Category Archives: Uganda

Kenya & Uganda: Lesson from Ugandan police to (obviously) Kenya police…

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From: joseph nyongesa

The lesson for the Kenya police is that they should have their names and numbers clearly emblazoned on their uniforms. That way, we will cut down on corruption and indiscipline cases will go down they may even go up. Of course they should not take the lesson of having too many uniforms.

Suffice it to say that I, most handsome, most romantic was in Uganda for a private family visit. The end of which is that soon and very soon, (not the soon of the coming of Jesus, my soon) My queen of all poesy and I shall be esteemed (and even deemed) as one. As I write this, things are looking up and very soon I shall be considered a young elder. I will be ahead of the pack of fellows like Papa, Muita etc etc as I have always been.

This means that if my bank account read one million only now, after the “being one”, my account will read fifteen millions. Yes ladies will be quick to have me know that it will not be mine but rather “ours”. What they will have forgotten is that I will be the head of the family. Headship in this context means that I am free to use the language of mine.

Any how my lady is not that difficult. She believes me kama dawa. I mean I cannot be handsome and fail to be the head of finance in my house. It will be like a king who has everything except a good appetite… there surely is no worse tragedy.

Cheers.

Uganda is to deport several Pakistanis on suspection of terrorism activities

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo

UGANDA is to deport several Pakistanis who were arrested but released in connection with the July 11 suicide attacks which killed 76 people.

State minister for internal affairs Matia Kasaija yesterday said the Pakistanis’ documents were also wanting.
“We will deport them on the next plane to Pakistan,” Kasaija said.

He said although the suspects had been cleared of involvement in the attacks which Somali-based militants al-Shabaab claimed, they were still being held by Immigration over improper documents. Sources said at least eight Pakistanis will be deported.

Kasaija admitted that the delay to deport the group was partly caused by financial constraints. Money, he said, is needed to purchase air tickets for both the suspects and the officers escorting them.

Security last week released 20 suspects arrested in connection with the bomb attacks, among them eight Pakistanis, five Ugandans and a Somali, after detectives cleared them of involvement.

The Pakistanis had earlier been
arrested from the eastern town of Pallisa. But the permanent secretary in the ministry, Dr. Stephen Kagoda, yesterday said the suspects had not yet been handed over to them.

More interrogations

Meanwhile, top-notch anti-terror officials yesterday interrogated several suspects at a city Police station amid tight security. Senior officers from the Criminal Investigations Directorate participated, and the process ran from morning till late afternoon, the sources said.

Details about the suspects and their number were not available, though the sources said some were foreigners from the Middle East.

Government yet to meet pledge
Meanwhile, the Government is yet to meet its pledge to help victims of the bomb blasts. However, Kasaija said progress had been made towards meeting the promise.

Funds for the purpose, he said, had been secured by the Office of the Prime Minister and would be channeled to the victims through the internal affairs ministry.

“We are just waiting for action from the Office of the Prime Minister and we begin visiting the victims. “It will not be long before we start,” he added.

The Government promised sh5m to each family that lost relatives in the attack and sh3m for the treatment of each of the more than 50 people injured.

Father of the suspect speaks out
In another development, the father of Isa Ssenkumba, a prime Ugandan suspect in the attacks, was shocked that his son was involved in terrorism.

He dismissed reports that he had benefited from terror money channeled through the son. Abdallah Muyingo, 45, lives in Makindye Lusaka Zone in Kampala.

Muyingo, who has since remarried after separating with Ssenkumba’s mother, said his son had refused formal education in favour of Islamic education.

The man, who earns a living by ferrying goods on a bicycle, once lived in Kalintunsi Zone on Kafumbe Mukasa Road. He said he was shocked to learn that his son was now called Ali, instead of Isa.

He rubbished reports that his current house in Makindye was built by his son using terrorists’ money. Instead, he argued, he sold his plot in Kalintusi zone and built the 2-room house.

Months ago, he was shocked when his son bought a pool table. The son would disappear from home for long durations, allegedly visiting his mother or on trips to Sudan and Kenya.

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Uganda: Heritage Oil battles with Ugandan revenue authority is a waste of time

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Economic and Business News By Leo Odera Omolo in Kisumu

Heritage has demanded to settle the tax dispute at the
international court of arbitration

AFTER two decades of search for oil and gas, huge commercial reserves have been confirmed. However, Uganda’s ability to transform the assets into cash is in balance.

East Africa’s third largest economy has been entangled in a $404.9m tax dispute arising from a proposed $1.35b transaction, posing a serious challenge to Uganda’s capacity to raise oil revenues.

Heritage Oil and Hardman Resources, which later sold its stakes to Tullow Oil in 2004, ran a successful exploration campaign that enhanced the value of their licenses at least 10-fold.

Now the petroleum exploration is moving into the development and production phases that requires huge risk capital, access to project finance and long-term investments

Heritage sells stake
Heritage with little resources decided to cash out from the oil stakes it held in Uganda. After spending just $135m, the firm in December last year decided to sell the holdings to Italian giant Eni for $1.35b.The said offer was later pre-emptied by Tullow. The two firms are equal partners in the blocks.

However, the approval of the transaction was delayed due to disagreements over a $404.9 capital gain tax. Uganda rightfully claims 30% of the $1.35b deal.

Heritage was against paying the tax “based on comprehensive advice from leading tax experts in Uganda, the United Kingdom and North America.”
It demanded to settle the tax dispute via the international court of arbitration in London on depositing $108m.

Heritage is entitled to claim this money if the London Court rules that the firm is not required to pay taxes.

Heritage deposits $121m on URA account

In a dramatic twist of events, Heritage sold its assets to Tullow on depositing $121,477,500 of the disputed tax of $404,925,000 on a Uganda Revenue Authority account. The balance of $283,447,500 has been deposited in an escrow account held on Standard Chartered Bank pending resolution of the tax stalemate.

This is totally in contradiction with the energy minster, Hilary Onek’s, resolve to ensure that the land-locked country got the taxes it deserves.

Early this week, Onek told the media that Heritage will have to pay the full amount of tax ($404,925,000).

“They (Heritage) have been doing all sorts of things to avoid paying the tax but they will have to pay the full amount and the earlier they pay the better,” he said.

“Look, these guys are making super-normal profits. They just invested a tiny little figure of $150m and now they are going to earn $1.5b, why don’t they want to pay tax on that money?” Onek wondered.

President cautioned

There were also reports that Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) had advised the President not to accept the arbitration in London because Uganda will not be able to collect any tax.

President Yoweri Museveni has been assuring parliamentarians and the public that the tax arising from the $1.5b oil deal must be paid fully.

Legal analysts

Legal experts and analysts predict the rush to accept the deal will deny the nation the earliest opportunity to earn oil revenues; even before the first barrel is pumped out of the earth crust.

“Ugandans should not expect money if the tax dispute is resolved in the arbitration court because our laws will not be relevant,” Dickens Kamugisha, the African Institute of Energy Governance (AFIEGO) boss, observed.

“Uganda is a sovereign state and, therefore, all oil companies and any transactions should be subjected to national laws. By going to London, it means that Uganda accepts it is not supposed to levy any tax.”

The income tax laws clearly explain that any transaction in Uganda is subjected to 30% of the capital tax gain.

“The minister says that taxes should be paid and later you hear that the transaction has taken place. This is a bad precedent, which will encourage oil companies to go away without paying taxes,” said a petroleum expert.

