Watchdog Uganda
During a news interview on CBS FM on Friday, Lukwago said President Museveni must understand that majority of Ugandans are dying from hunger and before he address the nation today, he must know that citizens are fed up with the lockdown imposed to curb the spread of Covid-19.
“Mr. Museveni has put the entire country in prison without food. The relief fund Madam Nabbanja gave out is too little for someone to think that he has given support to people, therefore, Mr. Museveni must leave Ugandans to go back to work,†the Lord Mayor said.
On 18th June this year, President Museveni imposed the second lockdown of 42 days in the move to stop the spreading of the coronavirus.
However, according to Lukwago the 42 days of lockdown have been a total loss because there is no strategy aimed at helping Ugandans that has been put in place to save lives of people.
“There is no any single project that has been successful in these 42 days as far as prevention of covid-19 is concerned because even the vaccinated people don’t tantamount to 1 million. I can conclude by saying the 42 days were for Gen Museveni and his colleagues. Kampala people have been beaten by the security operatives maybe that is the only thing they have gotten from this lockdown.
“If Gen Museveni wants to test the wrath of Ugandans let him extend this lockdown. I can assure you Ugandans are tired and if he dares to try and extend this lockdown he will see it,†Lukwago warned.
]]>How to check your 2020 UCE results on phonehttps://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210730/118260/how-to-check-your-2020-uce-results-on-phone.html Fri, 30 Jul 2021 10:21:31 +0000https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=118260The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has on Friday released the 2020 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) results.The ceremony presided over by Education Minister Janet Museveni took place at State House Nakasero.
Releasing the results, the UNEB Executive Secretary Dan N. Odongo said the 2020 UCE candidature decreased by 4,324 (-1.3%) from 337,720 in 2019 to 333,396.
Of these, 148,128 (44.4%) were Universal Secondary Education (USE) beneficiaries. The number of females candidates registered is 166,744 (50.01%) and that of males is 166,652 (49.99%).
Odongo also noted that there was a better performance overall compared to 2019 with 312,162 candidates passing compared to 288,387 in the previous year.
He added that girls performed better than boys in English language but the latter outperformed the former in other subjects.
“Female candidates performed better than males in the English Language. In other large entry subjects, male candidates show better performance, with the differences more marked in Mathematics and the Sciences,†Odongo said.
How to check results on Phone:
In your message box, type UCE <space> INDEX NUMBER and send it to 6600.
For example, to check the results of the candidate with index number U1016/001, in your message box, type UCE U1016/001 AND SEND TO 6600.
The user should then receive his/her examination results or registration details instantly. You will receive an SMS at a cost of UGX 500 per candidate
]]>2020 UCE results out, male candidates perform better than female counterparts https://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210730/118271/2020-uce-results-out-male-candidates-perform-better-than-female-counterparts.html Fri, 30 Jul 2021 10:16:06 +0000https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=118271The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has on Friday released the 2020 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) results.The ceremony presided over by Education Minister Janet Museveni took place at State House Nakasero.
Releasing the results, the UNEB Executive Secretary Dan N. Odongo said the 2020 UCE candidature decreased by 4,324 (-1.3%) from 337,720 in 2019 to 333,396.
Of these, 148,128 (44.4%) were Universal Secondary Education (USE) beneficiaries. The number of females candidates registered is 166,744 (50.01%) and that of males is 166,652 (49.99%).
Odongo also noted that there was a better performance overall compared to 2019 with 312,162 candidates passing compared to 288,387 in the previous year.
He added that girls performed better than boys in English language but the latter outperformed the former in other subjects.
“Female candidates performed better than males in the English Language. In other large entry subjects, male candidates show better performance, with the differences more marked in Mathematics and the Sciences,†Odongo said.
