FREEMAN NEWS-UG

Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has appealed to the government to consider reducing taxes on Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) as a safer alternative to traditional fossil fuels such as charcoal that she says have proven disastrous to the environment.  Recent reports reveal a concerning trend of significant forest cover loss due to widespread charcoal burning, posing a severe threat to our environment and biodiversity. In her communication during the plenary sitting of Thursday, November 30, 2023, Ms Among noted that the continued over reliance on wood and charcoal for cooking is a very big environmental disaster, which, she said, must be confronted. “As part of our continuous effort to conserve the environment and as we embark on the budgeting process for the coming financial year, I urge the Executive to consider tax incentives to reduce the cost of cooking gas and support energy efficient cooking systems so as to mitigate the loss of trees to charcoal burning,” she said. Ms Among’...

The government has finally flagged off iron sheets to the reformed Karimojong rustlers. A total of 97,555 iron sheets for 3,752 beneficiaries across the Karamoja region were flagged off from Namave on Wednesday by Prime Minister Robinah Nabanja, MPs of Karamoja, and State Minister for Karamoja Agness Nandutu, who is among the ministers facing trial in the high court for diverting the first batch of iron sheets meant for the region. The iron sheets are being transported using UPDF military trucks, and each district receives a truck packed with iron sheets. These come few months after a scandal involving top ministers engulfed the nation after they allegedly connived to steal these iron sheets. Some of the ministers that were exposed in this scandal included the Finance state Minister for Planning, Amos Lugoloobi, Karamoja Affairs minister Mary Gorreti Kitutu who was arrested alongside her brother Michael Naboya Kitutu and Agnes Nandutu the Minister in charge of Karamoja. President Yower...

Budadiri West Member of Parliament, Nathan Nandala Mafabi, has defended his decision to attend Parliamentary business amidst the ongoing boycott by the opposition.  Nandala, who also serves as the Secretary General of the opposition's Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), expressed his participation in the plenary session with the intention of providing valuable insights on the petroleum oil bill which was passed by Parliament last week. As the former leader of opposition from May 2011 until January 2014, Nandala emphasized his awareness of the detrimental impact the petroleum bill may have on the Ugandan population.  He urged everyone to remain vigilant and cautious of the potential consequences of the bill. While acknowledging the concerns of the current opposition leadership for the boycott, Nandala called on the leadership to include everyone in the opposition and agitate for a real boycott, rather than being selective.  He argued that it is not possible to boycott when ...

    Sharon Arach - UPC Spokesperson  The Uganda people’s Congress opposition political party, has commended government for its decision to revive the special branch unit in the Uganda police force. The decision comes as a result of the 27th Police Council meeting that was held at the Police Headquarters in Naguru on Thursday 23rd November 2023. The Special Branch Unit had in August 2007 been disbanded and its work taken over by the Internal Security Organisation (ISO). It has since taken the country 16 years to revive the Police Special Branch whose work was very critical as far as intelligence and security are concerned in the respective communities as the UPC party spokesperson Sharon Oyat Arach explained. “It is an institution that had firsthand information on any one, which we believe is vital not only for security purposes, but can also be used in government appointments and vetting processes.” She said Arach however, urges government to give maximum space and suppor...

At 70 years old, Safina Namukwaya delivered twins today 29th November 2023 Women's Hospital International and Fertility Centre has Set an African record after successfully delivering twins to Africa's oldest mother aged 70! Namukwaya gave birth to a baby boy and a girl  each  weighing 1.2 kg. Namukwaya delivered her babies today at 12:04 pm.  According to Dr Edward Ssali, Mother and babies are all well. Dr. further claimed that with the new technology, the age limit on birth is not a big case.

