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@matookerepublic Wed, 18 Dec 2024 05:45:20
Former priest sentenced to 12 years in prison for wife’s murder
The High Court in Luwero has sentenced former Anglican cleric Rev. David Sekibaala to 12 years in prison for the brutal murder of his wife, Deborah Nakalema, on November 8, 2020. Justice Henrietta Wolayo delivered the sentence after Sekibaala, 62, confessed to the crime and opted for a plea bargain to secure a reduced sentence. […] The post Former priest sentenced to 12 years in prison for wife’s murder first appeared on Matooke Republic.
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@observer Wed, 18 Dec 2024 04:52:53
150 Ugandan students to get Malaysian scholarships
A total of 150 Ugandan students are set to benefit from a Shs 5.5 billion grant worth of partial scholarships to pursue bachelors and master’s programs at Binary University in Malaysia. Of these, 100 scholarships will be designated for undergraduate students while the 50 will be allocated for Ugandans seeking to pursue master’s degree programs. Successful applicants will pay only 50 per cent of the tuition fees per year for the entire duration of their studies. While announcing the scholarships at the Honorary Consulate of Malaysia in Uganda, Dato Gilbert Alvin, the senior director of international collaborations at Binary University said that this initiative has come after realizing that post-Covid, many parents are struggling to send their children for international education and so by providing this grant, they hope that it can lessen the burdens of parents as well as students to pursue further studies internationally. Alvin noted that 30 per cent of the programs offered have an entrepreneurship component in them so as to enable young people have the skills to start their own business after they graduate since jobs are limited nowadays. He added that all the degrees and master’s programs being provided through this grant have a latest specialization where students can specialize in AI and data analytics, digital leadership, digital marketing and FinTech. “This gives students the latest know-how for them to enter the job market which is very competitive. Also, under the new regulation by the Malaysian government, students who have graduated can apply to stay back for one year to do internship.” Prof Asif Mahbub Karim, the dean of Binary University Graduate School, noted that the university also puts a strong emphasis on research, currently boasting seven dedicated research centers because education without research nowadays is not fruitful and effective. Meanwhile, Ismail Mpanga Bumba, the deputy honorary consul of Malaysia in Uganda, who also studied from Malaysia, welcomed the development noting that it signifies the growing collaboration between Uganda and Malaysia particularly in education and technology. Currently, there are about 150,000 international students studying in Malaysia of which Ugandans are only 100. However, the country has a target of having 250,000 international students by 2026. The scholarships are open to students who wish to start enrolling for the February and March, 2025 intakes. jjingoernest1@gmail.com {loadposition inarticle}
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@observer Wed, 18 Dec 2024 04:45:40
Namisindwa businesswoman gang-raped, robbed of Shs 10m
Shock and fear have gripped Bumwalya Cell, Bumbo Town Council in Namisindwa district after a 38-year-old businesswoman was gang-raped and robbed by unknown assailants in her shop. The victim, whose identity has been withheld for her safety, recounted that six men broke into her shop at around 2:00 am on Tuesday, where she had been staying. The attackers tied her up, forced her to undress, and subjected her to a horrific gang rape. After the assault, the suspects demanded money and when she hesitated, they brutally beat her and threatened her life until she handed over Shs 10 million cash that she had. A neighbour expressed regret that no one heard any commotion during the attack, which might have prompted them to intervene. Concerns over security in the area are growing, especially as the festive season approaches. Ronald Wekunya, the general secretary of Bumwalya Cell, confirmed the incident and emphasized the urgent need for medical attention for the victim, including HIV testing and counselling. Wekunya attributed the rise in such heinous crimes to drug abuse among idle youths in the area. He called on security officials to address the growing insecurity with the seriousness it warrants. Rogers Taitika, Elgon Region Police spokesperson, stated that investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. {loadposition inarticle}
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@observer Wed, 18 Dec 2024 03:07:51
Judge Ssekaana’s injunctive order against ULS puts judiciary on spot
Last Friday, judge Musa Ssekaana made a ruling on the consolidated applications Mugisha Hashim Mugisha vs Uganda Law Society (ULS) & Seven Others, and Pheona Nabasa Gladys Wall vs ULS & Another. The applications sought for a temporary injunction order restraining ULS from implementing a purported council decision dated November 24, 2024 in which former ULS secretary Phillip Munaabi and ULS council member Geoffrey Turyamusiima were suspended pending a final decision on their removal from office at an extraordinary general meeting that was scheduled for December 17, 2024 until final disposal of Miscellaneous Cause No. 1243 of 2024. Applicants further sought a temporary injunction barring ULS from holding elections of its representatives to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). The application was highly contested by all the respondents who filed in their respective affidavits in reply. Ssekaana acknowledged this in its ruling and gave a summary of the different evidence adduced by both the applicants and the respondents by way of affidavit. ISSUE FOR DETERMINATION Court framed one issue for determination in this matter; whether the court should issue a temporary and mandatory injunction in this matter as prayed for in the application. In its decision dated December 13, 2024, and delivered online at about 10:43pm or thereafter, the court granted all the