Experts have revealed that Uganda could also lose revenues in form of tax in the proposed farm-down process where Tullow intends to partition two-thirds of its interest to Chinese National Oil Off-Shore Company (CNOOC) and Total.

“I don’t think Tullow will accept to pay any tax if Heritage does not pay. Tullow will try avoiding the tax since Heritage will have created a dangerous precedent,” Kamugisha explains.

“Government officials should serve Ugandan interests by forcing the companies to pay all the taxes in Uganda, not in London,” he said.

Tullow Uganda is selling part of its interest–two-thirds each – to CNOOC and Total – to get the much needed risk capital for the development phase Uganda’s oil industry.

Kamugisha advised that any further oil transaction should be stopped until “sufficient and strong laws are put in place to prevent oil companies from fleecing us.”

“Under what laws are the transactions taking place? Already the energy ministry admitted that the current petroleum laws are weak and, therefore, this means that policy-makers don’t have the capacity to negotiate better deals on behalf of Uganda,” he observed.

This will not be the first time tax in the oil sector has been avoided.
No taxes were levied when Tullow bought Australian firm Hardman Resources assets at about 860 million pounds.

Uganda wants to license several oil firms to avoid monopoly.
The firms must also support the Government’s development strategies, including early commercialisation of the oil resources, value addition and training of Ugandans in oil-related activities and processing.

Highlights

• Tullow has paid the agreed cash consideration of $1.35b;

• A further $100m was paid by Tullow in full and final settlement of a potential contractual dispute between the parties relating to the contingent deferred amount

• Heritage has received cash of US$1,045,075,000

• Heritage has disputed a tax assessment of $404,925,000 and deposited $121,477,500 with the URA, representing 30% of the disputed amount;

• The balance of $283,447,500 remains on an escrow account and will be released following resolution between the Government and Heritage of a mechanism to resolve the tax dispute

• Heritage intends to pay a special dividend of up to 100 pence per share in August 2010.

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Uganda: HERITAGE oil has earned USD 1.5 billion for the sale of its oil well in Uganda

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Economic and Business News By Leo Odera Omolo

HERITAGE Oil has completed the sale of its oil and gas interest in Uganda after it accepted terms and conditions set by the Government.

The deal will go down the history as the first biggest transaction ever held in sub-Saharan Africa.

The firm sold its entire stake in Blocks 1 and 3A to its partner Tullow Uganda, who paid $1.45b in cash.

“As an exploration company, we felt it more appropriate to exit now and leave the development of the Ugandan oil industry to other companies with the relevant downstream expertise,” Tony Buckingham, Heritage’s boss, yesterday said in a statement.

“We are delighted to have played the key role in developing this new major industry for Uganda. The success of our exploration programmes has generated significant value for the people of Uganda and our shareholders.”

However, Heritage had to deposit $121,477,500 with the Uganda Revenue Authority account of the disputed tax assessment of $404,925,000.

The balance of $283,447,500 has been deposited on an escrow account held in Standard Chartered Bank, pending a resolution between the Government and Heritage of a mechanism to resolve the dispute.

“We will continue to co-operate with the Uganda government and look forward to resolving the tax matter as soon as possible,” the Heritage boss stated.

The transaction follows the Government’s conditional approval endorsed in July 6, allowing Heritage to sell the assets.

The conditions were that the firm would pay $121,477,500 and demonstrate that it is willing to pay the remaining $283,447,500.

In turn, Heritage had to either provide a bank guarantee for the balance or letter of credit from an international bank to the Government to provide security for the remainder of the disputed amount.

Aidan Heavey, the Tullow Oil boss, said: “This was a major step forward for Uganda’s oil industry.

“We now look forward to signing the farm down agreements with CNOOC (Chinese National Oil Offshore Corporation) and Total in the coming weeks and commence work with them on an accelerated basin-wide development plan that is expected to deliver production well in excess of 200,000 bopd from the Albert Rift Basin.”

The biggest single transaction in sub-Sahara Africa was delayed due to a $404,925,000 tax dispute between the Government and Heritage.

Heritage’s position, “based on comprehensive advice from leading tax experts in Uganda, the UK and North America,” was that the $1.5b transaction was not taxable in Uganda.

The firm proposed an option of arbitration in London in the UK over the tax dispute.

But Kabagambe-Kaliisa, the energy ministry permanent secretary, insisted that the firm had to pay taxes “as assessed by the commissioner, Uganda Revenue Authority.”

The announcement brings to an end a furious bidding row between Tullow and Italian giant Eni over Heritage’s oil stakes on the shores of Lake Albert.

Heritage Oil and Hardman Resources, which later sold its stakes to Tullow Oil in 2004, ran a successful exploration campaign that enhanced the value of their licenses at least 10-fold.

Now the petroleum exploration is moving into the development and production phases that requires huge risk capital, access to project finance and long-term investments

Heritage, with little resources, opted to cash out from its bounty. After spending just $135m in Uganda, the firm decided to sell the holdings to Italian giant Eni for $1.35b. But the offer was pre-empted by Tullow. The two firms are equal partners in the blocks.

Two decades of uphill struggle in search for oil and gas has confirmed huge commercial reserves –about two billion barrels in place. This has sparked off investor interest in Uganda.

ENDS

Uganda: AFRICAN leaders headed home after Au Summit in Kampala ended with far reaching notes

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news Analysis By Leo Odera Omolo

THE 15th African Union summit ended in Kampala yesterday with the chairman, President Bingu Wa Mutharika, saying it was a resounding success.

The 15th ordinary session, which brought together over 35 heads of state and government discussed and made resolutions on several issues over and above its theme, maternal, infant and child health and development in Africa.

President Museveni, the AU summit host, did not make any remarks during the closing ceremony. But Museveni, who was with his wife Janet, appeared jovial all through.

Host President Yoweri Museveni with Nigeria’s Goodluck Jonathan and South Africa’s Jacob Zuma at Munyonyo yesterday

Besides, he also held bilateral meetings with other leaders including Libya’s Col. Muammar Gadaffi.

In his closing remarks, Mutharika said the meeting was characterised by heated moments and disagreements in which they had to make difficult decisions.

He said the decisions made have far reaching implications, and urged the leaders to ensure that they are implemented.

“We have made decisions before but implementation has been a problem. It is time for our people to see the results. We have the means and political will, let us do it. I believe the future of the world depends on us,” he said.

“We should create a new Africa where Africans do not die of hunger, terrorism, diseases, wars and African children do not die before the age of five. We should have Africa where mothers don’t die while trying to bring life to this earth,” he said.

Mutharika expressed confidence that peace and security would soon be restored in the continent.

Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan called on development partners to finance the health projects.

He thanked other leaders for fighting poverty and diseases on the continent and pledged to work closely with them in making a difference in Africa.

Gadaffi said: “We need to stick to our ambition of integration. I am confident that we will have the United States of Africa.”

Bashir and the International Criminal Court

Mutharika said the AU asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to suspend its indictments against Sudanese president Omar El-Bashir for one year as the union investigated the allegations against him.

The ICC issued two arrest warrants against Bashir, accusing him of crimes against humanity and genocide in Darfur. The latest warrant was issued last month.

Mutharika asked if the court had a right to try Bashir, when Sudan is not a member of the ICC.

AMISOM’s mandate in Somalia unchanged

Mutharika said the UPDF together with the Burundi forces making up the AMISOM made strident gains against the Al-Shabaab terrorists. He appealed for co-operation from international bodies like the UN, saying the problem was no longer for Africa alone.

