𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐑 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐔𝐏

ISSUE 662

 WEDNESDAY EDITION

*MAY 22, 2024*

🌍 *Uganda signs agreement with Qatar to protect migrant workers’ rights*

📌Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development Betty Amongi visited Qatar to discuss the rights of Ugandan migrant workers. During her visit, she signed a Bilateral Labour Agreement with Qatar to ensure the safety and rights protection of over 30,000 Ugandan migrant workers. Amongi said that the agreement allows for the formal externalization of skilled, semi-skilled, and domestic workers from Uganda to Qatar. She added that a Joint Technical Committee will be established to implement the agreement and a follow-up meeting is scheduled for May 27, 2024, to assess progress.

🇺🇬  *Professor Anthony Mugisha appointed as new deputy vice-chancellor of Makerere University*

📌Professor Anthony Mugisha has been named the new Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Makerere University. The media announced this on Tuesday May 21, 2024. Mugisha, a professor of agriculture economics, defeated rivals Bruce Kirenga and Henry Alinaitwe to win the job. Mugisha and another contender, Prof. William Bazeyo, engaged in a previous face-off as part of the long history of controversy and competition for the position. Mugisha’s vision entails boosting employee motivation, guaranteeing effective resource mobilization, and refining the university’s financial and administrative structure.

🇺🇬  *Dubai company to invest UGX 456.7b in industrial sectors, tourism*

📌Haliburg Group plans to invest over $120 million in Uganda’s tourism and industrial sectors, which intends to build two modern hotels in Queen Elizabeth National Parks and  Murchison Falls National Park and start an airline to promote domestic tourism. Amb. Henry Mayega  in a meeting with investors on Tuesday May 21, 2024 said that Uganda is seen as having the potential to become a top tourist destination in Africa. He added that Uganda’s Investment Authority (UIA) is supporting the investments by offering incentives like a tax holiday, land allocation, and quick licensing. Mayega said UIA is working with the Civil Aviation Authority to support the company’s plans to start an airline.

🇺🇬  *Butabika Mental Hospital appeals for more funding over surging patients’ number*

📌The acting executive director of Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital, Dr. Byama Mutumba, made a plea to parliament for more financing because the hospital’s budget was tight but it was handling more patients and tasks. The appeal was made on Tuesday May 21, 2024, during the nation’s parliament’s annual meeting to talk about mental health issues. Dr. Mutumba emphasized the critical need for funding to rebuild the hospital’s recently damaged outer wall. The Ministry of Health’s Assistant Commissioner for Mental Health, Dr. Hafsa Lukwata, urged everyone involved to give mental health services top priority and applauded the government for improving mental health services and the 400 patients that Butabika was intended to house.

🇺🇬  *Uganda to host African liberation day celebrations on May 25, 2024*

📌Uganda will host the African Liberation Day Celebrations on 25 May 2024 at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds. The media reported this on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. The event commemorates the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, now known as the African Union (AU). This year’s celebration will focus on ensuring a safe environment for a digital Pan African Education System. The event will include speeches, cultural performances, exhibitions on digital education technologies, and a parade by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).

🇺🇬  *URA cracks down on wheat flour smuggling: Seizes 7.5 tonnes in Lwakhakha operation*

📌The Uganda Revenue Authority’s (URA) interception of 7.5 tonnes of smuggled wheat flour in Lwakhakha. URA spokesperson Ibrahim Bbosa, informed the media on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 that the operation led to the seizure of 150 bags of Bakers wheat flour being transported from Kenya in a truck. He added that the URA enforcement surveillance net was deployed on Thursday May 17, 2024 leading to the discovery and seizure of eight motorcycles and over 20 bundles of discarded clothing used for transporting uncustomed goods. He highlighted the persistent issue of smuggling wheat flour in the eastern region.

🇺🇬  *BUSOGA: First palliative care clinic brings hope, healing to cancer patients*

📌A palliative care clinic for cancer patients has been established in the Busoga sub-region. It is situated in Jinja City’s Walukuba East Zone and attempts to dispel common misconceptions about cancer in rural areas. Dr. James Wako, the Kamuli District Health Officer, noted in the media interview on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, that many cancer patients in remote areas continue to live in isolation and await their demise because of the stigma attached to the illness. Sr. Sid Franciline, the facility’s supervisor, tells tales of patients like Sosi Taire, whose wound had grown septic and excruciating, who were discovered in terrible conditions during outreach trips.

