FREEMAN NEWS-UG

  There was drama at Mpigi High Court on 28 th May 2024 when the resident judge Justice. Anthony Oyuko visibly angry that a litigant had written to him to step down from hearing his case because of bias.  The judge took two hours denigrating and berating a lawyer for representing such a client despite the lawyers protest that he had no hand in the matter because he had just received instructions in another application. The lawyer’s pleas for the judge to rule on the infamous application and hear the case that brought him to court fell on deaf ears as the judge insisted on seeing the litigant first, he threatened to detain him(the applicant) had he been in court. He declared that the applicant will have to appear before him, his registrar and all the staff of his court to prove his claims and will be detained should he fail.  He pushed the matter to 11 th June 2024 for the applicant to come to court. He declared in open court that he would put the file under key and lock a...

  Prime Minister Rt Hon Robinah Nabbanja has issued a stern directive to utility service providers, urging them to expedite the relocation of service lines to ensure the timely completion of vital road construction projects in Kampala . During her Thursday tour, Nabbanja inspected the Kyebando Ring Road in Kawempe Division, as well as 7th Street and 8th Street, identifying critical issues such as right-of-way acquisition and delayed service line relocations as major bottlenecks. These are some of the roads being constructed under the Kampala City Roads Rehabilitation Project (KCRRP). Nabbanja called on key utility providers, including Umeme, National Information Technology Authority (NITA-U), National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), and the Police, to enhance their coordination and speed up the shifting of service lines to prevent further delays. Expressing frustration with the current pace of progress, Nabbanja demanded immediate action from contractors a...

All is not well in Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) .The latest spat started when Gashumba, PLU’s Deputy Chairman posted on his X handle accusing Security Agencies of sleeping on job and yet insecurity was spiraling out of control in Kampala City. In that post, Gashumba tagged General Muhoozi among other Security Chiefs saying if the mighty UPDF that fought Al Shabaab in Somalia why can’t it fight these unarmed thugs. He also advised Security Chiefs to resign if these small boys can defeat them to handle. Unimpressed, Hon. Michael Mawanda Member Of Parliament for Igara East Bushenyi District, also chairperson of PLU Disciplinary Committee wrote to Gashumba to appear before PLU’s Disciplinary committee arguing that the latter’s outburst in the Media had brought disrepute to PLU’s Chairman, General Muhoozi. Before the dust could settle down, Gashumba went into a diatribe which he shared in the social media on Tuesday 28th May lambasting Mawanda for being a Cooperatives’ Union money thief...

  The Democratic Party (DP) Central Bloc has today, 29 th  May, 2024 terminated its alliance with Robert Kyagulanyi’s National Unity Platform (NUP) Party. Addressing the media, the Bloc’s leader, Michael Mabikke said Bobi Wine is best suited in music but not the intricate science of managing a country. “The right place Mr. Kyagulanyi should be is in entertainment, and not the complex and mind consuming affairs of leading the struggle, these are not easy things and they not for entertainment, when you play with politics and power, generations can die,” Mabikke said. He was accompanied by Lubega Lukaku who was fired by Bobi Wine in 2020 from the latter’s presidential campaign team. Lubega was among the first DP Memers who crossed to Bobi Wine’s NUP. He also belongs to Mabikke’s Social Democratic Party (SDP). Meanwhile,  Mabikke  being president of SDP has always had a working cooperation with DP. He however, crossed to NUP in the early 2020’ before retrac...

  Lwemiyaga County Legislator Hon.Theodore Ssekikubo and Sarah Opendi who are leading the collection of signatures to censure four parliamentary commissioners accused of misconduct where over 135 signatures have so far been raised out of the 177 signature required. Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga County) who is leading the collection of signatures thanked Nsibambi for joining the cause against corruption noting, Thank you on behalf of the people of Mawokota County for doing this noble duty. We aren’t after anybody but as Parliament, we should be leading by example in the fight against corruption.” Additionally, Agnes Taaka (Bugiri DWR) also appended her signature to the censure motion, saying her move is based on the need to have Commissioners account and explain the various allowances they have been drawing as members of the Parliamentary Commission. Yusuf Nsibambi (Mawokota South) who also doubles as FDC Party Whip has led his Party in appending his signature on the...

