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*MAY 15, 2024*
Β *President Museveni signs new laws to regulate animal feeds, and veterinary practitioners*
πPresident Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, signed three new laws to regulate the animal feeds industry and veterinary practitioners, the bills include the Animal Feeds Bill, the Veterinary Practitioners Act, 2023, and the National Records and Archives (Amendment ) Act, 2024. The Animal Feeds Act shall establish a committee to regulate various aspects of animal feeds, the Veterinary Practitioners Act shall regulate the veterinary practice, including training, registration, and licensing of professionals, and the National Records and Archives (Amendment) Act, 2024 dissolves the National Records Agency and transfers its functions to the Ministry of Public Service.
π *Uganda wins big at 2024 Embassy chef challenge in Washington D.C*
πThe 2024 Washington, DC, Embassy chef competition was dominated by Uganda, products such as Uganda Waragi, coffee, and Tooke flour were highlighted. The event took place on Tuesday May 14, 2024, at Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Avenue, with 23 embassies participating, including Uganda, China, Malawi, and Morocco among others. The competition aimed to win the Peopleβs Choice Award and the Judges Choice Award, judged by a panel of culinary and cultural experts. A meal including traditional Ugandan foods like matooke, katogo, and luwombo, as well as coffee and Waragi, was prepared by renowned Ugandan chef Sentie Kironde, who is based in Boston. The event attracted over 1000 guests who sampled the Ugandan menu in the United States.
Β *Govt signs protocol for free movement within IGAD region*
πUganda has signed the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons within the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) region. The signing ceremony, led by Foreign Affairs Minister Gen. Hajji Abubaker Jeje Odongo, on Tuesday May 14, 2024 in Kampala, reaffirmed Uganda’s unwavering commitment to enhancing regional integration and fostering trade and development. Odongo emphasized Uganda’s dedication to promoting regional trade and integration, stating that it is useless for them to exist as an organization if they do not prioritize regional cooperation and economic growth.” He added that the protocol aims to stimulate higher volumes of regional trade and ease labor mobility among member states.
Β *State House confirms the authenticity of President Museveni’s letter to Gen. Odongo regarding speaker Among’s alleged UK properties*
πThe legitimacy of President Museveni’s letter to Foreign Affairs Minister Gen. Jeje Odongo on purportedly Speaker of Parliament Anita Among’s assets in the UK has been verified by the State House on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The Deputy Inspector General of Government informed President Museveni that Among had not declared ownership of a home in the UK. To elucidate the situation, President Museveni gave Odongo instructions to seek information from UK authorities insisted on protecting Ugandans from unfounded allegations, and asked to know where the UK obtained its information.
Β *Govt launches laptop distribution to support parish development model*
πThe Ministry of ICT and National Guidance launched a laptop distribution exercise to bolster the Parish Development Model (PDM) program. During the launch on Tuesday May 14, 2024 in Kampala, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry said that “They come together for the auspicious occasion of the laptop handover ceremony, marking a pivotal moment in our efforts to digitize and streamline Parish Development Model (PDM) activities. Zawedde added that PDM has already registered over 22.8 million Ugandans across 7.8 million households and has supported 10,594 PDM Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) and 157,006 enterprise groups.
Β *NAGURU: Alur police community contributes UGX 2.3 million for Martyrs day preparations*
πA section of police officers under the umbrella of the Alur Police Community from Naguru Police Headquarters have contributed UGX 2.3 million towards Martyrs Day preparations that will take place on June 3, 2024. The information was revealed by John Kennedy Ocham, the head of the police community group that when Nebbi Catholic Diocese was selected to lead the 2024 Martyrs Day celebrations, they mobilized themselves through a WhatsApp group from December 2023 and managed to raise UGX 2.3 million. He added that the officers also pledged extra support by providing security and shelter during the preparations and expecting at least 700 Christians to depart from Nebbi for a 438 km pilgrimage to Namugongo on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.
Β *LUWERO: Self-proclaimed Jesus in court today for refusing census count*
πKing Navas vera, a self-described Jesus who declined to be included in the current housing and population count nationwide, is scheduled to go on trial this Wednesday, May 15, 2024. On Monday May 13, 2024, police in Luweero detained Navas Vera and one of his supporters after enumerators encountered strong resistance from the two in the Katikamu, Wobulenzi town council. Navas declared he was the son of God and that the heavenly father had already counted him, thus he refused to be counted.
