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𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐑 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐔𝐏

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MAY 7, 2024

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🌍 UPDF and FARDC review progress of operation shujaa in Kasindi, DRC

📌The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, met with his Congolese counterpart Gen. Christian Tshiwewe Songesa,  in Kasindi Eastern DR. Congo. This meeting that was held on May 6 2024, was part of routine discussions between the UPDF and FARDC to review the progress of Operation Shujaa, which was initiated following agreements between Uganda and the DRC in 2021 to combat the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) terrorist threat. During the recent meeting, General Kainerugaba praised Operation Shujaa as a prime example of African countries working together to address shared concerns to combat the ADF.

🇺🇬 Friday, May 10 declared Public Holiday a head of census exercise

📌Government has declared Friday, May 10, 2024, a public holiday to enable citizens to fully participate in the sixth National Housing and Population Census exercise. The announcement was announced by Dr Albert Byamugisha, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics chairperson, on Monday, May 06, at Police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala. Byamugisha emphasized the importance of every individual being counted saying; “It’s important that everyone is counted however, even if not counted on the first day, there will be ample time to participate throughout the duration of the census. If you are not counted on Day One, it doesn’t mean you are not counted,” he said. The census is slated to run for 10 days from May 10 to May 19 and aims to gather crucial information about the country’s population and housing demographics.

🇺🇬 Gov’t exempts electric vehicle manufacturers from stamp duty tax

📌Companies manufacturing electric vehicles, electric batteries, electric vehicle charging equipment, or fabricators of electric car frames and bodies, and employing 80% of Ugandans, will not pay Stamp Duty Tax in the 2024/2025 financial year. This exemption is part of the amendments in the Stamp Duty (Amendment) Bill, 2024, passed during a plenary sitting on Monday, 06 May 2024, chaired by Speaker Anita Among. The Minister of State for Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi, highlighted that this move aims to stimulate economic growth and attract capital by exempting these companies from stamp duty tax

🇺🇬 Ministry of education to establish new institution to train teachers

📌The Minister of Education and Sports, who is also the first lady Hon. Janet K. Museveni on Tuesday 7th May 2024 revealed that the government plans to establish a new institution to train teachers and conduct innovative research on the teaching profession. According to Hon. Kataha, the new premier institute of teacher education will deliver transformative and innovative research initiatives and capacity-building programs that address evolving local and international demands in the teaching profession, which aligns well with the government’s goals of transforming Uganda. The new institution will be situated at Block 185, Plot 6990 (formerly Shimoni Core Primary Teachers College) in Kyadondo county, Mengo in Wakiso district. The new institution is expected to benefit an initial 117 instructors aimed at equipping them with skills to assess and train TVET learners in line with the changing industry needs in the country.

🇺🇬 Ministry of Internal Affairs rescues 21 Ugandans from Thailand

📌The Ministry of Internal Affairs in collaboration with Interpol Thailand has successfully repatriated 21 Ugandans victims of human trafficking from Myanmar. This repatriation comes after numerous complaints from Ugandans who were stuck in Myanmar after being trafficked.  According to Kigenyi Derick, the deputy spokesperson Trafficking of Persons department, this is a significant achievement that follows a series of distressing reports highlighting the plight of Ugandans stranded in Myanmar after falling victim to trafficking. This successful repatriation gives hope to all those affected by human trafficking and sends a clear message that justice will prevail and that concerted efforts can bring about positive outcomes in the fight against the violation of human rights.

🇺🇬 Parliament urges UNRA to expedite repairs on Karuma Bridge

📌The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has restricted access to Karuma Bridge, which connects to the North and West Nile regions of Uganda after it developed structural cracks. This has caused disruptions to trade and transportation in the neighboring countries  of DR. Congo , South Sudan. Which triggered Members of Parliament to express concerns about the implications of these restrictions. Hence the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, has urged UNRA to expedite the repair work on the bridge to minimize the disruptions. Lawmakers have also raised concerns about the reliability and safety of the alternative routes, such as the road through Murchison National Park, which has its own restrictions and risks.

🇺🇬 URA offers 287 Internship opportunities to graduates

📌Uganda Revenue Authority is inviting applications for Internship opportunities at the Tax body for fresh graduates. The Tax body says 287 opportunities are up for grabs with 156 being in the Department of Domestic Taxes, 30 in Customs, 02 in Internal Audit, 20 in Information Technology and Innovation, 07 in Tax Investigations, and 30 in Public and Corporate Affairs. Others are 10 in Finance, 27 in Administration, 05 in Corporate Planning and Reporting, and 10 in Human Resource Learning and Development. The application process for the internship opportunities opened on May 6, 2024, and will close on Sunday, May 12, 2024. Applicants can submit their applications through the URA careers website at https://careers.ura.go.ug