He added that the recent terrorist bombings in Kampala were meant to discourage them from attending the summit, but their attendance had shown that terrorism has no place in today’s world.

Asked whether the summit had changed the mandate of AMISOM from mere peacekeeping to combat, he said they had not debated it but it would be decided by the Peace and Security Council.

Ping added that changing the mandate would call for new equipment like helicopters, which are not available. Guinea and Djibouti willing to contribute troops, he added.

Maternal, infant and child health

Ping said the members agreed to form a group to monitor and report on the progress of maternal, infant and child health.
Mutharika said the summit had agreed to place the welfare of women and safe motherhood at the forefront of their development agendas this year.

“If we improve the welfare of women, access to food and health care, maternal mortality will significantly reduce,” he said.

Infrastructure

The summit, he added, also launched a programme for infrastructural development in Africa and adopted the African charter on maritime transport. It also elected human rights commissioners, a committee on child health, and a judge to the African court of justice.

Other issues

A report on conflict resolution in Somalia, Darfur, Madagascar and other crisis states was presented to the heads of state. A report on the fight against corruption and others on drugs, and on coup de tats on the continent were also presented.

Mutharika said he believed in the next five years Africa will grow enough food to feed itself and supply to the rest of the world.

“Presently, Africa uses 10% of arable land whereas in Europe it is 100%. We have rivers, lakes which only need harnessing for irrigation. We have taken a decision that five years from now no child should die of hunger and malnutrition, or go to bed hungry,” he said.

On climate change, Mutharika observed that although Africa does not contribute to greenhouse emissions, it is the most affected and called for re-afforestation along river banks.

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Uganda: UPDF is now training newly recruited Somali government soldiers

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo

FRESH Somali trainees of the Transitional Government Forces have recorded success in different encounters with the al-Shabaab militants.

Speaking at their training camp at Al-Jazeera in Mogadishu, some of the trainees said they were eager and ready to fight the militants to restore sanity in their country.

In the last few weeks, the Ugandan-trained Somalis have been involved in several battles with the al-Shabaab.
Recently, the soldiers pushed the al-Shabaab out of their bases in Bondere with the support of the Africa Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

“I have been at the frontline to asses our trainees. They are holding their ground,” said UPDF’s Maj. Sam Wasswa, the AMISOM training officer.
Wasswa cited areas like the African Village in the centre of Mogadishu that is firmly held by the trainee fighters, despite the endless attacks from al-Shabaab.

He also dismissed reports that some of the soldiers within the force had defected to al-Shabaab.

“Such claims are not true. They are propagated by the enemy,” he said.
The peacekeepers, under the AMISOM, have so far trained over 3,800 Somali soldiers and policemen. Over 400 others will soon pass out.

At the completion of the nine-month basic training course in Uganda, the Somalis return home for an induction course at Al Jazeera.

“We need about 10,000 Somali soldiers to control Somalia, but it will take time to raise the number,” Wasswa said.
At the training camp, which also doubles as the base for the Burundian contingent, the mood is hopeful.

One of the soldiers described the training as a good move that will help them bring peace to their country.
“We shall be equipped to fight and liberate our country,” said one of the trainees.

Most of the training is carried out by the UPDF with the help of translators from Kenya and Somalia.

Currently, the thin line of Somali fighters on the ground is the major impediment to bringing total peace in Somalia, according to AMISOM commanders.

AMISOM has slowly taken control of a-third of Mogadishu, but their task has been hampered by lack of enough support from the transitional government forces.

“Our major mandate is to train them,” said Wasswa.

On Sunday, AMISOM spokesman Maj. Ba-Hoku Barigye, reminded the trainees of their responsibilities to defend their country.

“This is your country. No one will solve its problems. You have to do it yourself,” Barigye told the soldiers.

Meanwhile, UPDF spokesperson, Lt. Col. Felix Kulayigye, yesterday said three foreign fighters and seven al-Shabaab militants were killed at Masla Camp near Pasta factory in Mogadishu, when a Mitshubishi Pajero vehicle laden with explosives for a suicide mission, exploded accidentally.

In a statement issued yesterday, Kulayigye said in another incident, al-Shabaab fighters fired a mortar bomb in Hamar Weyne, close to Uruba Hotel, which landed on a mosque. The mortar bomb exploded, killing three civilians and injuring one.

In a related development, African Union and government troops launched an offensive against the Islamist rebels on Monday and repulsed them from two strategic locations.

Barigye said one of their soldiers was wounded in the latest clashes.

“One of our armoured vehicles was burned after it was hit, injuring the driver.

“But the government forces took control of the former interior ministry building area from the insurgents,” he told AFP.
At least 11 people, mainly militants, were killed in the fighting, officials said.

“We have pushed the enemy back from some of their locations in northern Mogadishu today. We killed four of their fighters and unfortunately three of our soldiers also died during the clashes,” said Hasan Abdulahi, a Somali security official.

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Uganda: Heritage must pay all the taxes from the sale of its oil rights before the government endorses sale

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo

Petroleum explorer Heritage Oil must pay the full amount of tax on earnings from the sale of assets in Uganda before the Government fully endorses the deal, Hillary Onek, the energy minister, has said.

Recently, the Government gave Heritage conditional approval to sell its exploration assets to Tullow Oil after months of delay caused by a dispute over tax on earnings from the sale.

Under the conditional approval, Heritage was to deposit 30% of the disputed $404m capital gains tax with the Uganda Revenue Authority and give the bank guarantee for the remaining 70%, which would be redeemable on completion of an arbitration process.

“Heritage is evasive. They have been doing all sorts of things to avoid paying the tax, but they will have to pay the full amount and the earlier they pay, the better, Onek said on Sunday.

Uganda discovered oil in 2006 in the Albertine Rift basin along the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo and reserves are estimated at about two billion barrels.

Commercial production is expected to start in the last quarter of 2011.

On July 7, Heritage issued a statement saying it had received advice that the disposal of the assets was not taxable.

“These guys are making super-normal profits. They just invested a tiny little figure of $150m and now they are going to earn $1.5b. Why don’t they want to pay taxes on that money?” Onek asked.

He declined to comment on whether the Government had scrapped the conditional approval given to Heritage on July 6 and whether Uganda would go for arbitration in London to resolve the tax dispute.

Once Tullow has acquired Heritage’s stakes in blocks 1 and 3A for up to $1.5b, it plans to bring in China’s CNOOC and France’s Total to develop the fields and turn Uganda into one of the top 50 oil producers.

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Ugandan Police are holding a girl friend of the suspected suicide bombers

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Reports leo Odera Omolo in kisumu city

THE girlfriend of one of the suicide bombers who attacked two venues in Kampala, killing at least 76 people about two weeks ago, has been arrested by the Police.

Three other suspects have also been detained in Kenya over the attacks, sources said yesterday.

Police chief Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura said the woman had links with the man who set off the bomb at Kyadondo Rugby Club, where soccer fans were watching the World Cup finals. The man was Eritrean, he said.

The woman is helping the Police with the investigation, Kayihura added.
Following the bombings, the Police issued three hotlines for the public to relay information on the attackers.

It was not clear if this is how the Police learnt about the woman, who joins over 20 suspects undergoing interrogation over the attack for which al-Shabaab militants based in Somalia claimed responsibility.

