AS IT HAPPENED: Uganda Today - Wednesday April 17

3: 20pm

Independents to quit parties 8 months before nomination

The NCF has finalised a draft regulation of independent candidates Bill 2019.

The draft, among other clauses, expects all independents, especially those previously members of existing political parties to terminate their membership, eight months before contesting.

The existing party members must provide proof to the Electoral Commission of having quit the party, according to former party constitution rules.

The chairperson of the plenary session that passed the draft Bill to regulate independent candidates Mwesigwa Rukutana (second-right) addresses journalists. Looking on are NCF's committee members, Zaid Mukasa (left), Jeniffer Angeyo (second-left) and Michael Osinde (right)

NCF members argued that the period is necessary for the party to wean itself off the 'rebel' members.

They said as parties, they invest a lot in members by giving them a platform to develop a brand.

 
"A person is eligible to stand as an independent candidate for election if he/she is not a member of a registered political party or political organisation or has ceased to be a member of a political party or political organisation for at least eight months before the date of the election," the Bill states.

 

 

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2:33pm

Iceland grant to boost sanitation in West Nile schools

HE Unnur Orradóttir Ramette, Ambassador of Iceland in Uganda (L) and Dr Doreen Mulenga UNICEF Representative in Uganda (R). Photo/Courtesy

 

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FDC Chairperson Wasswa Birigwa. Photos by Timothy Murungi

 
Members pointed out the recent frequent arrests of FDC's strongman Kizza Besigye and use of Public Order Management Act (POMA) by the Police to stifle assembly.

FDC vice chairperson, who is also the NCF's vice chairperson, said: "The biggest enemy of political parties is NRM".

However, the deputy attorney general, Mwesigwa Rukutana, who is chairing the plenary session, defended the party saying POMA was agreed on by all the parties but also conceded that there are issues in its implementation.

 
The clauses the delegates of political parties are discussing include:

a) Prohibition of certain identifying symbols.

b) Declaration of assets and liabilities.

c) Restrictions on contributions from foreign sources, capping the funds to use in campaigns.

d) Affiliation or alliance with political parties

e) Code of conduct for independent candidates

f) Minister's powers to amend schedules

g) Duty of independents to give information to Electoral Commission

1: 02pm

Japan earmarks US$ 7.5m to support refugees, host communities in Uganda

Five UN agencies in Uganda have received a US$ 7.5m(sh28b) contribution from the Japanese government to support refugees and host communities for one year, from March 2019 to March 2020.

According to a press release from United Nations, the assistance will be provided as part of implementation of the Refugee and Host Population Empowerment (ReHoPE) strategy, a transformative strategy which brings together a wide range of partners including the Government of Uganda, UN agencies, World Bank, development partners and the private sector to enhance self-reliance and resilience of refugees and host communities in Uganda.

The official announcement was made by Japan's Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Kazuaki Kameda in the presence of the Minister of Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Hillary Onek, during a press conference held at the Uganda Media Center in Kampala.

Speaking at the conference, Onek commended the Japanese government for the contribution. 

Minister of Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Hillary Onek

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12: 46pm

Sudan's Bashir moved to prison as protesters rally

Sudan's military rulers have transferred ousted president Omar al-Bashir to prison, a family source said Wednesday, as demonstrators keep up their sit-in outside the army complex calling for a swift transfer to civilian government.

The 75-year-old's whereabouts have been unknown since a military takeover on Thursday when the country's new rulers said he was being held "in a secure place".

Sudan's President former Omar al-Bashir. (Photo by Ashraf SHAZLY / AFP/File)

 
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12:33pm

LUNCH TIP: What are you having for lunch?

Are you behind your New Year's dieting schedule, you can get back on it by enjoying this tasty, healthy food by Rogers Balamaga

 Photo/Courtesy

 
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 11:30am

Bill to regulate Independent candidates underway

By Timothy Murungi

The National Consultative Forum is meeting to deliberate on a draft Bill to regulate independent candidates. The plenary is sitting Wednesday morning at Premier Best Western Hotel in Entebbe.

The National Consultative Forum (NCF), which is a body mandated to bring together all registered political parties, has been on a week-long retreat to develop regulations to govern independent candidates.

 
While opening the plenary session, the NFC chairperson, Mwesigwa Rukutana, said under a  multiparty dispensation, independents are a misdemeanour, and should, therefore, not be considered a norm.

He said independents, who have recently asked to form a dean in Parliament, are a threat that needs to be stopped.

Rukutana was representing the NCF Chairperson, the Prime Minister, Ruhakana Rugunda.

NCF says the regulatory framework (draft Bill) is to aid the Parliament to implement its mandate in the Constitution, Article 72 clause 5, where MPs are required to make a law to regulate the financing and participation of independent candidates in elections.

 

 

Photos by Timothy Murungi

 

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11:00am

EASTERN UGANDA: Objectives of Soroti Fruit Factory #NewVisionTV

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 Mubarak Munyangwa

 
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 Benin President Patrice Talon. Photo/AFP

 
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