UK, Rwanda Sign New Asylum Treaty

United Kingdom’s Home Secretary James Cleverly has signed a joint treaty with his Rwandan counterpart, Foreign Minister, Dr Vincent Biruta, in what London said was aimed at strengthening the UK and Rwanda’s Migration and Economic Development Partnership and directly addressing the concerns of the Supreme Court. In a unanimous judgment in November 2023, UK’s Supreme …

UN Missions in DRC, Sudan Collapse 

The United Nations is withdrawing its missions from Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan in 2023 after failing on its mandate to help the two countries realise peace.   The UN Security Council this past Friday decided to terminate the mandate of the UN political mission in Sudan from December 3 after Khartoum called for its …

Makerere scientists use rice husks, rocky materials to treat water  

Dr Kulabako noted that during their study, the found that some water sources were contaminated...

‘Ruthless’ film starring Dermot Mulroney set for release

The unveiling of the release date follows the release of the official trailer for "Ruthless," a...

Bitature, Absa Bank in fight over Shs50b loan

The dispute came to light at the end of September when Absa filed a civil suit at the...

Busongora South MP jailed for defaulting Shs183m election petition debt

The money stems from a 2021 election petition that Mujungu lost to his predecessor Mr Jackson...

Three teenagers remanded over robbing Chinese businessman Shs700m

Mr He Wei was travelling on a boda boda motorcycle when five other motorcyclists intercepted...

Pastors, police and army officers among 31 remanded over plot to overthrow govt

The state says the suspects belong to a rebel group called Uganda Lord’s Salvation Army

Let’s gear up for the floods and fires to come

With cyclones and searing global temperatures causing glaciers and ice sheets to melt at very...

Sell impounded “balaalo” cattle - Museveni

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has hinted at having incomes generated from auctioning impounded cattle belonging to defiant migrant cattle keepers commonly referred to as balaalo be used for constructing schools in Northern Uganda.

Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo Chigamoy said on Friday that he received a letter from the president revealing that some cattle keepers were already fleeing forceful eviction from the region, leaving behind their cattle. Justice Owiny-Dollo made the revelation while responding to questions from journalists on the update of the eviction of the cattle keepers from the Acholi sub-region.

He was addressing journalists via Zoom on the upcoming Acholi Convocation slated for December 27-29 at Sir Samuel Baker Secondary School in Gulu city. Justice Owiny-Dollo noted that the president in his letter revealed that the Chief of Defence Forces Gen Wilson Mbadi
had informed him of the readiness of the Fourth Infantry Division headquarters to commence eviction of the defiant cattle keepers.

The letter was also copied to the Vice President., Speaker of Parliament, Chief of Defence Forces, Prime Minister, Internal Affairs Minister, External Affairs minister, legislators from Acholi and West Nile, the Special Forces Command, and the Commander of the Air Force.

Owiny-Dollo said the president also disclosed that he would direct the army to confiscate cattle abandoned by fleeing cattle keepers so that they are auctioned. According to Owiny-Dollo, the president proposed that the proceeds from auctioning the cattle will be used for building schools in the respective areas once the Attorney General gives a nod.

Justice Owiny-Dollo said as leaders from the region, they are making a follow-up on Presidential Executive Order No.3 of evicting balaalo cattle keepers to ensure it is implemented. Museveni’s proposals come nearly two weeks after the ultimatum he issued to non-compliant cattle keepers to vacate North and Northeastern Uganda expired on November 24, 2023.

The president had directed the cattle keepers in the region to provide water sources for their animals and establish strong fences which included four stands of barbed wire fence for cattle farms and chain link fences for sheep and goat farms. Early this week, the joint security forces comprising the army and the police swung into action to kick off the eviction of the defiant cattle keepers in the Acholi sub- region.