orders sought by the applicants in both consolidated applications. The decision raises a number of legal and judicial concerns that warrant discussion; GRANT OF A MANDATORY INJUNCTIVE ORDER Court concluded by granting the said mandatory injunction. It is quite unfortunate that the court did not address its mind to the settled principles of granting a mandatory injunction by our apex court in the land. The Supreme court in Sudhir Ruparelia vs Crane Bank & Anor (delivered on October 04, 2021) was clear on the status to be restored in granting a mandatory temporary injunction; the Supreme court was of the view that the status to restore is one that existed when the suit/main cause was filed and must have been altered during the pendency of the suit. In total disrespect and defiance of this decision that is binding on the High court, Ssekaana held in the reverse by granting a mandatory temporary injunction on matters that occurred before the main cause was filed. This is very regrettable. DISRESPECT OF THE DOCTRINE OF PRECEDENTS As the legal fraternity has always complained, there is total disrespect of the doctrine of precedents by lower courts. A decision of this nature is overturning the reasoning of the apex court in the land. This is very unfortunate and it retards the rule of law in our country. These, among other decisions, should be parameters used in evaluating performance of judicial officers before promotion. These are among other chains that must be broken in judicial promotions. PURPOSE OF GRANT OF AN APPLICATION FOR A TEMPORARY INJUNCTION ORDER It is a settled position of law in numerous decisions that the purpose of grant of a temporary injunction order is to preserve the status quo. (See, James Musinguzi Garuga & Anor vs Chris Baryomunsi & 2Ors). In his ruling, Ssekaana alludes to this. Unfortunately, instead of defining the status quo of the case before him as per the evidence presented, he concentrated on the discussion of restoring the status quo [hitherto he never defined] as per the evidence before him and concluded by mixing it with the grant of a mandatory injunctive order. This is seriously regrettable. LACK OF CONSISTENCY IN LEGAL REASONING I am alive to the fact that each case is determined on its own merits. In earlier cases decided by the same court on similar facts intended to injunct either an election process from taking place, or injuncting a statutory body from carrying out its functions under the law, this court has held to the contrary. There is no justification in this ruling why this court has departed from its earlier reasonings, some of which are as latest as May, 2024. DECISION CONTRADICTION 1 In CFAO Motors Uganda Ltd vs The Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA), this court was of the view that the court’s power can be exercised judiciously and in public interest, no mandatory injunction causing administrative inconvenience or resulting in public mischief should be granted in absence of any special circumstances like in the present application. This decision was delivered on May 17, 2024. In a gap of only seven months, this court has shifted its goalposts and there is still no clear explanation as to why it has done so. DECISION CONTRADICTION 2 In Nived Enterprises Ltd vs Uganda Revenue Authority delivered on May 17, 2024), the same court was of the view that courts should be reluctant to restrain a public body from doing what the law allows it to do. In such circumstances, the grant of an injunction may perpetrate breach of the law which they are mandated to uphold. The main rationale of this is rooted in the fact that courts cannot, as a matter of law, grant an injunction which will affect the effect of suspending the effect of legislation. The same judge went ahead and observed that courts should consider and take into account a wider public interest. The public bodies should not be prevented from exercising the powers conferred under the statute unless the person seeking an injunction can establish a prima facie case that the public body is acting unlawfully. The public body is deemed to have taken a decision or adopted a measure in exercise of powers which is meant to use for the public good is deemed to have taken the decision or adopted a measure in exercise of powers which is meant to use for the public good. In my humble view, this position applies in equal force to statutory bodies like the Uganda Law Society (ULS). DECISION CONTRADICTION 3 In Ben Muhumuza vs Attorney General, delivered on August 28, 2020, this court was of the view that, an election is a flowing river which cannot be stopped; otherwise it would be recipe for confusion and has dire financial consequences to the government and the parties involved in the electoral process. The wider public interest should be considered in this case before the court would consider grant of any interim orders. Court went further to note that, the Election Commission should not be prevented from exercising its constitutional mandate of organizing elections in the entire country unless the applicant can establish a prima facie case that they are acting contrary to the law. The Electoral Commission is the pivotal figure in matters of elections and has the power to act in accordance with the Constitution and other enabling laws. It should not be restrained on flimsy grounds and without sound basis. It is indeed unfortunate that in the instant application, the court could not appreciate the dire financial consequences ULS and candidates have invested in the campaign whose election was only left with three days to take place. This is all albeit the overwhelming evidence in form of affidavits concerning this election which the court closed its eyes at and never considered at all in analysis of its decision. Double standards and shifting goalposts in legal reasoning albeit any justification is a big threat to the rule of law and should strictly be condemned. FATE OF HIGH COURT MISC.CAUSE NO. 0263 AND JRC 0049 OF 2024. Given Ssekaana’s decision on a temporary injunction order, an interlocutory application, by nature, which has granted restoration orders of two ULS members on the ULS Council by way of this application, can this court be trusted that it has not already determined