District leaders named in illegal charcoal burning

illegal charcoal burner loading bags of charcoal on a truck. pix by Jackson Kitara

Gulu-The environmental police have queried Gulu district chairman and assistant chief administrative officer (CAO) Gulu district over alleged engaging in promoting illegal charcoal business.

Exavius Sekanabo, operation officer, environmental protection police unit office of the commandant said he got an intelligence report that Gulu district chairman, Christopher Opiyo Ateker and assistant CAO Gulu, Oryem Orik escort trucks loaded with bags of charcoal. He said he was also informed that the chairman had bought a harrier vehicle with money he got from the charcoal business.

He said the illegal charcoal burners do not have license to cut trees or burn charcoal, but found district have issued them movement permits and market dues receipts.

Exavius Sekanabo, operation officer, environmental protection police unit destroying a kiln of charcoal that was prepared by illegal charcoal burners. Pix by Jackson Kitara

Sekanabo while talking during meeting assistant CAO and Gulu district chairman from his office on Thursday, September 10, 2021 on his one week operation said that was the reason he was sent by ministry of water and environment to come to Gulu to arrest people involved in illegal cutting of trees and burning of charcoal

In 2018, the government of Uganda through the ministry of water and environment suspended any cutting, transportation and sale of Shea nut and Afzelia Africana tree logs and their products. Shea nut and Afzelia Africana are both reserved tree species in Uganda and are only found in northern Uganda and West Nile sub regions. The suspension is in line with section 29 (3) of the national forestry and tree planting act 2003.

During the two days of operation, Sekanabo destroyed 20 kilns of charcoal being burned; impounded three vehicles loaded with charcoal, impounded 391 bags of charcoal parked in a home and arrested 14 illegal charcoal burners and recovered tools like hand hoes, spade that were used in burning charcoal

The vehicles impounded are parked at Palaro police post in Palaro Sub County, Patiko and at the NFA office in Gulu city

The 14 suspects are detained at Palaro and Patiko police posts waiting prosecution in court of law

Sekanabo said he was also informed that forest officer are engaged in collecting money from charcoal burners with fake receipts, yet the charcoal burners don’t have license to transport forest products, permit for cutting trees and no verification documents from district forest officers which are all irregularities.

He noted that forest officers are not supposed to issue movement permits on charcoal or timbers; they have not legalised it because  the law says the district is supposed to  authorize the cutting of trees when they have inventory and district forest harvest plans.

Sekanabo said “we found out that the illegal charcoal burners are not indigenous people, but people from central Uganda who rented the land for agriculture, but later engage in cutting trees for charcoal and are cutting reserved trees species like Shea tree and Afzelia Africana”.

“We don’t stop totally cutting trees, but the one which is not regulated.  People have resorted to cutting trees; they don’t want to dig, yet the land is fertile, but aim to sell off the trees; this will impact a lot on environment”, Sekanabo remarked.

He said if the district don’t have forest inventory plans which is integrated into district development plan and district forest harvest plans to specify the kind of trees which is supposed to be cut, they are not supposed to harvest any forest produce because if they harvest without those plans, then there is no sustainable harvesting of forest produce be it in forest reserves, private forest reserves and forest in communal land

Some of the illegal charcoal burners arrested from Mede parish in palaro when they were found burning charcoal. Pix by Jackson Kitara

Jimmy Ouna, manager NFA Aswa river range region said all charcoal being transported to Kampala are all illegal and the people involved do not have document required by laws

He said the charcoal burners do not have license, moving permit and are cutting and burning endanger species which are reserved like Shea trees and Africana Afrizella

“When i was posted to work in Aswa river range area, i tried to stop charcoal burning, but people was against me  and thought am sabotaging their business, I later decided to keep away to have peace with people”,  Ouna said

However Christopher Opiyo Ateker, the chairman L.C 5 Gulu district refuted the claims; saying he bought his vehicle before he was elected and resumed office as chair.

He however said they were permitted by ministry of water and environment to give permit to charcoal dealers, but not to cut endanger tree species

“When I was elected to office, I arrested five people including a forest ranger as they were conniving with charcoal burners. I have requested CAO Gulu to write interdiction letter to Gulu district forest officer for issuing permit to people for cutting trees without going to the field to access the trees  they are supposed to cut”, Ateker said

Oryem Orik, Assistant CAO Gulu district also dismissed reports that they escort trucks of the charcoal burners; saying they only escort impounded trucks to the district yard and those arrested

He said people who deal in forest product pay license of sh36, 000 a month for them to operate

Oryem blames environmental police for sidelining the district,  and only working with NFA, yet they are supposed work with them in arresting and impounding vehicles with forest products

