The Monitor (Uganda) articles from September 2008

The Monitor (Uganda) archives from September 2008

KCC Petitions House Over Police Interference.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Robert Mwanje Kampala City Council (KCC) has petitioned Parliament and Local Governments Association over interference by Police in the execution of its duties. In the petition, Kampala Mayor Nasser Ntege Sebaggala and his...

Zain Takes One Network to Saudi Arabia.
September 30, 2008... Zain customers travelling to Mecca, Saudi Arabia can enjoy the benefits of Zain's One Network service. Every year, hundreds of Ugandans travel to Saudi Arabia and this year some 320 Ugandans have already made the trip and are expected to...

Tears of Joy As Ugandan Asians Visit Their Country.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Ephraim Kasozi At 80 years, Mr Jethalal Pandya is no longer the sprightly businessman who took his first steps in business from Masaka District before the 1972 expulsion of the Asian community from Uganda by then president Idi...

Countries in Trade Talks.
September 30, 2008... Byline: David Kezio-Musoke Tanzania's attitude to cautiously open doors to businesses from within the East Africa region, having been conservatively protective, was boosted recently when the country signed a Memorandum of Understanding...

Bankom Falls Short of Market Expectations.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Elias Biryabarema When Bankom, the company that was supposed to interlink all ATMs in Uganda, launched its service three years ago, it seemed to herald a new era of banking characterised by ubiquitous cash access points across the...

Army Dismisses UN Report On Karamoja.
September 30, 2008... Byline: David Mafabi The UPDF has dismissed the recent UN report on Karamoja and described it as unrealistic and not a reflection of the security situation in the region. The UPDF said declaring certain regions 'no go zone' areas in...

Set Deadline for Northern Bypass.
September 30, 2008... It is coming to four years since construction of the Northern By-pass started. The contractors- Salini Constructors- were expected to do the job quickly and well but to date they are lacking in beating the deadline and meeting the desired...

Bushenyi Vice Chairman Dropped in New Reshuffle.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Alfred Tumushabe The Bushenyi Chairperson, Mr Longino Ishanga Ndyanabo last week reshuffled his executive, with one of the casualties being his deputy, Mr Benon Karyeija. The shake-up was announced at a district council...

Prison Warders Arrested Over Forged Certificates.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Alfred Nyongesa Wandera and Lydia Mukisa Seven prison warders said to have deserted the force were last Tuesday arrested for allegedly forging discharge certificates with the aim of being employed in Iraq. Speaking to Daily...

False Spiritual Healing Threatening Fight Against HIV/Aids - Experts.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Kakaire A. Kirunda Unverified faith healing is posing a threat to adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) by persons living with HIV/Aids. This was revealed last Saturday by The Aids Support Organisation Executive Director,...

Continent Seeks Common Front Against Use of Cluster Bombs.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Paul Amoru As the conference on cluster bombs got underway in Kampala yesterday, delegates from more than 40 African countries made rallying cries for governments from the affected countries to take the anti-cluster bombs crusade...

Ambassador Speaks Out On Country's Two MIllion Acre Land Claim.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Tabu Butagira In the past week, the alleged claim by Egypt's Agriculture minister Amin Abaza that Uganda offered his country over 2 million acres of fertile land to produce wheat to feed the Arab nation's 81 million people has...

Man Sues Mulago Over Wife's Death.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Lydia Mukisa A man, whose wife died while giving birth at Mulago Hospital, has sued the government and two doctors for alleged negligence. Lt. Col. Christopher Kiyingi wants court to order both the government and the doctors,...

Why Is Malaria in Continent Worsening Despite Aid?
September 30, 2008... Byline: Julian Harris and Jasson Urbach The UN convened last week in New York to discuss its Millennium Development Goals and the aim of "ending poverty by 2015." Delegates and a rock star boasted of billions of dollars transferred to...

Express Forfeit Three Points And Fined As Kabenge Quits.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Yasser Kalyango and Douglas Bugingo Express FC's inconsistent start to the season hit new depths yesterday when the Fufa Competitions Committee (FCC) stripped them of three points and fined the club shs2m for the abandonment of a...

ICEA Insurance Ventures Into Unit Trusts.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Tom Magumba Ugandans with reasonable sums of money but which may not be sufficient for direct investment in the stock market now have an option of pooling money for investment through the newly introduced Insurance Company of...

Inspector General of Govt Recommends Jinja Mayor's Sacking Over Graft.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Pauline Kairu The Inspector General of Government, Ms Faith Mwondha, has recommended the sacking of Jinja Mayor Mohammed Baswala Kezaala over alleged abuse of office. "It was established that as head of the executive...

