Author: Our Reporter

South Sudan’s government has announced that it cancelled a plan to hold a celebration of the country’s independence on the 9 July anniversary this year due to economic crisis. South Sudan used to commemorate the day every year on 9 July when it gained its independence from Sudan in 2011. This will be the second time the world’s youngest national will fail to celebrate its independence due to shortage of money. Speaking to journalists after the cabinet meeting on Friday, Michael Makuei, Minister of Information and Communications, said the government resolved not to celebrate the sixth anniversary of the independence due to lack…

Local Government leaders have asked Parliament to consider improving and waive taxes on emolument and allowances of Councillors. In a petition presented to the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, the leaders asked for a gross total monthly remuneration package of UShs 15 million. They also recommended that in addition to the proposed specific amount per District Chairperson, government registers a 100 percent increment for emoluments of other Executive Leadership and Councillors at district, Municipal Sub County and Town Council Local Governments. “Government should waive the Pay As You Earn Tax and any other tax on Councillors’ allowances and…

The young people of Uganda have asked Parliament to enact a policy requiring the use of National Identification at points of purchase in order to prevent underage consumption of alcohol. In a petitioning to the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, today, Friday 23rd June 2017m the children said they could easily access alcohol from kiosks, supermarkets, hotels, at parties and in the community despite the presence of a law barring its consumption by children under 18 years. Straight Talk Foundation led the children from St. Julian SSS, Railway Primary School, Winterland Primary School and Uphill College, Mbuya who…

South Sudan police have called on internally displaced persons who fled to UN camps in Juba following fighting in December 2013 to return home, saying the newly graduated joint police officers are equipped to provide security. In a press statement on Thursday, Daniel Justin Boula, Spokesman of South Sudan Police Service, said the first batch of the Joint Integrated Police (JIP) in Juba have been tasked with rebuilding the lost confidence by providing adequate security. Last week, the South Sudan Police Service graduated more than 1,000 integrated police made up of both government and opposition. The Joint Integrated Police (JIP) is…

South Sudan’s army has denied accusations of killing civilians in Wau Shilluk area following the latest Amnesty International report blaming government troops (SPLA) on civilian killings in Upper Nile. SPLA spokesman Santo Domic said in Juba on Thursday that the Amnesty International report is false, arguing that the SPLA was not involved in any atrocities committed against citizens in Upper Nile. Domic accused Amnesty International of having ill intentions towards South Sudan. He pointed out that international rights groups were supposed to be neutral. Amnesty International said in its report that South Sudan army burned, shelled and systematically looted homes…

Parliament has overwhelmingly approved recommendations from its Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises requiring the 42 public officials to refund the Ushs 6 billion they shared out for participating in the oil tax arbitration case that the government of Uganda won in London. This was one of nine recommendations made by the Committee on COSASE, chaired by Hon. Abdu Katuntu (FDC, Bugweri), following months of investigations into the reward, which was paid to the officers by the President. In January this year, the Speaker asked the Committee on COSASE to investigate claims that the public officers solicited for…

South Sudan’s Media Authority has lifted the ban on foreign journalists who were prevented from operating within the country. The media regulatory body recently said it had banned at least 20 foreign journalists from media coverage in the country for what it termed “unsubstantiated and unrealistic stories.” The body was created under a bill signed into law in 2014. Its members, including representatives of the National Security Service, Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, were appointed by President Kiir. Alfred Taban, Head of Information at Steering Committee for National Dialogue, told Radio Tamazuj on Thursday that the Media…

Atleast 50 criminal appeals are to be handled in yet another Court of Appeal Criminal Session for the greater Mbale Region that opened this week. The Deputy Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Steven B.K. Kavuma, officially opened the Session at the Mbale High Court on Monday (June 19, 2017).  To camp in Mbale for the next 31 days is a panel of three Justices of Appeal: Hon. Lady Justice Elizabeth Musoke, Hon. Justice Cheborion Barishaki and Hon. Justice Paul K. Mugamba. Cause-listed are 44 murder appeals, Defilement (4); Robbery (1)) and Manslaughter (1). The cases scheduled for completion by 18th July…

Ahead of the Uganda Cranes regional tour to Western region, a provisional formidable team of 21 players has been named by the Western Regional Football Association. According to the Western Region FA General Secretary, Olivia Mugisha, coach Vialli Bainomugisha will handle the team that starts residential training on Monday, 3rd July 2017. Western region hosted the first ever tour under the brand ‘Cranes Na Mutima‘ in 2014 at the Kakyeka stadium in Mbarara. Seven more players will be added to make a total of 28. The head coach will name the final team by 6th July ahead of the match slated…

The Speaker of Parliament, Right Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, this week launched the distribution of re-usable sanitary pads to schools in northern Uganda. In a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) drive by Parliament dabbed ‘Keep a Girl in School’, Rt. Hon.  Kadaga spoke with a heavy heart about the plight of girls who have a challenge managing menstruation while at school. The Speaker, who launched the distribution of reusable pads in Lamwo District on Monday, 19th June 2017, noted that menstruation was accounting for absenteeism, high dropout rates and poor performance by girls. “This is deplorable and unacceptable. We must all resolve…