My boyfriend’s family is too traditional

The experience you found at your boyfriend’s village is bound to happen given the fact that...

How residents disarmed, beat up UPDF soldiers in land row

Police say no arrests have been made so far following the incident

Sacco boss accused of asking for sex in exchange for PDM cash

Tensions rose in Okanyapuru Parish, Ogoma Sub County, Kumi District in eastern Uganda as the Minister of State for Microfinance and Small Enterprises, Mr Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo intervened to address allegations of sexual demands and extortion by a Sacco chairperson, Mr Michael Ocuma. Mr Haruna Kyeyune is on a PDM monitoring visit in Kumi District. The incident unfolded as Mr Ocuma faced accusations from Giripasio Odwongo, a person living with disability, for allegedly demanding sexual favours and extortion of Shs80,000 from his wife, Ms Janet Aanyu. Mr Odwongo claimed that after his wife had offered the money as a bribe to Mr Ocuma, the Sacco chairperson made inappropriate advances. Read more  

Rugumayo in the lead as the Johnnie Walker Professionals Open 2023 takes shape

The Johnnie Walker Uganda Golf Open is in its penultimate stage with the Professionals Open currently under way at the Uganda Golf Club in Kampala. By the end of day one, South African-based Ugandan Ronald Rugumayo was leading the pack. If Rugumayo maintains his impressive form and secures victory on the fourth and last day […]

Blog: We Must Downsize Parliament as a Matter of Urgency

The conversations to reduce the size of Parliament are not new only that the talks do not come to fruition. Before I go further into discussing this issue, I want to state that indeed our Parliament is bloated and needs to be unclogged. Uganda, with the smallest economy and population has the biggest number of …

Museveni, Carlos Manuel Vila Nova of Sao Tome and Principe to hold Bilateral Talks

The President of Sao Tome and Principe, H.E Carlos Manuel Vila Nova, has arrived in the country on a two-day working visit at the invitation of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. President Manuel, who arrived at Entebbe International Airport at 2:00am this morning, was received by the Director General of External Security Organization (ESO), Ambassador Joseph …

Media Houses Urged To Safeguard Journalists From Sexual Harassment

By Nickson Maberi Media Managers have been called upon to safeguard journalists, especially females, from sexual harassment, as they go about their journalistic work. Media houses were also called upon to formulate policies against sexual harassment in order to protect their employees. This was during a media manager’s breakfast meeting organized by the Uganda Media …

Boss Mutoto, the only Ugandan socialite who attended this year’s Trace Muzik Awards

The recent Trace Muzik Awards in Rwanda were a star-studded affair that celebrated some of the brightest talents in the African music industry. Amidst the glitz, glamour, and extraordinary musical performances, Williams Bugeme also known as Boss Mutoto was in attendance. His presence at the event spoke volumes about his passion for the Ugandan music […]

How Nyege Nyege propelled Busoga’s Nakibembe Embaire Troupe to the global stage

Most Ugandans – save for those hailing from Eastern Uganda and the Busoga region – do not know the Nakibembe Embaire (Xylophone) Troupe. The troupe – which hails from the village of Nakibembe in Iganga District – performs a large traditional xylophone called the Embaire, a large wooden xylophone played by up to eight people. […]

Vocational training assessment commences, DIT warns against extortion

The Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) has cautioned assessors against extorting money from heads of centers where they have been dispatched to assess students in vocational fields.

While briefing assessors at DIT offices in Kampala on Tuesday, DIT deputy director in charge of assessment and certification, Dr Michael Okumu, said any form of extortion undermines the fairness of the assessment, leading to students receiving grades that do not reflect their true capabilities.

Okumu advised the heads of institutions to report and desist from giving money to assessors in case they demand it as they are given modest allowances to conduct the assessments.

“The facilitation that we give the assessors is enough. In one day, assessors who move around Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono can receive a minimum of Shs 240,000 to conduct an assessment. Those who go furthest can receive up to Shs 600,000 to cater for their meals and transport. Is this too little?” Okumu asked.

Transport allowance alone ranges between Shs 40,000 and Shs 180,000. He said the money is guided by the public service rates while the transport allowances are approved by the Industrial Training Council, the governing body of DIT.

Okumu’s warning follows complaints from heads of centers, verifiers (mainly DIT staff), and assessment scouts that assessors demand additional monies from institutions while in the field. 

“Assessors have their code of conduct and some don’t follow it. Our target is to do away with all this. We have been talking to these assessors and some plead guilty and ask for forgiveness. Some assessors even demand money to award free marks to candidates. This must stop,” he said, warning that extortion can have detrimental effects on the assessor if found guilty.

Okumu also cited a case where an assessor used his assessment allowance to clear a pending personal loan. By the time he was summoned to conduct a field assessment, he had no money on him hence extorting money from an institution. 

