Press Release: EIB backs KSh 12 billion of new private sector investment across East Africa (11.12.2015)

 

East-Africa

The European Investment Bank today agreed to provide EUR 110 (KSh 12 billion) million for investment by companies across East Africa under a three new partnerships launched in Nairobi earlier today. This is the largest ever support for investment by entrepreneurs and small business ever announced in East Africa by the EIB.

European Investment Bank Vice President Pim van Ballekom formally signed the three credit lined during a visit Kenya to mark the 10 year anniversary of local operations of the world’s largest international public bank and to highlight an expected increase in support for climate related projects in the region.

Under the new initiative the European Investment Bank, will back investment by micro, small and medium enterprises under three dedicated credit lines with the African Banking Corporation, NIC Bank and CRDB Bank that reflect different investment needs.

The new programme will support job creation and economic growth in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Burundi by providing long-term local and foreign currency loans and support investment across a range of sectors, including agriculture.

“Investment by small companies and entrepreneurs is essential for economic growth and to create jobs. The European Investment Bank is pleased to strengthen our support to ensure that East African companies can unlock new business opportunities and build on previous successful engagement with leading local banks. Since the EIB’s regional office for East and Central Africa opened 10 years ago professionalism and enthusiasm of the Nairobi based team has strengthened our support for entrepreneurs and small business across the region.” said Pim van Ballekom, European Investment Bank Vice President.

“We are very happy to be partnering again with EIB and securing from them a second credit line . We first received Ksh. 770 million from EIB in 2012, which we have disbursed to our SME clients for longer term and at affordable rates. We have seen the immense potential SMEs have, and how access to affordable credit can turn around small entrepreneurs to become business leaders in their respective sectors. We are excited by this new credit line. It is a demonstration of the confidence that EIB has in ABC Bank, and it will bolster our capacity to continue lending to the SME segment to empower them to harness their market potential and contribute to the national economy. We look forward to the making of more success stories” said Shamaz Savani, ABC Bank Group Managing Director.

“We are delighted to deepen our partnership with EIB in supporting the development of SME and Midcap in various sectors of Tanzanian economy especially agriculture. SMEs in Tanzania contribute immensely to the growth of our economy and CRDB Bank has been playing a major role in the growth of local entrepreneurs especially women entrepreneurs and is keen in supporting SMEs to grow their businesses and improve their competitiveness.” said Saugata Bandyopadhyay, Deputy Managing Director Operation & Customer Service at CRDB Bank.

“As stated previously, we are accelerating our strategy to grow our Retail and SME Business. The EIB funding will support our push into the fast expanding SME sector,” said Mr. John Gachora, Group Managing Director, NIC Bank.

The three new lending programmes were formally launched in Nairobi by European Investment Bank Vice President Pim van Ballekom.

The three credit lines reflects the European Investment Bank’s broad support for private sector investment across Africa that addresses the varied investment needs of firms ranging from individual small entrepreneurs to more established companies employing hundreds of people.

The EIB agreed a new EUR 5 million credit line with ABC Bank that will support investment by companies in both Kenya and Uganda.

Companies here in Kenya will benefit from a new EUR 50 million credit line, agreed with NIC Bank Kenya.

Whilst investment in Tanzania and Burundi through a EUR 55 million loan to CRDB Bank will both support Tanzania based firms and includes EUR 3 million for companies based in Burundi. This is the EIB’s second engagement with CRDB.

Last year the European Investment Bank Group provided nearly EUR 22 billion to improve access to finance by small business around the world. In Africa nearly EUR 3 billon has been provided by the EIB for investment by small business and entrepreneurs since 2005.

Since 2005 the Nairobi presence of the European Investment Bank responsible for Central and Eastern Africa has supported more than EUR 3 billion (KSh 325 billion) of investment both across the region and elsewhere in Africa. Over the last decade the European Investment Bank has provided more than EUR 18 billion for investment across Africa.

Suspension of the nurses from Abim Hospital says: “No open door policy during election, period”.

Abim Hospital 2014 P2

There are sometimes you do something wise during elections like a public display and speech that makes a difference. We have today seen the release of the letter telling that the NRM-Regime feels victimizes over the pictures and stories released after the FDC and Dr. Kizza Besigye visited the Abim Hospital.

