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May 9, 2024
πΊπ¬ Ex-West Nile Bank Front Rebels Receive Over UGX 5 Billion Resettlement Package from Govβt
πΊπ¬ UBOS, Police To Mount Roadblocks Ahead Of Census
πThe Uganda Bureau of Statistics(UBOS),) with the support of securityagencies,s has announced that it will establish roadblocks on highways ahead of census exercise in order to conduct a mandatory count of people in transit during the 2024 National Housing and Population Census. Dr. Chris Mukiza, the UBOS executive director, stated that the checkpoints will be mounted on major roads across the country, targeting the “floating population” such as street children, bus and truck drivers and passengers, and those “who stay in trenches”. Mukiza further explained that the roadblocks will be set up on the main roads exciting cities and towns to ensure the “floating population” is counted and issued cards to avoid double-counting.
πΊπ¬ President Museveni Backs Nigerian Scholar’s Youth Skilling Programme
πPresident Yoweri Kaguta Museveni held discussions with a renowned Human Capital Development expert, Prof. Vincent Chinedu Anigbogu who called on him at State House- Entebbe yesterday, May 8, 2024. The president and Prof. Anigbogu discussed a wide range of projects as well as potential investment opportunities in the country, particularly the youth skilling program on agriculture based on the one- and four-acre models. The President welcomed the Nigerian scholar to Uganda and assured him of the governmentβs support to make his program a success in the country. Prof. Anigbogu revealed that his youth training program will first focus on those from the Eastern region before enrolling to the rest of the country. The proposed entrepreneurship program will be in collaboration with Busitema University- Arapai Campus and later on other universities.
πΊπ¬ World Food Programme to Establish Regional Hub in Uganda, Prioritize Local Food
πThe World Food Programme (WFP) plans to establish a regional logistics hub in Uganda, according to Country Director Abdirahman Meygag. This move comes after discussions with Ugandan Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, who emphasized the importance of supporting local farmers. “We’re looking to create a central logistics hub here in Uganda to serve neighboring countries,” Meygag said during a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in Kampala. The development follows concerns raised about WFP importing food from outside the region to support refugees in Uganda, a country known as a “food basket.” Prime Minister Nabbanja, urged WFP to prioritize local food purchases during discussions in Geneva. Meygag responded positively, stating that WFP has revised its policies to prioritize local procurement.
πΊπ¬ Joint UPDF/FARDC Forces Kill ADF Terrorist in Ituri Province
πUgandan and Congolese forces operating under the joint command of Operation Shujaa neutralised an Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) terrorist on May 7, 2024, in Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Major Bilal Katamba, Public Information Officer of the UPDF Mountain Division and Operation Shujaa, confirmed the operation. He stated that the joint forces killed the terrorist and recovered a submachine gun during an operation in Masizi, 10 kilometers northwest of Boga, within Sector 2 under Colonel Jackson Kayanja’s command. Major Katamba emphasized that the joint forces are relentlessly pursuing remaining ADF elements across all four operational sectors. He noted that the ADF has splintered into smaller groups to evade capture, but the combined forces are applying constant pressure to dismantle them completely.
πΊπ¬ Uganda, Tanzania Gear Up For Win-Win Business Partnership at Upcoming Forum
πUgandan and Tanzanian businesses are set to explore new opportunities and strengthen ties at the upcoming 2nd Uganda-Tanzania Business Forum. The event, themed “Enhancing our win-win bilateral partnership,” will take place on May 23-24, 2024, at the Johari Rotana Hotel in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Organized by the Uganda High Commission in Dar es Salaam, the forum aims to build on the momentum of Uganda’s efforts to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and expand market access for Ugandan products in Tanzania and the wider region. Amb. Elly Kafeero Kamahungye, Director of Regional and International Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized the importance of prioritizing Uganda’s key economic sectors β Agro-business, Tourism Promotion, Minerals (including oil and gas), and Science and Innovation (ATMS) at the forum.
πΊπ¬ MITYANA: Police Arrest Seven for Brutal Torture of Woman in Viral Video
πPolice in Mityana have arrested seven suspects in connection with the shocking torture of a woman in Namuzikiza village, Kikandwa sub-county. The incident, captured on video, sparked outrage on social media. The victim, 29-year-old Muhirwe Kolodina, was allegedly tortured by a mob on April 28, 2024, at the home of the area chairperson, Kiwanuka Steven. According to police spokesperson SP Racheal Kawala, the mob inflicted severe burns on Kolodina using a lit jerrycan, attempting to extract information about a suspected theft. SP Kawala confirmed that seven suspects, including Kiwanuka Steven, Lukiiko James, Kezimbira George, Lwabye Brian, and Namusoke Betty, are currently detained at Mityana Police Station to help investigators establish the full details of this barbaric act.
