Yaddah: Not your usual yada yada peep
January 10, 2025 4:40 pm
After an intense and highly-competitive star search, Yaddah Wanjiku emerged the winner of the KFM ‘Who’s Got The Mic’ talent search that lasted more than a month. Privah Elibz and Hannah Arinaitwe were the other finalists that she beat for a slot on the Turbo Charged K-Drive show alongside Collins Bareija Magezi, commonly known as Emeka, the Romantic Mukiga.
The first born of two, born to a Kikuyu father and a Mutku mother from Uganda, Yaddah Manjiku is a bubble of good vibes.
“I am goofy to those who know me very closely but to those who do not, I might be a very tough person to approach because I do not welcome people like that until you come and talk to me and I will be a goof ball in that moment, ” the Journalism and Communications graduate from Makerere University says. Read more
Tamworth given beer for life incentive to create Cup shock against Tottenham
January 10, 2025 4:00 pm
By Reuters
Minor league Tamworth hardly need an incentive to write their name in FA Cup folklore against Premier League Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday but just in case they do, a local bar in the market town is offering beer for life for a match-winner.
The Staffordshire side, nicknamed the Lambs, host eight-times FA Cup winners Tottenham on their astroturf pitch in a classic David v Goliath contest.
While Tamworth boss Andy Peaks will be busy devising a tactical plan to stop the likes of Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski, general manager of Pitchers Bar Jason Pegg is hoping the promise of endless pints can help cause a massive shock.
“What better way to show our backing than with a little fun?” Pegg, who is offering the prize to any Tamworth player who scores a winning goal, told local media.
“A winning goal means more than just a place in the record books — it’s the stuff of legends. We want to be part of that excitement, and what better way than offering free beer for life to the player who delivers the magic moment?
“We know it’s a big ask, but anything is possible in football, and Tamworth FC has a history of surprises. We can’t wait to see who steps up to the plate.”
Tamworth are 16th in the National League, which is the fifth tier of English soccer but have already beaten League One Huddersfield Town en route to the third round.
In that game, Tommy Tonks scored directly from a throw-in and the midfielder will no doubt be flexing his muscles to launch more havoc-wreaking deliveries into the Tottenham area on Sunday.
“I’ve never actually measured how far I can throw the ball, I just launch it as far as I can,” Tonks said before the Huddersfield game. “I can see it in the faces of opposing defenders and goalies — they absolutely hate it.”
Peaks, who quit his job as a support worker in a local college to coach Tamworth full-time, described the visit of Tottenham as massive for the town and said the North London club can expect a hostile atmosphere when they walk out for the tie that will be broadcast live.
“The facilities won’t be what they are used to, there’s maybe one shower working and the toilet door hanging off its hinges,” he told BBC Radio 4 on Friday.
UCC urged to boost smartphone penetration
January 10, 2025 3:50 pm
Telecommunication company, Airtel Uganda, has appealed to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) to take affirmative action to grow penetration of smartphones and other terminal devices to reduce the average cost of communication for the social-economic transformation of the country, noting that this would deepen adoption and use of ICTs.
According to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), the smartphone penetration rate in Uganda was 21% in March 2023. This means that 21% of the devices accessing the telecom network in the country were smartphones.
The appeal was made by Airtel Uganda’s Managing Director, Mr. Soumendra Sahu while paying a courtesy visit to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Executive Director, Mr William Nyombi Thembo.
“Our focus is on leveraging global reach to introduce innovative, world-class products and services tailored to meet the needs of Ugandan consumers,” he said.
Mr Sahu reaffirmed his commitment to improving service delivery while complying with regulatory obligations.
MP Nandutu ordered to defend self in iron sheets case
January 10, 2025 3:00 pm
The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala on Friday ordered Agnes Nandutu, the former State Minister for Karamoja Affairs and current Woman Member of Parliament (MP) for Manafwa district, to defend herself against corruption charges.
Justice Jane Kajuga Okuo issued the order after reviewing the prosecution’s evidence and determining that Nandutu has a case to answer.
Nandutu is accused of diverting 2,000 iron sheets intended for the Karamoja Community Empowerment Programme. These iron sheets, valued at gauge 28, were allegedly received by Nandutu from the Prime Minister’s Office at Namanve stores in Mukono District.
Nandutu denies the allegations and is currently on trial. She will present her defense on February 19, 2025.
The case is part of a broader effort to tackle corruption in Uganda, with Nandutu being one of several high-profile individuals facing charges.
Speaker eulogises Ssegirinya, warns against politicising grief
January 10, 2025 2:53 pm
The Speaker of Uganda’s Parliament, Ms Anita Among, has urged Members of Parliament (MPs) and government officials to refrain from politicizing mourning while paying tribute to deceased colleagues.
The Speaker made the appeal on Friday during a special parliamentary sitting to honour the late Kawempe North MP, Muhammad Ssegirinya.
“When such a thing happens, we all ought to be here to give a decent send-off of to colleague. We should never have politics when we have lost our own,” Ms Among said.
Her remarks followed the observation that many National Resistance Movement (NRM) MPs and government ministers were absent from the sitting.
Among reminded MPs that no one is perfect and that death is inevitable for everyone. She emphasized the importance of attending colleagues’ send-off ceremonies and encouraged them to show mutual respect and support.
She appealed to MPs to prioritize humanity in all their actions and to support one another, as the late Ssegirinya had done.
She also thanked the Parliamentary Commission for covering all of Ssegirinya’s medical expenses in Kampala and Nairobi.
Byabakama calls for adherence to electoral guidelines ahead of 2026 polls
January 10, 2025 1:24 pm
Justice Simon Byabakama, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, has urged individuals aspiring for political office to ensure they present fully registered voters when registering with the Commission.
Byabakama’s message was delivered by Commissioner Ssali Simba Kayunga on Friday during a regional stakeholders’ workshop held at Hotel Africana in Kampala.
The workshop focused on preparations for the 2025-2026 general elections and emphasized the Commission’s progress and commitment to delivering free, fair, and credible elections.
Byabakama underscored the importance of adhering to electoral guidelines to promote transparency and inclusivity in the electoral process.
“We shall also be on the ground to make sure that the exercise goes on smoothly,” he said in a statement.
The meeting brought together stakeholders, including political leaders, civil society organizations, and election officials, to discuss the roadmap for the upcoming elections and foster collaboration in implementing electoral activities.
