Author: Johnson Thembo
The government is preparing a Bill to address the management of wetlands in the country following review of the National Wetland Policy. “I plan to table amendments on the National Wetlands Policy and present the Wetlands Conservation and Management Bill to Cabinet, and thereafter, present it on the Floor of the House,” said Hon. Beatrice Anywar, the State Minister for Environment. Addressing the plenary sitting on Thursday, 25 June 2020, Anywar said an inventory and assessment to determine location, composition, land use and tenure bordering wetlands had been conducted, culminating in the development of National and District Inventory Reports regarding…
A sculpture commissioned by UWEC to celebrate the legacy of Zakayo was unveiled by the Minister of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities Hon. Col. (Rtd) Tom R. Butime at UWEC on Tuesday, 23 June 2020. Hon. Butime who was on his maiden visit as Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities recognized Zakayo as a primate conservation ambassador in Uganda. He further appreciated UWEC’s commitment to wildlife conservation education and encouraged the institution to breed species which are at risk of extinction in the wild. As part of the mandates, this role enables UWEC to build a healthy animal population as a…
The Clerk to Parliament, Ms Jane Kibirige, has donated Shs31 million to Kawempe Home Care, in support of children with cancer who cannot afford costs associated with treatment and care at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI). Ms Kibirige was moved on learning that about half of the children who seek treatment at UCI in a year survive as not all can be sustained on treatment due to costs involved. The Executive Director at New Hope Children’s Hostel, a subsidiary of Kawempe Home Care, Dr. Samuel Guma, said that many sick children stay for one or two months before abandoning treatment…
The Supreme Court on Tuesday started a month-long Civil Appeals and applications session to clear 52 claims. Notable among the matters to handled is the appeal by Male Mabirizi against the Kabaka of Buganda. The Justices participating in this session are; Esther Kisakye, Stella Arach-Amoko, Ruby Opio-Aweri, Faith Mwondha, Lilian Tibatemwa, Richard Buteera, Ezekiel Muhanguzi, Percy Night Tuhaise and Mike Chibita.
Ministry of Health has rolled out Larviciding as part of the activities to EndMalaria in Uganda. This was launched in Kabale District by the Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, this morning. Larvicding kills the young stages of the vector in the breeding sites thus reducing population of mosquitoes. Uganda is among the 10 high burden countries for malaria and accounts for an estimated 4 per cent and 3 per cent of the global number of cases and deaths respectively, despite positive trends realized over the past decade. Malaria continues to kill and prevent people especially children, from reaching…
The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Electoral Commission chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi has vowed to practice extraordinary proficiency ahead of the forthcoming 2021 general elections. Speaking while appearing in a televised talkshow, Odoi said that its high time Ugndans especially those in opposition stopped living in self-denial. He noted that the elections will happen, something that is like an exam, “whether you read or not you will do it.” “As the NRM, we will not panic, we will deal with this roadmap head-on.” Odoi maintained. His comments come in barely two days after the Electoral Commission launched a revised Roadmap…
Parliament has passed a motion urging Government to waive the payment of water and electricity bills, as one way of assisting persons affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. Masaka Municipality MP, Hon. Mathias Mpuuga, who moved the motion during the Tuesday 16 June 2020 plenary sitting, said that the Covid-19 pandemic has had devastating effects on the Ugandan economy, which would be mitigated by Government paying for the utilities to the service providers, National Water and Sewerage Corporation and UMEME. “I urge the government to consider a waiver of the payment of water and electricity due to the fact that many…
Over the past few years, distinctions between financial institutions and telecom service providers have been gradually breaking, thanks to the emergence of Financial Technology Companies (FinTechs) that are providing the needed bridge. FinTechs are transforming lives in Uganda and the entire African region for the better; facilitating payments, boosting financial inclusion and enhancing customer experience. Among the key FinTechs that has played a great role in this space in Uganda is True African, a mobile and online Financial Services Hub that provides custom tailored software solutions to address specific business needs, payment gateways to banks, collection platforms to utility service…
The Minister of Finance, Matia Kasaija, has presented a Shs45.5 trillion budget for the 2020/2021 financial year, focusing on reviving small and medium scale business that are suffering due to the Corona virus pandemic. The budget, Minister Kasaija said will seek to improve livelihoods in response to the effects of the pandemic on households. For businesses to survive, government has allocated Shs94 billion as credit through Saccos and microfinance to benefit small and medium scale businesses. Kasaija said this credit is significant since this sector accounts for 85 percent of private sector employment. An additional Shs104 billion has been provided…
The Electoral Commission has this morning launched revised Roadmap for the 2020/2021 General Elections. This comes almost three months of low-key electoral activity that occurred due the suspension of events due to public health safety concerns, arising out of the corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic, which has affected the whole world, Uganda inclusive. During the Press Conference that happened at the commission offices in Kampala, the Chairperson, Electoral Commission, Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon revealed that the process has to resume in consideration of the new normal post Covid 19 guidelines. He added that the Commission recognises the constitutional right of citizens…