“When a forest produce has been harvested from community, the revenue goes to the district, but surprisingly the environmental police impound and transport this charcoal to NFA office instead of giving it to sub county to handle”, Oryem remarked  

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Government to Install CT scan Machines in 14 regional Referral Hospitals

By Jackson Kitara                                             

Anifa Kawooya Bangirana minister of state for health in charge of general duties (middle in red dress),Minister of state for northern uganda, Grace Freedom Kwiyucwiny (in green dress), Dr. Jackson Amone, commissioner in charge of health facilities (seated at the right) with Acholi sub regions stakeholders and partners during the first regional health assembly in Gulu. Pix by Jackson Kitara

Gulu – Government through ministry of health has announced it’s in the process of purchasing Computed Tomography (CT) scan for all the 14 regional referral hospitals in the country.

The equipment is supposed to benefit Gulu Regional referral Hospital, Lira, Mbale, Masaka, Fort Portal, Arua and Soroti.

Others are; Moroto, Hoima, Kabale, Soroti, Jinja, Mbarara, Mubende and Kayunga

Dr. Sarah Byakika Kyeyamwa, the Commissioner Planning, Financing and policing ministry of health said they have already allocated funds for the purchase of the CT Scans and it is scheduled for early next year.

Without disclosing the amount of money earmarked for the project, Byakika said the government had planned for the installations in the previous years, but it failed due to limited funding.

Byakika made the remark while addressing stakeholders during the launch of the first annual regional health assembly for Acholi sub region at Bomah Hotel in Gulu under the theme; “improving key health service indicators for host and refugees’ communities in the Acholi region through sharing knowledge on evidence-based strategies to effectively and equitably optimize outcomes

The purchase and installation of a 128 slice CT scan machine approximately cost about 2.5 billion Shillings.

CT scans are used to identify disease or injury within various regions of the body. The scan is used to detect tumours or lesions within the abdomen, identify heart disease or abnormalities, locate injuries, tumours, pulmonary embolisms (blood clots), clots leading to stroke, hemorrhage, excess fluid, and other conditions such as emphysema or pneumonia.

It is also particularly useful when imaging complex bone fractures, severely eroded joints, or bone tumours since it usually produces more detail than would be possible with a conventional x-ray.

According to her, the country has only two public health facilities with CT Scan Machines and these are Mulago National Referral Hospital and Aber health Centre in Oyam district.

Byakika also added that the country is at 57% of functional X-ray machines.

Pix of Anifa Kawooya Bangirana minister of state for health in charge of general duties. Pic by Jackson Kitara

Anifa Kawooya Bangirana, the State minister for Health In-charge of general Duties said the initiative is part of the government`s commitment to improving health services in the country.

Bangirana have asked all resident district commissioners, chief administrative officers and district health officers to vaccinate all health workers including village health teams to protect them against COVID-19

“It will be very bad and risky for health workers who handle sick persons who are suffering from COVID-19, not to vaccinate; it will expose them to risk of infection. We have enough COVID-19 vaccinates which the health workers should be first vaccinated, then follow by teachers, pupils/ students and other category of people”, Bangirana said

Bangirana urged people to put on mask all the time  and adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs)  of social distancing, washing and sanitizing hand among others as COVID-19 are still within community to avoid outbreak of COVId-19 wave three

Grace Freedom Kwiyucwiny, the State Minister for Northern Uganda says the government through public service should consider staffing health facilities for effective services delivery.

Picture of Dr. Jackson Amone, commissioner of health facilities, Ministry of health. Pix by Jackson Kitara

Dr. Jackson Amone, commissioner clinical services in charge of health facilities said there are high diseases burdens couples with influx of refugees and urban population on health facilities, but the health budget is meager.

He said every financial year; government allocates budgets around 7% of the total budgets which cannot cater for emergency, salary and purchase of drugs and equipment.

Amone also said most health facilities have issues of staffing level, but they have revised the structure to put in minimum wage, because it is partly the delay recruitment of health workers. He said in the revised stricture, regional referral hospitals are given mandate to supervise general hospital

“In the new structure, we want the doctors to be in health Centre III so that we reduce on referral cases because many patients prefer to go to general hospital or regional referral hospitals to get medical attention from doctors, Amone said.

Amone said to reduce cases of absenteeism ministry of health has recommended a management committee within community to oversee health facility in their area and report to CAO or ministry of health.

He warns people on stocking drugs at home and said community should get drugs when they are sick because stocking drugs at home put them at risk of taking expired drugs as they don’t have good storage facility.