The Nurses that are suspended just did their public duty to address the matter of their working place, they knew that the NRM-Regime and their elections squad wouldn’t take a step into the premises and caring about their working place. This is also a state-run institution who serves the people. And supposed to serve the people, be a place of healing the local community and have service which employee’s standard conditions to secure the health of the local public.

Abim Hospital 2014 P3

 

Reports from April 2015:

“Operational standards at Abim hospital in Abim district have sparked resentment among various groups of people in and around the district.This follows alleged increase in the number of people dying in the hospital due to poor administration and management of the hospital.Five people reportedly died from the hospital last weekend” (104.7 NENAH FM Karamoja, 21.04.2015).

Later in April:

“Abim Hospital!!! Medical and support staff at the above hospital have laid down their tools, others have resigned due to non payment of 4months salary! Someone In The Office Of CAO is messing up service delivery to the local populace!” (Karamoja Development Forum, 29.04.2015).

There is surely some missing money for not only equipment, but also ghosted monies that were supposed to go the hospital. This is looking worse for the NRM-Regime, the more I dig! But here is the letter everybody is talking about:

Disciplinary Proceedings Nurse

If you wouldn’t believe where the shattered hospital we’re there been reports of embezzled funds that could have built and reshaped the structures and equipment of the hospital. Just take a look!

Statement from Moses Byamugisha today:

“The Abim district CAO Mr Nandala Moses Kaziba who wants to dismiss the nurses over Besigye visit to Abim hospital told Public Accounts Committee sometime back that vouchers for shs900m he embezzled were eaten by termites”.

Abim Hospital 2014

Some more statements:

Former reports on the Abim Hospital:

“Besigye who was on his campaign trail in the area last week promised to have the entire health care system in Uganda overhauled once elected president. Now according to the Resident District Commissioner Samuel Mpimbaza Hashaka, Sh700 million has already been disbursed to facilitate renovation of this hospital. He explains that the contract has been awarded to Pearl Globe Engineering Limited and the renovation is envisaged to be complete by June next year. After renovation, the hospital is expected to have an average capacity of 1,400 for out patients and 120 admissions” (RadioCity 97FM, 09.12.2015).

What Dr. Kizza Besigye wrote on 5th December after the visit to the hospital:

“I would like to thank the people of Abim for welcoming us. Today while on the campaign trail we took some time off to visit Abim Hospital, the patients there just like in other districts live due to the mercy of God, a small medical team that is not paid well and paid on time is not motivated to work extra hours when they are needed. What we witnessed in Abim Hospital is a pure brain drain. An FDC led government believes in investing in our human capital and our pledge includes paying our medical workers well and on time”.

We can just see through the pictures and the stories coming out that the NRM isn’t looking good on this after 30 years of their rule. And that in the middle of their lovely funky wonderful stories that makes Mzee looks spotless.

The visit and stories from Abim Hospital is different than the beautiful wished stories from the NRM. Like the ones they had with the Gig Song and Bebe Cool fooling himself around on the road talking about the development and steady progress of NRM. But with the last action the Hoe Project and little goodwill they still carry dwindles even more. The nurses being suspended is just a blunt move from a regime losing grips on reality. What is next? What is the next move from the greatness and stature of the State?

Abim Hospital 10.12.15

FDC passed by and got real stories about the situation. They didn’t misuse it or put the people of the hospital in a bad place, it became a essential example of the neglect of the NRM-Regime and their systematic exploit of government institution instead of actually offering the citizens the services they need. And that hurts the citizens first and secondly the NRM has neglected to provide the service the citizens needed. This has been proven by statements and reports from last year. Together with the PAC ordeal with Nandala Moses Kaziba has taken money that was supposed to go the hospital. They have already had issues with payment and other money missing.

That the nurses get the stick for getting in the MEDIA is just foolish. Well, Kahinda Otafiire and Tamale Mirundi I am sure has some well put words to drop. Online already TVO has said his peace. FDC has gotten brownie points and the NRM has lost the media-war…

Peace.

Press Statement: Uganda Youth Platform on the rampant arbitirary arrests and torture of youth in Uganda by regime agents and rouge NRM Supporters (10.12.2015)

Jinja Police 10915

Uganda Youth Platform (UYP) and other youth organizations in the country wish to bring to the attention of the people of Uganda the prevailing abuse of our rights, arbitrary arrests, torture and other unbelievable acts of injustice the government is committing against us.