  The controversial National Unity Platform (NUP) man, Moses Bigirwa, who baptised himself a General and founder member PP005 has dumped the party and formed his own political pressure group. The new group is set to take on NUP and has already grabbed many of its mobilizers. Bigirwa, together with other disgruntled NUP youths from the different districts of Eastern region, launched the pressure group on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, in Jinja city. Named Eastern Revolutionary Platform (ERP), the pressure movement is headed by Bigirwa himself as the president. Ivan Masha is serving as the deputy president, Francis Adepho, Secretary General, while John Ndaula was unveiled as the movement publicist. With a slogan “Eastern First,” the group, according to Bigirwa, aims to demand the shares of the Eastern region on the National Cake. Bigirwa’s first recruits are the NUP foot soldiers  and mobilizers who recently threatened to mobilize against their party principal, Robert Kya...

  The family of the late Col (rtd) Charles Okello Engola, former State Minister for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, intend to drag the Government of Uganda to court seeking Shs200bn compensation. Engola, who was also Oyam North Mp, was killed in cold blood by his own guard, Private Wilson Sabiiti last year in May. Sabiiti was allegedly frustrated over poor and delayed pay by the Government, according to reports from residents who saw him fire shots in the air as he shouted his frustrations. This was after murdering Engola. Residents said he later entered a nearby salon and took his own life. This publication has learnt that the family now wants Shs200bn compensation from the government. They aver that the government is vicariously liable for the death of Engola since Private Wilson was a government employee and at the same time used the state property (a gun) to kill the former. They further opine that the guard’s (a government employee) actions deprived ...

  President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has written to the speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anita Among, asking whether she is renting or she owned a house in London, as it ha earlier on been circulated in the media by the UK government.   President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has revealed that he has obtained information confirming that Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among indeed owns a house in London contrary to what she had told him. Museveni’s letter to Among “I have got information that is contrary to what you told me—that you indeed own a house in London in the form of flat 4, Silk House, 7 Waterden Road, London E20, 3AL, United Kingdom,” said Museveni in a letter dated May 23rd, 2024, to Speaker Among. Do you own this house, or are you renting it? Asked President Museveni. “By copying this letter, I direct the Minister of Foreign Affairs to contact the UK government and get details regarding this house. The IGG is also notified,” the president said in his letter...

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has written to the speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anita Among, asking whether she is renting or she owned a house in London, as it ha earlier on been circulated in the media by the UK government. Details Below:-  President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has revealed that he has obtained information confirming that Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among indeed owns a house in London contrary to what she had told him. Museveni’s letter to Among “I have got information that is contrary to what you told me—that you indeed own a house in London in the form of flat 4, Silk House, 7 Waterden Road, London E20, 3AL, United Kingdom,” said Museveni in a letter dated May 23rd, 2024, to Speaker Among. Do you own this house, or are you renting it? Asked President Museveni. “By copying this letter, I direct the Minister of Foreign Affairs to contact the UK government and get details regarding this house. The IGG is also notified,” the president said in his letter. A re...

The state minister for Finance in-charge of Microfinance, Mr. Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, has revealed that the government will start broadcasting the names of Emyooga fund defaulters on radio stations. He said, this will help the government to recover the funds from non-compliant beneficiaries.  The Minister made the remarks during the ongoing countrywide tour for monitoring and evaluation of Emyooga program, at Kameti Primary School playGrounds in Kameti Sub- County, Bukwo District. The Emyooga program, launched in August 2019, is a presidential initiative aimed at wealth and job creation. It seeks to transform 68% of homesteads from subsistence to market-oriented production.  Data shows that Bukwo District has 36 Emyooga Saccos which were formed in 2021. Each Sacco received Shs30 million, except for Local Leaders Saccos which received Shs 50 million each. Mr Kasolo instructed the district commercial officer to compile a list of defaulters who have failed to repay the Emyooga fun...

A concerned Ugandan Bwete Daniel has gone to court seeking a declaration that the service award was an act of illegality. The case was filed at the civil division of the High Court and seeks to declare the service award unlawful.  The concerned party has been given seven days to file their case, while the Parliamentary Commission has been given 3 days to respond. The case will be mentioned again on the 8th of next month. The four commissioners came into the public spotlight at the start of this year following reports that they sat and shared Shs1.7 billion as a service award.   WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW. A section of legislators led by Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga County) has called for the removal of all four MPs from the Parliamentary Commission over the Shs1.7 billion they shared amongst themselves as service award. Speaking at a press briefing at Parliament on Tuesday, the legislators said the ouster of the commissioners will restore the dignity and integrity of Parl...