Patrick Okello, Commissioner human resource management ministry of health said they have earmarked sh75million for training of health workers on demand driven training.

He said they need to access how many civil servants in health department are retiring in six months to prepare for their replacement.

Dr. James Justice Elima, the director Gulu regional referral hospital said due to revised structure, government of Uganda through ministry of health has procured eight emergency ambulances for the eight district of Acoli sub region which are supposed to be managed by Gulu regional referral hospital.

He said all the districts in Acoli sub region have already received the fuel vouchers for fuel for their ambulances.

“Much as we are having staffing gaps, we are relying on Gulu university faculty of medicine that is providing us with Obstetricians, physicians, pediatricians and surgeons’ doctors. We also rely on consultants from St. Mary’s hospital Lacor as am the only consultant at the regional referral hospital”, Elima remarked.

Elima advised that government should recruit senior consultants on contract and give them car as bonus to let them work in government health facility as government pay senior consultant at sh8million as consultants doctors prefer to work in private health facilities due to high pay

The chairperson district health officer Acholi sub region, Dr. Janet Oola appeals to ministry of health to appoint district health officers in all districts. She said out of eight districts in Acholi sub region,  only two  that is Nwoya and Amuru districts has substantial district health officers, the rest have only acting DHOs

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Teenage pregnancies high in Refugee settlements

By Jackson Kitara                   

Teenage pregnancy increased by 0.8% among young girls and young women from 3.3% to 4.1% in refugee settlement, according to research done by Forum for African women educationalists Uganda chapter (FAWEU).

Ben Kirere,  the Research,  Monitoring and Evaluation Officer FAWEU said they  conducted the survey in three refugee settlements of Alere in Adjumani, Kyaka II in Kyegegwa and Palabek in Lamwo districts  in December 2020  and was commissioned this year in May

He said the study indicates that in Palabek refugee settlement, proportion of refugee girls who reported pregnant during COVID-19 were high at 4.8%, higher than 1.8% among nationals who reported being pregnant during COVID-19

“Close to one in every four refugee girls (23%) were aware of a peer who became pregnant during COVID-19 period. In Kyaka II, the proportion of girls who knew a peer who had become pregnant during corona period was very high as one in every two refugee girls (48.2%)”, Kirere said

Kirere said the research also indicates that refugee girls (3.5%) were disproportionately pressured by their parents or caregivers than refugee boy/young men (1.6%) to get married during covid-19 period

He said the proportion of refugee girls who engaged in sexual intercourse increased by 1.6% from 11.5% before COVID-19 to 13.1% during COVID-19 due to limited access to adolescent sexual reproductive health information and services, lack of life skills among young people and increase exposure to violence (GBV)

Kirere said the research found out that more than one in every three (37.3%) school going refugees did not have access to any learning opportunities during covid-19 and about 5.4% of the refugee girls and boys lost interest in school due to prolonged closure of school and they will not turn to school once schools’ resume.  He said they attributed that they are not returning to school because they lost interest in learning.

He said over 7million unintended pregnancies are likely to occur as a result of any additional lockdowns according to research

Reasons for high teenage pregnancy

“Increased poverty and vulnerability among refugee households attributed to the pandemic that has forced families to marry off their daughters to help assuage family financial burdens”, Kirere said  

Kirere said the study also found out that families marrying off their daughter receive money, food, and other goods in return; school closures opened up opportunity for parents and caregivers to pressure, lure and entice girls into marriage under the guise of schools may never open again due to increased hunger and general desperation following reduction in food ratio for refugees.

He explained that the reduction in household food security affected girls and young women the most, who beyond bearing the burden of caring for their households have become susceptible to being lured into sex in search of survival needs.

The Executive Director FAWE Sudan Opok Tumesiime said some of the perpetrators are relatives which these young girls find it hard to report for fear of being beaten or even kill for shaming them.

“There is need to find other alternative measures of encouraging the perpetrators and helping them to recognize that the girls they are defiling are the people who are looking out to them and they need to support”, Opok said

Geoffrey Ocana,  the  Lamwo District Probation and Social Welfare Officer said according to report they got from health Centre,  the district has registered 684 cases of  teenage pregnancy,  with  224 cases in  Palabek Ogili sub county  where refugee settlement is located

He attributed the high prevalence to broken family values where parents no longer stay with their children at bond fire and teach them how they should behave in community and inadequate life skills among young people.