The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) faced a setback on Wednesday as it lost an appeal attempting to prevent the auctioning of several valuable properties, including the land housing the Gaddafi National Mosque in Old Kampala, to settle a Shs19b debt owed to businessman Justus Kyabahwa. Justice Christopher Gashirabake, acting as the sole judge of the Court of Appeal, ruled that the balance of convenience favored allowing businessman Justus Kyabahwa to proceed with selling the eight prime properties to recover his money. The UMSC’s attempt to prove a likelihood of success in the pending appeal or irreparable harm failed.In response to the ruling, lawyer Ahmed Kalule, representing the businessman, welcomed the decision, stating they are prepared to auction the designated properties by December 24 if UMSC fails to settle the outstanding debt. The unsuccessful appeal by UMSC followed a decision by the Commercial Division of the High Court, which ordered the auctioning of several proper...

The Prime Minister of Uganda Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah has today flagged off 53 of the 116 ambulances that have been procured by the Government and Development Partners for deployment to constituencies and hospitals in the districts.  The event, which took place at the National Records Centre in Kampala, was attended by the 2nd Deputy PM Rt. Hon. (Gen) Moses Ali, Hon. Ruth Aceng, the Health Minister and several other Ministers.  The Premier explained that the 53 ambulances can now be dispatched to the beneficiary constituencies and districts asserting that the others will be delivered later.  She said that the procurement of these ambulances is a step in the right direction towards fulfilling the 2021/26 NRM manifesto.  16 regional referral hospitals and 192 constituencies out of 353 have ambulances — representing 100% and 54% coverage respectively. The Prime Minister stated that the Government is mobilising resources to achieve 100% coverage across constituencies an...

The party president for democratic party in Uganda Hon. Nobert Mao has urged the opposition parties and government to put the Buganda, Karamoja, Northern Uganda and Rwenzururu questions as top priority if National dialogue is to be successfully conducted which will give birth to a new Uganda. He revealed this today while addressing journalists at their party headquarters at City House in Kampala. According to Mao much of the time, the opposition is mainly focussing on less relevant issues leaving out the most sensitive issues that are oppressing Ugandans at large. “buganda question, Rwenzori question, Northern question and Karamoja question those are the four questions and the answer is simple all these must be part of the national dialogue process. These are what I call the regional questions so that one package of the questions.” He said He also highlighted the issue of the transnational communities as another key factor that must be focused on as the country prepares for the Nation...

The first Son, who is also the senior presidential advisor special operations, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba together with the Kampala Capital City Authority Executive director, Dr Dorothy Kisaka inspected pothole roads in Kampala after the elite Special Forces Command Construction Regiment secured a Shs2 billion deal from KCCA to repair City Roads. According to the UPDF Engendering brigade,  the  shs2 billion cost is quite low because the government is going to use its equipment and human resources for the army. The labor and equipment are nearly covered. It was also revealed that work will be during the night but some activities must be completed during the day, noting that works are paused during peak hours. “We pause during peak hours between 6 am and 10 am and resume after 10 am and by 4 pm we should be scaling down so as we open to traffic.”- Engineer UPDF. This initiative gained momentum after a visit by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Senior Presidential Advisor in charge of Spec...

Minister Kitutu had earlier on claimed that she was tortured by security personnel & Uganda Police detectives during investigations into the case. Court has dismissed claims by Karamoja Affairs Minister Mary Goretti Kitutu that she was tortured by security agents during investigations into corruption-related cases. Few months ago, Minister Kitutu was Arrested and charged for diverting 9,000 iron sheets intended for the Karamoja Community Empowerment Programme. What You Need To Know. The dismissal of her  application means that she, will now stand trial before the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court. Kitutu is also the Woman Member of Parliament of Managwa District in Eastern Uganda. Dr Kitutu was on August 6, 2023, charged jointly with Abaho Joshua a Senior Assistant Secretary at OPM and her brother Naboya Kitutu Micheal with the offenses of loss of public property and conspiracy to defraud.

  UPDATE: The Speaker of Parliament of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Anita Among has directed government of Uganda to present a statement on the missing persons tomorrow. "I want to request Gen. Jim Muhwezi, the Minister of Security to table a statement responding to the issues of human rights violations raised by the Opposition, after the time requested by the Executive within which to respond,expired." - Among. 3rd Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Nakadama has confirmed that the statement will be presented tomorrow as directed. More details soon.......