πΊπ¬ WEST NILE: UNBS Embarks On Fuel Quality Awareness Campaign to Combat Fuel Adulteration
πThe Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) and the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) have embarked on fuel quality awareness campaign in a bid to combat fuel adulteration in the West Nile region. Rev. Justaf Frank Tukwasibwe, Commissioner of the Petroleum Supply Department at MEMD, noted that this campaign is to ensure that the fuel supplied to the people of Uganda meets the highest quality and safety standards. The awareness campaign includes workshops, radio talk shows, and community engagement activities. The workshop in Arua brings together local authorities, fuel operators, industry figures to collaborate in the fight of poor quality fuel. Eng. John Paul Musimami, Deputy Executive Director of UNBS, explained that the campaign will entail mobile testing vehicles for spot sampling and quality checks at fuel stations.
πΊπ¬ LUWERO: Hospital Dismisses Two Medical Interns over Allegations of Extortion
πTwo internship students from Luwero hospital have been fired following allegations of extortion from patients. This follows Luweero hospital administration inviting local leaders and residents to Luwero Sub county community hall on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, to assess client satisfaction and to get feedback on health services and areas of improvement. During the feedback, the local leaders and residents told the hospital administration that although there was significant improvement in health services, extortion, poor sanitation and congestion remain a challenge. Dr. Bruno Oyik, the medical superintendent of Luweero hospital acknowledged the complaints and said they have taken measures to address them to restore public trust.
ACROSS BORDERS
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π KENYA: Declares Friday 10th 2024 a Public Holiday to Mourn Flood Victims
πKenya’s President William Ruto has declared Friday a public holiday to mourn the 238 people who died due to the ongoing floods. The day will be observed by national tree planting and other activities to help mitigate climate change effects. Over 235,000 people have been displaced and are living in dozens of camps. President Ruto announced the reopening of schools after two weeks of delay due to heavy rains. The government is forcefully evacuating people living in flood-prone areas and those near rivers and dams as water levels rise.
π TANZANIA: Unveils Plans of Shifting To Renewable Energy Sources
π President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced Tanzania’s ambitious plan to transition to clean, renewable energy sources during the National Strategy for Clean Cooking Energy launch in Dar es Salaam on May 8, 2024. She stated that the government intends to exploit all of its abundant renewable energy sources, including geothermal, hydroelectric, solar, wind, and natural gas, to increase the percentage of renewable energy from 37.4% to 78.2% in the mix used to generate power. This comprehensive strategy is designed to enhance energy access, promote clean cooking methods, and boost renewable energy production in Tanzania.
π MOMBASA: Nigerian National Arrested In Mombasa with Cocaine worth Ksh.600,000
πDetectives in Mombasa have detained Victor Chineye Ikone, a Nigerian national, for 200 grams of cocaine, which has an estimated street value of Ksh. 600,000, today, Thursday, May 9, 2024. An intelligence-led operation resulted in the arrest at White House Apartments in the Utange-Kisauni neighborhood. The drug was discovered with what appeared to be repackaging materials, but the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) was able to determine through presumptive testing that it was cocaine. And from the apartment, various SIM cards from various service providers were found. Victor Chineye Ikone was processed at the Port Police Station prior to his arraignment.
π KENYA: Foreign Minister Mudavadi Heads to DRC to Ease Diplomatic Tensions
πForeign Minister Musalia Mudavadi is embarking on a mission to Kinshasa on Thursday morning, May 9, 2024, to alleviate tensions between Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The diplomatic discord arose following the establishment of the Alliance du Fleuve Congo (Congo River Alliance) in Nairobi last December, which Kinshasa interpreted as a challenge to its authority. The delay in Nairobi’s recognition of the necessity to engage with Kinshasa as a collaborator has exacerbated the situation. Mudavadi’s visit aims to mend relations and foster a more constructive dialogue between the two nations amidst the ongoing diplomatic challenges.
π KENYA: Doctors’ Strike Ends As KMPDU and Government Sign Return-To-Work Agreement
πKenyan public hospital doctors have signed a return-to-work agreement with the government, effectively ending a strike that started in mid-March, Susan Nakhumicha, the Minister of Health has confirmed. The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), which represents over 7,000 members, went on strike to demand payment of salary arrears and the immediate hiring of trainee doctors, among other grievances. The doctors’ arrears arose from a 2017 collective bargaining agreement (CBA), and they were also demanding adequate medical insurance coverage for themselves and their dependents. KMPDU’s Secretary General, Dhavji Atellah, stated that the rights of workers as enshrined in the CBA are sacrosanct and will always be protected.
π BRITAIN: Astrazeneca Removes COVID Vaccine after Its Side Effect Linked To 80 Deaths
πAstraZeneca is withdrawing its COVID-19 vaccine, Vaxzevria, from the global market due to safety concerns. The company has acknowledged in court documents that the vaccine can, in very rare cases, cause a serious condition called Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) involving blood clots and low platelet counts. The European Union has withdrawn the marketing authorization for Vaxzevria, effective May 7, 2024 as the vaccine is no longer being manufactured or supplied.
