𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐑 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐔𝐏

𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐔𝐄 331
🅂🅄🄽🄳🄰🅈 🄴🄳🄸🅃🄸🄾🄽
JUNE 18, 2023
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🇺🇬  President Museveni fully recovers from Covid19
📌President Museveni has finally won the Covid 19 battle. The President, who has been confined in self isolation at Nakasero State House, first announced that he had tested positive for Covid19 on June 7 while delivering the State of the Nation address. He has now announced that he tested negative, 11 days later.
“On the war with Corona, it is now confirmed that I am a veteran graduate of the war with that enemy… Today, the samples showed that I had turned negative vis a vis Corona.  Even the samples of Wednesday last showed reduced presence of the virus parts.  The Glory goes to God,”  the President said in a tweet.

🇺🇬 President Museveni condemns ADF ‘desperate, cowardly’ attack in Kasese, says more troops will be deployed to hunt them down
📌 President Museveni has condemned the ADF gruesome attack on Nyabugando Peter Hunter Secondary School in Kasese, describing it as ‘cowardly, desperate and futile’. The President said that he will be sending more troops into the area South of the Rwenzori Mountain to eliminate any gaps that could have been exploited by the ‘cowardly’ group.  He vowed not to pull back UPDF from Mwalika Valley in the DRC but said that the forces will continue to hunt down the terrorists. He  faulted the people around Mpondwe border for not being ‘alert’ like the people of Ntoroko were when ADF attacked the area last December. The President explained that following air and artillery strikes as well as offensives by UPDF and FADRC armies inside the DRC jungles, the ADF have run into disarray and are now operating in splinter groups because they can no longer concentrate in big groups.
“Why not attack the detachment that was only 3 kms away?  If they did that, they would be fighters -army to army – the way NRA was and they would not be terrorists,” he said.

🇺🇬 Pope Francis joins rest of the world to condemn ADF ‘brutal attack’ in Kasese
📌 Pope Francis has condemned the ADF “brutal attack” on Nyabugando Peter Hunter Secondary School in Mpondwe, Kasese District where over 40 students were killed and others went missing.
“I pray for the young student victims of the brutal attack against a school in western Uganda,” the Pope said on Sunday during his weekly Angelus prayer at Saint Peter’s Square in the Vatican City.
In the same vein, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)’s representative in Uganda Dr. Mohamed Munir Safieldin also condemned the attack. Dr Munir, in a Saturday statement,  demanded for an immediate release of students who were abducted by the ADF rebels.
“In my capacity as the UNICEF representative in Uganda, l vehemently condemn the heinous attack which resulted in the tragic loss of innocent lives and the abduction of learners. I implore and demand the immediate and safe return of these young lives,” the statement read.

🇺🇬  Inter Religious Council to hold national prayers for bereaved families of ADF attack
📌 Religious leaders under their umbrella body, the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) are organizing national prayers for the bereaved families in the Kasese ADF rebel attack that left over  41 students killed. According to a statement released, the date of the national prayers will be communicated as soon as possible. Meanwhile,  Church of Uganda Archbishop Dr Stephen Samuel Kazimba Mugalu, who also doubles as the chairperson IRCU has urged all Ugandans to stop putting blame on the Security forces over the attack, but continue praying for them because “they are on our side.”

🇺🇬 Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, other African leaders meet President Putin to find lasting solution for Russia-Ukraine war
📌President Museveni’s special envoy Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda and a delegation of other African leaders on Saturday held a high-level meeting with the President of Russia, H.E Vladimir Putin, in the Russian city of Saint Petersburg, in a move aimed at ending the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.  At the meeting with the delegation, Putin said that the Kremlin welcomed the “balanced” approach of African states to resolving the war in Ukraine.
“We salute the balanced approach of our African friends to the Ukrainian crisis.We are open to a constructive dialogue with all those who want peace based on the principles of justice and consideration of the legitimate interests of the parties,” Putin said.

🇺🇬  IGG rallies Ugandans to embrace online reporting of corrupt officials
📌 The Inspector General of Government, Betty Kamya has rallied all Ugandans to embrace online reporting platforms that will help to intensify the fight against corruption. Kamya said that her office has set up a WhatsApp platform on Telephone Number 0707721146 under the new Lifestyle audit campaign. Kamya made the remarks during the sensitization workshop about  the Life Audit Campaign at Nkumba University.  Prof. Jude Lubega, the Nkumba University Vice Chancellor promised to support the IGG in the fight against corruption.

🇺🇬  Over 2500 graduate at KIU in different disciplines
📌A total of 2, 530 students have graduated in different disciplines during the 27th graduation ceremony for Kampala International University (KIU). The chief celebrant,  Vice President Jessica Alupo who was represented by the Lands Minister, Judith Nabakooba asked that the graduates use the education attained as the starting point of their success in the years to come. She hailed the University for its contribution to the education sector in the country.
“I call upon all the graduates to consider their achievement today as a starting point to get themselves to the next level,” she said.

🇺🇬 RWAMPARA: Local Government launches construction of Kigaaga-Kimuri – Rubagano roads
📌Rwampara Locall Government has launched the construction of Kabatanagi-Kigaaga- Kimuri-Rubagano roads in Mwizi sub-county. The roads under construction will cover a distance of 15 km and are expected to cost the Government  UgSh. 20M. During the launch, the LC V chairperson Womugasho Richard noted that most people  are farmers and the poor roads have been hindering them from accessing markets.

