Watchdog Uganda
Some of the affected organisations include Citizens Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU) and Chapter Four Uganda.
The National Bureau for NGO, which is mandated to register, regulate, monitor, inspect, coordinate and oversee all NGO operations in the country, said on Friday that the affected NGOs failed to comply with the laid down doctrines.
The Bureau says the NGOs did not file their annual returns and audited books of accounts, which is why they are now being closed. It also added that others have been operating with expired permits.
“As a result of monitoring and investigation functions the NGO Bureau has found that 54 NGOs are non-compliant with the NGO Act 2016,†said part of the statement.
Lawyer Nicholas Opiyo, the head of Chapter Four Uganda confirmed the development.
“The National Bureau for NGOs has notified us of the indefinite suspension of the permit of @chapterfourug for what they term failure to file returns & disclosing our sources of funding. We are working with the authorities to clarify what we believe is a misunderstanding,†Opiyo tweeted on Friday.
“We’ll be writing to the National Bureau for NGOs reminding them of this & other documents filed with them & other authorities in Jan this year. Audited accounts, source of funding et al. We’ve always acted above board & repudiate any representation of unlawful conduct on our part.â€
Here are the 54 NGOs whose operations have been suspended:
The NGO Bureau has with the immediate effect halted the operations of these 23 NGOs for operating with expired permits;
13.Jesus Shines Youth Ministries International
Meanwhile the Ind NGOs that have allegedly failed to file annual returns and audited books of accounts include;
And the activities of 16 NGOs halted for operating without registering with the NGO Bureau are;
Great Lakes Institute for Strategic Studies (GLISS)
Rural Acdon Community Based Organizadon
Uganda Help Florida
Centre for Sustainability Innovation and Research
Environmental Govemance Institute Uganda
Graffen Organizadon, Buümba Uganda
Kwataniza Women’s Organization
Twimukye Women’s Organizadon
Witness Radio Uganda
Youth for Green Communides
Self-worth Inidative
VZW Eight
Adept Pentecostal International Church Uganda Ltd
Innovations for Democratic Engagement and Acdon (IDEA)
Network for Active Citizens
Leadership Square Africa
Some of the affected organisations include Citizens Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU) and Chapter Four Uganda.
The National Bureau for NGO, which is mandated to register, regulate, monitor, inspect, coordinate and oversee all NGO operations in the country, said on Friday that the affected NGOs failed to comply with the laid down doctrines.
The Bureau says the NGOs did not file their annual returns and audited books of accounts, which is why they are now being closed. It also added that others have been operating with expired permits.
“As a result of monitoring and investigation functions the NGO Bureau has found that 54 NGOs are non-compliant with the NGO Act 2016,†said part of the statement.
Lawyer Nicholas Opiyo, the head of Chapter Four Uganda confirmed the development.
“The National Bureau for NGOs has notified us of the indefinite suspension of the permit of @chapterfourug for what they term failure to file returns & disclosing our sources of funding. We are working with the authorities to clarify what we believe is a misunderstanding,†Opiyo tweeted on Friday.
“We’ll be writing to the National Bureau for NGOs reminding them of this & other documents filed with them & other authorities in Jan this year. Audited accounts, source of funding et al. We’ve always acted above board & repudiate any representation of unlawful conduct on our part.â€
]]> Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Expands ‘World Without Waste’ Partnerships https://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210820/119625/coca-cola-beverages-africa-expands-world-without-waste-partnerships.html Fri, 20 Aug 2021 08:35:27 +0000 https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=119625 Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Uganda, through its Plastic Recycling Industries initiative (PRI), today expanded its World Without Waste partnerships in Uganda to increase plastic waste collection efforts countrywide.The Company signed two separate Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with Kampala-based recycling companies FengHuang Plastics Industries and Aquila Investments Limited, committing to work together to step up collection and recycling.
“We are proud to be working together with new partners to increase the number of youth and women being gainfully employed in PET waste collection and recycling it into valuable material for manufacturing and export. Our responsibility is to collect and recycle plastics, and we would like to encourage everyone to join us in this cause. We are excited to have Fenghuang and Aquilla partner with us. Together we can do more,†said Samuel Kangave, PRI Manager.
