Category «National News»

Workers’ Union Disowns Labour Minister Over Bribery Allegations

By Moses Ndhaye The National Organization of Trade Unions (NOTU) has disowned the state minister for Labour Herbert Kabafunzaki who was arrested on Saturday last week for allegedly soliciting a bribe from an investor. The Union’s Chairman General Usher Wilson Owere says theyare totally saddened by the allegations. The minister appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court on three counts of corruption related charges after he and two others were reportedly caught taking a Shs.5m bribe from Muhammed Hamid of the AYA Group of companies. The said money was an inducement for the minister to cover up a sexual harassment case that had been filed against the investor by his former employee.

Uganda’s growth sluggish.

Uganda’s economy is likely to grow below earlier government projections. While releasing the April Monetary Policy Statement, the Governor Bank of Uganda Prof. Tumusime Mutebile said the 2016-2017 growth rates will be way below the projected 4.5%. He attributes this to the contraction in growth in the agriculture sector by 2% in four consecutive quarters, yet it contributes 22% to the National Gross Domestic Product. He however expresses hope that in the near future, the economy will recover, if effects of calamities like drought are addresses. The Bank of Uganda has consequently reduced Central Bank Rate by 0.5% to 11% this month to encounter core inflation rate which stands at 4.8%.

UNRA Dragged To Court For Failure To Pay Over Shs1bn

By Ruth Anderah Uganda National Roads Authority(UNRA) has been dragged to the High Court for failure to pay over Shs1bn for the construction of Kampala-Entebbe Express Highway. Patrick Lwanga Zizinga petitioned High Court seeking orders compelling UNRA to pay him Shs1.5billion shillings compensation for his kibanja measuring 2.5arcres, located in Makandwa village in Wakiso district, for the road extension during construction of Kampala-Entebbe Express Highway. The plaintiff states that in 2012 his pieces of land were identified by UNRA as some of those be affected by construction of the Kampala- Entebbe Express Highway and he was registered and verified for compensation through his wife as he had wrongfully been put on death row in Luzira prison at the time. However, for unknown reasons, his name was …

FDC refutes “set up” claims by Minister Kabafunzaki

By Damali Mukhaye The opposition Forum for Democratic Change has refuted claims by the state minister for labour Herbert Kabafunzaki that he was set up by FDC after he was caught allegedly taking a Sh 5m bribe from and investor in Kampala. While appearing before the Anti-Corruption Court yesterday, Kabafunzaki denied the allegations, blaming his on the FDC. However, the FDC spokesperson Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda says Kabafunzaki was so naive that he fell in a trap set by the regime. He says the FDC is not in any way involved in this matter because it holds nothing against the minister. Kabafunzaki who was yesterday remanded to Luzira prison returned to the Anti Corruption Court this afternoon and was released on bail.

UJCC ask government to pay more attention to people’s concerns

By Benjamin Jumbe The Uganda joint Christian Council has called on the government to pay more attention to people’s concerns in various parts of the country. The council has cited cases of citizens struggling with food shortage in some parts of the country due to drought. Addressing a media conference at the council’s head offices in Kampala on Monday, the executive secretary Rev.Fr. Silvester Arinaitwe said addressing these challenges will be the only way the country will have lasting peace and full democratic governance. He said as Christians around the world prepare to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, leaders should get back to the basics of leadership and serve the population. UJCC on Friday is to host the way of the cross …