  Dorothy Kisaka, the Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), has conducted an inspection of key infrastructure projects in the city, with a particular focus on enhancing market infrastructure. The ongoing drainage projects at USAFI Market, Kiseka Market, and Busega Market are crucial components of KCCA's broader Smart City initiative, aimed at creating conducive trading spaces at the heart of Kampala's development. These initiatives are in line with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Manifesto 2021-2026 vision for Kampala, emphasizing proactive steps to implement this vision. Kisaka reiterated KCCA's commitment to expanding trading spaces as outlined in the manifesto, highlighting government funding allocated for projects such as Kiseka and Busega markets. "We are addressing drainage issues associated with these markets to ensure people can trade without hindrance,” Kisaka said. In Busega, significant infrastructure upgra...

Bubulo East Constituency Member of Parliament Hon Musila John joined the pilgrims from Namisindwa on their pilgrimage to Namugongo Catholic Shrine for the Martyrs' Day celebrations. As he walked alongside the pilgrims, the MP joined in singing hymns, praise, and worship songs and blending seamlessly with the believers. However, Hon Musila has generously contributed to support the pilgrims from Namisindwa Catholic Parishes on their journey to the MartyrsDay celebrations .

Police in the North Kyoga Region have launched inquiries into a single-vehicle accident that claimed the life of Lira City clerk. Theophilus Tibihika was killed in the wee hours of Monday in Barajet area, along the Lira–Apac Road. The deceased was on Monday morning found trapped in the wreckage of a double cabin pickup Hilux registration number UAM450V, in which he was driving. It is suspected that Tibihika, at around 2am on Monday, lost control of the vehicle, veered off the road and overturned several times. Tibihika was at the time of the accident driving alone in the car, according to the North Kyoga Region Police spokesperson, SP Patrick Jimmy Okema. “The deceased seemingly lost control while driving himself and overturned several times. Our traffic department led by the Regional Traffic Officer for North Kyoga, Mathias Okwir, and District Traffic Officer for Kole District responded to the scene,” says Okema in a statement released on Monday morning. Okema said crime scene officer...

The Kabaka of Buganda, His Majesty Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II has spent 55 days at a private medical facility in Namibia, Southern Africa, local publication ChimpReports reported on Sunday. The Kabaka, 69, who has been in and out of hospital in Germany traveled to Namibia in April, a few days to his annual birthday run and has since then been undergoing treatment for his ailments. ChimpReports quoting Namibia’s Ambassador to Germany, Martin Andjaba confirmed the development saying the Kabaka has now spent close to three months in the south African country undergoing local treatment at the facility. “The Embassy wishes to inform you that King Ronald Muwenda II is not detained in Namibia. He arrived in the country in April 2024 for medical treatment and is currently at Okonguarri Psychotherapeutic Centre in the Outjo area in the Kunene Region,” the Ambassador’s letter reads in part. “In terms of the request for a delegation to visit the King, the relevant Namibian authorities have no objec...

Manchester City 1-2 Manchester United Alejandro Garnacho gave United the lead after a horrible mix-up between Stefan Ortega and Josko Gvardiol (30′) Kobbie Mainoo doubled the lead by finishing off a brilliantly worked United move (39′) Jeremy Doku halved the deficit with a strike that crept past Andre Onana (87′)United will play in next season’s Europa League after winning the FA Cup. Kobbie Mainoo was awarded the Player of the Match award in his first FA Cup final and he spoke at full time. “It means absolutely everything,” he told the BBC. “It’s been a tough season with ups and downs. Recently, the only thing we’ve had to look forward is this final and it was such a big one to run it back from last year.Last year, I was in the stands watching and I couldn’t be involved, but this is an incredible feeling.”

Molly Katanga, the widow of slain businessman Henry Katanga, has lost her second bid to secure release on bail. The 55-year-old, who suffers from nasal sinusitis, vertigo (a condition often described as dizziness), breast masses, and hypertension, has been remanded as she awaits trial for the alleged murder of her husband. Henry Katanga was found dead in their marital bedroom in Mbuya, a Kampala suburb, last November. Beside his dead body was his wife, Molly, reportedly unconscious. High Court Judge Isaac Muwata declined to grant Molly Katanga bail, reasoning that she is charged with murder and presented the same medical conditions in her first application. “There must be a change in fact or situation; without it, the accused would only be seeking a review. The case is ready for hearing. I find that the application cannot be granted and is dismissed on grounds that the circumstances have not changed since the first bail application,” Justice Muwata ruled. However, Judge Muwata’s decisi...

