Opposition struggles to reconcile Lukwago with Kidandala

Opposition struggles  to reconcile

Lukwago with Kidandala

KAMPALA.The opposition members last week convened a closed -door meeting where they discuss means of how they can reunite embattled Kampala Lord Mayor with his deputy Sulaiman Kidandala.

Mr Erias Lukwago fallen out with Mr Kidandala last month, with the latter accused of plotting to oust the former from City Hall, home of the Kampala Capital City Authority.

The meeting took place at Katonga road at the offices of the   For God and my Country (4GC) pressure group, last Wednesday and the former Forum for Democratic Change Dr Kizza Besigye reportedly chaired the meeting.

It was reportedly attended by Dr Besigye, Ibrahim Ssemujju, Ingrid Turinawe, Mr Asuman Basalirwa; Moses  Kasibante, Democratic Party spokesperson Mr Kenneth Kakande, Kawempe Division Mayor Mubarak Munyagwa and Kampala Disctrict DP chairperson  Vincent Mayanja.

Although the meeting’s main agenda, according to officials, was to find mechanisms to reconcile Lukwago and Kidandala, members also reportedly listened to recordings of the Kayihura tapes.

It is alleged that some members after listening to the one and half hour recordings, they disagreed on what action to take against Kidandala.

“Some members suggested that the opposition summon Kidandala to a meeting which will be attended by Mr Lukwago,” the source said. “However, others suggested that they launch a smear campaign against Kidandala, but Ssemujju and Basalirwa contested this proposal arguing that the opposition would look like targeting an individual and could split the unconsolidated opposition even more.,” the source said.

Mr Ssemujju , who attended the meeting said a number of issues were discussed in the meeting.

“We discussed a number of issues including a discussion on Kidandala, but we never discussed anything to do with a smear campaign against him, it not true,” Mr Ssemujju said in a telephone interview.

Dr Besigye yesterday was not available for a comment, however, he told Daily Monitor’s Erias Mukiibi on Saturday night that the meeting took place, but could not discuss details of the meeting as he was a central player in the discussion.

When asked about the meeting, Mr Lukwago said he did not attend it, however, recently at press briefing where he sacked Kidandala, Lukwago said he would give him a second chance to reform.

Kidandala said he had heard some rumours about the meeting, but refused to comment on what he heard, despite that he earlier in an interview with newspaper, said he had no interest in taking up the Lord Mayor’s seat.

Mr Basalirwa said details of the meetings will be communicated at a press conference slatted for tomorrow ( Wednesday).

Background

There have been some reports that Kidandala was likely to be installed as Lord Mayor at a meeting convened by KCCA executive director Jennifer Musisi in Entebbe, but this never came to pass . Similar allegations have been made that Kidandala was set to chair the forum of Mayors who converged recently in Kampala.

Chances get slim for Uganda to attain MDG 4, 5 targets-Repor

Chances get  slim for Uganda to attain MDG 4, 5 targets-Report

KAMPALA. Although Uganda has registered  remarkable progress in  improving both child and maternal health care, there is still an uphill task of addressing neonatal mortality rate in the next four months if the country is to fully achieve Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5,a new survey  has shown .

Neonatal mortality rate is the number of babies dying before reaching 28 days of age; per 1,000 live births in a given year. For the case of Uganda, neonatal mortality rate currently stands at 27 per 1,000 live births and government had earlier projected to reduce it to 23 per 1,000 live births by 2015.

“Available evidence suggests that Uganda has witnessed accelerated progress towards the attainment of the under-five mortality target between 2006 and 2011 and could achieve the 2015 target of 56/1,000 live births. However, this will depend heavily on a drastic fall in neonatal mortality rate in the remaining period,” the 68-page report reads in part.

According to the 2012/13 State of Uganda Children report , the country’s  maternal mortality ratio which was expected to  drastically fall to 131/100,00 as the 2015 deadline comes closer ,has  stagnated  at 438/100,000 live births.
Since 2006, the maternal mortality rate in Uganda has stagnated at 438 deaths per 100,000 live births.

The report, which was compiled by the National Council for Children was launched in Kampala yesterday .It assesses the progress Uganda has made in realizing the two MDGs on reducing child mortality and improving maternal health and provides recommendations to fast-track progress .

State minister in charge of Primary Health Care, Sarah Opendi, who launched the report, said the challenge facing Uganda was not only to maintain the down ward trend in overall child mortality, but also to adopt a strong geographical and population focus to health care provision.

“The challenge before us is to ensure that we make a strategic shift and put  emphasis on those geographical areas like Karamoja, northern Uganda which have the highest mortality and populations groups carrying the largest disease burden” she said

She said, although government had scaled up immunisation of children (96 percent) and reduced the number of children being born with HIV   from 25,000 to 8,000, a bigger challenge is still with the high number of existing malnourished children.