the main cause? Isn’t this already a demonstration of bias? These are all questions that ULS members must ponder with moving forward. LOSS OF PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE JUDICIARY When the public loses confidence in the judiciary, the rule of law is terribly under attack. On December 12, 2024, one of the members of ULS, who is known for negatively attacking the ULS president, sent a message on most of the lawyers’ forums with the following content; “Friday: 10:45pm: An injunction will be issued stopping the EAGM. A lovely Christmas to you all. Akuume.” It is indeed surprising that this happened when the parties had just completed filing their pleadings and yet to file their written submissions in the matter. It is indeed shocking that what he told members of the bar in the respective forums happened as he said, no wander at the same time. Such conduct takes away public trust and confidence in the judiciary if members of the bar supporting one of the parties to the case already know the court decision before the same is even delivered, moreover, neither a party nor counsel in the matter but pushing the agenda of one of the parties. TRANSPARENCY IN JUDICIAL DEPLOYMENTS AND TRANSFERS It is also now a concern among members of the bar why a particular judicial officer should be deployed in one division since appointment on the bench (2018) to date without any transfer. The contemporaries he was appointed with have received numerous transfers. What special mission is in Civil division not to allow such a judicial officer move elsewhere? Is this a measure of fairness and equal treatment to all judicial officers in terms of deployment and transfer? CONCLUSION The decision injuncting the election process that was left with three days to take place and also restoring members on the council by way of an interlocutory application is highly regrettable. It is an extension of the legal profession outcry on inconsistences in legal reasoning and failure to follow the doctrine of precedents which is a serious judicial threat. This, among other chains, needs to be broken. The time is now and we should all act to safeguard the sanctity of the legal profession and restoring the public confidence in the judiciary. We will continue to break the chains of poor choices in judicial appointments and promotions by highlighting these inefficiencies, whether in ULS leadership or not. The author is a founding partner at Mukiibi & Kyeyune Advocates and head, Department of Law Reporting, Research and Law Reform, LDC {loadposition inarticle}
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@kfm Tue, 17 Dec 2024 21:00:35
Newly-elected Kisoro MP signs deal with NRM
By David Lubowa Newly elected Kisoro District legislator Grace Ngabirano Akifeza has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Resistance Movement (NRM), announcing her “association and choice to work” with the party she defeated in last month’s by-election in the aftermath of losing in its primaries. Read more The post Newly-elected Kisoro MP signs deal with NRM first appeared on 93.3 KFM.
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@kfm Tue, 17 Dec 2024 21:35:43
Exploring Museveni’s proposal to probe religious ‘miracles’
In this episode of the KFM Hot Seat show, Patrick Kamara sits down with Rev. Canon Mwesigye from the Office of the President, Mr. Herbert Luswata, the president of Uganda Medical Association, and Prof. Simeon Kayiwa, lead Pastor at Namirembe Christian Fellowship. The panel discusses President Yoweri Museveni’s recent proposal to have the government investigate religious leaders who claim to perform “miracles.” Speaking at the commissioning of Prophet Samuel Kakande’s Church in Mulago, Kampala recently, President Museveni stated that while the government must uphold religious freedom, it also has a responsibility to prevent exploitation and ensure justice. Listen to the show below; The post Exploring Museveni’s proposal to probe religious ‘miracles’ first appeared on 93.3 KFM.
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@observer Tue, 17 Dec 2024 16:12:39
Suspected armed robber lynched in Kireka
A suspected armed robber was lynched on Monday afternoon in Kireka, Kira Municipality, after allegedly attacking and robbing a 52-year-old woman, Elizabeth Namwanje. The incident occurred around 4:00 pm in Kamuli-Lubawo Zone. The suspect and two accomplices had reportedly trailed Namwanje from a nearby bank while travelling on a motorcycle. The trio intercepted her as she drove her Toyota Spacio, smashing the vehicle’s windows and stealing an unspecified amount of money. Despite the attack, Namwanje fought back, knocking one of the robbers with her car. The assailants attempted to flee, but boda-boda riders in the area quickly mobilized and intervened. According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango, one suspect was lynched by the riders, while another, identified as Nicholas Mayombo, a 35-year-old resident of Kireka Railway Zone, was apprehended. The third suspect managed to escape and remains at large. Police recovered the suspects’ motorcycle, registration number UGH 239S, along with two pangas believed to have been used in the robbery. Onyango added that Namwanje, who suffered high blood pressure following the ordeal, was rushed to Life Link Hospital in Kyaliwajala for treatment. Police have urged the public to remain vigilant and avoid taking the law into their hands, stressing the importance of cooperating with law enforcement to ensure justice. {loadposition inarticle}
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@sqoop Tue, 17 Dec 2024 14:28:23
Music industry satanic, ritualistic- TZ’s Vanessa Mdee opens up
Vanessa Mdee, the celebrated Tanzanian singer and songwriter, has always been known for her soulful voice and inspirational lyrics. However, her recent revelations about the music industry have sparked a nationwide conversation about faith, morality, and the lengths some people go to achieve success. In the interview, Vanessa opened up about the darker, ritualistic side […] The post Music industry satanic, ritualistic- TZ’s Vanessa Mdee opens up first appeared on Sqoop - Get Uganda entertainment news, celebrity gossip, videos and photos.