The regime in power abducts, arrests, threatens death, detains, tortures and imprisons innocent youth with an aim of forcing them to work for and support NRM and intimidate the youth so that they do not speak up. Many youth have even lost their lives and properties. Recently Salongo Mawejje’s head was severed and has not been found. Youth in Sebambule, Butaleja, Lira, Kumi, Masaka, Mbarara, Gulu, Wakiso, Mbale, Mubende, etc are being intimidated, languishing in jails and many have lost property and hope.

Of recent, Jude Nkoyoyo the General Secretary of Uganda Youth Platform was inhumanly arrested, detained in an illegal location, accused of tramped up charges. His home was raided, property confiscated and destroyed. He was denied a fair hearing in time. His life will never be the same again. The second case is of Waidhuba John, Coordinator Eastern Region. He survived a staged road accident. The tormentors ran away on a motorcycle. His home was raided. The third case is of Ewau Godfrey, the PRO of Uganda Youth Platform. He was abducted by elements from Flying Squad and detained at a facility operated by Special Forces Command. He was tortured, a hood tied over bis head, abused etc. Others are being threatened such as Brian Obiga, Chairperson of Uganda Youth Platform and Coordinator Northern Region. Mulani Rockefeller, the Assistant Coordinator UYP Mubende was also arrested, detained, tortured and forced to work for and support NRM, President Museveni.

Other youth who have been arrested from different parts of the country and tortured under hands of regime agents are: Payira Bonney, Okot Thomas, Otim Sparraw, Winnie Nakajjubi, Norman Tumuhibise, Okure Nathan, Okia Constant, Aguda Moses, Nsubuga, Nuwagaba Christopher Ojobile and hundreds of other youths. There is now an atmosphere of fear for their lives.

Thousands of youth are being rounded up daily and taken to jails and safe houses under the guise of being idle and disorderly. How can someone be disordely or idle at his home? That they are loitring in the city and towns. How can a government that is not creating jobs arrest people for nor working? If the youth dont come to towns to look for work, how are they expected to eat and pay rent and feed their families?
We understand that government fears the youth that they engage in civil disobedience so it prefers to keep rounding us up and throw us in unknown places. But there are 30 million youths! Where will they detain 30 million of us?

It’s therefore, upon us to either accept and surrender to these unjust acts forever, or join hands and say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Fellow youth of Uganda, our generation is now a lost generation because of the increasing and un-ending injustices committed against us.

We, as Uganda Youth Platform (UYP) wish to remind you that it’s our constitutional duty to be actively involved at all levels of our country’s governance. UYP as a legal civic network of all youth in Uganda calls upon Ugandans and international community to condemn such dictatorial acts. We aim to have a new government that will cater for our needs.

We want the Uganda Human Rights Commission to get interested in these cases of human rights abuse and also the Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Police to tell the country whether these actions are officially sanctioned actions since those carrying them out come from the institutions they lead.

We demand that all Presidential candidates address themselves to this issue of security for the youth and condemn these acts of thuggery by state agents.

We shall not surrender, we shall not waver, we shall struggle on.

For God and my Country

Yours in the Struggle,
Uganda Youth Platform
Obiga Brian – National Chairperson
Nkoyoyo Jude – General Secretary
Waidhuba John – General Treasurer
Ewau Godfrey – Public Relations Officer /PRO
All Coordinators and members of Uganda Youth Platform countrywide
Ugandan Youth the Future Lies in Our Hands

Press Release: African Countries Launch AFR100 to Restore 100 Million Hectares of Land (05.12.2015)

Green-Economies-Africa-rpt

Commitments from 10 countries announced at the Global Landscapes Forum

PARIS (December 6, 2015)—African countries launched AFR100 (African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative), a pan-African, country-led effort to restore 100 million hectares (386 thousand square miles) of degraded and deforested landscapes by 2030. The AFR100 target of 100 million hectares has been endorsed by the African Union. So far 10 African countries have agreed to join AFR100 and committed at least 31.7 million hectares of land for forest landscape restoration. AFR100 partners are earmarking more than USD $1 billion in development finance and more than $540 million in private sector impact investment to support restoration activities.