Kayihura also revealed that the Police had interrogated Jamal Abdula Kiyemba, the Ugandan once detained at Guantanamo Bay over the September 11, 2001 terror attack on the US in which thousands perished.

Kayihura said an informer saw Kiyemba, 31, and alerted security. “He was picked up and interrogated but the team did not find any connection between him and the attackers and was freed,” he stated.

Without elaborating, Kayihura added that the investigations were “progressing smoothly” and promised to publicise the findings soon.

Sources said three more suspects had been arrested in the Kenyan capital Nairobi. They played a major role in the Kampala bomb blasts, the source explained.

The suspects are due to be extradited to Uganda to face interrogators who include America’s FBI agents, the source added.

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UGANDAN FISH EXPORTS IS DECLINING AS EAST AFRICA EXPERTS PREDICTS STIFFEST MARKET COMPETITION FROM EUROPEAN PRODUCED COD FISH

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Economic and Business Reports By Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City.

Fish experts I East Africa are predicting a new threat of fierce competition from Cod white fish from European lucrative market

This fish is favoring red in Europe but until a few years ago, its stock had diminished to a worrying level-leading to a boom in Nile perch imports.

And Now Lake Victoria fisheries officials are themselves worried over declining fish stocks in the water body, which is shared by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Cod white fresh fish hit European market last year, with the production in Belgium peak to 120,000 metric tones this year.

More production of Cod fish are expected from Britain, Norway and Scotland. As market that were recently importing Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania fish begin to produce their own, the competition will son get toughen.

“We must excel in aquaculture Cod white fish is farmed and compete better in the European market than Nile perch. Its stocks in the world market had diminished simply because of mismanagement,” said Uganda’s Commissioner for Fisheries William Mwanja in a recent interview.

At 17,400 tones Uganda is the largest exporter offish from Lake Victoria. Europe is one of the principal markets. Cod fish is a native to Europe. It is favored of many homes there.

Conservation efforts and fish farming {aquaculture} over the past few years are now yielding positive results in Europe.

Shortage of Cod fish had led to high demand in prices for East Africa’s Nile perch in Europe resulting in a near monopoly for decades.

Booming demand for Nile perch in Europe created more opportunities in Uganda for rapid industrialization of the fish processing sector in the early 1990.

More and more fish processors came on board, creating jobs and improving the lifestyles of local communities. Soon, however, poor management of fisheries led to illegal fishing, theft and a sharp drip in fish stocks and exports.

“We used to set about 20 fish nets and get enough fish, but today we set about 100 nets and get very few fish, “said Richard Semukwaya a fisherman Muchungu fish landing site outside Kampala.

The fisherman who has been in the trade for close to 35 years gave the example of Lake Albert in mid-western Uganda where illegal fishermen spend months in the middle of the lake fishing and smoking the catch.

Fish volume have dropped significantly in the past three years-because of export high of 28,394.8 metric tones last year earning USD 85,426.2 billion. Seventy per cent offish harvested in Uganda is immature, but it was readily marketed locally and in Kenya, DR Congo, Central African Republic, Sudan and Angola.

Estimated value stands at USD 100 million. There are 167 lakes in Uganda. Five of them, Victoria, Kayega, Albert, George and Edward.20 other are moderately big the others are relatively smaller..

Lake Victoria is the most productive. The Ugandan government, however is presently is considering leasing out smaller community water bodies for better management. But the move could stir up bitter political agitation by the community leaders as most of these lake are the major source of livelihood for the locals

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leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

Uganda: AU SUMMIT ENDED IN A HIGH NOT OF WARNING TO AL-SHABAAB TERRORISTS

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City.

The two-day 15th extraordinary session of African Heads of States and Governments ended in the Ugandan capital last Sunday evening after member state vowed to make a joint effort in crushing terrorism and getting rid of the terrorists out of the continent.

It was not immediately clear whether the summit had endorsed the recommendations by the Council of Ministers, which had recommended that the mandate of AU, Amisom in Somalia be changed from that of peacekeepers, to that of peace reinforcement force.

Earlier the Council of Ministers, consisting of minister for Foreign Affairs from the 49 member countries who have been meeting from July 18 had agreed in principles that the role and mandate of the Amisom peacekeepers be changed to that of peace reinforcement force. This will enable the AU mission troops to engage the Al-Shabaab militias in possible exchange of fire.

Currently, the Amisom mission is mainly peacekeeping. The troops are strictly confined to the role of guarding the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, presidential palace, the airport and seaport.

The change in mandate was one of the principal agenda items discussed and agreed on at a closed door meeting in Kampala on July 22. The Council meeting was held ahead of the summit, and their recommendations were supposed to be submitted to the heads of states and governments meeting on July 25.

After the expected approval by the summit, the issue should by now said to be awaiting to be discussed by the AU Security Council and the Un Security Council before an enforcement force can be put together.

But in separate rejoinder talks in separate interviews with newsmen, several Ministers had expressed skepticism about the proposed reinforcement force.

These were Minister from South Africa, Kenya and Uganda who acknowledged having participated in discussing the issue of the change of mandate for enforcing peace troops, and by Saturday, the issue which was supposed to be conclusively upheld by the summit was still hanging on the balance. The Au summit is known for more often not in the habit of not approving certain recommendations by Council of its Ministers.

Malawian President Bingu Wa Mutharika ,the current AU chairman did not mince his words. He unreservedly condemned the recent terrorist attack on the innocent civilian in Kampala in the strongest terms.

“Violence against civilians does not advanced humanity but only serve to disrupt progress, “he lamented.

Terror has no place in Africa and no place in humanity. Those individuals should find other ways of addressing their differences rather than waste of human life, the Malawian President said before calling for two minutes silent in respect of the 76 deceased Ugandans who died in the July 11, terrorist twin bombing blasts.

“Peacekeeping is a misnomer, we need a change in mandate for enforcing peace. We are seeing a situation whereby Africans attacking their fellow Africans and then boasting about it, that is unacceptable. As a regional body we must seek for a peaceful and diplomatic solution.” Says Kenya’s Foreign MinisterAffairs Moses Wetangula.

Earlier the AU peace and security Commissioner, Ramtane Lamamra had vigorously drummed up support for the change in mandate during an Au peace an security council meeting. This particular meeting was also attended by the various experts.

“We will certainly give leeway to Amisom so that it can accomplish its mission in the most comfortable manner, said an African diplomat.

He change in mandate means extra costs for military hardware and troops. Uganda currently

receives about USD 33 million annually for its 2,500 troops it contributed to Amisom, but that

figure is expected to rise sharply depending on what military hardware is required and the number of troop likely to be raised.

The number of Ugandan in Amisom is 2,500 and the number of total peacekeepers required is to contain the activities of Al-Shabaab militias is20,000.

Although almost all African countries had agreed with the option of militarily engaging Al-Shabaab terrorist, the reorganization of the operation or who should lead it is not.

A number of countries do not agree with the option of letting Uganda lead it unilateral mission. In fact deliberations’ the AU conference lacked a clear strategy, although all countries supported that there should be a regional military action against he militias. This is so because since most countries are for the UN led operation while others demanded a purely African mission with both manpower and logistics mobilized from within the continent.

However, what remains clear is that to go it alone against Al-Shabaab is still high on the table.”We know most countries just talk but do not commit themselves. We rare used to that, once we get the right intelligence {on Al-Shabaab and the logistics and the peacekeeping mission we shall go it alone. We are very ready,” Ugandan Minister for International Relations Okello Oryem was quote this week as saying.