Geoffrey Oroma Binaisa, town clerk Palabek Kal town council said Palabek refugee settlement registered 386 teenage pregnancies and out of these 75% perpetrators are boda-boda riders, 15% are men from stable households and 10% are fellow teenagers

He blames the vise on different cultures and believes especially among refugees as in some culture a girl at 15 years are allowed to get married

Julius Kamuza, settlement commandant Palabek refugee settlement said teenage pregnancy is high because school is closed for long and people were not prepared enough for lockdown so that teenagers are engaged in some activities

“With help of our partners, we have brought on board teenagers who got pregnant to engage them on livelihood activities to see that we support them with startup capital and skills training so that they continues with their lives and also see that candidates sit PLE and UCE when schools open”, Kamuza said

Kamuza said “we have started engaging and involving teachers to move home to home to make sure they train these young girls with skills they can do in mean meantime so that they can wait until the school open”.

John Ainebyoona, senior protection UNHCR said the reduction in food ratio is due to reduction in fund from donors as pandemic attacked the whole world

He said as in Palabek refugee settlement, land belong to the community and plots given are small that cannot allow refugees to engage in agriculture. He advocates for communal farming where partners hire a big chunk of land from the community and engage in farming to support refugees.

“We are emphasizing on skilling the youth with life skills fully and giving them start up tools so that they can generate their household income”, Ainebyoona said

Some of refugees at reception centre in Palabek refugee settlement in Lamwo district. Pix by Jackson Kitara

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Opiyo wins Bet way Open pool tournament Gulu 2017

By Jackson Kitara September 4, 2017

Gulu

James Opiyo won sh5450, 000 on Saturday as he was crown champion of Bet way Open pool tournament Gulu 2017 after beating Denis Ongom in the final in the games.

Opiyo beat Ongom four five games to two (5-2) in best of nine games.

Opiyo plays for Signature Lounge and Casino pool club while Ongom plays for Diana garden and Heritage pool club and seed four Gulu who doubled as Gulu pool league top scorer 2016.

In the third position play off, James Okello beat Kenneth Odong three to two (3-2) in best of five games.

Odong plays for Lamaco pool club while Okello plays for Diana Garden and Heritage pool club and 2015 Gulu seed eight.

The tournament that was organized by Bet Way Uganda in conjunction with Gulu pool association was held at Diana garden Heritage where 64 pool players participated.

Okello lost in semifinal to Ongom four to zero (4-0) while Odong lost to Opiyo four to one (4-1) in best of seven games.

Opiyo James knocked out Choul Emmanuel who traveled from Arua to Gulu for the tournament in last eight.

Choul is Arua seed one who participated in Nile special national pool champion in Lugogo for more than four times. Choul knocked out Ocitti Emmanuel Gulu seed two and was number three in Uganda in Nile special national pool champion 2013 in last 16

This is the second time Choul beat Ocitti in tournament. In July, Choul beat Ocitti in final of Gulu pool Master pool tournament 5-1 held at Da Cave.

Okello James on the other hands knocked out Otim Kenneth, Gulu seed three and also Walter Odoki, Gulu seed one in last eight to reach semifinal of the tournament.

Opiyo who won the tournament was awarded sh450, 000 from Bet Way Uganda while Ongom who was runner up was awarded sh220, 000, Okello James second runner up awarded sh1250, 000 and Odong Kenneth who retain fourth position awarded sh75, 000 and hampers to each players.

Others are from position five to eight were awarded sh20, 000 and hamper to each player.

Opiyo after winning the tournament attributed his success to playing defensive and attacking.

“I used the skills I acquired from Masaka when i represented Gulu in the club knocked in August 17-18, 2017 to win the games because my entire opponent were better than me since they are seeded players”, he remarked.

Ceaser Law Okumu, the secretary finance Gulu pool association asked the Bet Way Uganda to sponsor Gulu pool league. He said they have 12 clubs playing Gulu pool league, but have financial constraint as they do not have sponsor.

Zakia Maseruka, Bet Way Uganda sponsored asset manager said he will forward the request by the Gulu pool association to top management in Kampala.

She promised to provide all the 12 clubs with T-shirts to players so that they wear during the league game.

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ugandans advice to slow down cutting of trees

By Jackson Kitara September 3, 2017

Gulu

The senior forest officer ministry of water and environment, forestry sector support department, Valence Arineitwe has asked community in Uganda to stop cutting of trees to reduce emission from deforestation and forest degradation

He said according to research done, forest cover change in Uganda due to deforestation and degradation from 24% in 1990 to 9% in 2015.

Arineitwe said Uganda natural forest on private land has been reduced from 3,319,090 hectares (68%) in 1990 to 660,986 hectares (38%) in 2015 and on protected areas (Uganda wild life authority, national central forest and forest reserve) is reduced from 1,531,394 hectares (62%) in 1990 on natural to 1,067,793 hectares (32%) in 2015.

