Some of the arrested suspects. Photo/Courtesy
Good eveningThat's it for today. Scroll down for earlier stories.
4:32pm
Police arrest 400 in new security swoop in the city
Kampala Metropolitan Police have arrested a total of 424 people in an impromptu swoop in the city.
The Police said the arrests followed a major operation on Wednesday in the city, which was intended to get rid of suspected criminals.
The operation was targeting criminals that have been snatching phones, handbags, necklaces and other crimes, police said.
It was carried out in Katwe, Nsambya, Kisenyi, Old Kampala, Namirembe road, Wandegeya, and Kabalagala suburbs.
"Some of the suspects we have arrested had court bails, others police bond and we shall immediately take them to Courts or police stations," a statement by the Kampala Metropolitan division said.
We are going to screen them before processing their case files.
They are likely to appear in court tomorrow.We urge members of the public to be vigilant. pic.twitter.com/gT5tvS0MSr— Kampala Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceug) April 17, 2019 f=tweets&vertical=default&q=%23UgandaToday&src=typd">UgandaToday
4:00pm
The minister of education and First Lady, Janet Museveni released the results of the December 2018 final examinations results for Grade III teachers at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kampala on Wednesday.
A total of 11,164 candidates wrote the exams at 58 centres.
Overall, 65% of the candidates passed the exams, representing a slight improvement from 61% recorded in the 2017 exams.
UgandaToday
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.
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
'The biggest enemy of political parties is the NRM'
Some members of the National Consultative Forum (NCF) have argued that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party is an enemy of multiparty growth.
The concerns came up as the members from different registered political parties gathered to develop regulation for independent political candidates.
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
UgandaToday
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
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.
Sudan's President former Omar al-Bashir. (Photo by Ashraf SHAZLY / AFP/File)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 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.
11:00am
EASTERN UGANDA: Objectives of Soroti Fruit Factory #NewVisionTV
10:28
URA officials thrown out of parliament
Mubarak Munyangwa
10:00am
AROUND THE WORLD
Benin votes - but with no opposition to choose from
Benin President Patrice Talon. Photo/AFP
Macron vows to rebuild a 'more beautiful' Notre-Dame in 5 years
French President Emmanuel Macron addressing the nation on French private TV channel TF1 during which he vows to rebuild Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral within five years, a day after a fire erupted in the 850-year-old landmark on April 16, 2019. (Photo by ludovic MARIN / AFP)
Smoke and flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said. (Photo by FRANCOIS GUILLOT / AFP)
9:30am
Uganda-Egypt sign MOU to strengthen military cooperation
Joint teams from Egypt and Uganda have witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to improve and strengthen cooperation between both countries, most especially in the field of military cooperation.
The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs Adolf Mwesige signed on behalf of the Uganda Government while the Assistant Minister of Defence Maj Gen Emad Mohammed Abdelaziz Helmy Elmasry signed on behalf of the Egyptian Government.
The event took place Tuesday at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MoDVA) headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala suburbs
9:00am
TODAY IN THE NEW VISION NEWSPAPER
Ugandan borders open to Rwanda nationals — minister
Government has maintained that its borders remain open to citizens of Rwanda despite the ongoing impasse between the two countries. Get the full article in the New Vision. #EPAPER via - https://t.co/dsoPSrJ0P3 pic.twitter.com/IelWyDSLgk
— New Vision UGANDA (@newvisionwire) April 17, 2019
Kyaligonza's bodyguards charged at Army court
The bodyguards of Maj. Gen. Matayo Kyaligonza, Uganda's Ambassador to Burundi, have been charged in the General Court Martial for allegedly assaulting a female traffic Police officer.
Cpl Peter Bushindiki and Pte Robert Okurut, yesterday appeared before the Unit Disciplinary Committee of Military Police Brigade headquarters, sitting in Makindye, Kampala. Get the full story in today's New Vision. #EPAPER via - http://bit.ly/vgepaper
Cpl Peter Bushindiki and Pte Robert Okurut after appearing before the army court yesterday. Courtesy photoUgandaToday
8:30AM
Three things we learned from Barcelona v Man Utd
Manchester United's Brazilian midfielder Fred (C) challenges Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg football match between Barcelona and Manchester United at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 16, 2019. (Photo by PAU BARRENA / AFP)
8:10AM
AROUND UGANDA: 35 babies get free neuro surgery
#NewVisionTV
— New Vision UGANDA (@newvisionwire) April 17, 2019
Around Uganda: 35 babies get free neuro surgery
Details and more stories in the full bulletin
Visit https://t.co/smlDq3h75u https://t.co/E6tRMkdgTM
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By Michael Odeng and Peninah Nyangoma
Left to right: Luis Lwanga (Lawyer), Lt. Col. Jumma Seiko(surety), John Bosco Mudde(Lawyer) and Samuel Serwanga(Lawyer)at the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala . Photo by John Michael Odeng
SK Mbuga's wife Angella Vivienne Chebet in court. Photo by John Michael Odeng
#UgandaToday
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7: 42am
Today's Ras toon
Buganda Road Court is to start handling cases via a high-tech video conferencing facility linked to Luzira Prisons
#UgandaToday
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7:35am
FOREX MARKET
Here is how the Ugandan shilling is trading against other currencies
Source BOU
#UgandaToday
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7:27am
Today's weather forecast
Kampala will have a thunderstorm in spots this morning; otherwise, clouds giving way to a brightening sky during the day. The night will be clear to partly cloudy.
Source: Accuweather
#UgandaToday
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7:19am
Today's inspirational quote
"God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, 'I love you." -Billy Graham
#UgandaToday
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7:14am
Good morning
It's a bright new day, the festivity is in high gear but in whatever we do, let's remember that Jesus is the reason for the season. As we celebrate this year's Easter, let's practice the great commandment (Matthew 22: 34-40). It can be through an act giving your neighbour in need or forgiving that person who hurt.