Since the Kampala bombing President Museveni administration has made it clear his government will fight Al-Shabaab single handedly at the invitation of the Somali Transitional Federal Government should it fail to get support from other African governments .

Kampala position seemed to have the support of world powers like the United States and Great Britain.

At the same time Somali Defense Minister Abukar Abdi Osman hinted that the US was readily willing to help with the offensive although not directly.”They have promised logistics. We have been talking to them,’ he added.

Kenya, which is being accused of playing a “softer roles despite having constantly suffered on occasions in the hands of Al-Shabaab is reportedly demanding that Africa should instead mobilize troops than the EAC Standby Brigade and supplement the current amisom strength to raise the temporarily requied 20,000 troops for the operation.

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leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

Uganda: Some of the Al-Shababb recruits and bombers are still hiding in Kampala

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reports Leo Odera Omolo

SEVERAL Ugandans recruited by the al-Shabaab terrorists are in hiding, a key suspect in the July 11 bombings in Kampala has disclosed.

Suspected suicide bombers struck the Ethiopian Village restaurant and the Kyadondo Rugby Club, killing about 76 soccer fans watching the 2010 World Cup finals.

Ssenkumba

The al-Shabaab militants in Somalia claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying it was a retaliatory attack on Uganda for sending troops on a peace-keeping mission to their country.

The latest information on the terrorist attacks was revealed during the interrogation of Ali Issa Ssenkumba, a Ugandan suspected to belong to the militant group.

Yesterday, The New Vision learnt that Ssenkumba, who was arrested in Kenya recently, is a teenager who hails from Makindye city suburb and not Butambala county in Mpigi district. An unexploded bomb was removed in the area.

Sources said the 19-year-old did not have any formal education but attended Koran schools locally known as darasa to study Islam. He belongs to the Tabliq faction and is fluent in Arabic.

Ssenkumba, who is among over 30 people detained in connection with the attacks, is said to have told investigators that the bombs used in Kampala were assembled in Somalia. Ugandans, Pakistani and Somali nationals are among the detained persons.

Detectives said Ssenkumba also provided useful information linking the al-Shabaab militants to al-Qaeda.

Several local and international investigators, including the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), continue to comb the bomb sites and several homes in Kampala

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UGANDA: 35 AFRICAN HEADS OF STATE IN ATTENDANCE AT THE OPENING OF AFRICAN UNION SUMMIT

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo

THE African Union (AU) Summit opened yesterday with world leaders condemning the Somalia-based al-Shabaab terrorists.

African heads of state and leaders pose with Museveni (centre) for a picture at Munyonyo

According to the report carried by the semi-official newspaper, the NEWVISION, thirty-five heads of state and government are attending the summit at Munyonyo which is expected to end tomorrow. The leaders called for a united front to kick terrorists out of Africa.

In his address, President Yoweri Museveni urged the AU to “sweep the terrorists out of Africa.”

“Let them go back to Asia and the Middle East where they come from. I reject this new form of colonialism through terrorism.”

Museveni said many of the organisers of the July 11 twin bombings in Kampala, which killed 76 people had been arrested and their interrogation revealed “very good information.”

“In Somalia, they recently attacked the government and the AU forces. But they got the punishment they deserved. AU members should not accept this arrogance. Who are these people who dare attack the AU flag? Whose interest do they represent, where do their loyalties lie? These terrorists can be and will be resisted.

“As you know, I have a long experience in warfare. However, I have great contempt for the authors of terrorism who attack children and unarmed civilians. I am glad that the whole of Africa has condemned them. Let us shoot them out of Africa,” Museveni said.

Foreign affairs Permanent Secretary James Mugume said foreign delegations included four vice-presidents and three prime ministers. The summit is focusing on maternal, infant and child health and development.

Delegates from 49 African countries have been discussing various AU issues since July 18, including a session on peace and security and the private sector

Malawian President Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika, who is the AU chairman, said: “I condemn the attack on the innocent civilians in Kampala, in the strongest terms. That violence against civilians does not advance humanity but disrupts progress.

“Terror has no place in Africa and no place in humanity. Those involved should find other ways of addressing their differences rather than waste human life,” he said before calling for two minutes of silence in respect to the deceased.

African Union Commission chairman Jean Ping said the security situation in Somalia remained worrying.

He said the transitional government was trying to reach out to some of the fighting groups for peace talks.
Earlier, he said the strength of the peacekeeping troops in the war-torn Somalia was about to double when the African Union deploys another 6,000 soldiers.

Two battalions, one from Guinea and another from Djibouti and 2,000 more soldiers from the IGAD countries will soon be deployed. “Very quickly we are increasing from the 6,100 contributed by Burundi and Uganda. There are countries that are ready and are waiting for our green light. We shall go beyond the authorised strength of 8,000 troops,” he said.

Ping revealed that a military team from Guinea was being briefed in Addis Ababa, before it moves to Mogadishu to assess the conditions before the country deploys its troops.

Goodluck Jonathan, the President of Nigeria, also condemned the terrorist killings in Kampala two weeks ago
He noted that such acts of violence on innocent people cannot solve any problems but only create new ones. He regretted that while Africa was celebrating the successful hosting of the World Cup in Africa, Uganda was mourning victims of terror.

“Nigeria unreservedly condemns the bomb attacks and expresses solidarity with President Yoweri Museveni and my dear brothers and sisters in Uganda,” he said.

The Nigerian leader thanked African leaders for their words of empathy and personal visits following the death of former Nigerian president, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. He described Yar’Adua as a champion of the rule of law, accountability and transparency.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas extended his condolences over the attacks and thanked Uganda for supporting Somalia, which he said was suffering from the burden of terrorism expansion.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon and the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Granadines, Ralph Goncalves, said the terrorist attacks caused a lot of anguish in the world.

“It was with much pain and anger that we learnt about the murderous acts against the innocent people. Our gathering here is to tell the terrorists, ‘You can fight us, you can scare us but you can never win.’ We are with President Museveni on this,” said Goncalves, who spoke on behalf of the Caribbean leaders.

S.E.M. Moussa, the secretary general of the Arab League, said terrorism is intended to threaten people’s security.

“Our position on terrorism is one, rejection and fighting it.” He thanked the AU for prioritising stabilising Somalia and promised that the Arab League would work with the continental body to put an end to the Somali crisis.

He recommended that a ministerial committee comprising members from AU, Organisation of Islamic Conference, Arab League and UN be set up to tackle the instability, terrorism and piracy in Somalia.

The UN Deputy Secretary General, Asha Rose Migiro, said the Kampala bombings showed that no country is immune to terrorists.

She called for the implementation of the UN Counter-Terrorism Strategy – with a global response.

“The attacks also show that the Somali crisis has a direct impact on regional and global security. We must strengthen our resolve to do more in our search for stability in that country. That means supporting the transitional federal government there, both in its reconciliation efforts and in its fight against extremism,” Migiro advised.

She paid special tribute to the AU Mission in Somalia and to Uganda and Burundi for contributing troops to the war-ravaged country.

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Uganda: Heads of states of African government are in Kampala for the AU meeting despite terrorists threat

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo

HEADS of State yesterday started jetting into the country to attend the 15th African Union Heads of State Summit taking place at Speke Resort Munyonyo, in Kampala.

