Category «News»

All is set for Women’s Day celebrations

Preparations for the National Women’s Day celebrations are underway. In abide to empower women in all spheres of life, government is seeking to secure alliance with men to effectively achieve gender equality. This is the driving force behind this year’s women’s day celebrations slated for Saturday under the international theme; “inspiring change”. Addressing the media today, Gender and Social Development minister Marry Karoro Okurut said the government has been fighting for the cause with women yet men are equally relevant. The national Women’s Day celebrations are to be held in Kumi district on Saturday.

Fresh calls for higher taxes on tobacco

Health rights activists are pushing for the increase in taxes on cigarettes in the East African region. Addressing the media at Parliament today, the activists contend that there are increasing incidences of deaths associated with cigarette smoking. The Manager, Centre for Tobacco Control in Africa, Dr. Possy Mugyenyi says it is imperative that all partner states participate in reducing the threat of diseases brought on by smoking. The Tobacco Control Bill 2014, which seeks to ban tobacco advertising and restriction on sale of products, is set to be tabled before Parliament today by Kinkizi East MP, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi.

Kasese receives flood-detection machine

Kasese district local government has received flood- detection machines. The machine will also help send warning signals for immediate response. This comes barely 10 months after the district was hit with severe floods on May 1, 2013 when the four major rivers burst their banks. Eight people perished in the floods that destroyed infrastructure, crops and household properties. The Assistant Chief Administrative Officer and Chairman of the district disaster committee Mr. Wilson Asaba says that the Floods Early Warning and Detection Machine has been procured by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM)with support from United Nations Development Programme. Mr. Asaba adds that the solar powered machine will be installed in the upper course of the River Nyamwamba which was …

Women with HIV neglected

Women living with HIV/AIDS in Africa are not getting due attention. The Pan African Positive Women’s Coalition has raised concerns over discrimination of HIV positive women. The coalition, while addressing the media at Parliament today, notes that the women are left out of key policies and decisions, while access to treatment, especially in the rural areas is still a challenge. Coalition members Elsie Ayeh, Betty Kwagala and Dr. Lydia Mungehera say governments must step up their obligations to ensure that such women are empowered and not neglected.

Lukwago case set for March 20th

Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago at High Court

The High Court has set March 20th to start hearing a case filed by city lord mayor Erias Lukwago challenging his removal from office. Lukwago wants a tribunal report quashed and declared because it was based on irrationality, biased and against the principals of natural justice. In his suit before the High Court he also seeks a declaration that the act of Kampala minister Frank Tumwebaze in extending the period of operation of the tribunal after the expiry of 60 days without notifying him was unlawful. He also seeks damages for psychological torture mental anguish and emotional stress he has suffered. According to his suit the tribunal acted in excess of its jurisdiction to amend the petition upon which the …