🇺🇬  *BUSOGA: Sugarcane farmers demand government action over plunging prices*

📌Sugarcane prices in the Busoga sub-region have sharply declined over the past seven years, with the most recent price being UGX 130,000 per tonne. Mr. David Christopher Mombwe, along with farmers, told the media today, Wednesday, May 22, 2024, that they are requesting government intervention to regulate millers and ensure fair pricing for sugarcane. He added that farmers are struggling to cover costs and make a profit at the current price level, making it challenging to repay loans and all farmers are advocating for sugarcane prices to align with the global market price of UGX 190,000 per tonne to ensure sustainability and profitability.

🇺🇬  *MAYUGE: Two men sentenced to 6 years for vandalizing electricity infrastructure*

📌Harriet Atim Okello the Chief Magistrate in Mayuge court  has sentenced two men to six years imprisonment after being found guilty of vandalizing electricity infrastructure. The two were identified as Asuman Kalifaani Mulondo and Ntalo Egesa, who caused damage, resulting in financial losses to the country and economic sabotage. Harriet said that section 85 (a) of the Electricity Amendment Act 2020 provides for a maximum punishment of 12 years in prison or a UGX 10 million fine. Alex Asiimwe, Territory Manager for Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (UEDCL) Eastern Uganda, disclosed that the country loses not less than UGX 3 billion as a result of vandalism of electricity infrastructure.

🇺🇬  *BUSIA:  Traffic police advises Kenyan pilgrims on road safety for Martyrs day trek*

📌Busia District Traffic Officer, Mr Alex Asiimwe, speaks to foot pilgrims from Kenya at St Jude Church in Busia Town who have arrived in Busia district. He advised them to observe traffic rules while walking to Namugongo for Martyrs Day celebrations scheduled for June 3, 2024. This was during the arrival of the first batch that is out of 700 pilgrims who are expecting to participate. Alexander Wejuli, the lead Christian at St Jude Catholic Church in Busia, Kenya said that  the first group of 27 pilgrims has already crossed the border, arrived in Busia and numerous dioceses are intending to send groups of pilgrims to the event were pilgrims are traveling to Namugongo by bus and on foot and the first group is departing Busia town with the goal of arriving at Namugongo by May 31, 2024.

*ACROSS BORDERS*

🌍 🌍 🌍

🌍 *TANZANIA: Revealed Asia, SADC as their key trading partners*

📌Tanzania’s trade sector grew by 4.3% in 2023, with Asia and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) being key trading partners. On Tuesday May 21, 2024, Industry and Trade minister Ashatu Kijaji said that Tanzania’s exports to Asian countries decreased by 31.6% in 2023 but Asia remained the top export destination and imports from Asia decreased due to reduced imports of capital and consumer goods. He added that SADC was the second largest trading partner, with exports worth Sh4.42 trillion in 2023.

🌍 *KENYA: President Ruto calls for inclusive reforms in international financial architecture*

📌William Ruto, the president of Kenya, is an advocate for inclusive changes to the global financial system. Ruto focused on democratizing the boards of multilateral development banks for fair representation, particularly for poor nations, during the Presidential Conversation Session at the Africa CEO Forum 2024 in Kigali. Concessional loans are essential for helping nations achieve their development objectives and dealing with debt crises. campaigning to strengthen the voice and integration of the continent by promoting changes within the African Union, against corruption, and supporting the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

🌍 *TEHRAN: Massive crowds in Iran’s capital for the funeral of the president*

📌Huge crowds flocked to Tehran for the funeral procession of the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, mourners holding photos of the country’s greatest leader. On Tuesday, May 21, 2024, high-ranking officials notified the media that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will preside over prayers at the University of Tehran. Following funeral ceremonies at the Imam Reza shrine, the bodies would be transported to Mashhad, Raisi’s homeland, for interment. The funeral proceedings have drawn a lot of attention, and regional and international allies have expressed their sympathies. Other prominent figures, including the deputy head of Hezbollah and the leader of Hamas, have also paid their respects.