The announcement was made during the Global Landscapes Forum at the Conference of Parties (COP21) in Paris, where forest landscape restoration is a key ingredient of the global movement to adapt to and mitigate climate change. Commitments made through AFR100 build on significant climate pledges made by many African countries to support a binding global climate agreement.

“Restoring our landscapes brings prosperity, security and opportunity,” said Dr. Vincent Biruta, Minister of Natural Resources in Rwanda. “With forest landscape restoration we’ve seen agricultural yields rise and farmers in our rural communities diversify their livelihoods and improve their well-being. Forest landscape restoration is not just an environmental strategy, it is an economic and social development strategy as well.”

For the first time, AFR100 brings together political leadership with an ambitious package of financial and technical resources to support a large-scale forest landscape restoration effort across Africa. Nine financial partners and 10 technical assistance providers have pledged support, led by the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD Agency), Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and World Resources Institute (WRI).

“The scale of these new restoration commitments is unprecedented,” said Wanjira Mathai, Chair of the Green Belt Movement and daughter of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai. “I have seen restoration in communities both large and small across Africa, but the promise of a continent-wide movement is truly inspiring. Restoring landscapes will empower and enrich rural communities while providing downstream benefits to those in cities. Everybody wins. ”

Countries that have agreed to join the AFR100 initiative include:

• Democratic Republic of Congo | 8 million hectares
• Ethiopia | 15 million hectares
• Kenya | Committed, but finalizing hectare target
• Liberia | 1 million hectares
• Madagascar | Committed, but finalizing hectare target
• Malawi | Committed, but finalizing hectare target
• Niger | 3.2 million hectares
• Rwanda | 2 million hectares
• Togo | Committed, but finalizing hectare target
• Uganda | 2.5 million hectares

AFR100 builds on the climate commitments made by African countries. So far, 13 of the INDCs (Intended Nationally Determined Contributions) submitted by African countries include restoration, conservation of standing forests, or “climate-smart” agriculture. According to WRI analysis, following through on the commitments would cumulatively reduce emissions by 1.2 Gt CO2eq over the next 10 years, or 36 percent of Africa’s annual emissions and 0.25 percent of global emissions.

“Restoration is really Africa’s gift to the world,” said Dr. Andrew Steer, president and CEO, World Resources Institute. “As the world forges a climate agreement in Paris, African countries— which bear the least historic responsibility for climate change– are showing leadership with ambitious pledges to restore land. These countries are well on their way to meet the goal of restoring 100 million hectares of land, which will help sequester carbon and bring economic benefits to low-income, rural communities. These African leaders are turning their words into action and making a real contribution to respond to the global threat of climate change.”

AFR100 recognizes the benefits that forests and trees can provide in African landscapes: improved soil fertility and food security, greater availability and quality of water resources, reduced desertification, increased biodiversity, green jobs, economic growth, and increased capacity for climate change resilience and mitigation. Forest landscape restoration has the potential to improve livelihoods, especially for women. For example, 20 years ago, women in southern Niger spent an average of 2.5 hours daily collecting firewood, which was scarce in the degraded landscape. Now they prune on-farm trees saving two hours a day, time that can be spent on other income generating activities.

Commitments announced through AFR100 also support the Bonn Challenge, a global target to bring 150 million hectares of land into restoration by 2020 adopted in Germany in 2011, the New York Declaration on Forests that extends that challenge to 350 million hectares by 2030, and the African Resilient Landscapes Initiative (ARLI), an initiative to promote integrated landscape management with the goal of adapting to and mitigating climate change. With these new partners, the Bonn Challenge process has surpassed the 100 m hectare mark, on track to meet its goal well ahead of the 2020 target date.

AFR100 builds on a strong tradition of successful forest landscape restoration in Africa. In Ethiopia’s Tigray region, local communities have already restored over 1 million hectares, making the land more drought-resistant. In Niger, farmers have increased the number of on-farm trees across 5 million hectares of agricultural landscapes, improving food security for 2.5 million people. AFR100 will provide a forum for countries and communities to share knowledge and resources to achieve restoration at a greater scale.

“We know that restoration works for Africa. We’ve seen it work in countries as diverse as Malawi, Ethiopia, and Mali,” said Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, CEO of NEPAD and former Prime Minister of Niger. “But we need to scale up restoration across the whole continent- more than 700 million hectares of land in Africa have potential for restoration. AFR100 provides a platform to work together more effectively to accelerate the achievement of restoration successes to benefit tens of millions of people who are currently searching for ways to adapt to climate change and improve their well-being.”