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@kfm Tue, 17 Dec 2024 13:57:23
EU opens investigation into TikTok over election interference
BY REUTERS The European Commission opened formal proceedings on Tuesday against social media firm TikTok over its suspected failure to limit election interference, notably in the Romanian presidential vote last month. The Commission said it will request information and look into TikTok’s policy on political advertisements and paid-for political content as well as TikTok’s systems to generate recommendations and the risks of them being manipulated. The opening of formal proceedings empowers the Commission to take further enforcement steps and to accept commitments made by TikTok. There is no specific deadline to complete proceedings. China’s Bytedance-owned TikTok said it had protected the integrity of its platform through more than 150 elections worldwide and had provided the European Commission with extensive information […] The post EU opens investigation into TikTok over election interference first appeared on 93.3 KFM.
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@matookerepublic Tue, 17 Dec 2024 12:44:21
Bukoto Heights rolls out House Party offer at just $85 for a package of 7 people
The festive season is a time for joy, reflection, and celebrating life’s special moments with the people who matter most. Bukoto Heights Apartments, nestled in the heart of Kyebando, is offering the perfect setting to make your holidays unforgettable—with a touch of style, and togetherness, at a price that won’t break the bank. This December, […] The post Bukoto Heights rolls out House Party offer at just $85 for a package of 7 people first appeared on Matooke Republic.
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@allafrica Tue, 17 Dec 2024 11:38:30
Reimagining the Role of Ambassadors & High Commissioners in Economic Diplomacy
[Independent (Kampala)] On a warm May afternoon in 2007, during a critical dialogue between the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) and the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the late Hon. David Nalo, then Permanent Secretary for Trade, made a thought-provoking remark: "Our embassies should be more than ceremonial. They must drive our economic agenda abroad." This sentiment resonated deeply and became a pivotal theme in a speech I had the privilege of drafting for Dr. Manu Chandaria, a world- renowned industrialist and
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@allafrica Tue, 17 Dec 2024 10:44:21
Ugandans Secure Shs1.5 Trillion in Bank Loans to Fuel Festive Season Cheer
[Nile Post] The Ministry of Finance has revealed that credit approvals for October 2024 experienced a marginal increase, rising from Shs1.568 trillion in September to Shs1.589 trillion.
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@matookerepublic Tue, 17 Dec 2024 10:21:07
UBA Uganda launches nationwide blood donation campaign to address blood shortages
The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Uganda has launched a nationwide blood donation campaign at its Head Office in Kampala, marking a significant step in addressing Uganda’s persistent blood shortages. The initiative, part of UBA’s corporate social responsibility (CSR), aims to boost blood reserves ahead of the festive season, a period when accidents and emergencies […] The post UBA Uganda launches nationwide blood donation campaign to address blood shortages first appeared on Matooke Republic.
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@allafrica Tue, 17 Dec 2024 09:35:23
Minister Encourages Tea Farmers Amid Low-Price Crisis
[Nile Post] The Minister for Information, Communication Technology, and National Guidance, Hon. Chris Baryomunsi, has urged tea farmers to remain resilient amidst the ongoing decline in green tea leaf prices.
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@allafrica Tue, 17 Dec 2024 09:36:21
Inter-Religious Council Calls for Political Tolerance
[Nile Post] As Uganda approaches the political season next year, the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) has urged political actors to resolve their differences responsibly, recognising the rising tensions and political conflicts.
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@sqoop Tue, 17 Dec 2024 09:08:07
Everything you need to know about the 2025 Super Bowl
The NFL season is in its home stretch, and with the playoff picture becoming more clear fans are sizing up their team’s prospects for making it to the Super Bowl, arguably the biggest single event in U.S. sports with a huge global audience. Here’s everything you need to know about Super Bowl LIX, including who […] The post Everything you need to know about the 2025 Super Bowl first appeared on Sqoop - Get Uganda entertainment news, celebrity gossip, videos and photos.
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