The eight Millennium Development Goals which range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS, promoting gender equality and empowering women, reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, ensuring environmental sustainability, increasing access to universal primary education and developing a global partnership for development by 2015 are a blue print agreed to by world leaders in 2000.

However, many African countries are lagging behind on achieving MDGs barely four months to the 2015 deadline   and for the case of Uganda it has only succeeded in eradicating extreme poverty and hunger and achieving debt sustainability and it is quite clear that it may not achieve other goals in just a few months. 

Chances get  slim for Uganda to attain MDG 4, 5 targets-Report

KAMPALA. Although Uganda has registered  remarkable progress in  improving both child and maternal health care, there is still an uphill task of addressing neonatal mortality rate in the next four months if the country is to fully achieve Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5,a new survey  has shown .

Neonatal mortality rate is the number of babies dying before reaching 28 days of age; per 1,000 live births in a given year. For the case of Uganda, neonatal mortality rate currently stands at 27 per 1,000 live births and government had earlier projected to reduce it to 23 per 1,000 live births by 2015.

“Available evidence suggests that Uganda has witnessed accelerated progress towards the attainment of the under-five mortality target between 2006 and 2011 and could achieve the 2015 target of 56/1,000 live births. However, this will depend heavily on a drastic fall in neonatal mortality rate in the remaining period,” the 68-page report reads in part.

According to the 2012/13 State of Uganda Children report , the country’s  maternal mortality ratio which was expected to  drastically fall to 131/100,00 as the 2015 deadline comes closer ,has  stagnated  at 438/100,000 live births.
Since 2006, the maternal mortality rate in Uganda has stagnated at 438 deaths per 100,000 live births.

The report, which was compiled by the National Council for Children was launched in Kampala yesterday .It assesses the progress Uganda has made in realizing the two MDGs on reducing child mortality and improving maternal health and provides recommendations to fast-track progress .

State minister in charge of Primary Health Care, Sarah Opendi, who launched the report, said the challenge facing Uganda was not only to maintain the down ward trend in overall child mortality, but also to adopt a strong geographical and population focus to health care provision.

“The challenge before us is to ensure that we make a strategic shift and put  emphasis on those geographical areas like Karamoja, northern Uganda which have the highest mortality and populations groups carrying the largest disease burden” she said

She said, although government had scaled up immunisation of children (96 percent) and reduced the number of children being born with HIV   from 25,000 to 8,000, a bigger challenge is still with the high number of existing malnourished children.

The eight Millennium Development Goals which range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS, promoting gender equality and empowering women, reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, ensuring environmental sustainability, increasing access to universal primary education and developing a global partnership for development by 2015 are a blue print agreed to by world leaders in 2000.

However, many African countries are lagging behind on achieving MDGs barely four months to the 2015 deadline   and for the case of Uganda it has only succeeded in eradicating extreme poverty and hunger and achieving debt sustainability and it is quite clear that it may not achieve other goals in just a few months. 

Kasubi tombs caretaker complains over delay to complete construction works

Kasubi tombs caretaker complains over delay to complete construction works

HERBERT ZZIWA

AL-MAHDI SSENKABIRWA

editorial@ug.nationmedia.com

KAMPALA.The caretaker of the Kasubi Royal Tombs has expressed concern over the slow pace on the reconstruction of the burnt heritage site, saying the project has taken longer than anticipated .

Speaking during the inspection of construction works by Buganda Kingdom Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga Tuesday ,Ms Nnalinya Beatrice Namika Mpologoma said ,the delays had caused a lot of anxiety among Baganda who expected work to be completed in the shortest time possible.

“ The period given to the contractor to do the work elapsed ,but work is still moving at a snail pace. All materials required are already on site but we wonder why there are such delays ,” she said

The 132-year-old royal tombs, which house remains of four fallen Buganda kings, went up in flames on March 16 ,2010 and the kingdom has since been mobilizing funds to put up a new structure .At least Shs3billion was raised from Baganda and other well-wishers to reconstruct the site while government and foreign donors also contributed Shs5billion. The kingdom is yet to give a detailed breakdown of the money that will be spent on the entire tombs reconstruction project.

Efforts to speak to officials from Omenga Construction Ltd,which is the main contractor of the project was futile .But the chairperson Kasubi Tombs Reconstruction Committee Hajj Kaddu Kiberu said the delays have been caused by the desire to erect a structure that matches international standards.