AFR100 will help to translate ambitious commitments into action with support from private sector investors, foundations, development banks, and bilateral and multilateral funders. AFR100 will leverage a variety of financing, including grants, equity investments, loans, risk management guarantees and funds for specific interventions.

So far, AFR100 partners have set forth over USD $1 billion of development financing:

  • World Bank: USD $1 billion in investment in 14 African countries by 2030, as part of the Africa Climate Business Plan to support Africa’s climate resilient and low carbon development
  • Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is providing support for the development of the AFR100 initiative

Impact investors have already earmarked USD $546.5 million for restoration under AFR100:

  • Ecoplanet Bamboo: USD $175 million by 2020
  • Sustainable Forest Investments – Netherlands: USD $150m by 2030
  • Terra Global Capital: USD $100 million by 2030
  • Green World Ventures: USD $65 million by 2020
  • Moringa Partnership: USD $56.5 million by 2030
  • NatureVest (impact investment arm of the Nature Conservancy)
  • Permian Global

Through AFR100, we expect to trigger one of the largest investments in forest landscape restoration the world has ever seen,” said H.E. Dr. Gerd Müller, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany. “This investment is vital for empowering local communities to scale up the inspiring restoration successes we’ve seen in Africa over the last decade.”

In addition to new financing, a coalition of organizations will provide technical assistance on a wide range of activities, including the mapping of restoration opportunities, securing further financing, and implementing restoration efforts on the ground. Partners include World Resources Institute (WRI), Clinton Foundation, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), Kijani, New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD Agency), The Landscapes for People, Food and Nature Initiative (LPFN), and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and The Greenbelt Movement.

Press Release: U.S. Citizen Deported from Uganda to Face Counterfeiting Charges in Western Pennsylvania (07.12.2015)

Counterfeit-Money

PITTSBURGH—A United States citizen has been deported from the Republic of Uganda and brought to the Western District of Pennsylvania to face charges of leading an international counterfeit currency operation headquartered in that African nation. The announcement was made today by David Hickton, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania and Eric Zahren, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service—Pittsburgh Field Office.

Ryan Andrew Gustafson, aka Jack Farrel, aka Willy Clock, 28, is charged with conspiracy, conspiracy to launder money, and the passing and receiving of counterfeit money from December 2013 until December 2014. The indictment alleges more than $1.4 million in counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes have been seized and passed worldwide, both overseas and in the U.S. as part of this scheme.

Gustafson had been on trial in Uganda on a number of charges, including possessing counterfeit money. He was deported Dec. 3 and arrived in Pittsburgh on Friday evening. He will be presented before Chief U.S. District Magistrate Maureen Kelly today at 2:30 p.m. for an Initial Appearance. The case is assigned to United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak.

“Identifying, charging and returning Ryan Gustafson to the United States from Uganda required extensive cooperation among diverse international law enforcement partners and expert coordination among the Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service,” stated U.S. Attorney Hickton. “As a result, a multimillion dollar international cyber counterfeiting scheme has been disrupted and its principal will face justice on American soil. This investigation demonstrates our relentless resolve to identify cyber criminals overseas and bring them back to the United States to be tried for their crimes.”

“This international counterfeit currency investigation and subsequent arrests illustrate Secret Service expertise in safeguarding the Nation’s financial infrastructure since inception,” said Special Agent in Charge Zahren. “We will continue to work closely with our network of law enforcement partners to dismantle criminal enterprises seeking to victimize innocent victims, regardless of geographic distance or borders. Special thanks to Ugandan law enforcement officials and the United States Embassy Uganda for their assistance.”