Signing the partnerships at the Uganda Manufacturers’ Association (UMA) Showgrounds Coca-Cola stand today were, PRI Manager Samuel Kangave, Fenghuang Director Jackie Gong Younting, Aquila Investments Director Eng. Dickson Kwesiga, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Uganda Public Affairs & Communications Director Simon Kaheru.
Jackie Gong Younting, a Director at FengHuang â€" a limited liability company engaged in the recycling of plastics in Uganda, said her company has the capacity to recycle up to 500 tonnes a month and was excited to partner with Coca-Cola Beverages Africa to keep Uganda clean and green.
“We have been in Uganda for 10 years and over this period, we have employed thousands of Ugandan youth. Our main business is to recycle plastics especially PET and we are honoured to do it with a reputable and committed company such as Coca-Cola Beverages Africa. We want to keep Uganda clean and continue providing jobs for the youth,†she said.
The partner representatives said they were proud to be working together with them to increase the number of youth and women being gainfully employed in plastic waste recycling. Together, PRI, Fenghuang Plastic Industry and Aquila Investments collect over 1,500 tonnes of PET Waste a month for recycling into PET flakes.
Aquila Investments Limited Founder, Eng. Dickson Kwesiga, said his dream and ambition was to work with Coca-Cola Beverages Africa on reducing or eliminating plastic waste in Uganda.
“It has been my ambition for Aquila to partner with Coca-Cola and I am happy that we are here today. We are currently processing and exporting between 100 & 150 tonnes of PET per month, and with this new partnership, we will achieve a lot more. We have the same goals and objectives as of making Uganda cleaner,†said Eng. Dickson Kwesiga.
Plastic pollution is currently one of the biggest environmental concerns due to the rise of single-use plastics. It has toxic pollutants that damage the environment and cause land, water, and water pollution.
Studies estimate that only 500 tonnes of plastic waste in Uganda is being properly managed. This indicates a collection efficiency of 30%, implying that most of the waste generated is not safely recycled and goes into the environment.
A recent study by UN Environment Program (UNEP) showed that plastic production has quadrupled over the past four decadesâ€" with its authors warning that if that trend continues, the making of plastics will make up 15% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
During the MoU signing at the Coca-Cola stand at Lugogo, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Public Affairs & Communications Director, Simon Kaheru, said the business was committed to PET Waste collection as a sustainability pillar.
“We are very proud of the partnerships that we have built over the years on this journey to rid Uganda of plastic waste. We look forward to signing more partnerships of this nature to make a difference to all Ugandans down the generations. I call upon more partners to join this effort and for the government to take note that private businesses can exist to solve a social problems,†he said.
“The Coca-Cola Company globally launched our ‘World Without Waste’ initiative with an ambitious goal of helping to collect and recycle the equivalent of every bottle sold globally by 2030. Partnerships are an important element of this ambition, and today we are moving closer to over-delivering on our target,†he said.
“Plastic waste separation and recycling is everyone’s responsibility, so I ask every Ugandan to think of Recycling when they use any plastics,†he added.
Since launching the initiative, the company has underwritten and implemented new recycling campaigns, as well as reinvented existing ones while adhering to the values of a closed-loop circular economy: a system in which all of the plastic packaging the company produces is designed to be recycled, kept in the economy, and reused in food and beverages.
At PRI, waste plastic is transformed into flake products which are mostly sold to foreign markets. These are then used to manufacture a range of products like polyester fibres (a base material for the production of clothing, pillows, carpets, etc.), polyester sheets, strapping, or back into PET bottles.
]]> Fr Gaetano advises Museveni on what he can really do to end torture of Ugandans by security operatives https://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210820/119620/fr-gaetano-advises-museveni-on-what-he-can-really-do-to-end-torture-of-ugandans-by-security-operatives.html Fri, 20 Aug 2021 08:23:55 +0000 https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=119620 The outspoken Priest of Kitanga Parish in the Kabale Diocese Rev. Fr. Gaetano Batanyenda has advised President Yoweri Museveni to prioritize the fight against corruption if he is to stop torture in Ugandan detention facilities.Fr. Gaetano’s statement is in reference to the 14th August 2021 Presidential address on Security and Human rights, in which Museveni declared the government’s commitment to stopping the torture of suspects by police and other security agencies involved in criminal investigations.