By press time, nine heads of state had landed at Entebbe International Airport, inspected guards of honour and driven to Munyonyo Presidential suites. President MwaiKibaki of Kenya jetted into Entebe Airport on Saturday afternoon bringing the number to 13.
Kibaki is being accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Moses Wetangulaad Health Services Minister Beth Mugo and a team of top government officials/

Security at the various part of Kampala is almost man to man following the scare of Bomb blast two weeks ago in which close to 76 people died. The Somali pro-Alqaeda militia group Al-Shabaab has since claimed rsponsibility of the twi bomb attacks and vowed to carry more similar attacks.

These are Bingu Wa Mutharika of Malawi, Rupiah Banda of Zambia,
Abdoulaiye Wade of Senegal, Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia, Pakalitha Mosisili of Lesotho, Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia,
Denis Sassou-Nguesso of Congo and Algeria’s Abdelaziz Bouleflika.

Forty-four African leaders are expected.
The Heads of State meeting that begins on Sunday and ends on Tuesday, will be the culmination of a two-week event that began with the permanent representatives committee on July 19.

The theme of the summit is Maternal, Infant and Child Health and Development in Africa and presidents will devote the three days to its discussion.

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UGANDA: FORMER NSSF BOSS PLACED IN CUSTODY AS HE TRIED TO FLEE TO KENYA TO ESCAPE CHARGES OF ABUSE OF PUBLIC OFFICE.

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City

DAVID Chandi Jamwa was yesterday morning arrested at the Uganda-Kenya border point of Malaba on his way to Kenya.The former National Social Security Fund (NSSF) managing director was later in the afternoon charged before the anti-corruption court with abuse of office and causing sh2.7b loss to the fund.

He denied the charges, but the court did not grant him bail, after prosecutor Sydney Asubo said only the High Court had the power to do so, and not the magistrates court.

Accordingly, chief magistrate Irene Akankwasa remanded Jamwa to Luzira Prisons until tomorrow when she will decide the fate of his bail application.

The court was packed to capacity when Jamwa appeared at 4:30pm.

Prosecutor Asubo, assisted by Sarah Birungi of the IGG, said Jamwa arbitrarily sold off several NSSF bonds to Crane Bank before their maturity dates, which led to the loss of sh2.7b.

This happened between September and November 2007 when Jamwa was NSSF boss, Asubo said.

Jamwa appeared nervous and sweated profusely in the dock. He constantly wiped away sweat with a hankie.

The court proceedings lasted about 30 minutes after which he was whisked to the court cell, handcuffed with another suspect and later ushered onto the prison bus enroute to Luzira. Relatives and friends looked on in disbelief.

The other inmates were excited about Jamwa joining them, calling him “the big man” who would buy them good food.

Earlier, Jamwa wearing a black T-shirt and blue jeans, was brought in the court from the IGG’s office in a white Prado escorted by two policemen.

Jamwa also had to go through Parliament, where he arrived at 2:30pm and faced the committee on commissions, statutory and state enterprises.

The MPs did not let him say anything. “We just wanted him to know that we also want him,” chairman Reagan Okumu said. “From tomorrow, he starts appearing before this committee to answer queries. It is a coincidence he is arrested at a time we also want him.”

The queries relate to questionable procurements and advances Jamwa paid to his deputy, Prof. Mondo Kagonyera.

Jamwa’s predecessor Leonard Mpuuma was also charged in 2007 with causing financial loss, abuse of office and receiving a bribe. The court fined him sh100m after he pleaded guilty, but cleared him of charges of receiving a bribe.

Jamwa’s arrest came a day after Okumu’s committee slapped a travel ban on him, Mondo Kagonyera and other embattled former bosses of the fund.

Earlier, the NSSF board had written to the IGG, Raphael Baku, asking him to prosecute the former bosses, who were implicated in an audit report on the fund.

The audit was conducted by KPMG and was ordered by President Yoweri Museveni.?

When the Police and immigration officials arrested him at 3:00am, Jamwa was travelling with three passengers in a Toyota Tundra, UAL 202V.

They were reportedly heading to Siaya in Kenya to a burial, but sources said he was attempting to sneak out of the country. Jamwa, who is in his late 30s, also had his passport.

“His moving at night created suspicion,” the head of investigations, Moses Sakira, said.

Border officials asked Jamwa to disembark when the huge vehicle with tinted glass pulled to a halt at a check-point, said the eastern Police boss, Joel Aguma.

Jamwa complied and was detained at the Malaba Police Station cells. Later, he was handed over to the IGG’s office in Tororo before being driving back 211km back to the city.

Although the Police allowed the other passengers to continue with the journey, they declined.

Explaining the arrest, Aguma said the force had already received the Parliament’s order stopping Jamwa and colleagues from leaving the country.

“We got a directive from the Inspector General of Police to ensure that he is escorted back to Kampala,” he said.

Sources said the charge sheet had been signed a few days ago and the Police had been ordered to arrest Jamwa.

In the past, Jamwa has been accused of spending workers’ money lavishly, including on gambling in American casinos, clothes and jewellry.

According to the KPMG report, NSSF lost over sh8b in just two days when Jamwa sold off government bonds to Crane Bank before their maturity date. In addition, the report said, Jamwa instructed the bank to sell two-year bonds worth sh19b and sh9.7b on November 2, 2007, some 27 days before the date of maturity.

As a result, the report added, NSSF lost the maturity value plus the final interest payment, totalling to sh1.6b.

A day later, 10 NSSF three-year bonds worth sh39b were also sold. The audit did not state what NSSF lost as a result.

The probe focused on the procurement of an integrated information management system, the purchase of land in Temangalo and the status of Nsimbe Holdings,?the misuse of credit cards, investments in fixed deposits and the sale of immature bonds.

The auditors found that “a lot was wrong with the management of NSSF” especially in procurement, salary advances, allowances and loans.

Also implicated are former board chaired by Edward Gaamuwa, the former corporation secretary, Martin Bandebire, the investment manager, Peter Mugimba, the chairman of the contracts committee, Samuel Mpiima Lubulwa and businessman Amos Nzeyi.

Former finance minister Ezra Suruma in December 2008 suspended Jamwa and Kagonyera following the Temangalo saga in which the Fund bought land belonging to businessman Amos Nzeyi and Arma, a company linked to security minister Amama Mbabazi, at sh11b.?The price was said to be inflated, but a Parliament committee found otherwise.??????

A total of 40 people have since applied for the job of managing director of the NSSF. Over the last 10 years, four managing directors have been fired amid scandals.

The NSSF’s assets stand at sh1.4 trillion, making it one of the largest players in Uganda’s economy.

In the last 10 years, its portfolio has grown from under sh200b to over sh1.3 trillion against the country’s revenue of sh3.6 trillion a year.

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Uganda magistrate charged in court with offence of receiving bribes money

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City

A JINJA Grade II magistrate was on Wednesday arrested over receiving a bribe of sh100,000 in order to acquit a man charged with theft.

Okitwii Odutu allegedly received the money from Esther Nabulime to have her brother, Emmanuel Ssembule, released.

Odutu was arrested by Police detectives attached to the office of the Inspector General of Government (IGG), led by Dominic Baru, the eastern regional officer.

He was arrested together with a law enforcement officer attached to Jinja municipality, who was found in the magistrate’s chambers.

The man, only identified as Mugalya, was told to explain what he had seen before the arrival of the Police but reportedly said he could not recall anything.