At least 821 assessors – practitioners and instructors in various vocational fields – have embarked on assessing the competencies of candidates in 62 occupations at more than 400 DIT-accredited centers. The practical assessment, which began last Friday with the briefing of candidates, is scheduled to end on Friday this week. 

In cases where assessors incur additional costs while in the field, Okumu said they are supposed to formally write or contact DIT for assistance. Meanwhile, for assessment centers, it’s also not mandatory to provide free breakfast and lunch for assessors unless it’s on humanitarian grounds. 

ASSESSMENT FEES

This year, employees seeking a Worker’s PAS [Practically Acquired Skills] have been charged Shs 150,000 for assessment in two modules. 

Modular assessment (candidates who are trained for three to six months) have paid Shs 70,000 for one module and Shs 90,000 for two modules. 

For Full occupational levels of competencies assessment; Level one is Shs 80,000, Level 2 Shs 100,000, Level 3 Shs 150,000, Level four Shs 220,000, and Level five at Shs 250,000. 

Assessors were also urged to cease collecting all samples of candidates’ work in occupations such as tailor, knitter, and carpenter claiming that they were ordered by DIT to do so.

“Please, pick only the best two or three samples depending on the number of candidates and submit them including the name of the candidate and assessment center. Do not carry everything from the center in the name of DIT and then you submit two samples and confiscate the rest,” Okumu said. 

At least 22 dead in US shootings, gunman at large

By AFP At least 22 people were killed and “many, many more” were injured in shootings in the city of Lewiston, Maine on Wednesday evening, city officials reported, overwhelming local hospitals with gunshot victims. City Councillor Robert McCarthy told CNN that the death toll had risen to 22 in the shooting spree that took place at a bowling alley and also at least one other location, a local restaurant and bar, according to media. “My understanding is that they have a tentative identification… of the shooter at the bowling alley, confirmed 22 dead, many, many more injured,” McCarthy said. Rescue vehicles rushed in from around central Maine to tend to the wounded, McCarthy said, and the two Lewiston hospitals “have […]

Two candidates give birth before exams

The Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb) has disclosed that two Senior Four candidates gave birth shortly before their Chemistry and Physics exams on Monday and Tuesday, respectively. Ms Jenipher Kalule, the Uneb principal communications officer, stated that one of the candidates, hailing from Kibaale District, delivered a healthy baby boy about one hour before her examination. The young mother is said to have named her new born after Uneb Execu- tive Director Daniel Odongo, and managed to sit her Physics paper. “The candidates delivered at 8am in the morning and shortly after, went to schools to write her next paper, scheduled for 9am,”said Ms Kalule. The second candidate, from Gulu, delivered via Caesarean section on Monday night and then appeared […]

Janet to commission works on Education ministry offices

The Minister of Education, Ms Janet Kataha Museveni, is set to commission the construction of the Shs63.9 billion Ministry of Education headquarters today. The twin tower designated to accommodate all the departments under the Education ministry, which currently incur significant annual expenses on rent, will be located in Kyambogo, adjacent to Kyambogo Primary School near Kabaka’s palace. In an interview with the Daily Monitor yesterday, the ministry’s public relations officer, Mr Denis Mugimba, said the construction of the buildings is financed by the government through a loan from the Islamic Development Bank. Mr Mugimba said the headquarters will consist of twin towers, one with eight floors,and the other with 10 floors. Additionally, a 600-seat auditorium and two parking decks will […]

Two Senior Four candidates give birth before Chemistry and Physics exams

The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has disclosed that two Senior Four candidates gave birth shortly before exams. Jenipher Kalule, the UNEB principal communications officer, disclosed that these incidents happened before the Chemistry and Physics exams on Monday and Tuesday, respectively. The first candidate, hailing from Kibaale District, successfully delivered a healthy baby boy approximately […]

Students Strike: Kabale University Succumbs to Pressure

Kabale University authorities waive off the surcharge for late registration following the Tuesday Protests of the students, triggered by what they perceived as an abrupt surge in surcharges from Shs 30,000 to Shs 80,000. The furious students were seen scattered across the university premises, donning the yellow university gowns, as a visible expression of discontent. …

EXCLUSIVE: 10 Candidates Shortlisted for UCC Executive Director Position

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has shortlisted 10 candidates for the job of Executive Director. The position was advertised in September 2023, attracting at least 70 applicants from across the country. ChimpReports has exclusively learned that the communications regulatory body has since dropped 60 applicants, leaving only 10 powerful candidates from the government and private …

Bobi, world’s oldest dog ever, dies at 31

"We have better memories of a long life where he was happy and, above all, where he made a lot...

Woman electrocuted in Kamuli

Police cautioned the members of the public against illegal electricity connections as they pose...

Jinja City renames road after ex-Minister Kyemba

Mr Kyemba’s body lay at Jinja City Hall for last respects today in a session attended by among...

Sacco boss accused of asking for sex in exchange for PDM cash

Minister Kasolo ordered Mr Ocuma to provide a statement to the police and the Office of the...