]]>Mt. Rwenzori’s numerous adrenaline-charged peaks, rich and rare ecological diversity, combined with once-in-a-lifetime breathtaking views continue to attract renowned mountaineers.https://www.watchdoguganda.com/tourism/20210730/118272/mt-rwenzoris-numerous-adrenaline-charged-peaks-rich-and-rare-ecological-diversity-combined-with-once-in-a-lifetime-breathtaking-views-continue-to-attract-renowned-mountaineers.html Fri, 30 Jul 2021 09:49:13 +0000https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=118272As the world begins to come to terms with the Covid-19 pandemic, ramp up vaccinations and warm up to tourism, the charming allure and unique diversity of Uganda continues to attract travellers in search of bucket-list and once-in-a-lifetime destinations with wide-open spaces and natural wonders.According to the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, tourism numbers, although yet to reach the pre-pandemic levels, are steadily recovering. Overall tourist bookings tripled between August 2020 when Uganda formally reopened its tourism industry under strict standard operating safety protocols, to 83,464 bookings by the end of March 2021. As such, bookings registered by airlines and accommodation facilities doubled by end of March 2021 while bookings recorded by tour operators increased eleven-fold between August 2020 and March 2021. Foreign tourist bookings increased faster in the same period.
Hotel occupancy rates in Uganda also increased by 10 percentage points by end of March 2021 to an average of 31% down from 20.1% at the end of the year 2020 while weekly flights within or to and out of Uganda increased fourfold by end of March 2021 rising from a weekly average of 3 flights in 2020 to a weekly average of 11 flights in 2021. This means that 73% of the flights that fly Ugandan routes had resumed. As a result, at least 30% of tourism jobs were recovered by end of March 2021.
Although the country entered a second, this time partial 42-day lockdown starting on June 19th, 2021, there are indications that foreign tourist arrivals are holding steady. Monthly statistics from Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) show that international arrivals between May and June reduced by just 16.6% to 29,209 passengers from 35,012 passengers in May 2021. Quarterly, there was an 18.4% increase in international arrivals, from 83,957 travellers in Q1 2021 to 99,384 at the end of Q2 2021.
Passionate mountaineers continue to submit to Mt. Rwenzori’s irresistible breathtaking beauty and tough charm
Julian Wright, a professional mountaineer, lead guide/ field expert for over 15 years and owner of African Ascents Limited, a Kenya-based outdoor adventure company is one of those tourists who has taken advantage of this less busy period, to fulfil his 6-year old dream of conquering Mt.Rwenzori.
Julian is no ordinary mountaineer. He has not only summited both Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya, the two tallest mountains in Africa, as well as several other mountains all over the world, including Kenya, South Africa, the United States, Canada, the Alps, Himalayas, Southeast Asia and most recently the Rwenzoris.
“This is my first time to the Rwenzoris. My main motivation to come here actually started about six years ago. I have been wanting to come here for a very long time, but finally, I’ve been able to come out and see what this beautiful mountain has to offer,†he said in an interview, soonest after returning from a record-setting climb of Mt. Rwenzori.
Record-setting because he climbed 8 peaks in 7 days, which, according to John Hunwick, 73, the founder of Rwenzori Trekking Services (RTS), the company that arranged and facilitated the hike, this feat has never been done before. The best, according to Hunwick, was 4 peaks in 8 days. And unlike most climbers who have to be assisted by porters, Julian carried his backpack with his luggage and climbing gear.
“I have a lot of clients and visitors we’ve had on our mountains in Kenya and Tanzania, who are really interested to come and see this part of the world, so it was really nice to come and see for myself and see what works for them,†added Julian, adding: “You really have an incredible resource here and it’s nice to be able to experience it.â€
Julian summited the four highest peaks on Mt. Stanley, one of the six massifs making up the Rwenzori ranges. The other five massifs are Mount Speke; Mount Baker; Mount Emin; Mount Gessi and Mount Luigi di Savoia.
The four Mt. Stanley peaks summitted by Julian in under seven hours, are Margherita, (5,109 metres), namely Alexandra Peak (5,090 metres), Albert Peak (5,087 metres), and Cheptegei (4,907 meters). He also summited Mutinda Lookout (3,975 metres); Mt. Speke’s tallest peak- Vittorio Emanuele (4890 metres) as well as Iolanda Peak, (4,175 metres) the tallest peak on Mt. Gessi and finally, Mt. Baker’s Edward Peak (4,844 metres).
