Mbabazi defends phone tapping
Mar 06, 2009
SECURITY minister Amama Mbabazi on Monday defended the phone tapping Bill, saying it is intended to help fight terrorism. Mbabazi argued that all countries were making similar laws in the interest of fighting terrorism and maintaining national security. T
SECURITY minister Amama Mbabazi on Monday defended the phone tapping Bill, saying it is intended to help fight terrorism. Mbabazi argued that all countries were making similar laws in the interest of fighting terrorism and maintaining national security. The minister was appearing before the Parliamentary committee on information and communication technology (ICT). The Regulation of Interception of Communications Bill, 2007 provides for the lawful interception and monitoring certain communication in the course of their transmission through telecommunication, postal or any related service or system in Uganda. “Instead of hunting for criminals using the gun, information can be legally tapped to stop crime,†Mbabazi stated.
However on Tuesday, Rubaga North MP Beti Kamya said the introduction of the Bill was a ploy by President Yoweri Museveni to stick to power. In a press briefing at Parliament, Kamya said the president intends to use the Bill for blackmail and intimidation.
Former minister Kinobe posted to Congo
Former youth minister Maj. James Kinobe has been appointed Uganda’s ambassador to the DR Congo. Kinobe, who had earlier been posted to Moscow, was among the four Ambassadors vetted by Parliament on Wednesday. Speaker of Parliament Edward Ssekandi, who chairs the committee that vetted the ambassadors, made the communication to Kinobe during the vetting. Kinobe had been designated to Moscow, but foreign affairs Permanent Secretary Ambassador James Mugume told MPs last month that Moscow already had an envoy.
Kinobe told reporters that he was happy the President still had interest in him. He hoped his posting would improve relations between the two countries. Others vetted were Ssemakula Kiwanuka (Dubai), Angelina Wapakhabulo (Nairobi) and Idule Amoko, the deputy, Addis Ababa mission.
MPs not prepared for debates
There is a lack of preparedness for debates by legislators in Parliament, and some male MPs shun gender related issues, the Development Network of Indigenous Associations (DENIVA) told Speaker Edward Ssekandi recently. DENIVA, an umbrella organisation for Non Government Organisations (NGO) cited a study, two years ago, by the Uganda Women’s Parliamentary Association. DENIVA’s executive director prof. Jassy Kwesiga was handing over a three-year civic training programme they intend to offer to the electorate country wide. Kwesiga said the people were not aware of the MPs’ roles on accountability and transparency, ‘simply voting for legislators without knowing their duties’.
A total of 50 Ugandans are held in the China and Iran prisons over drug trafficking, the Ugandan Ambassadors in the two countries have said. The ambassador to China, Charles Wagidoso Madiba, said 38 were being held in China. Of these, he added, eight were on death sentence and 11 on life imprisonment. Dr. Muhammad Ahmed Kisule, the Ambassador to Iran, said eight people faced death while four were serving life imprisonment.
Law on malicious HIV infection in offing
People who intentionally infect others with the HIV virus should stand warned because a Bill that seeks to punish them is to be tabled before parliament this month. The incoming Parliamentary HIV/AIDS committee chairperson Beatrice Rwakimari (NRM) said the HIV/AIDS Control Bill 2008 was intended to supplement the available medical services, to reduce on the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Ochom pinned over torture
Kampala businessman Amos Wanjala has accused Kampala Regional Police Commander Edward Ochom of mistreatment and torture.
Appearing before MPs probing the conduct of the Police on Wednesday, Wanjala alleged that he was arrested, put in a car boot, detained in a safe house and beaten on the orders of Ochom over the land wrangles he had with his wife.
However on Tuesday, Rubaga North MP Beti Kamya said the introduction of the Bill was a ploy by President Yoweri Museveni to stick to power. In a press briefing at Parliament, Kamya said the president intends to use the Bill for blackmail and intimidation.
Former minister Kinobe posted to Congo
Former youth minister Maj. James Kinobe has been appointed Uganda’s ambassador to the DR Congo. Kinobe, who had earlier been posted to Moscow, was among the four Ambassadors vetted by Parliament on Wednesday. Speaker of Parliament Edward Ssekandi, who chairs the committee that vetted the ambassadors, made the communication to Kinobe during the vetting. Kinobe had been designated to Moscow, but foreign affairs Permanent Secretary Ambassador James Mugume told MPs last month that Moscow already had an envoy.
Kinobe told reporters that he was happy the President still had interest in him. He hoped his posting would improve relations between the two countries. Others vetted were Ssemakula Kiwanuka (Dubai), Angelina Wapakhabulo (Nairobi) and Idule Amoko, the deputy, Addis Ababa mission.
MPs not prepared for debates
There is a lack of preparedness for debates by legislators in Parliament, and some male MPs shun gender related issues, the Development Network of Indigenous Associations (DENIVA) told Speaker Edward Ssekandi recently. DENIVA, an umbrella organisation for Non Government Organisations (NGO) cited a study, two years ago, by the Uganda Women’s Parliamentary Association. DENIVA’s executive director prof. Jassy Kwesiga was handing over a three-year civic training programme they intend to offer to the electorate country wide. Kwesiga said the people were not aware of the MPs’ roles on accountability and transparency, ‘simply voting for legislators without knowing their duties’.
A total of 50 Ugandans are held in the China and Iran prisons over drug trafficking, the Ugandan Ambassadors in the two countries have said. The ambassador to China, Charles Wagidoso Madiba, said 38 were being held in China. Of these, he added, eight were on death sentence and 11 on life imprisonment. Dr. Muhammad Ahmed Kisule, the Ambassador to Iran, said eight people faced death while four were serving life imprisonment.
Law on malicious HIV infection in offing
People who intentionally infect others with the HIV virus should stand warned because a Bill that seeks to punish them is to be tabled before parliament this month. The incoming Parliamentary HIV/AIDS committee chairperson Beatrice Rwakimari (NRM) said the HIV/AIDS Control Bill 2008 was intended to supplement the available medical services, to reduce on the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Ochom pinned over torture
Kampala businessman Amos Wanjala has accused Kampala Regional Police Commander Edward Ochom of mistreatment and torture.
Appearing before MPs probing the conduct of the Police on Wednesday, Wanjala alleged that he was arrested, put in a car boot, detained in a safe house and beaten on the orders of Ochom over the land wrangles he had with his wife.