“This investigation was an excellent example of a partnership between multiple federal law enforcement agencies across the country and overseas, working together to identify and bring down those responsible for a worldwide conspiracy. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service remains vigilant, pursuing criminals like Gustafson to ensure the public’s trust in a safe and secure mail system.” added Inspector in Charge, Tommy Coke, Pittsburgh Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Gustafson, a U.S. citizen residing in Kampala, Uganda, was originally charged by criminal complaint in December 2014. The April 1, 2015, indictment naming Gustafson also charged three additional defendants with conspiracy and conspiracy to launder money from December 2013 until December 2014. Those defendants are:

  • Zackary L. Ruiz, aka Mr. Mouse, 19, of Las Vegas, Nevada, who is pending trial;
  • Jeremy J. Miller, aka Sinner, 31, of Seattle, Washington, who is pending trial; and
  • Michael Q. Lin, aka Mlin, aka Mr. Casino, 21, of Bethlehem, Penn., who pleaded guilty on Nov. 9, and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 16, 2016.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Shardul S. Desai is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended numerous agencies and organizations for conducting the investigation leading to charges in this case, including the Directorate of Public Prosecution, the Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Department, the Special Investigations and Intelligence Unit, and Stanbic Bank in Uganda; the U.S. Secret Service; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and the National Cyber-Forensics & Training Alliance.

NRM EC Letter betweeen Mr Kafalanga & Mr Lukyamuzi (Dated: 20.11.15)

NRM 071215

Worth looking that NRM candidates are buying their NRM Candidature, right? Really democratic! Peace.

Press Release: Clarification on Hon. Norbert Mao’s failed bid for Nomination as a Parliamentary Candidate (03.12.2015)

Norbert Mao NTV

On 2nd December 2015, Hon. Norbert Mao presented himself for nomination for Member of Parliament, Gulu Municipality, Gulu District. However, the Returning Officer could not nominate him because his name was not found on the National Voters Register, which is a requirement for nomination under Section 4 (1) (b) of the Parliamentary Elections Act of 2005 (as amended).

The Electoral Commission has noted the false commentaries that have arisen out of this failed bid for nomination of Hon. Norbert Mao, and would like to clarify on the matter as follows:

1. The Electoral Commission compiled a National Voters’ Register for purposes of the 2015-2016 General Elections, and for this purpose, extracted the data containing the particulars of registered and verified Ugandan citizens from the National Identification Register;

2. The extracted data of the successfully verified Ugandan citizens was displayed for public scrutiny at the respective update centers in each Parish/Ward during the update period from 7th April to 11th May 2015. The exercise had been scheduled to end on 30th April 2015 but was extended twice, from 30th April to 4th May, and again, to 11th May 2015;

3. During the above period, the Commission conducted an update of the National Voters’ Register, which involved fresh registration of Ugandan citizens of 18 years and above, who had missed out on the registration conducted for purpose of issuance of a National Identity Card.

The Commission extensively publicized the exercise to ensure that Ugandan citizens register to participate in the 2016 General Elections;

4. During the update exercise, the Commission clarified that all persons who registered for purposes of elections prior to the 2010/2011 General Elections and consequent update exercises conducted for purposes of by-elections, but had not registered during the Enrolment exercise for purposes of issuance with a National Identification Card, were required to register (afresh) for purposes of voting during the 2016 General Elections;

5. In a Press Statement dated 1st April 2015, the Commission announced that effective 31st March 2015, the 2011 National Voters’ Register (as updated) had been retired and degazetted, and accordingly, it would not be used for purposes of elections and/or referenda in 2016 and beyond;

6. The information available to the Electoral Commission is that Hon. Mao Norbert did not register during the above exercises, which he, too acknowledges in his letter to the Chairperson, Electoral Commission, dated 16th October 2015, requesting for consideration and inclusion on the National Voters’ Register;

7. The Commission, in response, advised that his request was time barred, since it was raised after conclusion of the General Update whose cut-off date was 11th May 2015; and,

8. Please note that only persons whose particulars appear on the National Voters Register are eligible to participate in the ongoing electoral processes, including nomination to an elective position.

The above facts clarify the failure of Hon. Mao to be nominated as a candidate, since he never registered as a voter for purposes of the 2016 General Elections.

Finally, the Commission calls on all stakeholders in the ongoing electoral process to refrain from making statements that are likely to misguide the general public. I would like to thank those Ugandans who seek to understand the electoral process, and give informed opinion on the processes. The Commission is available to guide on any matter related to the electoral process.