In total, Julian, who had set off to do 10 peaks in 8 days, had to abandon 2 others due to heavy rain and fog. Regardless, an awestruck Julian said in an interview (full interview attached) that this was sufficient to give him a feel of the mountain whose ecological diversity, he describes as “mind-blowing†and scenic landscapes as “breathtaking.â€
Comparing both the climbing experience and the eco-diversity of the East African mountains, he has summited to Mt. Rwenzori, Julian says the Rwenzoris are exceptional both in quality and quantity.
“I’ve been guiding and hiking, and I’ve been in the outdoors business for a very long time, but the vastness of the Rwenzoris is just breathtaking. I mean, you go into some areas, and it really feels very remote. It feels almost untouched, in a way,†he says, adding: “There are many peaks, and just the sheer ecological diversity, is mind-blowing…. Everything here seems to be three times as big. The leaves are bigger, the plants are bigger, everything is so lush, there’s so much life, and it is truly unique.â€
“The glaciers on the Rwenzoris are very unique. They are a lot bigger than any other glaciers on East African mountains,†he adds.
Julian, too was captivated by the Rwenzoris’ bird diversity.
“In the last couple of hours, we have been staring up in the trees, and the guides know their birds so well, that I literally would just ask them, what is that calling, and somebody knew what it was. We have seen the Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Batis, Rwenzori Double-Collared Sunbird and several others. And we have been listening to the Red-chested cuckoos all the way down the mountain; there is very many of them. There is just so much happening, it’s very difficult to actually try and, you know, understand everything,†he told reporters in an interview after his 7 days climb.
About the climbing experience, especially for the inexperienced climbers, Julian said that Mt. Rwenzori by its nature offers a variety of options.
“The trails have been so well managed, and the huts have been so well established that even for somebody who’s not incredibly fit, there are options in between. So, you can break the day up and take your time with it, which then allows you to acclimatize well, and it’s something that I think you’re very lucky with here,†he says adding: “Because you have more ranges, this allows people more time to acclimatize. There is more distance, so people get to acclimatize better.â€
Italian mountaineering couple, also swept away by Mt. Rwenzori’s unique charm
Christian and Dagmara Kuhne the Italian mountaineering couple who also this month were facilitated by Rwenzori Trekking Services to climb Mt. Rwenzori, were unanimously in agreement about the unique eco-diversity and the ‘sweet challenge’ presented by the Mt. Rwenzori.
In a July 9th meeting with the UTB Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bradford Ochieng, soon after returning from an 8-day climb, the duo also said that Rwenzori’s unique endowment aside, the mountain, unlike many other mountains popular with climbers, is uncrowded which enhances the entire experience.
“We made the eight days trek with Rwenzori Trekking Services, and it was a very good experience with a lot of nature and vegetation,†Christian told the media.
The couple who was brought together by their love for mountains and together have climbed the Alps, Mt. Pyrenes (3,404 m) in Spain, Mt. Damavand in Iran (5609m) and Lenin Peak (7,134m) on the Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan border and made their marriage proposal atop Mt. Kilimanjaro (5,895 m) and summited Aconcagua (6,960.8 m) in Argentina, say that Rwenzori, in Africa, presents a climbing experience like no other.
Dagmara who at first says was challenged by the rain and humidity said that she later got used to the terrain which she later found to be a sweet challenge.
“The going up, seeing the rocks and then the glaciers. It was really a nice experience. It is also important that it was not crowded,†says Dagmara, adding: “That was something extra nice. It was really a nice experience.â€
“When you compare with Kilimanjaro, other than the altitude sickness (because of height), technically Kilimanjaro is a normal hike. Rwenzori is different. You begin in the rain forest, then you have a lot of muddy trails… it rains a lot quite every day. It is also longer. The last push, the last day, climbing Peak Margherita, you have to climb. You have to use crampons (ice axe), so it’s really climbing a mountain. It’s not only hiking,†says Christian.
