As it happened: Uganda Today - Friday January 25

Jan 25, 2019

The sleek Ugandan-assembled Kiira EVS by Kiira Motors is taken for another test drive in the city, with veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda behind the wheels.

ROLLING NEWS THROUGHOUT THE DAY

Presented by Joseph Kizza

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@joekizza

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2:00pm

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  Blessed weekend!


Done here.

Meet again on Monday.

 

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1:53pm

  Kiira EVS day out



 

 

 

 

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1:50pm

  Kiira EVS day out


The car, assembled in Uganda, got a breath of fresh air when it was taken out for a test drive.

 

 

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1:10pm

RAS TOON

Finance minister Matia Kasaija says the Government will not renew licences for betting companies owned by foreigners.

 

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12:20pm

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  Vipers' Zaga loaned to Express


'We would like to wish our youngster Frank 'Zaga' Tumwesigye all the best on his loan move to Express FC, tweeted the club on Friday.

 

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12:05pm

  DR Congo ushers in new president: Conflict and poverty


 


Beyond politics, Tshisekedi has to root out brutal militias who control parts of the country's strife-torn east where an Ebola epidemic is also unfolding.

He also has to meet expectations about easing poverty, which afflicts the vast majority of the country's 80 million citizens.

Despite the poverty, DR Congo boasts a treasure trove of minerals, ranging from gold and diamonds to copper and coltan -- a mineral essential for the batteries used in hand-held electronic devices.

Very little of the wealth trickles down to the poor. The DR Congo ranks a mere 176th on the 189-nation Human Development Index compiled by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

(AFP)

 

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12:00pm

  DR Congo ushers in new president: Many challenges


Analysts say Tshisekedi faces a raft of pressing problems.

He must defuse the anger of Fayulu's supporters, carry out his pledge of ending the "gangrene" of corruption after the Kabila era, and forge a power-sharing arrangement with the outgoing president's bloc.

The pro-Kabila Joint Front for Congo (FCC) controls 337 seats in the 500-member National Assembly against 102 for Fayulu's coalition, Lamuka, and 46 for Tshisekedi's coalition, Heading for Change (Cach).

"Tshisekedi will have little margin for manoeuvre," said Stephanie Wolters at South Africa's Institute for Security Studies (ISS) think tank.

Kabila himself will become a senator for life under the constitution. He is widely expected to wield influence through his supporters.

His family has acquired a wide range of assets during the many years in power.

(AFP)

 

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11:50am

  DR Congo ushers in new president: Praise for rivals


Tshisekedi on Thursday offered an olive branch to Fayulu, a notable absentee at the inauguration, hailing the outspoken critic of Kabila as a "soldier of the people".

He also thanked third-placed candidate Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, who was Kabila's preferred candidate.

 

And he paid tribute to his deceased father, Etienne, who launched the UDPS opposition party in 1980 as a dissenting voice to dictator Mobutu Sese Seko.

After Tshisekedi senior died in Brussels in February 2017, his son was voted in as party leader.

His ascent to the presidency has taken many people aback, for he has never held high office and failed to match the crowd-pulling popularity of his father.

(AFP)

 

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11:45am

  DR Congo ushers in new president: Turbulence


The ceremony caps more than two years of turmoil sparked by Kabila's refusal to step down when he reached the constitutional limit on his term in office.

 

A country the size of continental western Europe, the former Belgian colony lived through two regional wars in 1996-97 and 1998-2003.

The last two presidential elections, in 2006 and 2011 -- both won by Kabila -- were marred by bloodshed and dozens died in a crackdown on protests after he chose to remain in office in 2016.

The ballot, which took place on December 30 after three postponements, surprised many by the lack of violence, but a political storm swiftly brewed over the vote count.

Tshisekedi was declared winner with 38.5 percent of the vote, over his opposition rival Martin Fayulu, who was credited with 34.8 percent.

Fayulu branded the result a stitch-up between Kabila and Tshisekedi.

But his legal challenge to the Constitutional Court failed, and foreign support for his position fizzled out.

(AFP)

 

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11:40am

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  DR Congo ushers in new president in historic transition


In Uganda's neighbour, Opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi was sworn in on Thursday as president of Democratic Republic of Congo, marking the country's first peaceful handover of power after chaotic and bitterly disputed elections.

Tshisekedi took the oath of office before receiving the DR Congo flag and a copy of the constitution from Joseph Kabila, leaving office after 18 turbulent years at the helm of sub-Saharan Africa's biggest country.

In his inaugural address, Tshisekedi promised a new era of respect for human rights, addressing one of the most notorious failings of the Kabila era.

 

All political prisoners will be released, Tshisekedi promised, adding that his presidency would guarantee fundamental freedoms and "banish all forms of discrimination."

A moment of drama came when the newly minted president was taken ill during his speech.