In the speech that was aired live on all radio and television stations across the country, Museveni vowed to deal with any security officers involved in torturing Ugandans in the name of crime investigations.
“Beating captives is wrong. Torture, assassination, etc are used by lazy people that are not ready to do more work using the stories of criminals if they are telling lies,†said Museveni.
Fr. Gaetano says the President’s address was only focusing on the “symptoms†rather than the “cause†of torture. He noted that corruption is the source of all human rights violations in Uganda, and Museveni should use his position to stop the vice in order to reduce the number of torture victims who usually end up in prison cells after demanding for their rights.
†If you looked at all the victims of torture, you will find out that most of them were beaten for demanding their rights to live. They are demanding access to good health services, education, accommodation, jobs and the likes. That’s how they end up in torture cells,†said Fr. Gaetano.
He explained that government funds to facilitate improvement of the services mentioned above usually end in wrong hands, and instead of punishing the corrupt officials after interdiction , Museveni usually ends up re-appointing them back to government to serve in other capacities.
Fr. Gaetano also cahallenged Museveni to demonstrate his will to fight torture by bringing to justice the security officers involved in beating up Ugandans whose pictures were broadcasted on TV during the presidential address on 14th August.
â€There’s a clear chain of command in both Police and the Army, and therefore the president should not give any excuse for not identifying the perpetrators,†said Fr. Gaetano.
However, Fr. Gaetano noted that Museveni took the right direction towards responsible leadership by coming out to admit that torture was one of the human rights violation activities inside Uganda’s detention facilities .
Gaetano who recently celebrated 45 years in priesthood believes Museveni’s speech was a Divine intervention after Ugandans cried to God for help.
“When I watched him speak with absolute calmness rather than his usual anger, I realized that Museveni was under the influence of the holy spirit. He looked so touched and concerned about the victims of torture, and to me, that’s a big step towards the end of human rights violation.â€
]]> Benon Mugarura: How Masaka businessman has lived up to his dream of managing Zebra Hotel https://www.watchdoguganda.com/business/20210820/119614/benon-mugarura-how-masaka-businessman-has-lived-up-to-his-dream-of-managing-zebra-hotel.html Fri, 20 Aug 2021 07:44:25 +0000 https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=119614 In a business perspective, very few people have the courage to invest in hotel field. Ask those that are privy with the sector, they will eventually turn the knot and say; the vocation is as hard to run as a nut business.However, such perception doesn’t exist when it comes to Zebra Hotel. The hotel is located in Masaka City along Baine Terrace road, Kizungu and its owned by businessman Benon Mugarura.
The facility is a few meters away from the State Lodge and the cleanliness, serene environment and flowers are what meet the eyes here. Reserving African culture in the is also a key here as a well as promoting traditional African clothing; jewelries, and bitengi.
Mugarura, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Zebra Hotel holds a masters degree in Business administration, a bachelors degree and a diploma in civil engineering which he attained from Makerere University.
After studying, he started imagining a clear possibility of success in his mission to be self-employed which to-date has worked miracles for him. Conversely to business, he deals in: hotel management, road construction, and farming and bakery business.
In general, he’s a merchant, and a risk taker which gives him a true identity of an entrepreneur in Masaka. And today, he has no reason to worry about the present or think much about future.
“Like any business, having a hotel is good. When you’re self-employed, you’re a boss of yourself and it’s more profitable than being employed to be a salary earner,†Mugarura said proudly.
“Owning a business is much better than earning a salary,†he assuredly opens up in an exhilarated tone.
Zebra Hotel, Masaka Bizarre as it sounds, the hotel started from a family house which was once a state apartment but later Mugarura bought it in installments at Shs48m in 1990.
He opted to modifying his house in 2001 on an acre piece of land into a modern day Hotel Zebra.