Mr. Ochieng invited the couple to come again and visit Uganda, as the country had thousands of attractions
“The world over, we are known as the “Pearl of Africa†and this is because we offer some of the continent’s incredible picturesque landscapes that include mountains, grasslands, forests, rivers, lakes and wetlands, each with its unique ecological attractions. The country’s 10 national parks, 12 wildlife reserves, 10 wildlife sanctuaries, 5 community wildlife management areas and 506 central forest reserves among others, create unrivalled guarantees to come face to face with “The Big Five + 2†â€" lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo, chimpanzee and mountain gorillaâ€" as well as giraffe, zebra, hippopotamus, crocodile, and more than half of all bird species found in Africa,†he told the Italian couple.
He also told the Italian couple, that Uganda was also home to Lake Victoria the second-largest freshwater lake in the world which forms the source of the Nile, the world’s longest river as well as Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, one of the most beautiful places on earth and home to more than half the world’s population of endangered mountain gorillas.
Uganda is Open and Safe for Tourism
Lilly Ajarova the Uganda Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer reiterated Uganda’s readiness to give tourists an unforgettable experience.
“Working with the Ministry of Health we have put in place a win-win protocol of ensuring that our visitors continue to travel and enjoy the Pearl of Africa while ensuring both their and our citizens’ safety,†she said.
“All travellers whose body temperature is NOT above 37.5°C (99.5°F), do not have a persistent cough, difficulty in breathing, or other flu-like symptoms, and have a negative COVID -19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test certificate issued within 72 hours from the time of sample collection to boarding aircraft shall be allowed to enter or depart Uganda,†said Lilly Ajarova, the Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Tourism Board (UTB).
“All arriving passengers from Category 1 & 2 countries will be subjected to a COVID -19 PCR test on arrival in Uganda in addition to the negative test undertaken from their country of origin. However, individuals from Category 2 countries who have received full COVID-19 vaccination and have no signs of COVID-19 will be exempted from the arrival PCR tests,†she added.
Category 1 is India while category 2 countries include the United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK), United Arab Emirates (UAE), Turkey, South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and South Sudan. Category 3 is all other countries not in Categories 1 & 2.
She advised travelling passengers to go online (www.testandfly.co.ug/tourist-order) and fill in the Passenger Location Form (PLF) form and print it. On arrival and after clearing with customs and port health authorities, visitors will be required to present the PLF to the tourist help desk. They will then meet up with their designated safari/travel company representative, who will then drive them to the testing centre for sample collection and thereafter proceed to the designated hotel to wait for their results which should be ready in about 1.5 hours.
“All those testing negative will be allowed to proceed to enjoy The Pearl of Africa while those testing positive, shall be treated according to the Ministry of Health protocols for COVID-19.
]]>Lockdown is not over until the President says so, Police warns ahead of Museveni’s Covid-19 addresshttps://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210730/118265/lockdown-is-not-over-until-the-president-says-so-police-warns-ahead-of-musevenis-covid-19-address.html Fri, 30 Jul 2021 09:13:41 +0000https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=118265Police have warned Ugandans that the lockdown is still in place and they should wait for the President to address the nation on the way forward.In his June 18 address on Covid-19, President Yoweri Museveni imposed a 42 day total lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the second wave of the pandemic. The imposed lockdown days end today.
Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga says the lockdown will only be lifted by the President who is expected to update the nation on the Covid-19 fight progress today Friday at 8pm.
“The leadership of the Joint Security Agencies, has noted with serious concern calls by selected politicians, encouraging the public to disregard the lockdown and re-open their businesses and activities. The lifting of the lockdown restrictions without a proper plan, means throwing away all protection, which is very dangerous and risky for the health and safety of Ugandans and visitors in the country,†Enanga said in a statement on Friday.
“We are all aware the pandemic has not disappeared and therefore, need to remain cautious and not lose out on the individual and collective gains we have all made in keeping ourselves and everyone else safe. Let us therefore, wait for the address of H.E. The President and follow the range of options that the government is looking to provide.â€
Enanga added that as the Joint Security Agencies, they will continue to strictly enforce the lockdown measures and urged the public to strictly abide by the rules and regulations still in place.