“It is not a matter of rushing through to finish ,but to come up with something that is of international standard and can stand the test of time. We want to avoid the past mistakes .Some times our engineers are forced to pull down some sections of the wall and rebuild it to ensure quality ,” he said

Omega reportedly subcontracted the last phase of the project to Wabulaakayole(a traditional thatcher).

The Wabulaakayole will supervise the 52 Baganda clans that will roof the structure. Each clan makes a ring traditionally known as ebizizi.

Mayiga said the delay to complete Kasubi hinders the redevelopment of other tombs like Muganzirwaaza in Nabweru in Wakiso District which culturally cannot be renovated unless Kasubi is completed.

“Some times I reach here and feel like quarreling with these engineers ,but since they are professionals we are optimistic that their delay is intended to deliver quality work and we shall wait ” he said

In 2010,when Mayiga was still the kingdom information minister he had projected that the construction works were to last at least six months –meaning tombs could have been completed by October the same year. However ,when he assumed the office of Katikkiro in May last year,the outspoken Katikkiro set March 16 this year as deadline to completed the tombs ,a period that passed when only the perimeter wall is finished the deadline was to coincide with the fourth anniversary of the fire that gutted the site .So far ,some section of foundation of main house in the tombs commonly known as Muzibu Azaala Mpanga is completed and by yesterday engineers were fixing metric bars in the sides to support the roof .According to the kingdom plan , Kasubi is expected to be turned into a cultural villages to attract more tourists ,set up a tele-centre and a traditional tourist sanctuary .Surveillance cameras are yet to be fitted on the completed perimeter wall.

8200 students clear to sit Allied Health exams start

8200 students clear to sit Allied Health exams  start

KAMPALA.At least 8200   candidates have been registered to do the Allied Health Examinations which kick off today, the Uganda Allied Health Examination Board announced on Friday.

UAHEB executive secretary Kato Kimoga said during the briefing of invigilators and coordinators in Kampala ,that exams will run up to July 12 and will be conducted at 54 accredited centres.

“The first two weeks will be for practical papers and the remaining period will be for  theory,” he said This will be the five year the board is conducting exams where  successful candidates graduate as clinical officers, laboratory technicians, anaesthetics officers, orthopaedic officers, dental officers, public health officers, physiotherapists and pharmacists.This category forms the bulk of  frontline professionals much needed in most of the health facilities including Health Centre IIIs.

There is an increase of at least 60 candidates compared to last year, and according to Mr Kimoga ,this comprises those re-siting some  papers .

He warned candidates against any kind of exam malpractices noting that a network has been put in place to root out any form of malpractices and get perpetrators prosecuted.

“I appeal to the candidates not to attempt to cheat these exams and whoever is caught will be dealt with accordingly. And even our invigilators are expected to follow the guidelines as outlined and breaching any of them without my clearance will tantamount to cheating,”  Mr Kimoga A total of 150 invigilators and 36 supervisors have been deployed to man the exams .

He also cautioned unlicensed schools against soliciting money from students for examinations, saying the proprietors risk being prosecuted. “Some institutions or centres have a habit of  extorting  money from students claiming that they are accredited by the examinations body. We are tired of such cases and this time, the law will have to take its course,” he said.

Established in 2009, UAHEB is mandated to administer, examine and award qualifications to registered candidates in allied health programmes. The Board is responsible for 21 allied health programmes and administers over 250 examination papers.

Last year, of the 2,913 candidates who sat for the June-July exams, 2,656 passed-representing 91per cent pass rate. A total of 257 (9 per cent) failed failed the papers and were required to re-sit the papers.

 In comparison, few candidates failed the exams last year compared to 525 (17.9 per cent) who did the same exams and failed in 2012 .

In the previous two years, poor performance has always been registered in Public Health Dentistry, Environmental Health Sciences, Medical Radiography and Physiotherapy while an improvement in performance is recorded in Occupational Therapy and Laboratory Technology.

Nakivubo Stadium gets new look

 

Nakivubo Stadium gets new look

KAMPALA. Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium has for decades been known as a sports arena .But with the changing face of its surroundings  , the stadium is slowly but surely becoming a business hub of some sort given the mushrooming shops erected around its perimeter wall. The latest structure to change the face of Nakivubo is the perimeter complex named Ham Shopping Ground  .

This shopping arcade ,which has  200 shops ,has been constructed through a public private partnership between city businessman Hamis Kiggundu of Ham enterprises Limited and the stadium management. The arcade ,which is nearing completion is directly facing the controversial Park Yard Market and some the vendors at the market have already been affected by this development .

Before traders turned it into a market, the yard served as a stadium car parking yard and there have been several attempts to evict  them from the area. Nakivubo War Memorial  Stadium  treasurer says they want the entire place developed –including the part currently  housing the market  to a standard preferred by Kampala Capital City Authority.