🇺🇬  KALANGALA: Two fishermen drown in Lake Victoria
📌 Two residents of Misonzi landing site, Lulamba Island in Mifumira Sub County have been confirmed dead after drowning in Lake Victoria on Saturday night. Locals say their bodies were seen floating on water at the landing site. Yasin Kalenzo, a local, says  that the deceased who were using a small overloaded boat drowned as a result of a strong wave. The Police in Kalangala confirmed the incident and warned fishermen to use life jackets.

🇺🇬  BUTAMBALA: Man found dead in his garden
📌 Police in Butambala District is investigating the death of one Salongo Muwada who died under unclear circumstances at Butawuka village in Bulo town. Locals say children who had gone to fetch water discovered Muwada’s body in his garden near a village water point.  Siraje Mutabuliiki, a neighbor, asked Police to expedite the investigations into Muwada’s death.

🇺🇬 NAPAK: Authorities disburse Shs3.1Bn PDM funds to 558 SACCOs
📌Napak District authorities have started disbursement of the Shs3.1 billion Parish Development Model (PDM) funds to 558 SACCOs. Jackson Byaruhanga, the Napak Chief Administrative Officer confirmed progress citing that of the Shs31 billions received, at least Shs25 million has already been distributed to 25 beneficiaries in Nakichumet parish in Matany Sub County as they plan to roll out to other parishes. He says they have given out one million shillings to each beneficiary as they assess their progress. Julius Teko, one of the beneficiaries in Matany town council confirmed receiving the money and encouraged communities to embrace the program.
“I received one million shillings as a revolving fund, it is not enough for my business but I will try everything possible to manage it because something is better than nothing’’ Teko said.

🇺🇬 KOBOKO: Water Ministry vows to restore degraded River Kochi catchment areas
📌 The Ministry of Water and Environment has embarked on the restoration of the degraded River Kochi catchment area covering an area of 1640 km2 across Koboko, Yumbe, and Moyo districts. The Chairperson of Kochi Catchment Sub-Project, Kassim Sebbi, who also doubles as the Chairperson of Lodonga Sub-County said that they will plant various tree species on 500 hectares of land in the catchment area. He explains that under the project, individuals will be supported with alternative income-generating activities like Apiary aquaculture and fruit farming, especially those engaged in sand mining along the river banks.

🇺🇬 MITOOMA:  Rural Electrification Agency to extend electricity to rural areas
📌Rural Electrification Agency has kick started the supply and extension of  electricity of low medium voltage to rural areas. This follows the Government’s  efforts seeking $1bn to fund the Rural Electrification Agency (REA)’s newly-approved rural electrification plan. According to REA’s executive director, Godfrey Turyahikayo, the 10-year plan which was approved by the Cabinet in October last year aims at increasing rural electrification access to all rural areas of Uganda.

ACROSS BORDERS
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🌍 Sudan warring Generals agree to new 72-hour ceasefire
📌 The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Saturday agreed to a new 72-hour ceasefire due to take effect on Sunday at 6 AM (0400 GMT), despite the multiple truces being agreed to and broken during the two-month war.
“The two sides agreed that during the ceasefire period they would refrain from movements and attacks, the use of warplanes or drones, artillery bombardment, reinforcement of positions, resupply of forces, or refrain from attempting to achieve military gains.They also agreed to allow freedom of movement and the delivery of humanitarian aid throughout Sudan,” a Saudi foreign ministry statement said late Saturday.

🌍 South Sudan pleads  to be spared from OPEC production cuts
📌 South Sudan’s Minister of Petroleum Puot Kang Chol has appealed to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) delegates attending the 6th South Sudan Oil and Power Conference not to cut production of South Sudan’s oil production on the international market. Minister Kang argued that the capacity produced by South Sudan is the lowest among the countries, and that if reduced, the country will suffer the impact of the already existing energy crisis in the country. OPEC+, which comprises OPEC, Russia and other allies, has been taking more steps to support the oil market in 2023 by announcing several oil production cuts by member states.

🌍  CAMEROON: Communication Council to suspend foreign TV stations that air LGBTI content
📌 Cameroon has prohibited the broadcast of television programs that propagate homosexuality. Joseph Chebongkeng Kalabubse, President of Cameroon’s National Communication Council which regulates media in the country said media organizations that broadcast programs linked to homosexuality will be severely punished.  Kalabubse said acts of homosexuality are prohibited by Cameroonian law, and broadcasting scenes linked to homosexuality is against professional ethics and the laws of nature. The NCC says many of the programs promoting homosexuality are cartoons that are frequently watched by children.  Kalabubse said foreign TV stations that air LGBTI content will be suspended from broadcasting in Cameroon.

🌍 INDIA: Prime Minister Modi calls for African Union’s full membership in G20
📌 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written to the leaders of the G20 nations proposing that the African Union be given full, permanent membership of the diplomatic group at its upcoming summit in India, an official source said.   Modi’s proposal to grant the African Union full membership in the G20 demonstrates India’s commitment to strengthening Africa’s representation and partnership in shaping global affairs, the source said.  The G20 or Group of 20 is an intergovernmental forum of the world’s major developed and developing economies. The members represent around 85% of global GDP, over 75% of global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.