Global Crisis Will Not Destabilise Country'ss Markets.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Walter Wafula Uganda's capital markets are not at risk of losing foreign exchange to overseas investors like other global markets, a prominent financial researcher has said. The disclosure comes at a time when global...

NSSF Hearing Resumes Today.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Sheila Naturinda The parliamentary investigations into the Temangalo land sale between National Social Security Fund and Security Minister Amama Mbabazi resumes today with the committee receiving submissions from the families...

Security Firms Need Strict Monitoring System.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Namayanja Rose Nsereko As you go around office buildings, embassies, residential areas and commercial premises, you will marvel at the numerous private security guards clad in different uniforms some almost similar but from...

KCC Still Favourites to Take League Title, Says Mayanja.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Douglas D. Bugingo and Yasser Kalyango Bunamwaya FC coach Jackson Mayanja still believes KCC can recover and defend the Super League title despite suffering two straight defeats. Mayanja led Bunamwaya to a convincing 3-1...

Group Wants International Court Charges Dropped for Peace.
September 30, 2008... Byline: James Eriku and Justine Muboka A section of leaders in the Acholi sub-region last week united in criticising the International Criminal Court for insisting that indicted senior leaders of the Lords Resistance Army be prosecuted....

Details Emerge On Egypt Land Claim.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Tabu Butagira President Yoweri Museveni initiated talks with Egyptian officials over the possibility of growing wheat and corn for the north African state in Uganda but no firm offer of land was made, Egypt and State House...

Arrested for a Crime He Did Not Know.
September 30, 2008... Byline: John K. Abimanyi He was going about his business transporting people on his boda boda when he was suddenly arrested by the Police. It was one of the worst days of his life. Phillip Mwesiga tells John K. Abimanyi his story. ...

Muhwezi Suspect in Bank Robbery - Police.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Rodney Muhumuza, Gerald Bareebe and Andrew Bagala Police are investigating whether Rujumbura MP Jim Muhwezi was among the conspirators in last week's attempted robbery of Shs10 billion at the Garden City branch of Stanbic Bank, a...

UABCA to Boycott General Assembly.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Sande Bashaija The chaos in boxing doesn't seem to come to an end. The Uganda Amateur Boxing Clubs Association (UABCA) says its members won't attend the general assembly due October 25 in Kasese. The assembly has been called...

Interview - 'Cluster Bombs Are an EA Regional Problem'.
September 30, 2008... Delegates representing forty five Africa governments spent two days in Kampala rallying for a united African front in the effort to stop the manufacture and use of cluster munitions like landmines on the continent. On the sidelines of the...

Police Holding Man Linked to Iron Bar Hit Men.
September 30, 2008... Byline: Alfred Nyongesa Wandera Police at Central Police Station in Kampala are holding a man believed to have been masterminding the night attacks on boda boda cyclists and passengers. Speaking at a press briefing yesterday where...

Finance Minister Defies Cabinet Orders.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Grace Natabaalo and Lominda Afedraru Finance Minister Ezra Suruma has defied orders from Cabinet and Vice President Gilbert Bukenya to suspend the National Social Security Fund board and send the Fund's top two officials on forced...

Mengo Offers Bukenya Lubiri Land for Rice Growing.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Al-Mahd Ssenkabirwa and Robert Mwanje The Buganda Kingdom has offered an acre of Mengo Palace land to Vice President Gilbert Bukenya to establish a demonstration farm for promoting rice growing in the kingdom. Mengo palace...

Tackling Bottlenecks to Improve Agriculture.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Moses Byaruhanga Last week in my series on the strategic way forward for Uganda, I wrote that if Uganda was to take advantage of its agricultural potential and produce for the region and overseas, we have to mechanise...

WFP Cuts Food Aid to Country.
September 29, 2008... The United Nations World Food Programme is withdrawing food aid to some HIV-positive people in Uganda as part of broader cutbacks following a shortfall in funding. The decrease in food aid is estimated to affect 1.5 million people, in...

Microsoft, USAID Team Up to Support ICT Education.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Elias Biryabarema The Microsoft Corporation has formed an alliance with the USAID to provide the Ministry of Education with critical information and communication tools to help it gather more broad and accurate data in the...

Lonyesi Keen to Reverse Police Slide.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo Whether its beginners' luck or a tactical masterstroke, only time will tell if Super League side Police FC have turned the corner. Their Friday 2-1 triumph over Express at Namboole, their third in eight...