]]>NUP’s Rubongoya denies landing top job in Museveni government https://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210730/118253/nups-rubongoya-denies-landing-top-job-in-museveni-government.html Fri, 30 Jul 2021 08:19:03 +0000https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=118253The National Unity Platform( NUP) Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya has refuted reports that President Yoweri Museveni has appointed him Ambassador.On Friday, Daily Pepper tabloid (former Red Pepper) in their article titled ‘New Envoys list leaks’,claimed that Rubongoya and Democratic Party (DP) president Norbert Mao had been tipped for ambassadorial roles.
However, Rubongoya has described the report as the ‘biggest joke of all time’.
He said the NRM system has survived all these years by sponsoring propaganda meant to discredit, derail, divide and eventually destroy those who oppose it and that’s why a malicious article has been authored against him.
“When they try to compromise you and you refuse, they resort to lies and blackmail. For avoidance of doubt, this story and many such others are false and they should be treated with the contempt they deserve,†Rubongoya said in a Facebook post on Friday.
“If our mission was to get jobs, we would never have abandoned our good jobs in the first place to focus on the struggle for freedom and democracy. Some of us would never have opted out of the system and decided to fight it! Our mission is to remove a military dictatorship that has ruined our country. We shall stop at nothing until we achieve that mission. Everything else is a diversion,†he added.
]]>NUP bickering escalates as some MPs cross to Kibalama camphttps://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210730/118251/nup-bickering-escalates-as-some-mps-cross-to-kibalama-camp.html Fri, 30 Jul 2021 07:59:12 +0000https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=118251By Del W. OmonyIt’s not yet over until it’s over. News from our reliable sources has it authoritatively that after the massive exposure of the Bobi Wine, David Lewis Rubongaya mishaps at the Kamwokya based National Unity Platform (NUP) political party, a good number of Members of Parliament have shown allegiance to the the party founder Moses Kibalama Nkonge, citing that the duo even never told them about the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
And to make matters worse, Bobi Wine, the party president, Rubongoya, the Secretary General and team illegally swapped the party constitution with a forged one to galvanise their personal interests.
The illegal swapping of the 2004 party constitution has really hit the legislators so much that they no longer have any trust in the people who only mind about themselves other than doing what is always preached about in casual words of the singer now turned politician hence crossing to the less greedy Kibalama who gave Bobi Wine real name Robert Kyagulanyi a platform thinking his objectives and those of the party he founded 16 years back would be embraced by the younger team to bring about justice and rule of law in the country.
After imploring the regulator, Electoral Commissioner through the letter dated 22/07/2021 seeking to be allowed to form an interim leadership, the Kibalama Camp and their apologists have since embarked on putting up the new NUP secretariat where harmonisation is going to be conducted from rendering the Kamwokya based office not concerned with any party activities.
Kibalama clearly states that the party belongs to all Ugandans who subscribe/resonate with its objectives and aims.
“This is not a matter of who owns the party but rather we need to be objective and respect the rules of the game †Kibalama asserted, adding that “the issue here is to make people realise servant leadership and show willingness in the manner we do things even before we attain the much creeved for power, but our comrades have exhibited very bad leadership character even when they know very well how they joined the National Unity Platform (NUP) on the 11th/07/2020.â€
A case of fraudulent smuggling and swapping of the original party constitution and tempering with party documents has since been opened up at Kampala Central Police Station (CPS) at the Crime Intelligence desk where 4 of the senior party officials including the party president Bobi Wine are being investigated.
Watch the space.
]]>COVID-19 Lockdown Boosts Influx of Women Seeking Family Planning Services in Acholi Regionhttps://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210730/118244/covid-19-lockdown-boosts-influx-of-women-seeking-family-planning-services-in-acholi-region.html Fri, 30 Jul 2021 07:10:49 +0000https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=118244By Okumu LivingstoneThere is an increase in the number of women seeking contraceptives in district of Acholi sub region, Watchdog news agency has learnt.