Nabulime, a potato vendor on Nizam Road in Jinja town, accused Odutu of demanding money whenever her brother appeared in court and promising that he would be acquitted.
“I got fed up and decided to storm the IGG eastern regional offices in Jinja for help,” Nabulime, whose brother was released that day, told journalists.

Nabulime added that she had so far given the magistrate sh420,000.

Baru explained that they raised the sh100,000 which Nabulime said the magistrate demanded and copied down the serial number of the notes.

Shortly after handing over the money to Odutu, the IGG officers stormed his chambers.

Odutu was reportedly shaking as he was told to remove his coat to be searched.

The money was recovered after an hour of searching from a cabinet where another bundle of sh667,000 was confiscated.

Odutu’s arrest paralysed several court sessions as he was held by the trousers and led to his boss, the Jinja Chief Magistrate, Amos Kwizira.

Odutu told Kwizira that they had picked money meant for his children’s school fees.

The magistrate was expected to appear before the Anti-Corruption Court

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Somalia & Uganda: Two More Ugandan soldiers dies in fresh fighting with Al-Shabaab in Mogadishu

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City

The semi-official government owned daily the NEWVISION has reported this morning that two Ugandan soldiers were killed on Wednesday in the fresh fighting in Mogadishu between Somali government forces and al-Shabaab Islamist militants.

Army spokesman Felix Kulayigye yesterday said the two peacekeepers were killed while defending the presidential palace.

Independent sources in Mogadishu said the dead included 27-year-old private Ismael (second name withheld). The New Vision could not immediately establish the identity of the other soldier.

The Ugandan soldiers were serving with the AMISOM, the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia.

“The soldiers were blown up in a bomb during a brief exchange with the Somali militants at 4:00pm,” the source narrated yesterday.

Kulayigye said the bodies were expected in the country last night. “We have been clashing with the militants since Monday when al-Shabaab attacked State House. Our soldiers were killed in defence,” he explained.

This latest attack comes just days after al-Shabaab attacked Somali government positions and other establishments guarded by AMISOM.

Ismael hails from a soldiering family in Lima village, Ludara county in Koboko district. His father (name withheld) served in different armies, including the Uganda Army and the National Resistance Army, now UPDF, before he retired at the rank of a sergeant in 1993.

Lima is survived by two wives and three children. He married both wives while on short leave from the peacekeeping mission. His first wife, who bore two children, hails from Bundibugyo district.

Ismael was last at home in 2008 when he married his second wife before returning to Somalia.

“It is a big blow to our family. The last time he came here there was merry-making in the family,” his brother, Ayimani, said on phone yesterday. Ismael was one of the 16 children in his family and the first-born of his mother.

“This boy shared everything he had with his family. When he came on leave from Somalia, he gave some of his earnings to his siblings to start up small businesses and farms,” Ayimani added.

Uganda and Burundi are the only countries which have contributed troops to the African Union peacekeeping mission in the war-torn Somalia.

Fighting in Somalia has killed at least 18,000 people since 2007 and sent hundreds of thousands more fleeing from their homes. Al-Shabaab, believed to have links with al-Qaeda, is fighting to overthrow the newly-established transitional government headed by Sheikh Sharif Ahmed.

On Tuesday, the US promised to step up assistance to the AU forces. The US warned of a growing threat from militants linked to al-Qaeda in Somalia and nearby Yemen. The US military assistance is expected to include additional equipment, training, logistical support and information-sharing, said Gen. William Ward, the commander of the US Africa Command.
There are about 6,300 Ugandan and Burundian troops protecting key sites in Mogadishu. There have been calls for their mandate to be widened to include enforcing the peace. The African Union Summit starting in Kampala soon is expected to discuss the issue.

Ward played down the impact of the recent bombings in Uganda on the resolve of the US to help and African states to send more forces to Somalia.

“At this point, they (troop-contributing nations) remain committed to it. So we take them at their word and we’re hopeful that will be the case.”

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Uganda: 28 people feared dead by drowning on the Ugandan side of Lake Victoria

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo

TWENTY-EIGHT people are feared dead after their boat capsized in Lake Victoria yesterday morning. The mishap occurred about 15 kilometres away from Jaana, an Island where the water vessel had last docked.

Jaana, one of the 84 landmasses that make up Ssese Islands, is located between Koome and Bubeke Islands in Kalangala district.

According to the Jaana-Kiku local council boss, Nelson Musisi, the boat capsized at about 5:30pm as it headed for Kasenyi landing site near Entebbe in Wakiso district.

Loaded on the boat were timber, fish, soda and beer.

A survivor, Samalie Teru, said moments after set-off, the boat developed a crack at the back and water started gushing in.

“As the occupants struggled to drain the water, a wave hit the boat and it capsized,” LC boss Musisi quoted the survivor as saying.

“The water swallowed the people, many of whom had no life-jackets,” he added.

Four people survived by holding onto pieces of the boat and other items that were floating. By press time, the search for survivors and the dead was ongoing. Most of the dead were Jaana residents. Huge crowds last evening camped at Kasenyi awaiting information about the victims.

By 4:00pm, the body of Jett Nakabadde had been recovered. Nakabadde was a wife of Segugu of Jaana.

Entebbe Police Station crime boss Frederick Wataya identified the survivors as Samalie Teru, a resident of Abayita Ababiri on Entebbe Road, Gideon Kazungu, David Mugole and Richard Jachan.

Teru, a businesswoman, said she held onto a floating object until she was saved.

Richard Mato, the owner of the boat, is believed to be dead. His mother, Joyce Ndagire, from Kawempe, a Kampala suburb, wailed as his wife, Perus Nakachwa, comforted her.

The period between May and July is prone to such incidents, a retired soldier Mawanda Lukanga, noted, adding that lakes get turbulent owing to rough winds.

Mawanda was worried that his brother, Eddie Nsubuga, was among the dead.

Police deputy spokesperson Vincent Ssekatte, who said the death toll was 15, announced that the search team was still busy looking for the bodies.

Addressing journalists at Parliament, legislator Moses Kabuusu yesterday put the death toll at 28, adding that the boat was carrying 30 people.

He appealed to the Government for a ferry to avert accidents in future.

“This is not the first time that such an incident has happened on Lake Victoria. The Government should stop the tragedies,” Kabuusu, the Kyamuswa county MP, stated.

In February 2008, some 30 people died when their canoe collided with another vessel at the border of Mukono and Mayuge districts.

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Uganda: The explosives that killed 76 Ugandans were smuggled into the country by agents of death

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo

THE suicide bombs which rocked Kampala city on July 11, killing 76 people were smuggled into the country in June from a neighbouring country, investigators said yesterday.

“The bombs were assembled outside Uganda and only smuggled into the country, packed in boxes,” a source said.

The details emerged after the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force and America’s Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) interrogated several suspects in connection with the attack.

The suspects were interrogated at a Police station in the city amid tight security. The inquiry is also focused on reports that the attackers may have smuggled in more bombs than the number they used. The investigations had yielded “vital information”, according to the sources.

The sources said the number of suspects had shot up to 43, some 16 of whom are Pakistanis, 11 Somalis and eight Ugandans. The identities of the other seven are not established. Earlier reports had put the number of Somali suspects to 20.

Last evening, another suspect, a Nigerian, was arrested from Busia and transferred to Kampala.