Complete NSSF Inquiry Quickly.
September 29, 2008... The investigation by a committee of Parliament into the circumstances under which the National Social Security Fund bought land from Security Minister Amama Mbabazi and businessman Amos Nzeyi has been running for several weeks now with no...

Bunnamwaya Ambush KCC FC.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Yasser Kalyango and Douglas Bugingo Bunnamwaya Sports Club handed league champions Kampala City Council FC their second consecutive defeat after hitting them 3-1 in an exciting game played yesterday at Nakivubo Stadium. Yuda...

Eight On Death Row for Murder.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Ephraim Kasozi Eight people were convicted and sentenced to death over murder by the High Court criminal session held at Mubende during the months of August and September, according to the official report of court proceedings....

Red Cross to Support 10,000 in Karamoja.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Al-Mahdi Ssenkabirwa Over 10,000 Karimojong will benefit from a new programme by Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS). Under the programme each household in Apeitolim, Lomaratoit and Nabwal resettlement camps will get farm implements...

Nsubuga to Set Pace in MTN Marathon.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Sande Bashaija Joseph Nsubuga will only take part in the MTN Kampala International Marathon as a pacesetter. A silver medalist in last year's 42.195km event, Nsubuga is currently undergoing residential training in Kabale District...

Cocksure Heathens Clinch Sevens.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Innocent Ndawula and Ismail D. Kigongo Local rugby giants MTN Heathens added yet another trophy to their already bulging cabinet by clinching the 2008 uganda telecom (utl) 7s rugby title after winning the Kitaka Memorial 7s at...

Hailstorms Destroy Crops in Lira.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Hudson Apunyo Heavy rains with hailstorm have for the last one month continued to destroy crops and kill animals and birds in different parts of Lango Sub-region. The worrying situation is coming after people expected to get...

Hwan Sung Aids Heart Patients.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Veronica Kagona Hwan Sung Group through its umbrella organisation Hwan Sung Medical charity services, has sponsored open heart surgery for three Ugandans suffering from different heart diseases. They left for Samsung Seoul...

Kony Representatives After Money, Says Acholi Cultural Chief.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Joseph Mazige and Cissy Makumbi The three groups representing LRA leader Joseph Kony are after amassing wealth, the Acholi Paramount chief, Rwot Onen Acana II has said. The groups are led by Matsanga Nyekorach, Martin Ojul and...

21 Prosecutors, Investigators Trained to Fight Corruption.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Alfred N. Wandera Twenty-one prosecutors and investigators from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Criminal Investigations Directorate and the Inspectorate of Government on Friday graduated after a five-day training in...

Wakiso Residents Want Stone Quarry Closed.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Joseph Miti Residents of Kiryamuli Parish, Gombe Sub-county in Wakiso District have asked the government to halt operations of two stone quarries saying they are a threat to their lives and property. Residents who talked to...

Empowering People Living With HIV Very Crucial.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Rose Byamutuma After 25 years of a generalised HIV epidemic in Uganda, a lot of progress in terms of mitigating the effects of the disease has been made. People who have contracted HIV can now live longer and enjoy healthier...

Govt to Give Mountains of the Moon Varsity Shs500 Million.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Joseph Mugisa The government will this year give Kabarole-based Mountains of the Moon University a grant of Shs500 million, the Minister of Education and Sports, Ms Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire has said. The minister said...

Mbale in Garbage Sensitisation Campaign.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Ahmed Wetaka Mbale Municipality last week resolved to sensitise residents on how to sort out garbage before the newly-installed decomposing plant starts operation. The plant in Namatala, a Mbale suburb, has been set up by the...

Witchcraft Increases Poverty, Says NGO.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Dan Wandera Communities that practice witchcraft or that believe in superstition and religious fanaticism have little chance to progress and fight poverty in the modern economy, an NGO leader has said. The East African...

Time for Mimi to Pay for Gossiping.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Robert Kalumba One thing for sure, the gods must be smiling on TK. He is head of house again, effectively ruling out the possibility of him being evicted for at least one more week- even if he is nominated tonight. The same...

Hoima Ready to Offer Land to Museveni.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Francis Mugerwa Hoima District authorities are ready to offer land to President Yoweri Museveni, the chairman of the district land board Mr Yesero Mugenyi has said. Mr Mugenyi said there is abundant public land in the...

Cluster Bombs Conference On.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Paul Amoru Diplomats from 40 African states are today meeting in Kampala to step up the anti- cluster bombs crusade and challenge their governments to sign the new international treaty banning cluster bombs. President...