At least 257 head of cattle belonging to non-compliant cattle keepers from two separate cattle farms in Awal-Aboro within Palaro sub-county in Gulu district were evicted on November 27. Similarly, a total of 259 head of cattle were evicted from five different cattle farms in the parishes of Pupwonya and Okidi in Atiak sub-county, Amuru district on November 26, and are currently being held at a holding center at Unyama bridge in Okidi parish.

However, local leaders and security personnel have raised concerns over the reluctance of the evicted cattle farmers to relocate their cattle from the respective holding grounds in Atiak and Palaro sub-counties.

Kenneth Okot, the LCIII chairperson of Atiak town council, told Uganda Radio Network in an interview Saturday that five individuals evicted from the greater Atiak sub-county have deliberately refused to pick their cattle from the holding grounds.

He also notes that while there are still about 100 non-compliant cattle keepers in the greater Atiak sub-county, they are unable to carry out eviction due to a lack of logistical support from the government.

Cosmas Okidi, the acting resident district commissioner, Gulu, during a radio talk show in Gulu City Saturday, equally notes that they are stuck with over 200 head of confiscated cattle from non-compliant cattle keepers.

Okidi says while one of the cattle keepers has agreed to sell off his animals, another has deliberately refused to pick them up from the holding ground for transportation out of the region, a move he says has crippled the eviction implementation.

Last month, State Minister for Northern Uganda Rehabilitation, Grace Freedom Kwiyucwiny revealed that about 80,000 head of cattle in northern Uganda belong to non-compliant migrant cattle keepers who haven’t fenced their land, had adequate grazing land, and provided water sources.

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Uganda among top 10 countries with cheapest cost of electricity in 2023

Africa, the continent with the fastest-growing economy in the world, is poised for extraordinary growth.

But several obstacles conceivably prevent the continent from reaching its fullest potential, not the least of which is the high cost of energy, particularly electricity.

According to Yahoo Finance, the world’s electricity market is currently valued at over $1.94 trillion and is projected to reach $3.9 trillion in 2032. This projection is a result of an estimated rise in demand for electricity, expected to spike by a 3.3% year-on-year increase.

This growth would be driven by population increase, and economic development with the industrial, residential, and commercial sectors as the primary consumers. On this note, it is important that Africa addresses the challenges plaguing its power industry so as to mitigate costs and maximize revenue.

While on a global scale, Africa boasts relatively low electricity costs, there still exist regions whose prices are relatively high compared to household incomes. There also exists a lack of adequate electricity supply, highlighting a need for energy concerns to be addressed.

The high cost of electricity in Africa is a multifaceted challenge that requires a comprehensive approach. Juxtaposed against the average household income, state of electricity infrastructure, and lack of access to electricity, the high cost of electricity can create a significant strain on the economy of the regions most affected.

Below are ten of these regions with the highest electricity prices. This list is courtesy of Global Petrol Prices, a platform that publishes up-to-date information on retail energy prices around the world including motor fuel prices, electricity prices, and natural gas prices.

The data set was last updated March 2023. With that said, above are the African countries in 2023 with the cheapest electricity prices in kilowatts per hour.

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River Nyamwamba finds hope amidst rising rain waters

The ongoing heavy rains around the country have increasingly become a concern as flooding has led to several incidents of loss of life, destruction of property and displacement of people.

One such area prone to the unfortunate incidents are the villages through which River Nyamwamba is Kasese passes through. However, the recent interventions by the ministry of Water and Environment have eased the risks as GEOFREY SERUGO writes.

The villages of Kyambogho, Masule and Kanjuki, along the path of River Nyamwamba in Kasese have experienced a ray of hope with recent interventions led by the ministry of Water and Environment. The history of this river has been marked by occasional flooding, causing significant loss of life and property, with notable incidents in 2013 and 2020.

In a recent media engagement on the maintenance and flood protection works along the river, it was noted that the 25-square-kilometer stretch has been a source of concern for the communities it traverses, as flooding has become a threat.

Early in the year in March, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja visited Kasese, empathizing with the victims of a minor flooding episode. During her visit, she recognized the critical role of regular desilting and the challenges posed by boulders rolling down from Mountain Rwenzori into the river.