Somalia’s al-Shabaab militants claimed responsibility for the three bomb blasts which ripped through a crowd of fans watching the World Cup soccer final at the rugby club in Lugogo and at an Ethiopian restaurant in Kabalagala, also a city suburb. A fourth bomb failed to explode at Ice-Link Discotheque in Makindye.

The investigating team is made up of the Police anti-terrorism unit, the Chieftancy of Military Intelligence, the internal and external security organisations.

FBI agents joined their Ugandan counterparts in interrogating the Pakistanis, many of them heavily-bearded in white, dirty tunics.

The Pakistan High Commissioner, Dr. Manzoor Chaudry, flew in from Nairobi and together with Dr. Boney Katatumba, the Consul of Pakistan in Uganda, visited the suspects. Chaudry and Katatumba also met Police chief Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura.

“The high commissioner came to pay condolences to the Government and the people of Uganda and express solidarity with the people of Uganda. We visited the suspects and met 15 of them in different locations,” Katatumba said.
Katatumba added that they supported the investigations.

“Pakistan has suffered from the same crime and we expressed our willingness to share information on any of the suspects,” he said.

Interpol and FBI circulate photos
International Police (Interpol) has issued black notices for the two suspected suicide bombers behind the attacks, following the reconstruction of their photos.

The notices were issued on the request of Uganda Police. A black notice is issued in order to seek information on unidentified bodies. The notices were circulated to the 188 member states.

The FBI is also seeking information on the identity of the two suspected suicide bombers, whose heads were recovered from the scenes of the blasts. Information can be forwarded to its website, http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seekinfo/uganda.htm.

In a statement, the FBI appreciated “the complete support from Kayihura and the Police Force”. It added that the US had been victim to serious terrorist attacks and it had learned that “partnerships were critical” in investigating and preventing them.

“As part of the investigation, the FBI and Uganda law enforcement officials are seeking information regarding the identity of the two suicide bombers.

Photos have been reconstructed to demonstrate how the two suspected male bombers may have appeared,” the statement added.

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AU lauds Uganda’s firm stance against al-Shabaab islamist terrorosts

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo

THE African Union (AU) delegates meeting at the Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala have lauded Uganda for her resolve to fight terrorism on the continent.

The AU also sent condolences to the Government and families that lost relatives during the July 11 terrorist attacks. This was during the screening of the finals of the World Cup at Ethiopian Village restaurant in Kabalagala and the Kyadondo Rugby Club in Lugogo.

Speaking during the opening session of the permanent representatives committee, officials said the AU stood in solidarity with Uganda.

The delegates observed a minute of silence for the over 70 victims who died in the bomb attacks and prayed for the quick recovery of those who got injured.

The chairperson of the permanent representatives committee, Dr. Isaac Mbuya Munlo, observed that the AU recognises the leadership and sacrifice the Government of Uganda was making for Africa.

“We had to express our condolence because as we match towards integration of our continent, an injury for one is an injury for all of us. So, we share the pain with you (Uganda),” Dr. Munlo said.

Foreign affairs minister Sam Kutesa said the terrorists cannot be allowed to hold the continent hostage.

“We cannot allow terrorists succeed to instill terror in the people of Africa. It’s the reason we are here to deal with the socio-economic problems hindering the development of Africa,” Kutesa said.

The minister thanked the AU for its sympathies to Uganda.

“That you are here in great numbers after the attacks shows you are in solidarity with the Government of Uganda. I hope your heads of government will show solidarity and turn up in big numbers.”

Uganda and Burundi are the only African nations that have contributed troops to the AU-backed AMISOM peace-keeping mission in Somalia. Militants opposed to the transitional federal government in Somalia, led by the Al-shabaab militia, have demanded that Uganda and Burundi withdraw their troops or face attacks.

After the July 11 terrorist bomb attacks, Al-Shabaab proclaimed that it was the beginning of their retaliatory attacks on Uganda for deploying in Somalia.

“Uganda is one of our enemies. Whatever makes them cry makes us happy. May Allah’s anger be upon those who are against us,” an al-Shabab commander, Sheik Yusuf Sheik Issa, told The Associated Press after the attacks.

Security in Kampala is tight and the Police have so far arrested 20 suspects believed to be responsible for the bomb attacks.

Kutesa observed that the continent needed to deal with the challenges of integration and to eradicate the mass poverty through socio-economic transformation.

The chairperson of the AU commission, Jean Ping, urged AU members to show a united front, promote the use of one language and exhibit reciprocal trust on matters dear to the continent.

“When conditions require, we have shown that Africa can respond to defend our interests,” Ping remarked.

He saluted Africa on hosting the 19th edition of the football World Cup, the first on the continent, played from June 11 to July 11, in South Africa. He also congratulated Nelson Mandela, the iconic father of South Africa, on his 92nd birthday.

Ping announced that Libya will host the Afro-Arab and the Africa-Europe summits in in October and November respectively. Uganda last hosted the AU, then the Organisation of the African Unity (OAU), in 1975.

The theme of the AU summit convening in Munyonyo is “maternal, infant and child health and development in Africa”.

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Uganda: Kampala hotels booked to capacity a the AU delegates arrives for the summit in style

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City

ALL Kampala hotels are booked up, thanks to the African Union Summit which started yesterday. The boom is comparable to the Commonwealth Heads of State Government Meeting (CHOGM) held in 2007, according to a survey.

Some guests had to change hotels from the city outskirts for security reasons. Suicide bombers last Sunday killed at least 76 people watching the final match of the World Cup in two venues in Kampala.

Despite this, the Uganda Hotel Owners Association said the occupancy levels are very high.

“Most of the rooms are busy in the vicinity of Kampala and a few hotels in Entebbe and Jinja,” said Ismail Sekandi, the executive director of the association.

The 15th ordinary session of the assembly is expected to attract a big number of leaders from Africa and the Caribbeans. Some guests came from as far as Trinidad and Tobago.

Kutesa (centre) chatting with the African Union chairman, Jean Ping, and official Isaac Munlo at the conference in Munyonyo yesterday

Joyce Wangui, the Kampala Serena Hotel sales manager, said 70% of the bookings had gone to the summit, and the rest to corporate clients. “We are fully-booked for the next 10 days, Wangui said.

She said Serena has 152 rooms, 12 of them suites. Of these, 108 rooms cost $240 a night (about sh550,000) each.

The hotel could make about sh1b from all the rooms, meals and other services.
A staff member at the Kampala Sheraton Hotel said the hotel is also fully-booked. “We are sold out fully,” the source said.

During CHOGM, about 5,000 guests descended on Uganda. While the occupancy for the AU summit is slightly lower, it has kept the country’s quickly rising reputation as a conferencing destination alive.

Reports also indicate that during government budgeting processes for the AU summit, about 2,000 guests were expected.

A single average hotel room goes for $80 and an executive one goes for about $250 in a five-star hotel. Taking an average of $170 per room for a single day, hotels hosting about 1,000 guests could rake in about sh580m for just bed and breakfast.

There are about 50 hotels within Kampala and the neighbouring Entebbe and Jinja towns.

Sekandi disclosed that the Government had gone out of its way to provide state security for all the hotels that are hosting guests for the summit.

“We have been emphasising safety even before the events that happened recently. This will be tested by the end of this summit whether we have done it,” said Sekandi.

Sekandi also runs Rwizi Arch Hotel, Mbarara, which has also benefited from the summit.

But some hotels in Kampala missed out on the summit boom because of poor facilities.

“People became desperate but it is the product that you put in the market,” said

ENDS