to the turntables, and […]

UN Names Committee to Probe Sudan War Crimes 

The President of the Human Rights Council, Václav Bálek (Czech Republic), has announced the appointment of Mohamed Chande Othman of Tanzania, Joy Ezeilo of Nigeria and Mona Rishmawi of Jordan/Switzerland to serve as the three independent members of the new Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan.  Mr. Othman will serve as Chair of the …