The First Lady of Uganda, who doubles as the minister of Education and sports,  Hon. Janet Kataha Museveni has said that marriage is an important structure in the overall development of the nation.  She underscored the importance of the family structure saying its the family that gives us the nurture, the structure, the equipping and support to nurture others whether they are children born in the home or others adopted from the community.  The message of the First Lady was delivered by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka, who represented the Hon First Lady at the Marriage Conference hosted by the Bible Society of Uganda at Africana Hotel, on Friday 24th May 2024.  She urged couples to forgive each other and to allow each one to thrive and prosper, saying;  'let him be, and, let her be' The first lady who celebrated fifty years in marriage in 2023 laid emphasis on forgiveness and tolerance as key tenets of a long lasting ma...

KCCA Directorate of Education has celebrated and awarded the best performing schools in 2023 PLE and school performance assessment 2023.  The event took place yesterday, 24th, May, 2024 at Kampala Parents school, where the headteachers of both government and private schools from Kampala district gathered for the celebration, which was presided over by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director, Dorothy Kisaka. Speaking at the event, ED Dorothy Kisaka applauded the leadership of H.E. the president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for the NRM empowering government policy of free education for all.  This education policy is being observed in the 79 Universal Primary Education schools and 22 Universal Secondary Education schools under the oversight of KCCA.  The Head Teachers gathered from both government and private schools who host examination cerebrates were praised  for their work, which  is foundational in building development capacity for Uganda and ac...

The Commercial Officer for  Kween  District, Sylvester Toskin Bomet is on the spot for reportedly misappropriating Emyooga funds disbursed under Emyooga programme, a presidential initiative on wealth and job creation. During a meeting organized at Chepsukunya town Council, by the National Emyooga program  coordinator, Ms Ritah Namuwenge, the leaders and Emyooga beneficiaries accused Mr Bomet for failing the program by embezzling funds meant for the Sacco groups. Rita says it was alleged that Sylvester Toskin Bomet, the Kween district commercial officer, took funds from critical Saccos like the Performing Artist Sacco, where it was alleged that he took UGX 40 million and gave back UGX 6 million to the signatories as a "thank you." This case was handed over to the police for investigation.  He also signed for UGX 12 million from the Soyi Fishermen Sacco, but the RDC forced him to pay back UGX 8 million. Nadunga Hawah, a member of the Performing Artists Emyooga Sacco, a...

                    JOHANNESBURG: 17 May 2024 – MultiChoice Africa Holdings B.V (MAH) and the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance for Uganda have announced a new cooperation agreement in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU signed on the 17th of May 2024, is geared towards establishing stronger partnerships, digitalisation, enhancing the local content sector in Uganda, intellectual property rights protection and skills development within the applicable legal frameworks.   The signing ceremony which took place in Johannesburg - for purposes of technical facilities benchmarking- was graced by the presence of Dr. Aminah Zawedde, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance.  The MoU covers MAH and its associate MultiChoice Uganda, as the local partner, and further provides for continued strengthening of future co-operation between MAH and the Ministry of ICT and Nationa...

A 49-year-old man on Tuesday, 21st May 2024, evening shocked residents of Elegu town, Amuru district at the Uganda-South Sudan border when he set his car ablaze in protest. Suudi Balidawa, a driver and mechanic at Elegu reportedly drove his car, a Toyota Wish, registration no. UBE 852E to an open field where he doused its interior with petrol before setting it ablaze. The incident happened at about 5 pm at Lorikwo East village in Elegu, a few distance from Elegu police station. Balidawa said in an interview that his action was fueled by what he alleged as targeted discrimination by a police officer for his Muslim faith. According to Balidawa, trouble started for him on May 7 this year when he accidentally knocked an old woman from Kanyanya in Kampala en route to Gulu city. Balidawa said while he managed to transport the injured woman to Mulago National Referral Hospital for treatment, he never reported it to the police since he was transporting his daughter to St Mary’s Hospital Lacor ...