For God and My Country

Eng. Dr. Badru M. Kiggundu
Chairperson, Electoral Commission

Cleanliness in Leadership is one rare commodity in Uganda: In the cases of Beatrice A. Anywar & Nabilah N. Sempala

loyalty_151899761-thumb-380xauto-3465

We have seen deflections during the election period. That is not news. Something that is expected! Everybody changes fields for better fortune or ideology, even losing hope in the place they have been in. Get a better state of mind or have more faith in another leader. This here is about two woman who has been loyal and hard-core FDC, Pro-FDC if you want to say so. Even if Beatrice Atim Anywar have been rumored to have a close relationship with Mzee. That is kind of confirmed while NRM Presidential Flag-Bearer Yoweri Kaguta Museveni had his campaign in town. The other one which is more silent, but still showing lacking moral and party loyalty is Nabillah Nagayi Sempala. They both proved that they we’re interested in Go-Forward. They both have some kind of suction at times with NRM. If they are all true then it’s really deserves a spiteful chant. But that is for another day. I will not go into their CV’s. More just from summertime this year till today’s movement; this should be interesting enough.

NRA M7

Yoweri Kaguta Museveni said this once upon a time:

“Cleanliness in leadership is one of the rarest commodities in Uganda” (Weekly Topic June 6, 1980).

Nabila Sempala

Some stories on Nabillah:

“Kampala woman Member of Parliament Nabillah Nagayi Sempala has withdrawn from the race for the Secretary General position of Forum for Democratic Change party citing anomalies in the compiled list of delegates meeting in Kampala today for the FDC Delegates Conference” ( 12.06.2015, 91.0 Best FM).

2nd September Statement:

“In a perfect world politicians wouldn’t lie. But when the voters elect politicians who lie over those who tell the truth then the voters shouldn’t be surprised when they get caught being less that truthful. But in order for politicians to tell the truth, the voters are going to have to stop punishing honesty. The voters are going to have to be ready to face the truth and the hard decisions that the politicians have to face in passing fair laws that are good for the people. Some issues are tough issues and require tough choices and require a solution that is more complicated than a slogan. So when someone running for office tells you that global population is a real issue and it’s not going away on it’s own, listen!”.

NABILLAH SEMPALA Traitor

The real reason why she pulled out was so she could show support for TDA/Go-Forward candidate Amama Mbabazi as she did on 2nd November when she went away from FDC to do so (Fakebeast, 2015).

On the Nomination day of Dr. Kizza Besigye, Nabilah Sempala turned back, just a week after saying she would be behind Amama Mbabazi. She was sitting at Namboole where the Electoral Commission issued the verification on the candidature of the FDC flagbearer. Which are strange moves from the woman (Observer, 2015).

On the 3rd December she became an FDC MP candidate in Kampala today. She has really done some actions that have been questionable, but still been able to get back to the fold.

30.11.15 KItgum FDC

Some stories on Beatrice:

On 22nd September:

She said: “What is wrong with welcoming Amama Mbabazi? I even foresee beyond that. If we came into government, Museveni [safety] should be secured. The NRMs who have done bad things in this country – there should be a reconciliation [ for them], they should be forgiveness, otherwise we are going to continue being in war. That is why am giving a challenge and a burden of challenge to Dr Besigye as a founding member of this party [FDC]. If TDA has decided on another [candidate], don’t bring other issues that ‘he was in government, he did this and that’” (Observer, 2015).

On 3rd November her statement:

“I am a fighter. I fought the Mabira war and won it. I am a staunch FDC member, but I belong to an FDC that goes forward”.  She also said this: “I’m tired of being in one place stagnating. I want to move forward. All those FDC supporters who want to go forward, Amama is the man”.

Team JPAM Statement the same day:

“As proposed by Beatrice Anywar and Seconder Rosette Nsonga, Amama Mbabazi will run with the people’s flag, the go forward flag. See you at Nakivubo then, mid-day. Come one, Come all!”

On Amama Mbabazi nomination:

“Candidate JPAM’s papers already presented to the EC returning officer Eng Badru Kiggundu for scrutiny by Hon Beatrice Anywar” (88.7 Arua One FM).

She said this on 11th November:

“We Should Move As One And Not Sit Back, we As People Must Unit. Amama Came With Keys That Can Open The Doors To State House… With Mbabazi Our Votes Will Not Be Stolen, jobs For The Youth, safety Of Mothers, plus Keys To State House” (Greenfield Radio).

