Top news stories of 2013

Of recent, Uganda has had its fair share of scandals, achievements and several riveting stories. The year 2013 has not been any different. We look back at the key highlights of such an eventful year.

Princess Ruth Komuntale, husband Christopher Thomas separate

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Toro Princess Komuntale and her husband Thomas announced their separation on October 28, 2013. They accused each other of infidelity and abuse.

Geoffrey Kazinda gets 5-year jail sentence

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The Anti-corruption Court sentenced Geoffrey Kazinda, the principal Accountant in the Office of the Prime Minister him to five years in prison for stealing the Peace Recovery and Development Programme (PRDP) funds.

Lord mayor Elias Lukwago impeached

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Kampala City Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago was impeached in special council meeting chaired by the by Minister in charge of the Presidency and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Frank Tumwebaze, 29 councillors voted in favour of removing Lukwago. Only three councillors were against. However the High Court granted Erias Lukwago a temporary injunction against KCCA.

Stephen Kiprotich wins gold in Moscow

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Uganda’s Stephen Kiprotich became just the second man to win the Marathon at back-to-back Olympic Games and IAAF World Championships when he strode to victory around the streets of Moscow on a blistering hot Saturday afternoon of August 17, 2013. He showed that his win at the London 2012 Olympic Games was not just a flash in the pan but that he is a great champion by shrugging off three top-quality Ethiopian runners before crossing the line in the Luzhniki Stadium in 2:09:51.

Netball: She Cranes win Six Nations Cup final

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She Cranes, worked their way through six games to emerge champions of the Six Nations Cup that ended at Toa Payoh Sports Hall in Singapore December 08, 2013. This impressive finish automatically put Uganda in line to be entered into the World ranking that they have long yearned for.

Uganda Cranes qualify for CHAN

Frank Kalanda scored twice to see Uganda past Tanzania as they booked a ticket to the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa next year. The African Nations Championship is a football tournament which was first announced on 11 September 2007. It is administered by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and is played between the best national teams of Africa, exclusively featuring players who are active in the national championships and qualified to play in the on-going season. The tournament gets underway on 11 January in South Africa.

South African anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela dies

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Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician, and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.He was South Africa's first black chief executive and his government focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid through tackling institutionalised racism, poverty and inequality, and fostering racial reconciliation. He died December 5, aged 95.

Minister Eriya Kategaya dies

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Eriya Kategaya (4 July 1945 – 2 March 2013) was a Ugandan lawyer and politician. At the time of his death he was Uganda's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs. He was also an ex officio Member of the Ugandan Parliament, on account of being a cabinet minister.

Industrialist James Mulwana dies

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Businessman and Industrialist James Mulwana passed away January 15, 2013 at Nakasero hospital. Mulwana was the chairman of Standard Chartered Bank Uganda Limited. He was also the brainchild behind Nice House of Plastics Limited, which he established in 1970. And in 1991, he gained full ownership of Uganda Batteries Limited. Mulwana was also the man behind Jesa Farm Dairy Limited, Jesa Investments Limited and Nsimbe Estates Limited.

Marriage and Divorce Bill

As the debate raged on, some MPs, mostly women, took exception of the proposal to recognise cohabitation as being equal to a marriage after 10 years, while others argued that it is immoral and sinful. The other contentious issue was abolition of payment of bride price. While some MPs are bitterly opposed to the abolition of payment of bride price, others want it abolished, arguing that it reduces women to “sellable objects”. The bill was shelved to allow public consultations to take place.

Makerere University closed over lecturers’ payrise demand

Makerere University was closed indefinitely August 14, 2013 over lectures’ demand of 100% salary increment.Makerere University academic, administrative and support staff suspended their industrial action and agreed to resume work after each member of staff received a 70% allowance increment bankrolled by the consolidated fund.

Nationwide teachers' strike

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The Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU) called off their national wide three week strike after a meeting with government ministers September 25, 2013. The Government promised to increase teachers’ salaries by 50% instead of 100% that they had demanded.

Government returns more Buganda assets

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President Yoweri Museveni signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with top Buganda kingdom officials, paving way for the return of the kingdom’s properties. The properties to be returned include the Kingdom’s official estates for the Masaza, Amagombolola, properties of chiefs amongst other properties. The assets were taken for administration by the provincial Government after the abrogation of the 1962 Constitution.

Parliament passes 'Anti-Homosexuality' Bill

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On December 20, 2013,  parliament passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2009, which proposes life imprisonment for homosexual acts. A proposal for a 14-year-sentence for those convicted for homosexual acts, which the bill criminalises, was rejected by Members of Parliament who instead maintained the life imprisonment proposal.