Β *SERERE: Minister Adoa urges responsible lake use for resource preservation*
πState minister for fisheries Hellen Adoa urged responsible use of the lake for resource preservation, this was after the Fishermen at Pingire-Karamojong landing site in Serere District clashed over the use of illegal fishing gear on Tuesday May 14, 2024. Minister Hellen stated that the government has banned the use of illegal fishing nets known as “Kokotaβ and they were told to use recommended gear and accuse others of defying government orders and Deo Kato, the commandant of the Fish Protection Unit in Serere District emphasized the protection of Lake Kyoga for future generations and denied allegations of torture.
Β *KAYUNGA: Internal strife, political turmoil among NUP supporters*
πThe National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters in Kayunga District are divided as several ‘newcomer politicians’ threaten to unseat incumbent party-leaning legislators in the 2026 general election. The divisions came to light during the launch of the NUP members’ registration exercise on Tuesday May 14, 2024, where aspiring politicians attacked incumbents with whom they are fighting to get the party tickets. In Bbaale County, Joseph Ouma, who had expressed interest in the Kayunga District LC 5 seat, declared he would contest against incumbent MP Mr Charles Tebandeke. This move rubbed Tebandeke’s supporters the wrong way, accusing Ouma of being a land grabber.
*ACROSS BORDERS*
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π *EALA investigates corruption allegations against former EAC secretary general Peter Mathuki*
πThe East African Legislative Assembly’s (EALA) committee on Legal, Rules and Privileges is investigating Dr. Peter Mathuki, the immediate former Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC), over corruption and abuse of office allegations during his tenure. The information was made public on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 and the allegations include misappropriation of USD 6.6 million EAC Peace Fund, intimidation, redeployment of staff, irregular recruitment of staff, including relatives and friends. The committee will investigate Mathuki and his office, and submit its findings and recommendations to the East African Assembly once the investigations are concluded.
π *KENYA: CS Kithure commissions Ksh.37 billion police modernization program at Mombasa Port*
πKithureΒ Kindiki,Β theΒ InteriorΒ CabinetΒ Secretary,Β commissioned andΒ activated the state-of-the-art security apparatus at Mombasa’s port on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, He stated that ten high-capacity armored personnel carriers (APCs) are part of the latest equipment shipment, which will improve the nation’s ability to conduct front-line operations. He continued by saying that the equipment is a part of the Ksh.37 billion, five-year Police Equipment Modernization
(PEM) initiative and drones, cutting-edge surveillance gear, gunship helicopters, and other aerial mobility gear are also anticipated future equipment.
π *DAR ES SALAAM: Tanzania raw leather trade value fell by 22.7%*
πTanzania’s raw hide and skin trade fell 22.7% in 2023 compared to 2022 as a result of poor quality and a disorganized collection method. The information was made public on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 by the Bank of Tanzania’s Consolidated Zonal Economic Performance Report for December 2023. The market for raw hides in Tanzania is a significant challenge, impacting revenue generation and economic opportunities, as hides and skins are used to produce leather products for local and export markets, primarily by small and medium enterprises. The value dropped from Sh2.12 billion in 2022 to Sh1.63 billion in 2023, a decrease of Sh 482 million.
π *SOUTH AFRICA: Ramaphosa to sign national health insurance bill into law*
πSouth Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to sign a national health bill into law, known as the National Health Insurance bill, just before the May 29 national election. The information was revealed by the media on Tuesday May 14, 2024, that the bill aims to provide universal health coverage to South Africans and is popular among voters. It also seeks to address deep racial and social inequalities in the healthcare system that persist three decades after the end of white minority rule.
π *MALAWI: Ex-President Mutharika announces 2025 presidential bid*
πPeter Mutharika, a former president of Malawi, has declared his intention to run for president in 2025. He made this announcement on Tuesday May 14, 2024 at his first political rally in Blantyre since being ousted in 2020. He stated that his decision to run was due to the “outcry” of Malawians for his return to rescue the country’s economy. He added that his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) aims to recover the country’s economy within two years if he is elected.
π *CHAD: Opposition Leader Masra files appeal against presidential election results before constitutional council*
πLeader of the Chadian opposition, Succes Masra, has challenged the preliminary results of the May 6, 2024 presidential election in court, bringing the case to the nation’s constitutional council. On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, Masra released a statement to the media in which it said that temporary President Mahamat Idriss Deby had won with 61.3% of the vote, while Masra had received 18.53%. He said the announcement was made by the state-run national election management agency. Prior to the formal declaration. He uploaded information on social media and asked the Constitutional Council to look into the ballot boxes.
