As it happened: Uganda Today - Thursday, November 21
Nov 21, 2019
Fallen rights activist Med Kaggwa was to be laid to rest.
ROLLING NEWS THROUGHOUT THE DAY
(Scroll to the bottom for updates)
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4:48 pm | That's all folks
Glad you could stick around as we made our way through a sombre day in the news. Lets do this again tomorrow as we usher in the weekend.
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4:45 pm | UCU chasing title dream
In taking a 2-1 lead in their best-of-five National Basketball League (NBL) playoff semi-finals against Betway Power, the UCU Canons opened the door to a world of possibilities. Read all about how they can win their first ever title.
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4:30 pm | Police disperses UYD meeting
Entebbe Police dispersed members of the Uganda Young Democrats (UYD) who gathered at Nabinoonya Resort Beach for a two-day symposium "aimed at building the youth league into a robust movement."
According to earlier communication, the meeting was to be attended by DP president Nobert Mao, Brenda Nabukenya a former leader in UYD among other party leaders. Joseph Karugaba the officer in charge of Kisubi Police said the organisers of the meeting had not sought for permission to hold such a meeting while UYD contended that the meeting had been cleared.
UYD members stranded outside Nabinoonya Beach after the Police blocked the meeting. Photo by Julius Luwemba
Police forcing UYD members out of Nabinoonya Beach where they were meeting. Photo by Julius Luwemba
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4:00 pm | Med Kaggwa laid to rest
Hundreds flocked to the home of Med Ssozi Kaggwa, the fallen chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission, in Lufuka, Mpigi district for his burial on Thursday afternoon.
Med Kaggwa's remains being carried during the burial ceremony at his ancestral home at Lufuka Village, Mpigi town council. Photo by Simon Ssekidde
Hajji Badru Kakungulu (left) consoling a member of the bereaved family. Photo by Simon Ssekidde
Former Electoral Commission chairman Hajji Badru Kiggundu (left) with NRM vice chairman Hajji Moses Kigongo during the burial ceremony. Photo by Simon Ssekidde
Father Deogratius Kiibi of Mpigi Parish arrives for burial ceremony. Photo by Simon Ssekidde
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3:45 pm | Budhagali successor nearing installation
The number of people visiting Budhagali Island is increasing by the day as people rush to catch a glimpse of a man believed to be the successor of Dhada Nabamba Budhagali, the fallen oracle of Bujagali Falls.
The man was first seen last Thursday by fishermen on River Nile who alerted the Baswezi, believed to be the custodians of the Busoga culture.
Apparently, the person to succeed Nabamba Budhagali must be sighted at this island which until recently has been largely unknown to the public.
But to be confirmed to the position, he will have to go undergo a number of tests; among them spending eight days on the island without feeding or answering nature's call.
Since his sighting, the eight days will elapse on Saturday and he has so far impressed the traditionalists.
If he goes past this, he will then be subjected to a series of Kiswezi rituals before being unveiled to the public as the 40th Budhagali and inevitably head of the over 350 traditional spirits.
The tiny island where the new Budhagali is said to be in isolation. Photo by Charles Okalebo
The new Budhagali (Hassan Yiga) dancing after he heard the sound of drumming from the followers. Photo by Charles Okalebo
The place where the new Budhagali is staying is not easy to reach and phones are not allowed near him. Photo by Charles Okalebo
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3:30 pm | Med Kaggwa's achievements at UHRC
Sworn in on February 5, 2016, after being re-appointed as the chairperson of the newly constituted commission after expiry of his first term, Med Kaggwa is credited for steering the UHRC to greater heights in the past six years.
In that time, the commission maintained its ‘A' status accreditation with the United Nations International Co-ordination Committee for the third time running.
During his term, UHRC also received an award as the best National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) in Africa in 2012 in Banjul.
The commission benefited from his wealth of experience in constitutional and governance matters, as well as management of large organisations at a senior level.
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3:07 pm | Ministers tour Kabale health facilities
The minister of health, Dr Ruth Aceng, is in Kabale district today to assess the performance of health centres in the district.
Accompanied by David Bahati, the Ndorwa County West MP and state minister for finance, Aceng started her visit from Rugarama Hospital in Kabale Municipality then headed to Kakomo Health Centre IV in Kitumba sub-county, Ndorwa West County.
As part of her regional tour, Aceng started her visit in Kanungu, Kisoro and Rubanda districts before arriving in Kabale.
Health minister Jane Ruth Aceng interacting with health workers at Rugarama Hospital. Photo by Job Namanya
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2:47 pm | Meanwhile in South Africa...
South Africa's elite police on Thursday arrested a senior ruling ANC lawmaker and ex-state security minister for graft, the first such high-profile arrest in recent years.
Bongani Bongo, 41, a close ally of scandal-tainted former president Jacob Zuma, is accused of offering a bribe to a lawyer who was building the state's case in a 2017 parliamentary inquiry into irregularities at the troubled public power utility Eskom.