Besigye - Mbabazi Targeted Unfairly.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Gerald Bareebe Abandoned by many colleagues in Cabinet and in the ruling National Resistance Movement party, Security Minister Amama Mbabazi over the weekend received support from an unlikely corner ; opposition leader Dr Kizza...

Morekebu; One School's Story With Zain's Build Our Nation.
September 29, 2008... It was 2006, when Morekebu Primary School, Kwapa in Tororo District, was visited by a team from Zain Uganda (then Celtel). The company had earlier in the year launched an initiative to support education in the country- the Build Our Nation...

Development Goals - Country On Course But Challenges Remain.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Grace Natabaalo Nearly every school day, 14-year old Gloria Abako from Endru Primary School in Arua district agonises about taking afternoon lessons on an empty stomach. "My parents say they don't have money to pack food for...

Muhwezi Fears Arrest Over Bank Robbery.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Andrew Bagala and Gerald Bareebe Rujumbura MP Jim Muhwezi, yesterday distanced himself from last Thursday's attempted robbery of Stanbic Bank, Garden City branch in which his bodyguard and political aide were allegedly involved....

Ring Legend Ouma to Consider Retirement.
September 29, 2008... Byline: James Ssekandi and Douglas Bugingo US-based professional pugilist Kassim 'The Dream' Ouma has hinted that he may retire after his fight against Clay Martinus on Saturday, October 4 when he headlines a card at the National Guard...

Using Education to Stay Safe.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Sarah Achen Kibisi Kevin Nalule a pupil in primary six at St. Kizito Ttikkalu Primary School in Gombe. Due to a twist of fate, she is in a better position because she has learnt the importance of abstaining from early sex in...

If We Had a Mbeki, What Would Besigye Be?
September 29, 2008... The legal showdown between former South African President Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki and ANC President Jacob Zuma rattled the political establishment in Pretoria leading to last week's resignation of Mr Mbeki. It was a turning point in African...

Africa CC Aim to Stave Off Relegation to Plate League.
September 28, 2008... Byline: Innocent Ndawula Africa Cricket Club have for the last two seasons (2006 & 2007) enjoyed the title of champions with assuredness but they will not be winning any silverware as they are far off the radar. Having began the 2008...

Police Foil Shs5 Billion Stanbic Bank Robbery.
September 28, 2008... Byline: Andrew Bagala Police have arrested six people in connection with an attempted robbery of $3 million (Shs5.3 billion) from Stanbic Bank, Garden City on Thursday, Sunday Monitor has learnt. Police identified the suspects as Mr...

Muhwezi, Mbabazi Feud Will Only Weaken Probe Outcome.
September 28, 2008... Byline: Risdel Kasasira For the last one month, the NSSF Temangalo land saga has been the lead story both in broadcast and print media. This is precisely because it involves a man who has been described by his fans as "Mr Clean" and at...

Unbowed - One Woman's Story.
September 28, 2008... Byline: Dora Barungi Seemingly tireless and fearless, Wangari Maathai demonstrates in her memoirs that change is possible. The 2004 Nobel Laureate, and first woman in Kenya to get a doctorate degree, has prevailed against many emotional...

Choir Girl Taking Huge Leaps in Her Singing Stride.
September 28, 2008... Byline: Edgar R. Batte The reigning Pearl of Africa Music (Pam) Awards' best folk-pop artiste, Dorrys Mutahunga, expects to cap on her double nomination this year, competing again for the best folk pop mantle as well as that for the...

It is Game Over for Amama Mbabazi.
September 28, 2008... Byline: Rodney Muhumuza What should have been a straightforward job for the parliamentary committee that is probing the Temangalo land saga may wind up being complicated and messed up. Some of the lawmakers on the committee are...

Local Gov't PS Vincent Ssekkono Retires.
September 28, 2008... Byline: Alfred Nyongesa Wandera After several years of service as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Vincent Ssekono has called it quits. Mr Ssekono is famously remembered as the former Electoral Commission...

Akope Upbeat About Ug Open.
September 28, 2008... Byline: Innocent Ndawula Uganda Professionals Golfers Association (UPGA) captain Deo Akope and the trio of the other homeboys that made the cut have vowed to wrestle the foreigners for the title and top cash prize in the Shs10m utl...

Hundreds of Kinyara Sugar Workers Fear Dismissal.
September 28, 2008... Byline: Francis Mugerwa Masindi Hundreds of workers at Kinyara Sugar Works Limited in Masindi District are living under a cloud of fear and uncertainty. Many workers at the sugar plant fear that their jobs are insecure. Concerns of...