Nabbanja directed a multi-sectoral approach to address the issue, assigning responsibilities to various entities. The Uganda National Roads Authority (Unra) was tasked with working on major roads and seven bridges connected to the river. The ministry of Energy ensured the licensee, Serengeti Energy Company, conducted regular desilting around their power generation equipment.

Kilembe Mines Company was directed to undertake similar responsibilities for river areas under its jurisdiction. The ministry of Water assumed a central role, allocated Shs 17bn for a comprehensive project, and engaged Ambitious Construction Ltd for desilting and construction works.

The project included the construction of Crycopian and Gabion concrete structures, tree planting initiatives, community sensitization, and disaster committee formation across sub-counties prone to flooding.

Despite the ministry’s efforts, the collaborative approach is yet to materialize fully. For instance, Unra, Serengeti Energy and Kilembe Mines continue to face financial constraints and are yet to fulfill their responsibilities. Nonetheless, the local leaders, led by Bulembia division LC-III chairman Richard Bomera, expressed gratitude for the mitigation efforts.

Speaking to the media, he emphasized the inclusive and consultative nature of the disaster management plan, enacted in cooperation with the Kasese district local government. He credited the interventions for preventing a recurrence of the 2013-like flooding disaster.

“I urge government and parliament to allocate more funding for routine desilting of the river to help prevent future flooding disasters. I also propose a one-off payment of Shs 4bn for the acquisition of essential equipment and investment in measures to prevent boulders from Rwenzori mountain from causing harm and damage to property.”

During the two-day tour, various community leaders called for the revitalization of Kilembe Mines and the importance of frequent desilting of the river for the stability and well-being of the communities. What’s more, the desilting project has helped mobilise communities using a participatory approach to implement the different catchment-community-driven activities.

Activities such as tree-planting, beekeeping, aquaculture as well as stone development have emerged to keep several youths economically productive.

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My MPs work for Museveni - Bobi Wine

Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, who leads Uganda’s National Unity Platform (NUP), recently made a startling revelation during an interview with the UK’s BBC radio.

Kyagulanyi, returning to the UK nearly a decade after a ban imposed due to his controversial statements on gay rights, accused several members of his party of secretly aligning with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of the National Resistance Movement.

This accusation comes in the wake of the contentious anti-homosexuality law, which Kyagulanyi argues was primarily enacted to suppress opposition figures. In a candid response, Kyagulanyi acknowledged that despite his party’s stand, all NUP members of parliament had voted in favor of the law.

He suggested that this unanimous support could indicate covert cooperation between these members and President Museveni.

“In my party, I have members of parliament that are working with Gen Museveni,” Kyagulanyi asserted, casting a shadow of doubt over the loyalty and motives of his party members. This statement has stirred up political discussions, raising questions about internal party dynamics and the broader implications for Uganda’s political landscape.

In the ongoing political narrative of Uganda, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, has repeatedly leveled accusations against certain members of his own party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), for allegedly collaborating with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). Despite these recurrent claims, Kyagulanyi has often stopped short of specifically identifying the individuals involved.

However, the situation gained clarity when two NUP members of parliament, Twaha Kagabo of the Bukoto South constituency in Lwengo district and Jimmy Lwanga of Njeru municipality in Buikwe district, publicly declared their support for General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

Kainerugaba, notably the son of President Museveni, has shown interest in running for the presidency in the 2026 elections. This open endorsement from Kagabo and Lwanga not only lends credence to Kyagulanyi’s allegations but also adds a new dimension to the political dynamics within the NUP, highlighting potential rifts and alignments ahead of the upcoming electoral season.

The development marks a significant moment in Ugandan politics, underscoring the complexities of party loyalty and individual political ambitions. In a recent interview, Kyagulanyi was questioned about his stance on the Anti-homosexuality Act, particularly whether he would repeal it if he were to become the president of Uganda.