In a statement the National Prosecuting Authority's spokesman Eric Ntabazalila said Bongo had offered the lawyer "an unlawful gratification in the form of a monetary benefit, requesting him to decide on the exact amount required, to stop the enquiry from proceeding".
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2:38 pm | More about Med Kaggwa's career
Med Kaggwa has also been a commissioner at the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) which protects and promotes human rights in the Muslim world and beyond.
He was a special rapporteur on prisons and conditions of detention of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights.
He was a skilled and conscientious legal practitioner with nearly 30 years in the promotion of constitutionalism, good governance, rule of law and respect for human rights.
With vast managerial experience from the private sector, he worked in the Libyan Arab Foreign Bank as a bank secretary and head of legal services for seven years from 1984 to 1991 and as board secretary of the Uganda Revenue Authority for five years (1991-1996).
He also held other positions of responsibility in the country. He was a member of Makerere University Council from 1999 to 2002. He served as the vice-chairperson of Kyambogo University Council and Member of Senate at the same university from 2004 to date.
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2:21 pm | Uganda faces Kenya in CECAFA
Sporting similar records in the ongoing CECAFA Senior Women Challenge Cup, Uganda and Kenya battle for top spot in Group B today.
Uganda and Kenya both qualified for the semifinals but they will battle for the top position in Group B as both sides have six points each and have scored the same number of goals (14).
Uganda beat Kenya 1-0 in their last CECAFA meeting.
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2:03 pm | Govt tasked to explain defective condoms
Parliament has asked the health state minister for general duties, Sarah Opendi, to explain how the two batches of Life Guard condoms with defects got on the market before being tested.
This comes after concerns over reports that Marie Stopes Uganda, a health charity organisation, had recalled the two batches 19040205 and 19050105 from the market after users and the National Drug Authority raised a red flag that the condoms had holes.
The recall comes at a time when condom use is continuously declining from 38% in 2000 to 24% in 2018, according to a report by the Uganda AIDS Commission.
The report revealed that only 9% of men aged between 40 and 49 used a condom when they engaged in extramarital sex in 2018.
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1:50 pm | Record MTN Marathon numbers
The MTN Marathon has in recent years according to organisers consistently attracted over 20,000 participants. This is, however, the first time that MTN has officially come out to state that 25,000 kits have been sold. This is a huge improvement from 1500 entrants in the inaugural edition of the annual event.
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1:27 pm | 3 days to the MTN Marathon
Are your running shoes ready? Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga and other members of Parliament received their kits for Sunday's MTN Marathon from MTN CEO Wim Vanhelleputte at Parliament.
Attracting a record 25,000+ entries this year, proceeds from the marathon will go to the improvement of maternal health care and safety at birth.
Speaker Rebecca Kadaga receiving her kit from Wim Vanhelleputte at Parliament. Photo by Moses Kigongo
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1:15 pm | Med Kaggwa's career
Med Kaggwa, an accomplished legislator, had previously served in various senior capacities.
2001-2006: Member of the East African Legislative Assembly based in Arusha Tanzania, where he was pioneer chairperson of the legal affairs committee.
1996-2001: Member of Parliament for Kawempe South in Kampala.
1996-1998: Minister of State in the Office of the President.
1994-1995: delegate to the Constituent Assembly, a body that wrote and promulgated the 1995 Constitution.
1989- 1991: Commissioner on the then Justice Benjamin Odokiled Uganda Constitutional Commission.
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12:50 pm | Who is Natalie Brown
From her Twitter bio, Natalie Brown who is set to replace Deborah Malac as the top US diplomat in Uganda, is a 'diplomat, dog-lover, shoe collector'.
But digging deeper into her career as a senior foreign service officer in Africa and the Middle East, we bring you everything you need to know about Brown as she awaits her Senate confirmation to begin her duties.
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12:35 pm | Oil pipeline consultations
The Albertine regional stakeholder dialogue on emerging issues about the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is underway in Hoima municipality.
Speaking at the dialogue, Buliisa LC V chairman Simon Agaba Kinene said that districts need to develop social and environmental management plans following the government's approval of the various oil projects such as Tilenga and Kingfisher as they await the pipeline's approval.
Hannington Asaba Kiiza, who represented the Hoima district chief administrative officer, said that departments supposed to monitor compliance have been compromised due to the lack of funding. He revealed that Hoima district allocated only 2% of its budget to natural resources, a figure he argues cannot yield results.
Participants during the dialogue that got underway in Hoima municipality on Thursday. Photo by Ismael Kasooha
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12:15 pm | Today's Ras Toon
The High Court has ordered senior Police officer Geoffrey Bangirana to vacate office after he ignored directives.