The Shadow Cabinet has this morning resolved to continue with the Opposition boycott of Parliament sittings until when the government is ready to comprehensively respond to the Opposition demands on safeguarding human rights in the country. The cabinet chaired by the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament (LOP) Mathias Mpuuga also urged Opposition MPs to continue attending Parliamentary Committee meetings and defy an chairpersons who attempt to chase them out of the Committees. Mpuuga also cautioned political party leaders against issuing directives to their respective MPs that are intended to undermine the Opposition cause. This follows a directive by FDC and DP to its members to end the boycott and return to the House. Mpuuga said that the danger in such moves is the possibility of causing internal rifts. The DP whip, Peter Okot informed the Shadow Cabinet that the DP caucus is already in disagreement with the majority of its members opting to move against the guidance from the DP he...

Elon Musk explains why his daughter can’t marry a poor man. A few years ago there was a conference in the United States on investment and finance.  One of the speakers was Elon Musk and during the question and answer session, he was asked a question that had everyone laughing.  If he, the richest man in the world, could accept that his daughter marry a poor or modest man.  His answer can change something in everyone Elon Musk - First of all, understand that  Wealth does not mean having a fat bank account. Wealth is primarily the ability to create wealth. Example: Someone who wins the lottery or gambling. Even if he wins 100 millions is not a rich man: He is a poor man with a lot of money.  That's the reason why 90% of the lottery millionaires become poor again after 5 years. You also have rich people who have no money. Example: Most entrepreneurs. THEY are already on the road to wealth even though they have no money, because they are developing their financial i...

  " You can not claiming to be boycotting plenary but you are attending committees and fighting for trips overseas, this is a great joke by our opposition members of Parliament" - Journalist  Musamali Arnold. Yes, the opposition may have a solid reason for the boycott but I don't think there will be a report from Government regarding abduction as they required. Actually opposition members missed it out by moving out of the August House, if u want to fight your enemies, then keep them closer.  It is almost 5 sittings in Parliament without oppositions but still business is going on as the new normal, recently Parliament passed the Oil and Gass bill, opposition was no where to be seen, trust me more bills and other businesses will be transacted,.with or without the opposition in the August house and this is because the rulling Government has Numbers that dominate the opposition. What surprises me is the same people who claim to be boycotting, are the ones fighting for trips ...

Member of parliament Robert Ssekitoleko (Bamunanika County), who subscribes to the National Unity Platform (NUP), has been forced to quit the meeting of the parliamentary committee on legal and parliamentary affairs. Ssekitoleko, who was part of the committee meeting on Monday, November 27, 2023, was kicked out by fellow legislator Fox Odoi (MP West Budama North East), with a pretext that speaker Anita Among barred legislators from attending committee meetings. “The Speaker guided parliament and all its committee(s) that our colleagues, who are currently boycotting the plenary, shouldn’t participate in the meetings of committees and field visits by the committees,” Odoi said, before ordering Ssekitoleko to take leave. Fox Odoi told Ssekitoleko to abide by speaker Among’s rules and only return for committee meetings when the opposition calls off their boycott. “I am constrained to request him (Ssekitoleko) to take leave of the meeting until such time that they officially report to the p...

Israel and Hamas have agreed to extend their cease-fire for two more days past Monday, the Qatari government said, bringing the prospect of a longer halt to their deadliest and most destructive war and further exchanges of militant-held hostages for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. The announcement, made by Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majid Al Ansary in a post on X, came on the final day of the original four-day truce between the warring sides. A fourth swap of hostages for prisoners under that deal was expected later Monday. Qatar, along with the United States and Egypt, has been the key mediator in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Israel has said it would extend the cease-fire by one day for every 10 additional hostages released. After the Qatari announcement, Hamas confirmed it had agreed to a two-day extension “under the same terms.” Israeli government says it remains committed to crushing Hamas’ military capabilities and ending its 16-year rule over Gaza afte...