After a 12-minute interruption, Tshisekedi returned to the microphone, apologising for the episode, which he blamed on the stresses of the election campaign.

Thousands of Tshisekedi supporters, many of them dressed in white, celebrated the historic event outside the Palace of the Nation, the seat of the presidency.

"We hope that this will be a real change, especially as he has taken power without bloodshed," said Saddam Kongolo, a member of Tshisekedi's Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS).

One of Tshisekedi's first tasks will be to appoint a prime minister in a move which will see him sharing power with Kabila's supporters, who hold an overwhelming majority in parliament.

(AFP)

 

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11:30am

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  WATCH LIVE


The Kiira EVS road test is underway.

 

 

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11:25am

  Andrew Mwenda, Bebe Cool test Ugandan-assembled car


Veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda and musician Moses Ssali (Bebe Cool) are test-driving the Kiira EVS through another part of the city.

Remember the car was already tested - but in a different part of the city.

 

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11:10am

  Road testing of Ugandan-assembled car


Speaking of rides . . .

 

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10:49am

  MPs enjoy jolly water ride


Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah tweeted a picture of himself in the company of fellow legislators enjoying a "memorable ride" aboard MVKyoga from Amolatar to Nakasongola.

Oulanyah, wearing a cap and a batik shirt, was keen to note that using the vessel "saved us the long ride of about 400km via Soroti to Kampala".

 

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10:40am

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  Premier League: Vipers set for URA test


Who will reign supreme in today's StarTimes Uganda Premier League duel.

It will be the 27th meeting of the two sides. Vipers, the defending champions, will hope to take this one - they have to, if they are to keep pace with leaders KCCA FC.

Kickoff is 4pm at Namboole Stadium.

 

#UgandaToday

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10:30am

Minister tasked on e-passport update

The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, has given internal affairs minister Gen Jeje Odongo less than a week to address Parliament on the process of issuance of the new e-passports.

"This is a matter that touches the rights and freedom of movement of the people of Uganda, and therefore the internal affairs minister should come and update us on this matter," she said.

Kadage said matter was discussed in December last year and Odongo was tasked with liaising with the Attorney General and provide clarity on issues of sovereignty, nature of the national ID and the process of changing passports.

 

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10:23am

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  27 GUNS . . . have you watched it?



The movie is showing on local TV stations. Urban TV will air it today at 2pm and again on Sunday.

 

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10:15am

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  WATCH: Around Uganda


Bulletin of local stories from across the country.

 

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9:53am

  KIIRA EVS: Test one, test two


 

 

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9:40am

RAS TOON

The Electricity Regulatory Authority is amending Umeme's licence that will see it either rewarded or penalised for the quality of their service.

 

 

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9:33am

Museveni: Africa's 'new but healthier conflict'

 

"It is these socio-economic issues that we must address while avoiding the usual ideological conflicts. We must therefore address challenges of infrastructure development, electricity, skills etc in order to embrace a new revolution," said President Museveni.

"But even as we do this, we must be on the look-out to avoid being entrapped by those who preach identity (religion, colour, tribes) above interests (prosperity). Some opportunist groups mislead others into believing that identity eclipses interests."

 

 

#UgandaToday

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9:27am

Museveni in Davos

Meanwhile, President Yoweri Museveni was a guest speaker at an interactive panel discussion on the sidelines of the ongoing World Economic Forum in Davos. The discussion was moderated by Bineta Diop, the Africa Union Chairperson's Special envoy on Women, Peace and Security.

 

 

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9:16am

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  What the papers are saying


In THE BEAT . . .

We profile musician David Lutalo, whose childhood dream to sing to the top that has seen him become one of Uganda's leading artistes today.

(Get Friday's e-paper here 👉 http://bit.ly/vgepaper )

 

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9:13am

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  What the papers are saying


In Harvest Money . . .

When Vincent Sebutemba got his share of family land near Nsangi town, some of his relatives laughed at him 🤣. "That land is useless," they said.

(Get Friday's e-paper here 👉 http://bit.ly/vgepaper )

 

 

#UgandaToday

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9:10am

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  What the papers are saying


The lead story . . .

Talks to kick-start the shareholding acquisition process are in high gear and the top management of MTN has disclosed the move and intention to sell shares to NSSF.

(Get Friday's e-paper here 👉 http://bit.ly/vgepaper )

 

#UgandaToday

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9:05am

Today's inspirational quote

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them - Walt Disney

 

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9:00am

Good morning

Friday means one thing: The weekend is - finally - here! #TGIF

Hello everyone, hoping you are well. Welcome to yet another live page. Here, I will keep you posted on the major news happenings around the country - plus a bit beyond the borders.

I will start us off with this cute Friday sunrise picture I took earlier this morning.

 

 

 

 

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