“We know development comes with negatives and positives. But traders should appreciate – we only want to have the place developed and organised to match the evolving image of Kampala. It will also be a revenue source for the stadium sustainability,” said Hajjat Minsa Kabanda.

Part of the market has been cleared to create access bridges to the new shops, leaving a number of traders aggrieved.

“It’s an impressive development, but that’s not my concern when I am losing my livelihood source at the cost of development,” responded Mr John Sserunkuma, a trader at Parkyard market when this reporter sought his opinion .

However, Hajjat  Kabanda said all vendors  will move to pave way for an expanded development of the whole parkyard.

“Its good work so far. We are satisfied he [developer] impressively put up a magnificent structure . Currently, we are finding relocation alternatives for all vendors  at park yard market because the market is not gazetted,” she said yesterday.

KCCA had earlier indicated the park yard market was illegal because it was not on plan and assured vendors  that there are no plans to legalise it, but it (KCCA) has consistently denied involvement in threats to evict traders.

“Parkyard is an illegal market over which we exercise no control,” the letter from KCCA  dated February 21, 2012 reads in part.

But early this month, Kampala Resident City Commissioner, Ms Aisha Kabanda told the vendors  in a meeting that they should prepare to relocate if government finds a suitable palace for them.

Opportunities for vendors

According to Hajjat Kabanda, vendors  at the market will be given first priority for stall/shops in the new structures. She said the mall has three floors  with shops going  for Shs1.2m, Shs0.5-0.8m and Shs0.3m. she noted that all stalls at the second floor are specifically for traders who  will be  affected in the eviction exercise. On southern wing of the stadium, a large chunk of the stadium has also been turned into parks for vehicles. During the day almost a hundred cars are parked measures .Near the main entrance ,there is also  a bus terminal which is privately managed .

With all these non sports activities ,it remains to be seen whether the world soccer governing body FIFA will still recognize Nakivubo as a viable facility for international games .

Background Nakivubo Park Yard Market started in mid 1990s and more than 30,000 traders are currently doing businesses there ranging from second hard clothes, shoes , fruits and other perishable food products.

As the name suggests, this open space used to serve as a parking lot for Nakivubo Stadium but when vendors increased in the adjacent St Balikuddembe Market commonly known as Owino, some chose to erect stalls there to ply their businesses .Although city authorities then collected dues from the vendors, they maintained that the place was not among the gazzetted city markets .

 

Delayed funds mess up Kyambogo trainee teachers practice programme

Delayed funds mess up Kyambogo trainee teachers practice programme

 

KAMPALA. The delay to release allowances for Kyambogo University lecturers has deprived student teachers a chance to be supervised during their ongoing teaching practice programme, Daily Monitor has learnt.

Some of the student teachers, who talked to Daily Monitor yesterday, said even since they were posted to various schools across the country last month, none of the supervisors has showed up yet.

“We are totally kept in the dark and don’t know what is going on. We simply hear that electures cannot come because there is no money to facilitate their movement,” said a one of the student teachers only identified as Kenneth. He is among the student teachers posted in  one of the city schools.

“What supervision will they do in a week or two even if they get their allowances tomorrow? ” asked Susan, another aggrieved student teacher .

The government ombudsman is currently investigating top Kyambogo University officials  and among the cases the IGG is investigating includes, the alleged incompetence and corrupt tendencies of some staff in the Academic registrar’s office which has left various faculties at the University  operate without teaching materials for over a year  and denying  students identify cards for three years. Last month , students  at the  University staged a strike protesting delays by the institution to issue them with IDs yet they paid Shs 15,000 each at the time of registration. In 2010, the University procured a machine to print both staff and students IDs but under unclear circumstances the people who were working in the printer were sacked last year and the university opted for outsourcing a private company to print the IDs.  The investigations followed reports of gross abuse of office and mismanagement of the institution by top university officials. On the other hand, the Auditor General is also investigating the academia largely on mismanagement and procurement at the institution since 2008, after a request by Parliament.

Kyambogo, established a decade ago , has suffered numerous  problems over the past few years

ranging from alleged incompetence of some staff to corruption to conflict of interest, intrigue and abuse of public property but surprisingly, the same problems continue to haunt the institution ever when changes are made in top management.

Most of these problems have been blamed on leadership wrangles that characterised the institution until early this year when Katunguka was appointed acting vice chancellor

Before Katunguka took over, there was a standoff between the institution’s staff and former vice-chancellor Prof. Isaiah Ndiege that paralysed the institution. The university administration is still under investigation by both the Inspector General of Government and the Auditor General .