Kyagulanyi’s response was notably cautious and indirect. He expressed his belief that the Act was not introduced for the benefit of the Ugandan people but, rather, as a tool for the current regime to suppress opposition, including himself. Kyagulanyi emphasized the risks associated with speaking out against the law, noting that it could endanger not only himself but also his loved ones.

His guarded response highlights the complexities and potential dangers involved in addressing such sensitive and polarizing issues within Ugandan politics.

“This law was not introduced by Museveni in the interest of the Ugandan people; rather, it was designed to target the opposition, including myself. He knows it can be used to crack down on anyone perceived to be supportive of that community. This means that anything I say about the law not only puts me at risk but also endangers my loved ones. I must be very cautious, as I am aware that its primary purpose is to target the opposition, especially me,” Kyagulanyi stated.

The Anti-homosexuality Bill, now an Act, was originally presented as a private member’s bill by Asuman Basalirwa, the member of parliament for Bugiri municipality and president of the opposition party, Justice Forum. Remarkably, the bill received widespread support across political lines, gaining backing from both opposition members and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

This rare instance of cross-party consensus reflects the nuanced and often unpredictable nature of legislative politics in Uganda, where issues may transcend traditional party boundaries.

Members of parliament in Uganda, cutting across party lines, have historically argued for the need to protect children from what they perceive as corrupting Western morals, including homosexuality. This stance led to the enactment of the Anti-homosexuality Act, which enjoys widespread popularity among the majority of Ugandans, a deeply religious populace whose faiths typically oppose such practices.

Kyagulanyi and the leadership of his party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), have navigated a complex political landscape concerning this Act. They have not taken a formal stance on the issue, balancing the Act’s popularity in Uganda against its unpopularity in the West.

Western nations, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and the European Union, have criticized the Act, viewing it as an affront to human rights.

This dichotomy places Kyagulanyi and the NUP in a precarious position: opposing the Act risks alienating their domestic support base, which largely favors it, while supporting it could estrange their Western allies, who are against it.

This balancing act has led to accusations from the government that Kyagulanyi and some top figures in his party are prioritizing foreign interests over Ugandan interests. However, Kyagulanyi has openly acknowledged and celebrated his foreign connections, which he believes are instrumental in undermining the long-standing favoritism of the West towards President Museveni.

Currently, on a tour of the United Kingdom, Kyagulanyi has expressed his view in a BBC interview that the international community is key to ending Museveni’s nearly four-decade rule. His visit aims to promote the interests of his party, reflecting his strategy of leveraging international support to influence domestic political change.

When approached for a comment on Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu’s claim that the anti-homosexuality law targets the opposition, Asuman Basalirwa, the MP who sponsored the bill, dismissed the need for a response.

“I have no time for what is not important,” Basalirwa stated, indicating his reluctance to engage in discussions surrounding Kyagulanyi’s assertions.

Similarly, Joyce Bagala Ntwatwa, the Woman MP for Mityana district and the shadow minister for information, declined to comment on the topic, choosing to remain silent on the controversial issue.

On the other hand, Kyagulanyi, when questioned about his views from 2014 when a similar law was enacted but later annulled by the Constitutional court for lack of quorum, reflected a change in his stance. He acknowledged that his perspectives have evolved over time, becoming more tolerant toward those who differ from him.

“Certainly, we keep growing and we transform. I’m a product of very many second chances, and I want to be known as a leader who is respectful and inclusive of everybody,” Kyagulanyi articulated.

This statement signifies his personal growth and a shift towards a more inclusive approach in his political journey.

How Kyambogo University’s IT staff altered students’ marks

A joint investigation by the police and Kyambogo University management has so far found that two university ICT staff engaged in the alteration of marks for four students.

The affected students will miss this year’s 19th graduation which starts today (Wednesday) and ends on Friday this week, writes YUDAYA NANGONZI.

The preliminary findings indicate that one female student with a retake approached the two ICT staff to change her marks so that she would be cleared for graduation. However, the staff went ahead to alter marks of three more students who came with similar requests at a fee.