Relief Worker in Food Business.
September 28, 2008... Byline: Hudson Apunyo As peace returns to northern Uganda, some relief workers who have been the pillars of hope to the displaced people are diverting to other commercial ventures. Mr Brian Davis, a relief worker from Chicago in US...

Cecafa Challenge Cup Pushed.
September 28, 2008... Byline: Yasser Kalyango and Douglas Bugingo The Council for the East and Central Africa Football Association (Cecafa) has moved the prestigious Senior Challenge Cup from November to January next year. Due to logistical concerns from...

Path to Progress; Why Cutting Down Mabira is Not an Option.
September 28, 2008... Byline: Rev. David Kashangaki Jeffrey Sachs has a new book out. The renowned author and economist, in a follow-up to his 2005 best seller, "The End of Poverty," continues his assessment of the global economy and what it will take to meet...

Substandard Films Storm the Industry, Local Filmmakers Simply Making a Quick Buck.
September 28, 2008... Byline: Edwin Nuwagaba Most evenings as you walk downtown, there is a truck selling a new Ugandan movie on the streets. The truck, decorated with posters of the new film, moves at a very slow pace as the deejay atop, through the huge...

Ten Rose for Every Thorn One Day.
September 28, 2008... Byline: Nafha M. Ebrahimi It is such a hard job being a columnist! Herein am not talking about the time, effort and research one has to do for the given space, I am not even talking about the inspiration that should 'descend upon' and...

Student Faces Teacher As KCC FC Clash With Bunnamwaya.
September 28, 2008... Byline: Douglas Bugingo and Yasser Kalyango Student faces teacher this afternoon when defending champions Kampala City Council FC face Bunnamwaya in the pick of National Super league fixtures this evening. KCC coach George 'Best'...

Mapping the Path to Tomorrow Without Donors.
September 28, 2008... Byline: Emmanuel Oe Bukabeeba The just-ended National Science Week is to be lauded for opening up the development debate in Uganda. In his article published on September 22 in New Vision, Prof. Muhongo blames IMF/World Bank for...

CMI Conned By Former Kony Rebels.
September 28, 2008... Byline: Angelo Izama Three former rebels of the Lord's Resistance Army who had been offered amnesty by the government of Uganda have been arrested by military intelligence for suspected con-artistry in a scandal that shows the darker...

Saved From the Jaws of Death.
September 28, 2008... Byline: John Augustine Emojong Every dog has its day, the wise saying goes. And so does every man. At 12, Cornelius Obbo Kibira has both painful and sweet memories of such situations. Painful because of what he went through, and sweet...

NSSF Sues Sheraton Hotel Over Shs1.5 Billion.
September 28, 2008... Byline: Lydia Mukisa The National Social Security Fund has sued Sheraton Kampala Hotel over failure to pay shs1billion being contribution for its employees. NSSF, which is a statutory body established under the NSSF Act to collect...

Ally With Other Regions, Buganda Told.
September 28, 2008... Byline: Nelson Wesonga Buganda should ally with other regions in order to achieve its much cherished federo system of governance, Dr Jean Barya, a law teacher at Makerere University has said. "There is need for strategic alliances....

Cabinet Rejects Suruma Wish to Fire Fund Bosses.
September 28, 2008... Byline: Richard Wanambwa Cabinet on Wednesday turned down a request by Finance Minister Dr Ezra Suruma that it approves his wish to sack the two top managers of National Social Security Fund (NSSF). According to a source who attended...

KCC's Bitter Lesson And a Lot of Egg On Its Face.
September 28, 2008... Byline: James Abola When I sat down to watch the evening TV news on Friday, September 19, one of the news items was the announcement by Ms Florence Namayanja, the deputy mayor of Kampala City Council (KCC), banning boda boda (motorcycle...

In the Global Crisis of Capitalism.
September 28, 2008... Byline: Prof Dani W. Nabudere The present financial crisis afflicting the global economy should not be seen from the narrow focus of the credit crunch and its relationship to the sub-prime mortgage crisis in the Western countries,...

Gov't Must Explain Egypt Land Claim.
September 28, 2008... Yes, it is a serious matter of grave national concern that the Agriculture Minister of Egypt, Amin Abaza declared to the Al-Ahram newspaper in late August that Uganda gave his country slightly more than two million acres of fertile land to...

8,500 Cases of Rabies Are Reported Annually.
September 28, 2008... Byline: Martin Ssebuyira Uganda is today marking the World Rabies Day to raise awareness of the disease, a government official has said. Dr Chris Rutebanika, the Assistant Commissioner Animal Resources said the celebrations would be...