Janet Akumu, a 28 â€" year â€" old mother from Kalimor village in Amuru district has two children, and is one of the beneficiaries. She opted for a three-year implant to allow her plough her garden regularly, get more food and sell the surplus while looking after her children.
“when I gave birth continuously I would not concentrate on the garden and the home did not have enough food for us to feed†Akumu says.
Geoffrey Oola, a Medical Officer at Labongogali Health Centre II in Amuru district, says they have registered an increase in the number of women seeking family planning services since the 42 days lockdown started.
“basing on the increase in teenage and unwanted pregnancies from the 2020 lockdown, youths, young women and mothers have embraced family planning methods†Oola says.
According to the Labongogali Health Centre II statistics during the easing of the lockdown an average of 11 to 15 women were registered compared to 40 to 60 women in a month.
“the numbers would be higher if the COVID 19 travel restrictions were not in place, but thanks to free services provided by United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), through Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU)†says Oola
Demeter Margret Namuyobo, RHU Medical Coordinator says the free Family Planning and sexual and reproductive health services which are offered to the vulnerable, underserved and marginalized communities have also helped raise the numbers of women accessing family planning services. The family planning services are offered under strict observance of COVID 19 guidelines with the help of district authorities and village health teams.
“in most cases these women and men present with a history of sexual and gender-based violence leading to harassment and unwanted pregnancies. They are counselled and enrolled on a family planning method of their choice after their consent†Namuyobo says.
In Gulu City, Anicia Filda, in â€" Charge RHU Branch clinic says most teenagers, men and young women have learnt lessons from the previous lockdown, in order not to have unplanned for children.
According to Filda, they now register between 5 to 10 first time mothers seeking family planning services each day compared to the past where they could spend days without receiving any clients.
She suspects that the mothers could have resorted to family planning services to avoid unplanned pregnancies now that they spent a lot of time with their spouses or because they have some free time because of the 42 days lock down.
Dr Patrick Odong, Amuru District Health Officer has confirmed the increasing number of women seeking family planning services. He however, suspects that some of the mothers could have resorted to Family planning because of the 42 days lock down and anticipate a possible extension.
in Acholi sub region Lamwo district topped cases of teenage pregnancies during the COVID 19 lockdown with close to 1000 reported cases. Other districts like Gulu, Amuru Agago and Nwoya reported 150, 620, 730 and 640 cases respectively.
]]>Compensation, vandalism and power theft still hindering electricity distribution in Uganda- Minister Nankabirwahttps://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210730/118240/compensation-vandalism-and-power-theft-still-hindering-electricity-distribution-in-uganda-minister-nankabirwa.html Fri, 30 Jul 2021 06:54:10 +0000https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=118240The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development Ruth Nankabirwa Sentamu has revealed that by now most parts of Uganda would be having electricity but some major challenges are hindering the distribution project.Addressing journalists on the status of the energy sector at the Uganda Media Centre on Thursday, Nankabirwa said Uganda’s electricity generation capacity has grown from 60 MW in 1986, to 1,268.9MW as of June 2021. She added that although the ministry is trying to implement its mandate, the entire sector is facing several challenges hampering progress.
Among the challenges she highlighted is the Way leave Acquisition where she said that several electricity projects such as line extensions have been delayed or totally put on hold because of the issue of compensation.
“We trust that an amendment in the land law will consider this issue and provide public services like electricity the much-needed opportunity for a faster turnaround of projects.â€
The former Kiboga Woman Member of Parliament also noted that vandalism of electricity infrastructures has also continued to cost the sector billions of Shillings.
She said; “As you are aware, in recent times the nation was plunged into a blackout (National power outage) because of selfish people who cut down power supply infrastructure. Others just cut down infrastructure out of malice and others to syphon transformer oil.†Adding that to mitigate this vice, the ministry has requested for the services of the army to guard key electricity infrastructures such as transmission towers and substations. This in addition to the amendment of the Electricity Act to criminalize vandalism of electricity infrastructure is hoped to tame the vice.