Sources privy to the investigations led by the deputy vice chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs and the academic registrar said the staff was offered money below Shs 1m to accomplish the task.

“The female student first boldly asked one ICT staff [not among those implicated] to change her marks but he refused. He advised her to retake the papers. This forced management to continuously monitor the system just in case more ICT staff were given similar requests. After two weeks, the university noticed changes being made to some students’ marks by other ICT staff,” the source said.

Asked how the two ICT staff were easily identified, the source pointed to the university’s Academic Management Information System (ACMIS) two-factor authentication mode of running the system. Under this arrangement, the system identifies whoever logs into the system and it keeps audit trails of all activities of each ICT staff such as viewing, deleting, and updating information, among others.

The system can also attest to the login locations, gadgets, and web browsers used to access the academic system. Preliminary audit trails have so far confirmed that the two implicated male staff altered the students’ results. They also fraudulently changed the award level of one student from a second-class upper degree to a first-class.

The Internet Protocol (IP) address on the system showed that all the alterations by the two staff were done inside their ICT offices at the university.

HOW CHANGES WERE MADE

The two-factor authentication was initiated into the system to prove that it’s only ICT staff working on the system. In case one intends to make any changes to a student’s marks, they are supposed to request an update of “change of marks” on the system.

To further prove one’s correct identity, the system sends the ICT staff a token number either on the phone through an SMS or email address linked to their ACMIS account to grant them access. The investigators established staff who received tokens on particular dates when results were illegally changed.

“The two staff also had the permission to migrate student records from the old system to the new one. So, they took advantage of these powers while migrating results of other students who had already been approved to alter those who offered them money,” the source said.

The source added that the ACMIS accounts of the two staff have since been blocked to aid the ongoing investigations.

KYAMBOGO VC SPEAKS

In his pre-graduation address to the media on Monday, the Kyambogo University vice chancellor, Prof Eli Katunguka, confirmed the suspension of the two ICT staff and the four affected students. He said the six culprits were caught after a whistle- blower, also a student, addressed the matter to the administration.

Katunguka said if the two staff members are found guilty, disciplinary action including dismissal from the university, could be taken against them.

“The students are four but we expect the number to increase when investigations, which started last month, are completed. Students should know that even if you graduate this week and we later discover that your marks were altered, we have a policy that empowers us to revoke your award at any time. Let nobody deceive you that you will beat the system after making it to the graduation day,” Katunguka said.

The university management also agreed to omit the altered results after the original marks from the Heads of Departments (HoDs) didn’t match those on the ACMIS system. The HODs have the final say on the graduating students. According to Katunguka, the original copies also played a critical role in identifying more students with altered marks.

“Initially, I didn’t know about these issues until one female student approached me crying that she had been deleted from the graduation list yet she appeared on the tentative one. I bounced her back to the head of the department who informed me that the same student was involved in an attempted alteration of marks,” Katunguka said.

He added: “We are trying to curb this vice although it is hard to fight due to evil people. But, if we get anybody involved in this practice, we shall take stern measures against them.”

Meanwhile, our sources noted that whereas the university can crack a whip on ICT staff, it remains an uphill task to trace marks that are illegally changed before being uploaded on the ACMIS system.

“We have since established that there are also teaching staff who are negligent with their work. For instance, some staff are issued with accounts to upload student marks but assign their credentials to third parties who are unknown to the university,” the source said.

The third party can easily change the marks using the lecturer’s ACMIS account which poses more risks to student marks and the system in general. The investigators have found that such altered marks at the level of the lecturers are quite many but hard to trace until the involved parties disagree and one turns into a whistleblower.

For now, the university is contemplating conducting a comprehensive audit of all results of students to determine the extent of the alterations of marks.

348 MPs face USA visa sanctions

More than 300 members of parliament, and their immediate family members, face travel restrictions to the United States of America for voting in favour of the Anti-Homosexuality Act, according to the latest crackdown.