Initially, it was a fairly built up house with only three bedrooms, a sitting room and the garage where he and the wife used live as they hustle to make ends meet.
The sitting room turned out to be a restaurant and the garage into a bar, and the bedrooms turned out as lodging rooms. Each room would be charged shs.50,000 and started out with only five workers who could help provide services: foods, and beverages.
Afterwards, they were overwhelmed by customers and in order to match up the demand he used his savings, including selling of his cows at the farm in Lyantonde, and his thought of developing it rejuvenated. It became a 24 bedroomed lodging house in 2004; he was able to charge from shs.50,000, 100,000 up to 500,000 currently.
“The daily customers back then were my friends from the Engineering sector and the government, workmates and people from Masaka,†he says.
Masaka, as an area had begun to attract a number of immigrants; especially whites, he says. Not even the rentals in the area would help satisfy the increasing population
When the demand persisted still, with many people asking for conference facilities, he bought three more acres of land and today, the hotel expanded to 134 bedrooms, with a well-equipped health club and 3 huge conference rooms accommodating over 500 people.
On average, he receives over 50 guests each day. These utilize different services at the hotel. The local population prefers the mainly the health club, where they carry out physical exercises in gym, and sauna bath at Shs7000 and 10000 respectively.
Mugarura states that services such as a restaurant offers both local and international delicious foods, as well as buffet every day , a fully-stocked bar with a variety of drinks, and open parking for those with cars. Others; DStv, free internet, lovely gardens for those who prefer an open-air atmosphere especially on valentine’s day and wedding ceremonies also makes the place outstanding.
The prices of food; Shs20000 to Shs35,000 and according to him the hotel is affordable to all the clients. Many at times, people spend their evenings, and other special days, at the hotel to enjoy a delicious ice cream.
“Managing the hotel is one of those jobs I relish most. Even our clients here motivate us to raise standards and provide them with what they want.
“Hotel business needs commitment and first-class customer care. We receive a number of people here, but if we had no decent care, customers would have shunned the place. So, we aim to serve everyone like a king. My passion is to create as many jobs as I can here, and promoting tourism from within and outside,†he emphasized.
It’s during peak seasons; especially in February and December where the hotel receives a number of clients, especially from Europe although it operates slightly on about 50% every day.
Away from that, the hotel offers free seasonal training to scholars and over 1000 students majoring in catering have attained hands-on training.
Currently, they have been helping students in institutions such as; Makerere University Business School, Mutesa 1 Royal University and other surrounding institutes.
One of the long-time Hotel Zebra client Marianna Jensen, 94-years-old, an environmentalist and also a foreigner from Copenhagen-Denmark says, for the last five years, the hotel charges have been reasonably priced and the services delivered are also of a first-class.
“I usually spend a good time with the children I take care of and my friend Lone Wolf. The hotel is ever clean, with ample space where we enjoy the sunshine, and they offer delicious foods,†Marianna, said.
However, Mugarura, also the Chairman China-Africa Friendship Association Uganda (CAFAU) founded in 2012 to promote business, and trade between Africans and Chinese, says, he is also mandated to ensure that there’s an increase in balance of trade between China and Uganda as well as technological and scientific transfer from China to Uganda and cultural exchanges to contribute to Uganda’s development.
]]> Common Grammatical Errors Used In Uganda https://www.watchdoguganda.com/op-ed/20210820/119612/common-grammatical-errors-used-in-uganda.html Fri, 20 Aug 2021 06:50:08 +0000 https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=119612 By Joseph M. MumbeIn Uganda, English language has been adulterated on a very large scale. The reason is that English is not the first language to the majority of us but the second or even third.
However, a language is a skill that can be learned and perfected just like ridding.
Just keep talking and talking or writing.
Here is a list of common errors part (2):
Why? Footing is not a verb to mean walk.
Why? The matching preposition is ‘with’
Why?[Were]is used in imaginaries (subjunctive) form.
Why? Light verbs: make mistake.
Why? Comparison is between two objects; not object and person’s price. Use ‘that’
Why?Use preposition ‘to’ After word ‘prefer’.