  Jenifer Kalule - UNEB spokesperson  As the Uganda National Examination Board(UNEB) finalises the entire examinations exercise this week, the board has urged all school heads and students to disregard any false information suggesting errors in any of their just concluded examinations. UNEB made the remarks basing on a false statement that   went viral on social media last week, notifying that the physics paper had errors and candidates will be forced to repeat it. The fake statement on social media  Speaking about the incident at the weekly security presser in Naguru today, the UNEB public relations officer Jenifer Kalule Musamba trashed the claims saying it’s from wrong source. “please note that the board doesn’t primarily use social media to communicate to the schools. When communicating to the schools, the board uses circulars sent directly or through the portal accessed by the schools. Although such information may at times find it’s way on social media platfor...

The two implicated ministers of Karamoja visited Namalu Prisons farm as the public stayed away from them. On the 17th of this month, the two ministers of Karamoja affairs implicated in the theft of iron sheets meant for the reformed Karimojong youth visited Namalu government farm in Nakapiripirit district. However, this time, their visit was not met with the usual community lining up to present praising songs and dancing as a sign of entertaining the guests. This lack of reception is a clear indication that the two ministers, Dr. Mary Goreti Kitutu and her junior, Agness Nadutu, have lost respect from the Karamoja community. The Karimojong community got wind of information that their ministers, who are supposed to help lobby for the development of Karamoja, were involved in stealing resources meant to uplift the region. As they toured harvested food in Namalu government prisons, the community did not reach out to them, nor did they wave, unlike the usual enthusiastic reception. Icumar ...

HEALTH : MP Nandala Sponsors Over 200 Hernia Operations in a Remarkable Display of Generosity" In a remarkable act of philanthropy, Nathan Nandala Mafabi, the esteemed Member of Parliament for Budadiri West, has graciously sponsored the costs of 214 hernia operations, along with the necessary post-operation care, for patients across the Bugisu Region.  This incredible initiative was brought to light by Rev Jackson Magombe, the director of operations and communications in the office of MP Budadiri West, over the weekend. Rev Magombe revealed that MP Nandala has been consistently supporting hernia operations since 2003, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of his constituents.  Over the years, a staggering total of 402,000 patients have undergone successful operations and made a full recovery, thanks to the MP's unwavering support. The generous sponsorship covers not only the costs of the operations but also includes provisions for feeding and trea...

Cavendish University is set to hold the Benjamin Mkapa Memorial Lecture 2023 with the theme: "Diplomacy and Contemporary State Formation in Africa; Role of Benjamin Mkapa in the Moshi Conference of 1978. The event will take place on the 29th of November 2023, at Sheraton Hotel in Kampala. According to the university administration, the guest of honor will be Prof. Tarsus Kabwegyere, the former Minister of General Duties, Office of the Prime Minister of Uganda. The Keynote speaker  will be Ambassador Dr. Aziz Ponary Mlima, the former Tanzania High Commissioner to Uganda & the Personal Assistant of H.E. Benjamin Mkapa. The administration of Cavendish University also disclosed to our publication that over 100 Guests are expected to be present and the panelist line-up involves experts in the field of diplomacy. This is the Second Annual Benjamin Mkapa Memorial Lecture, having held the successful Inauguration lecture last year in November, at Mestil Hotel in Kampala. Late president...

The Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, has promised to prioritize the fight against gender-based violence in Uganda. Speaker Among:- Fellow Ugandans, Today marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence. The theme for this year’s campaign, “Ending violence against women is possible, but only if we act together, now” couldn’t have come at a better time. The Police Crime Report of 2022 speaks to a rise in domestic violence, which we have come to know is almost inextricably bound to gender-based violence, and the major victims being women. For this country to realise the full yield of its human capital, we must all collectively resolve to bring gender-based violence to a steep, abrupt end. Ours is a duty to classify it as an emergency-out hand-so that we dedicate ourselves fully to its complete eradication. The pressures of poverty, especially upcountry, and among the urban poor, majorly disadvantages women, making them the poi...