On that list, add any other politician – whether in the current cabinet or past – who is found to have been complicit in the disputed general elections of 2021, where government security operatives were accused of abducting, beating and killing those who were opposed to President Museveni’s candidature.

Notably, the speaker of parliament, Anita Amongi, became the first victim of this stringent measure, experiencing the cancellation of her US and UK visas immediately the bill was passed into law in May, 2023. The repercussions have now extended to over 300 MPs and their immediate family members who supported the Anti- Homosexuality Act.

Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, in a December 4, 2023 statement, said: “Today, I am announcing the expansion of the visa restriction policy to include current or former Ugandan officials or others who are believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic process in Uganda or for policies or actions aimed at repressing members of marginalised or vulnerable populations. The groups include, but are not limited to, environmental activists, human rights defenders, journalists, LGBTQI+ persons, and civil society organisers. The immediate family members of such persons may also be subject to these restrictions.”

The United States of America’s latest reaction to what it terms as “flawed electoral processes, violence, and intimidation,” is the most sweeping visa restriction on Uganda’s government officials in recent memory, looping in immediate family members – the first time that such a widespread clampdown on close relatives of the accused has been publicly stated.

It is the inclusion of family members that is likely to strike a raw nerve among those politicians on the list. Reached out for comment, a US embassy official who preferred anonymity, was cagey about the development but insisted cryptically that “decisions in your parliament have consequences worldwide” before hanging up.

This impliedly places all the MPs who voted for the Anti-Homosexuality Act at risk. Several MPs reached out declined to comment on the matter until it is brought to their attention officially. Normally, the US does not release the list of banned officials until they apply for a US visa. Now that their immediate family members have been added to the list, it is likely to create a spiral effect.

BACKGROUND

On April 16, 2021, less than three months after President Museveni was declared the winner of the presidential elections with 60 per cent of the vote, Blinken announced that the US had agreed to slap visa restriction on those believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic process in Uganda, including during the country’s January 14 general elections and the campaign period that preceded it.”

He added that the “electoral process was neither free nor fair.”

Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, the main opposition candidate in the 2021 presidential election, has for the last two years been on tours in the United States and Europe, rallying the Western world to come hard on Uganda. Part of his argument at these foreign tours is that the survival of Uganda’s regime is mainly fuelled by the heaps of cash at its disposal. Cutting off some of the money supplies would cripple the regime, Kyagulanyi told his largely white audiences.

Compared to other blocks such as the European Union or bodies such as the World Bank, the United States has not sent that much development aid to Uganda. That even if the United States reduced its funding to Uganda, the impact would not be felt, according to some political analysts aligned with the regime.

If slashing development aid could not make that much impact, the United States decided that targeting more Ugandan individuals, and their family members, would hit a raw nerve. But for the US to do that, they needed a trigger.

That trigger came on May 2, 2023. On that day, just over two years after Blinken’s first raft of travel restrictions, members of parliament voted on the controversial Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023 – a radical piece of legislation with stringent punishment for those who engage in homosexuality, plus those who fail to report any incidents of the act to the authorities.

The vote count showed overwhelming support – both from government and opposition members of parliament – of a bill that many said was meant to stop the erosion of Uganda’s cultural values.

The passing of the bill sparked off a series of criticism from global leaders, many of whom said Uganda had backtracked on its already fragile human rights record. Many warned that there would be repercussions for the government.

In June 2023, the US passed what it called the Fallon Smart Policy in memory of a young girl in Portland, who was killed in 2015 in a hit-and-run, but where the prime suspect was helped to skip bail, and later whisked out of the country. The girl’s family has never received justice.

To try and get Fallon Smart – the young Portland girl – justice, the US announced that any family member of those who have not faced justice would face visa restrictions. The Fallon Smart policy allowed the US to publicly include family members of those who are accused
of committing crimes on its travel restrictions red list.

