πππππ 891
π π π £π π ‘π π π π π π π π £π π π
JUNE 20, 2024
πΊπ¬πΊπ¬πΊπ¬
πΊπ¬ Ugandan government warns citizens against entering, working in Somalia without legal documentation
πΊπ¬ 30 Ex-ADF combatants to be reunited with their families
πhttps://explorer.co.ug/30-ex-adf-combatants-to-be-reunited-with-their-families/
πΊπ¬ Five private security guards arrested for resisting Minister Nyamutoroβs inspection of Illegal mining site
πRubanda District police on Thursday, June 20, 2024, arrested five private security guards from Wolves Security Company who allegedly resisted the Minister of State for Mineral Development, Hon. Phiona Nyamutooro, and her technical team from accessing an illegal mining site of National Cement Company at Butare Katoojo in Muko sub-county. According to ASP Elly Maate, the Kigezi Region Police spokesperson, the Minister, accompanied by a team from the Directorate of Geological Survey and Mines, was on a consultative engagement on draft Regulations for Gazetting areas for Artisanal and Small Scale Miners. After the inspection, the security guards, armed with three rifles (SMGs), blocked the ministerβs convoy and cocked their guns, threatening to shoot. They were arrested and disarmed.
πΊπ¬ Uganda Airlines launches direct route between Entebbe and London
πTravelers can rejoice as Uganda Airlines officially announces the launch of direct flights between Entebbe and London. This exciting news comes after a productive visit by a Ugandan delegation led by CEO Jennifer Bamuturaki to the UK from June 11-15, 2024. The delegation met with key stakeholders, including UK aviation authorities, business leaders, and the Ugandan diaspora community, paving the way for a seamless travel experience. This strategic move coincides with the recent acquisition of Airbus A330-800 Neo aircraft by Uganda Airlines, allowing them to secure coveted slots at London’s Heathrow Airport.
πΊπ¬ UPDF to recruit 1,600 scientists to bolster technical capabilities
πThe Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has announced plans to recruit over 1,600 citizens with specialized skills in various scientific fields. Brig Gen Felix Kulayigye, the Defence Public Information Officer said in a statement on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, the recruitment drive aims to bolster the military’s technical capabilities, and integrate modern scientific knowledge and skills into its operations. He added that the process is online and is targeting applicants holding diplomas or degrees in science-related fields to apply. Kulayigye said the process will span for 14 days across different regions of the country to ensure a diverse and capable pool of candidates.
πΊπ¬ Airtel Uganda pledges support for 20th edition of Buganda Masaza Cup
πAirtel Uganda pledges to support the Buganda Masaza Cup tournament, which is celebrating its 20th edition this year. Ali Balunywa, the Sales and Distribution Director at Airtel Uganda made the announcement on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at the launch event held at Bulange in Mengo and expressed the company’s gratitude for being part of the tournament. The Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, recognized Airtelβs positive contribution, stating that the opening match of the 2024 Masaza Cup will be played on June 22, 2024, with Bulemezi taking on Buluuli at Kasana grounds in Luwero District.
πΊπ¬ TotaLEnergies achieves major milestone in Tilenga project with completion of 47 wells
πTotaLEnergies has made significant progress in its Tilenga project by completing 47 wells in the Albertine Graben ahead of the expected first oil production in 2025. The drilling operations began July 2023 in Bulisa and Nwoya districts, with some wells located within the Murchison Falls National Park. James Berya Opio, the Upstream Project Coordinator of Tilenga Project told the just-ended 2nd Annual Joint CSO Conference on oil and gas. Opio said the company mobilized 3 drilling rigs with aims to drill 98 wells by the end of 2024, with a total of 237 wells needed to reach plateau production. He noted that the drilling efficiency has improved, with the duration reduced from 22 days to 10 days per well and nonproductive time decreasing from 22% to 5%.
πΊπ¬ Ex-Mulago boss Baterana remanded over alleged UGX 6.3Bn loss
πDr. Byarugaba Baterana Bonaventura, former executive director of Mulago National Referral Hospital, has been remanded to Luzira prison by the Anti-Corruption Court on charges of abuse of office. Baterana and six other individuals, including the former head of the engineering department Edward Kataha, the former senior administrator of Mulago Hospital Kenneth Wafula, senior procurement officers Christopher Okware and Adah Kamucunguzi, are accused of causing a loss of UGX 6.3 billion to the government through irregular and double payments. The accused have been remanded to prison until June 24, 2024.
πΊπ¬ TORORO: Govt announces additional UGX 20 million boost for Emyooga saccos
πHaruna Kyeyune Kasolo, the state minister for microfinance, declared that Emyooga Sacco in the Tororo district will receive more financing. An additional UGX 20 million will be given to each Emyooga Sacco, on top of the UGX 30 million that the government has already contributed. Kasolo announced on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, while monitoring Emyooga programme in Tororo district, adding that the money would be sent to the accounts of the existing Emyooga Saccos. He requested the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) to provide a list of the saccos that are eligible for the additional funding.
πΊπ¬ RAKAI: Police arrest 4 staff for sexually abusing students
πPolice in Rakai district have arrested a teacher and three other staff members at Jawuhara Islamic Primary Educational Centre for allegedly molesting and sodomizing learners at the school. According to Twaha Kasirye, the Greater Masaka Police Spokesperson, the suspected teacher Yasin Kato, has been arrested and is currently detained at Lwanda Police Station, after a victim confessed to his mother about the abuse he and other boys were facing. Kasirye added that statements has been taken from students to aid an investigation into sexual abuse and one of the boys who reported the abuse is undergoing medical tests for evidence.
ACROSS BORDERS
π π π
π KIGALI: Rwanda’s GDP expands by 9.7% in first quarter of 2024
πThe Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Rwanda expanded by 9.7% in 2024’s first quarter. Rwanda’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning made this announcement on Thursday, June 20, 2024, and attributed the growth to the industry and services sectors’ strong performance. The Minister also stated that the agriculture sector rose by 7%, Industry sector grew by 10%, and services sector recorded an 11% growth. The strong performance in these sectors led to Rwanda’s impressive GDP expansion in the first quarter of 2024.
π NAIROBI: Parliament debate on contentious Finance Bill 2024 amid ongoing protests resumes
πMembers of Parliament are set to resume debating the 2024 Finance Bill today, Thursday June 20, 2024, which has sparked widespread protests among Kenyans over its proposed tax hikes. The protests, which began on Tuesday June 18, 2024, are expected to continue with a second round of demonstrations planned in various parts of Nairobi. Despite the government making some concessions by removing certain contentious tax proposals, protesters maintain that the bill should be withdrawn entirely.
π DAR ES SALAAM: Six companies eye SGR operations in Tanzania
πSix Tanzanian companies are among several firms that have shown interest in partnering with the government in operating the standard gauge railway (SGR).Β This was open to the media on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, by Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) director general Masanja Kadogosa following the gazetting of the Railways (Open Access) Regulations, 2024 which allows for a partnership in railway operations between the public and private sectors. Mr. Kadogosa named the companies as GSM, Bakhresa Group, Mohammed Enterprises Company Limited, Lake Oil, Azania, and Jambo. Also on the list are several companies from China and Europe.