The Head of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC) Hajjat Hadijah Uzeiye Namyalo has called upon the youths across the country to keep togetherness and embrace the youth empowerment and community development projects if they’re to overcome poverty. Namyalo revealed this yesterday while delivering support inform of Salon driers, shaving machines, popcorn machines, Tayloring machines, food among others to different groups of people at TLC centre in kamwokya. “i want the residents of kamwokya to be our witnesses in this project because there rumours circulating that we give you these things, and later we remove them from you. Their main objectives are to discourage you from overcoming poverty, so we’re going to work together so that we overcome such bad people.” Said Hadijah        A group receives a sewing machine S he also urged young girls and women to safe guard themselves from men who have hidden agendas, adding that this could endanger their lives. “women...

Kampala, (UG): The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Dr Chris Baryomunsi confirmed the appointment of former minister Nyombi Thembo as the new and substantial Executive Director of Uganda’s Communications Regulator – UCC. In a letter to the UCC Board, Dr Baryomunsi appointed Nyombi Thembo to lead the commission for a period of five years, taking over from Eng Irene Ssewankambo who has held the position for over three years since Mutabaazi’s departure in February 2020. Nyombi, 59, famously served as State Minister for Information Technology in the Ugandan Cabinet until 2016 when he dropped out, after losing his parliamentary seat for Kassanda County South in Mubende District. Below is Nyombi’s full profile and biography . Background and Early Life: George William Nyombi Thembo was born on 31 July 1964 in Mubende District, in a family of thirteen siblings. His father was Erisa Zziwa Bosomungho, from the Ndomboli royal family in Zenzeka, Boma, in the Democratic Republic of Congo who ...

The National Unity Platform (NUP) president, Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi's gateman and gardener,  Sharif Higenyi, is among 1,862 graduands at the Kampala International University's 28th graduation ceremony today.  Higenyi is graduating with a diploma in Public Administration. Higenyi is security guard by night, gardener by day, and used to study on weekend. He Thanked everyone for  making his come true. Due to Joy, Kyagulanyi immediately hit his social media to congratulate his hardworking Gateman. "Today is a happy day in our home.  W arm congratulations to one of our special employees, friend and family member-Higenyi Sherif. A security guard by night, gardener by day, and student by weekend.  H e graduates today from Kampala International University. Thank you for making us proud and for being an inspiration to many other Ugandans who seek self development amidst challenging circumstances. May Allah reward your hard work and discipline and may he answer all your p...

The lead pastor of Christian Life Church, Pastor Jackson Senyonga has challenged the Director of Public Prosecution DPP to serve equal justice by prosecuting and re-opening the closed file of youths who are accusing the lead pastor of Rubaga Miracle center Cathedral, Pastor Robert Kayanja of sodomizing them just as he prosecuted the victims for alleged criminal trespass. Addressing a press conference on Tuesday morning at his church in Kampala, Pastor Senyonga said that he established that the young men went to pastor Kayanja’s church at miracle center alleging that they had been sodomized by pastor Kayanja and that they were subsequently arrested for criminal trespass.  Watch Video And that he also established that the boys lodged a complaint against pastor Kayanja insisting that he sodomized them. Unfortunately, Pastor Senyonga says the DPP opted to prosecute the alleged sodomy victims for allegedly tarnishing Pastor Kayanja’s name and for criminal trespass but decided to close t...

  Winners pause for a photo with prime minister Nabbanja The Uganda revenue authority on 23rd November, 2023 appreciated various Taxpayers by awarding them under the theme “celebrating the Economic Heroes of Uganda.” During the awarding ceremony, the commissioner General of the Authority John Rujoki Musinguzi noted that there is a deep sense of gratitude and admiration for each and every taxpayer attending the ceremony but not just about numbers and financial transactions. “It’s about the collective commitment to building a better society. I am honored to express our heartfelt appreciation to all the individuals and businesses who have fulfilled their civic duty by paying taxes,” Musinguzi stated. He says taxpayers are the unsung economic heroes of the country, contributing to the foundation upon which shared aspirations are built. He adds that taxpayers’ willingness to contribute their hard-earned income is not merely a legal obligation but a testament to their dedication to the w...