Why? Return means to bring back, avoid repetition. ‘Re’ alone means ‘again’.
Why? Avoid using a preposition with word discuss. Transitive verb needs direct object. Talk about- not discuss about.
Why? Hair remains hair even in plural.
Why? Correct preposition ‘on’ not ‘in’
Why? Only use article ‘a’with singular verbs e.g., A four-member committee.
Why? The ‘way’ is the ‘how.’ Don’t use both in a sentence. Use one of them.
mumbej@yahoo.com
The author is a Theologian and Educator
]]> Imbalance cited in livestock compensation https://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210820/119609/imbalance-cited-in-livestock-compensation.html Fri, 20 Aug 2021 06:46:20 +0000 https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=119609 Members of Parliament have expressed concern about the ongoing verification exercise for claimants who lost livestock due to insurgencies, saying it is unfair and lacks regional balance.Government through Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs is currently verifying claimants and beneficiaries from Acholi, Lango and Teso sub-regions who lost livestock during the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and National Resistance Army (NRA) wars of the 1980s.
The Deputy Attorney General, Hon Jackson Kafuuzi said that the exercise is in advanced stages of evaluation and assessment of the livestock compensation claims.
“The display exercise is ongoing with the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs due to follow up with an exercise of compiling details of genuine claimants and beneficiaries based on bio-data using data cards,†Kafuuzi said.
Kafuuzi explained that over 90,000 court cases on livestock compensation had been by claimants prompting government to commence a verification exercise that would lead to compensation.
Legislators were however, concerned that there are other regions like Kasese which they said were harshly hit by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels but are missing in the compensation programme.
“In 1996, Kasese had its own share when it was invaded from DRC by ADF rebels. Kasese Municipality was set on fire, businesses were lost, schools were burnt and students were abducted, but no compensation has been paid†said Bukonzo East MP, Hon Godfrey Katusabe.
The Chief Opposition Whip, Hon John Baptist Nambeshe pointed out Bugisu sub-region which he said has often been neglected in government compensation programmes.
“You have deliberately left out Bugisu; if you are talking about LRA insurgency spill outs, the chief strategist of Kony hailed from Bududa and even Alice Lakwena spent nights in Bugisu,†said Nambeshe.
The request to include other regions in the compensation exercise was however met with opposition from government, on the basis that it might disrupt the already ongoing process.
“I am afraid that if we bring in something new, the northern region compensation will be pulled back,†said Kafuuzi.
Kilak North County MP, Hon Anthony Anthony wondered why government did not consult legislators from the region before commencing the verification exercise, a discussion that prompted Deputy Speaker, Anita Among to direct Kafuuzi to consult the MPs and report back to Parliament.
“By me making an order for you to sit with MPs from the respective regions, there was a reason; you would have understood the reasons, now you are going back to sit with area MPs to understand what is happening in each region,†she said.
]]> Dubai comes into focus as Uganda Airlines secures A330 type certificate https://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210819/119606/dubai-comes-into-focus-as-uganda-airlines-secures-a330-type-certificate.html Thu, 19 Aug 2021 20:33:36 +0000 https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=119606 Flag carrier Uganda Airlines has secured the type certificate for the A330-800 from the Civil Aviation Authority, opening the way for deployment of the long-haul jets into commercial service.The certification comes a week after the airline concluded a demonstration flight on the type on a service to Johannesburg, at the tail-end of the five-stage certification process.
A source confirmed reports that the type certificate was handed over to the airline by the CAA this evening.
“It is true. The Airbus is now endorsed as a type in our Air Operators Certificate,†the official who requested not to be named because they are not authorised to speak on the matter told 256BN.
The development brings to an end the protracted certification process that saw the carrier’s pair of A330’s grounded on the tarmac in Entebbe, for nearly eight months. It also gives the airline the flexibility to switch between the CRJ-900 and the higher capacity A330, on services, depending passenger and cargo demand.
Although the jets were delivered in December 2020 and February 2021 respectively, they could not be inducted into the fleet until Uganda Airlines has updated its operations manual to include procedures for operating the type. The CAA then had to examine the manual and the airlines internal procedures before signing off the certificate.