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11:58 am | FDC takes cops to court
The Forum for Democratic Change top leadership has directed the party's legal team to file a lawsuit against four Police officers for allegedly using brutal methods to arrest party officials.
"We resolved to start with the most recent top culprits that include ACP Dennis Namuwoza who was seen on camera trying to box and squeezing Dr Kiiza Besigye's private parts and SSP Rashid Agero who smashed the windscreens of Besigye's car and sprayed him with a chemical yet to be identified," the party deputy spokesperson, John Kikonyongo, said.
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11:44 am | "He loved humanity"
Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has lauded fallen Haji Med Ssozi Kaggwa for meticulously playing the role he was entrusted with as the Uganda Human Rights Commission chairperson.
"He was passionate about human rights and he really loved humanity. He executed his duty diligently despite the challenges he had, he did his best and stood for social justice and doctrines of human rights," Lukwago said.
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11:22 am | EC begins 2021 voter registration
The Electoral Commission will embark on the registration of Ugandans who are eligible to vote in the 2021 general elections.
While flagging off the teams that are going to traverse the country to carry out the registration exercise as well as verify the voter register, the EC chairman Justice Simon Mugenyi Byamukama, noted that for those who shift from one place to another, they will be able to register again in the current areas of residence.
The exercise that is expected to cost up to sh32b will run from November 21 to December 11, 2019.
EC chairman Justice Simon Mugenyi Byamukama flags of the teams set to carry out voter registration and verification of the voter register. Photo by Simon Peter Tumwine
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11:04 am | Kasangati roads impassable
The recent heavy rains have left the roads in Kasangati town council in a sorry state especially Ngalamye Road. Kasangati mayor Tonny Ssempebwa on Wednesday morning ditched his car and waded through the mud on the road he says was only recently graded and asked residents not to block drainage channels which he says have contributed massively to the problem.
Kasangati mayor Tonny Ssempebwa navigates the muddy Ngalamye Road which he says will be graded again soon. Photo by Samuel Tebuseeke
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10:48 am | Kaggwa's education
UHRC boss Haji Med Ssozi Kaggwa obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree (LL.B) from Makerere University and a diploma in legal practice from the Law Development Centre, Uganda before he obtained a Master of Laws degree from the National University of Ireland (UCD-Belfield).
From 1982 to 1984, he worked as a legal consultant with a private firm in Kampala while at the same time lecturing at the Law Development Centre in Kampala (Bar School).
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10:35 am | Today in History
Sir Edward Mutesa II, the first president of Uganda and Kabaka of Buganda, died in the UK while in exile at the Orchard House, Rotherhithe in London. He died barely two days after he had celebrated his 45th birthday.
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10:20 am | Med Kaggwa's last moments
UHRC boss Haji Med Ssozi Kaggwa started Wednesday with plans to join other children's rights activists in the country to celebrate the World Children's Day.
But Kaggwa was not to make it to the celebrations as he collapsed on his way before he was pronounced dead.
On Tuesday, during a mock exercise in preparation to commemorate the World Children's Day at his office in Kampala, Kaggwa was reportedly in high spirits and moved to all UHRC departments introducing Mastulla Nassaka, the teenager who had occupied his office for the day as the UHRC chairperson.
Indeed he was never to sit in his office again.
Mastula Nassaka with Med Kaggwa during the mock exercise in commemoration of Children's Day at the UHRC headquarters. Photo by Francis Emorut
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10:12 am | Suspected ivory trafficker arrested
The Police in Kisoro has detained Richard Munyaribanje, 30, a resident of Bunagana town council after he was found in possession of 43kgs of ivory following a tip-off from a member of the public. A case file SD 64/20/11/2019 has been opened with Kisoro Police as investigations into the matter go on.
Richard Munyaribanje at Kisoro Police following his arrest. Courtesy Photo
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9:55 am | What killed Med Kaggwa?
Senior pathologist Dr Moses Byaruhanga has revealed that Uganda Human Rights Commission boss Haji Med Ssozi Kaggwa died of natural causes.
Speaking to New Vision on Wednesday, Byaruhanga, who led a team of pathologists that carried out postmortem examination, ruled out any other possible cause of Kaggwa's death.
"He died of natural causes as opposed to blatant trauma, by shooting or any other possibility. That is what I can say," Byaruhanga explained.
Close relatives have since revealed that Kaggwa was suffering from hypertension.
The car which Med Kaggwa was driving when he collapsed and died. Photo by Abou Kisige
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9:45 am | Med Kaggwa dies
The chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), Med Ssozi Kaggwa who is set to be laid to rest today, passed away on Wednesday morning after collapsing on his way to work.
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9:40 am | Today's motivational quote
Any fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure. The way you think about a fact may defeat you before you ever do anything about it. You are overcome by the fact because you think you are.
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9:30 am | Good morning
Hello and a very good morning to everyone. Glad you could join us as we chart our way through the day.