Nankabirwa further asserted that although the sector introduced the prepayment metering methods, they are still struggling with the challenge of power thefts.
“When we introduced prepayment metering, we moved along in reducing this vice. However, the vice hasn’t died out completely but with the establishment of the Utilities Court, several people have been arrested, prosecuted and jailed. I implore Ugandans to stay away from electricity theft. In several places, it has caused fires that have razzed down people’s homes as well as led to fatalities.â€
The minister also revealed that the sector is also facing a challenge of limited funding since it requires heavy capital. “As you all are aware, the electricity sub-sector is a capital intensive one. Investment in this sub-sector requires hundreds of millions of dollars, making us compete for the national resources with the other public services such as health, education and agriculture support. In fact, it’s this capital-intensive nature that informed the government’s decision to liberalize the sub-sector to attract private capital as GOU concentrates on the provision of other services.â€
She however appealed to the public that the government is addressing these challenges to ensure a reliable and equitable supply of energy to the people of Uganda.
“I appeal to the general public to support the Government in ensuring the development of power infrastructure by allowing us to go through your land. Any project delayed is the service delayed to the area the project is intended to serve. We also appeal to the general public to report vandalism to enable the power infrastructure to maintain its integrity to serve the intended purposes.â€
]]>LOP Mpuuga tips MPs on setting bar high on performancehttps://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210730/118236/lop-mpuuga-tips-mps-on-setting-bar-high-on-performance.html Fri, 30 Jul 2021 05:59:31 +0000https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=118236The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament. Hon Mathias Mpuuga, has asked opposition lawmakers to set the standards of meticulous debate in Parliament.Mpuuga spoke Thursday, 29 July 2021 during a two-day workshop organised at Parliament to orient opposition lawmakers on the best ways to have an impactful tenure at Parliament.
“My office intends to organise several of these workshops intended to equip our members with tools to enable them undertake their mandate with confidence and with knowledge,†he said.
“If MPs are well trained, nobody can impeach their suitability with the reason that they lack confidence or that they are devoid of tools that would enable them to discharge their mandate with distinction,†he added.
To kick-start the morning session was renowned constitutional lawyer, Hon Dan Wandera Ogalo, himself a former lawmaker.
Hon Wandera Ogalo, the maiden presenter, tutored the new lawmakers on values in keeping faithful to their political parties and persuasion, as well as being highly informed on matters before the House, which he said will make them shine as the people’s representatives.
He further highlighted the legal and constitutional rights of Members of Parliament, and the diverse ways in which they can use the laws to support them in the discharge of their functions.
Shadow Attorney General, Hon Wilfred Niwagaba, then followed suit, talking extensively about a Private Members’ Bill, and how to navigate the Rules of Procedure to influence legislation.
Hon Niwagaba said the best way to impact on laws before the House is during the Committee of the whole House as it considers Bills before it clause by clause, saying they can use evidence-based submissions and persuasions.
He said overtime, he has noticed a challenge with the assent to Bills passed by Parliament.
“I want to leave this to the leadership; there are timelines within which the President must assent to Bills passed by Parliament; sometimes the President takes time and assents to the Bills beyond the timeframe required by law and sometimes he returns the legislation beyond the stipulated time,†he said.
Long-serving MP Cecilia Ogwal (FDC, Dokolo) and Shadow Finance Minister Muwanga Kivumbi (NUP, Butambala) presented on authoring dissenting views in committees.
Muwanga Kivumbi said that can only be done by a Member who is willing to invest time to read, research and create a particular niche where the rest of the House can look up to that Member’s submission as a shrewd and informed position worth the support of Parliament.
“For you to have superior opinions, there are some small things you must learn; one is power of presence, second is you must listen and you must also rely on the researchers in Parliament and endeavour to maintain your integrity and keep true to your values,†he said.
Economist Prof Augustus Nuwagaba urged the Members to familiarise themselves with the economy of Uganda and plans for the future, so that they gear their energy towards aligning their efforts with the National Development Plan.
Both Speaker Jacob Oulanyah and Deputy Speaker Anita Among graced the workshop.
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