The A330’s will be used on services to London, Dubai, Mumbai and Guangzhou once Uganda gets off the red list in destination countries. The continuing restrictions on travel from Uganda have seen the planned service to Dubai slip by a month to October while that to London has now been moved to early 2022.
London, Mumbai and Guangzhou are among the top unserved point-to-point routes from Entebbe according to statistics from 2019. The Entebbe-London route had 84,000 round-trip passengers during the year, followed by Mumbai at 42,000 and Guangzhou at 29,000. That would represent a daily load of 230 passengers between Entebbe and London, 115 to Mumbai and 79 to Guangzhou.
Dubai was another robust route with 282 passenger departures daily but with five airlines serving the destination, the competition profile is steep. Johannesburg which was abandoned by South African Airways last year, is another high demand route from Entebbe with 106,000 passengers during 2019.
Combined with transit traffic, Uganda Airlines is likely to get decent loads on its flights although according to analysts it will be running on thin margins especially on the service to Dubai and Guangzhou. The one-way fare to Dubai is below USD150. Mumbai is about USD170 one-way and Guangzhou around USD 195.
Analysts see Guangzhou as a low-yielding route although still important for Uganda Airlines if it is to build a hub and have play in the China-Africa market.
London where Uganda Airlines will be landing at Heathrow ticks all the boxes of point-to-point, connecting demand, and fare performance. At just over 6000 kilometres from Entebbe, the one-way fare to London was USD235. That compares with Guangzhou which is more than 9000 kilometres away but with a fare of just USD190.
Credit: 256businessnews.com
]]> UPDF to recruit more LDU personnel starting next week https://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210819/119599/updf-to-recruit-more-ldu-personnel-starting-next-week.html Thu, 19 Aug 2021 19:17:43 +0000 https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=119599 The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) shall conduct a nationwide general recruitment exercise for Local Defence Unit (LDU) personnel starting next week.The army Spokesperson Brig Flavia Byekwaso says the recruitment that shall be conducted in observance of Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) wil commence on 23 August and end on 16th September, 2021.
“Handwritten applications to be submitted to the office of the RDC strictly between 23-27 August, 2021. Must indicate nationality, age, marital status, education and accompanied with national identity cards and academic credentials,†Brig Byelwaso said in a statement on Thursday.
†Shortlists of successful candidates will be published and pinned at district headquarters between 2-16 September 2021 and dates of reporting to recruitment centres shall be announced.â€
Brig Byekwaso added that applicants must be Ugandan citizens aged 18-29 years, medically, physically fit and must hold UCE certificate or artisan certificate with good conduct and no criminal record.
†Letter of recommendation from LC1 or GISO is a must.â€
In September 2018, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni ordered for the recruitment of 24, 000 LDUs following the rampant gun violence, kidnap and robbery crimes.
The order came after former Buyende District police commander, Muhammad Kirumira, had been gunned down in his home area in Bulenga, Wakiso District along Kampala-Mityana highway.
UPDF sent the recruits to Oliver Tambo Military School in Kaweweta in Nakaseke District where they underwent a four-month basic military training. Museveni passed out the recruits in March 2019 but over 200 had escaped from training.
]]> Ugandan national shot dead in Rwanda https://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210819/119595/ugandan-national-shot-dead-in-rwanda.html Thu, 19 Aug 2021 17:39:39 +0000 https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=119595 A Ugandan national has been shot dead in Rwanda,in yet another provocation against Uganda.Justus Kadogo Kabagambe,25,is a resident of Rutare Village,Bigaga Parish in Butanda subcounty Kabale district.
He was allegedly shot dead half a kilometre in Rwanda while smuggling Waragi and and movit cosmetics.
The deceased has crossed into Rwanda through a porous border point in Butanda subcounty.
Rwandan authorities in Burera district accuse the deceased of worst reactions while attempting to arrest him leading to his shooting.
According to the Kigezi regional police spokesperson Elly Maate, authorities in Uganda are coordinating with Rwandans to get the deceased back home.
]]>
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