Blinken’s latest announcement on Uganda, which, he said, expands on the April 2021 restrictions, could hurt family members of the accused who wish to study or attend any engagements in the United States.

While many of the politicians and their family members on this list might feel they have other choices outside the United States, there is a high chance that other Western countries will follow in the footsteps of the US as part of streamlining their diplomatic interests.

The fallout from these travel restrictions is anticipated to affect the education and employment opportunities of the accused officials’ family members, especially in the United States. As other Western countries may follow suit, these individuals could find their diplomatic and professional prospects significantly curtailed.

While Uganda’s government has yet to release an official response to the US announcement, the impact of these far-reaching measures is poised to reshape the dynamics of diplomatic relations and influence within the East African nation. By press time, government had not yet put out an official position to the US’ announcement.

Nigeria army finally admits to "mistakenly" killing 85 people in drone strike

The Nigerian army has made a U-turn and finally admitted to "mistakenly" killing 85 people during a drone strike on Sunday in the village of Tudun Biri in northern Kaduna state.

Initially, the Nigerian Air Force denied any involvement in the attack. However, today Tuesday the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja accompanied by principal staff officers from the Army headquarters expressed regrets for the "unfortunate mishap" describing it as a very disheartening occurrence.

During a visit to Tudun Biri, Lagbaja noted that in the recent past, the general area of Tudun Biri and adjoining villages were infested with armed bandits, who terrorized the communities until troops of the army started conducting operations to sanitize the area and make it habitable.

According to the statement, Lagbaja pointed out, that the unfortunate incident happened after troops who were carrying out aerial patrols observed a group of people and wrongly analyzed and misinterpreted their pattern of activities to be similar to that of the bandits, before the drone strike.

Lagbaja said he has ordered a thorough inquiry into the deadly incident to ascertain and identify areas of deficiency. The outcome of the investigations, he said will lead to lasting solutions to the identified lapses and deficiencies in both the human and Artificial Intelligence (AI) variables that will forestall future recurrence.

Nigeria’s military has previously used drones in their battle against Islamic extremists who have waged an insurgent campaign in the country’s northeast and northwest for several decades.

President Tinubu’s office issued a statement expressing his grief over the incident, which he called “very unfortunate, disturbing and painful.”

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Gov’t seeks Shs2 billion to renovate contested Old Kampala Mosque

The government through the Ministry of Gender, has submitted a request for a supplementary budget of Shs2 billion to support the renovation of the contested Gaddafi National Mosque in Old Kampala. This funding is part of the Shs3.5 trillion supplementary budget presented to Parliament on Monday by Henry Musasizi, the Minister of State for Finance. […]

Security Guard Shoots Two to Death in Suspected Kampala Robbery

A security guard has shot to death two people on grounds of attempted robbery. The deceased have been identified as Okema Patrick, 34 years old from Kitgum, and Sekiwiro Dennis, 38 years old from Dokolo. Deputy Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire confirmed the incident. He said the incident happened on Tuesday morning when Ocan …

JEEMA demands apology from Bobi Wine over anti-gay law remarks

The opposition Justice Forum (JEEMA) party has asked the National Unity Platform (NUP) leader, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi to withdraw his comments about the enactment of the Anti-homosexuality Act, 2023. In a letter dated December 4, 2023, JEEMA secretary general, Mr. Mohamed Katerega says they are disappointed by a move by Kyagulanyi to be evasive on the recently enacted Anti-Homosexuality Act. In an interview with international broadcaster, BBC, Kyagulanyi claimed that the overwhelmingly supported law by over 90% of Members of Parliament was not passed in the interest of Ugandans, but as a tool to oppress the opposition. Now JEEMA wants Kyagulanyi to retract his statement. “We call upon you to retract your pronouncement, and demonstrate your commitment to fostering a […]

Rain-battered wall collapses, kills 5 people

Police identified the deceased as Phiona Nabulumba, Geoffrey Nabunywa, Moja Fuuku, a...