🇺🇬 Dr. Pamela Kalyegira appointed new director of Law Development Centre

📌Dr. Pamela Tibihikirra-Kalyegira has been appointed as the new director of the Law Development Centre (LDC) following the resignation of Frank Nigel Othembi, who had been at the institution for 12 years. The LDC management committee chairperson, Justice Paul Kahaibale Mugambe, while announcing the appointment of Dr. Kalyegira today May 7 2024, expressed confidence in Dr. Tibihikirra’s leadership and transformative approach, which is expected to drive the institution towards greater success in legal education. Dr. Tibihikirra has a background in legal education, training, and administration of justice, having held various positions such as dean of the Faculty of Law at Uganda Christian University and chairperson of the Uganda Law Reform Commission

🇺🇬 OBONGI : State House Anti-Corruption Unit arrests  District officials for embezzlement

📌The State House Anti-Corruption Unit arrested Mr. Rasul Gobe, the Obongi District Human Resource Officer, and Mr. Adaku Alfred, the Obongi District Chief Finance Officer, in Obongi. These arrests are part of an alleged embezzlement case, with more arrests expected in the district. Local residents in Obongi have welcomed these arrests as a positive step in combating corruption. Earlier investigations by the Inspectorate of Government implicated these two officials, along with two others, in the embezzlement of over 100 million shillings.

🇺🇬 BUIKWE: Former LC V chairman Chelimo faces charges of child tracking and aggravated defilement

📌Julius Chelimo, the former Bukwo district LC5 chairperson, is facing charges of aggravated defilement and child trafficking. The High Court has indicted him based on allegations that he recruited a 16-year-old girl for sexual exploitation, defiled her, and used premises for sexual exploitation. Chelimo, who resigned from his position, was associated with the Uganda Saving Force rebel group. Despite his denial of the charges, the court found the prosecution’s evidence sufficient to proceed with the trial, emphasizing the victim’s age and the circumstances of the alleged offenses. In her ruling on October 6 2024, Justice Alice Kahumangi ruled that the prosecution had gathered enough evidence implicating the accused of the crime

 🇺🇬 KUMI:  Police officer knocked dead by speeding truck

📌In Kumi Municipality, a speeding truck struck and killed a police officer. Around 7:00 PM on Monday, May 6, 2024, Brazil Otoi, 56, was struck down by a speeding truck with license plate UBE 576Z while traveling along Omatenga Road. The Kumi District Police Commander, Cosmas Edatu, claims that Otoi was struck down while he was returning home from work. When they got to the Atutur Health Centre IV, he said they tried to get him there but that he was declared dead from excessive bleeding. Additionally, Edatu reports that the truck that struck the officer has been seized and is being held at the Kumi Central Police Station

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🌍 KENYA:  Airways resumes flights to Kinshasa after Congo military releasing its detained staff

📌Kenya Airways has announced the resumption of its flight operations in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).  In a press statement released on May 6, 2024, KQ chief executive officer (CEO) Allan Kilavuka confirmed the release, vouching for their innocence. The airline explained that the release of their two staff provides the necessary support required to resume flights to Kinshasa. Kilavuka thanked the Kenyan government and KQ staff who worked tirelessly to ensure the release of their colleagues.

🌍 SUDANESE:  States raise cooking Gas Prices amid currency plunge

📌Sudan state have increases cooking gas prices due to the sharp decline in the Sudanese pound’s value against foreign currencies. The pound’s official exchange rate has reached 1,325 to the dollar, while the black market rate surpasses 1,600. This devaluation has impacted all imported goods, including cooking gas. The Khartoum state government officially raised the price of a 12.5-litre cylinder to 23,600 pounds (around $17). State media reported the Economic Emergency Committee’s efforts to minimize the impact on citizens, but the fluctuating currency value hindered these efforts.  However, residents in Karari, north of Omdurman, reported black market prices exceeding 35,000 pounds, with significant difficulty finding gas cylinders.

🌍 RWANDA: Denies bombing camp in DRC which left 16 civilians dead

📌Rwanda has vehemently denied accusations that it’s responsible for the bombing in Mugunga district, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that resulted in the death of 16 displaced civilians. The incident occurred following heavy fighting between the M23 rebels and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) soldiers and the coalition forces in the area. Both the M23 rebels and the DRC government/coalition have released statements accusing each other of firing bombs in the camp. However, the Rwandan government has strongly rejected these accusations, calling for credible investigation and verification to establish the truth

🌍 SOUTH SUDAN: Top military officials facilitates force deployment in Abyei

📌A high-level committee of top security officials arrived in Abyei to speed up the deployment of peace forces in the area. According to the statement obtained from the Abyei Administrative Area press unit, the team entailed the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Santino Wol, the Director General of the Internal Security Bureau, Akol Koor Kuc and the Inspector General of Police, Gen. Atem Marol. The statement reiterated that the talks would focus on ending the ongoing conflict between communities. According to the statement, the top military officials would meet the people in Abyei to lay down the formal procedures for the deployment of the SSPDF currently stationed in Agok