M7 21.11.15

Mzee states on 22nd November on the Boma Grounds at Kitgum:  

“According to the files I have looked at, the nodding disease has been contained. It was being brought by the flies from the river and we have sprayed, it has now gone down. We fought this with my daughter Anywar Beatrice but now she went to another party, we shall continue doing this without her”.

On 24th November:

“The FDC spokesperson Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda has said the Kitgum woman member of parliament Beatrice Anywar by act of abandoning the party presidential flag bearer Rtd. Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye to support the Go Forward candidate Hon. Amama Mbabazi has left the party” (Crooze FM 91.2)

On the 27th November:

“FDC electoral commission chairman, Dan Mugarura says Anywar was denied the party flag because of her hostility to the party and its presidential candidate, Dr. Kizza Besigye. She continues to canvass for votes for former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi despite the collapse of the Democratic Alliance (TDA)” (Radiocity 97FM).

On the 30th November:

“Hon. Beatrice Anywar aka Mama Mabira bounces back to FDC in support of Kizza Besigye-Kifefe after she had publically decided to nominate Amama Mbabazi”.

On the 1st of December: “FDC  maintained that Mr Denis Okalit was the party flag bearer for the Kitgum municipality MP seat even as Ms Beatrice Anywar made last minute attempts to persuade the party to reconsider the decision” .

FDC Kitgum 02.12.15

Today:

“Beatrice Anywar, the embattled Kitgum Woman Member of Parliament has been nominated to run for Kitgum Municipality parliamentary seat as an independent” (…)”Anywar, who formerly belonged to the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party, promises to cooperate with the party in parliament, despite their frosty relationship at the moment” (3.12.15, Radio Buddu 98.8 and 95.5)

Afterthought:

We have should wonder about how long and at what reasons they sudden return to FDC and for much is their trade. I am glad that they didn’t take back Beatrice Anywar even if they gave her space at the campaign rally in Kitgum, her area. The Kampala Woman MP Nabillah Nagayi Sempala will still rally under the FDC banner and organization. Even if she has been trifling and wonder how she gets the forgiveness from the party… What is her suction for the Kampala position since Gen. Mugisha Muntu could easily done the same and given another person the post and nomination. She can’t be the only woman in Kampala who could stand for the FDC. That I doubt, though not as experienced. So that this election period turns interesting, that is for sure and the losing grip of Amama Mbabazi is showing. While FDC stay strong and relevant, at the same time NRM continue to pay for patronage like giving alcoholic’s free beer at the bar. Go-Forward lost already in few days 100 people and now two high-profile candidates. Even if Beatrice Anywar haven’t been let into the fold in FDC, she has proven she is not loyal to Amama Mbabazi either. That is something you… can think about. Peace.

Reference:

Fakebeast – ‘Nabilah, Kidandala, Segona join Amama’ (02.11.2015) link: http://www.fakebeast.com/nabilah-kidandala-segona-join-amama/

Observer – ‘Wolokoso: Nabilah dashes to be the ‘acting Winnie’ (09.11.2015) link: http://www.observer.ug/news-headlines/40889-wolokoso-nabilah-dashes-to-be-the-acting-winnie

Observer – ‘Besigye TDA stand selfish – Beatrice Anywar’ (22.09.2015) link: http://www.observer.ug/news-headlines/40017-besigye-tda-stand-selfish-beatrice-anywar

Press Release: UPF has been withdrawn from all landing sites, following complaints to H.E. the President about misconduct and even criminality (03.12.15)

IGP 03.12.15

The President Musveni Letter on the matter last month in case you forgot! 

Musevenis-letter-on-illegal-fishing1

 

Press Release: URC, KCCA and RVRU resume Passanger Rail Service in Kampala (02.12.2015)

URC KCCA 021215

They have done it before, take a look:

KCCAUG 2014

In 2012:

“The Ministry of Transport at the weekend authorised the Rift Valley Railways (RVR) to temporarily run passenger rail services in a move to add pressure on striking taxi drivers.RVR will transport passengers Monday to Friday, from Namanve to Kampala and back at Shs1,500. In the morning, there are two shifts that depart Namanve at 7am and 8am. Evening shifts leave Kampala at 5:30pm and 7pm. Each shift can transport 550 passengers using five coaches”.

Quick thinking:

So they have done it before, will be able to do it now? Secondly, how long will it last before it break down or the money is gone and the trains lay astray somewhere? Peace.