He noted that Uganda emit 8.05million tons of carbon per year and it contributed to 17-20% to greenhouse gas in the atmosphere which the heat destroy ozone layer. He said deforestation contribute to 8.15million tons of carbon and degradation contribute 8.21million tons of carbon in the atmosphere

Arineitwe said 91% of greenhouse gas emitted to atmosphere comes from agricultural activities and forestry.

Arineitwe these are as result of encroachment of small holder agriculture into forest and bush land for subsistence and commercial farming, unsustainable wood fuel extraction (charcoal burning and firewood)

Others are unsustainable and illegal timber harvesting, large scale commercial agriculture (ranches and agricultural farms), free grazing of livestock, wood harvesting conducted by refugees, wild fires, artisanal mining operation and oil extraction

Arineitwe said deforestation is caused by high population and economic growth, poverty, insecure tenure, governance and culture.

He said to these causes, Uganda is rank second country with the highest rate of deforestation in the world.

“Deforestation and forest degradation reach its peak in Uganda between 2005 and 2010. People are cutting 200 hectares of forest per year; if no any intervention is made by 2033, Uganda will lose all the forest,” he said according to the research released.

Arineitwe came out with the research during regional dissemination meeting to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation supported by the Ministry of Water and Environment to develop Communication at Kakanyero Hotel in Gulu

He said “people should embrace reducing emission from deforestation and forest degradation by forest conservation, sustainable forest management and enhancement of forest carbon stock (REDD +)”.

Arineitwe encourage people to plant more trees to reduce deforestation and forest degradation which is contributing to receiving of little amount of rain fall

Gastas Kiyingi, team leader tree talk plus said deforestation and forest degradation can be solved by climate smart agriculture (agroforestry and greenhouse cultivation of vegetables) and sustainable fuel wood, large scale commercial timber plantation, rehabilitation of natural forest in landscape.

He said others are efficient cooking stoves and integrated wild fire management in timber plantation, woodlands, bush land and grassland.

Felix Okot Okidi, the permanent secretary ministry of water and environment said there is need to sensitize and educate people on environmental degradation and shame people who descend into degradation of landscape deforestation.

“We have virtual roles to play in changing the mind set and altitude of those who deliberately descend on forest and wetland to acquire land title for selfish and personal gain”, he noted

Okidi said they are carrying out approach of is zero tolerance on environmental degradation where they have started cancelling of titles in numbers of forest.

He added that enforcement measure will set in. he added that they have livelihood support program on people practicing subsistence farming to leave fragile ecosystem to survive on its own.

Pope Onen, former forest officer who is a chairman Uganda forestry working group in northern Uganda said there is need to register community forest agents to safeguard cutting of indigenous trees species.

“I request government to reduce on certification of forest products by levying heavy taxes to protect our forest. Most of these indigenous trees species like Shea nut, mahogany take a lot of years to grow and their seedlings are hard to get”, Onen said.

“There is need to introduce fast growing trees species that take only five years  to  mature enough for charcoal so that we remove people from destroying natural tree species that have existed over 100 years just for charcoal” , Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, L.C 5 Gulu district advised.

Mapenduzi said “we are not going to say no to charcoal burning, but how do we introduce alternative sources that work better and help in protecting the environment. Government should look for alternative energy sources to reduce burden on natural trees so that people stop using trees as firewood and charcoal”.

He said the government should invest heavily in promoting local indigenous trees growing, especially those that are disappearing; support local farmers and nursery bed operators to encourage planting of local indigenous trees for sustainability.

“When government come up with approach of tree planting campaign to local people to plant, it make people responsible by owning it as their property”, Mapenduzi remarked.

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One feared dead, thousands stranded in Elegu floods

http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1460414/thousands-stranded-floods-ravage-elegu

Minister of state for sports apologise for abandoning renovation of Pece war memorial stadium

By Jackson Kitara August 20, 2017

Gulu

 

Minister of State for Sports, Charles Bakabulindi has apologized for abandoning renovation of Pece war memorial stadium to host Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Associations (FEASSSA).

Bakabulindi in his speech during the official opening of FEASSA games at Pece war memorial stadium said the renovation was over whelming and apologized for failing to support the renovation and construction of swimming pool at St. Joseph’s college Layibi

“On behalf of minister of education and sports, I would like to apologize for whatever went wrong, next time we will work together and see that we finish the remaining renovation work of Pece war memorial stadium”, he said.

Bakabulindi apologies follow criticism by Gulu district L.C 5 chairman, Martin Ojara Mapenduzi on the government for failure to support the renovation of Pece war memorial stadium and construction of swimming pool at St. Joseph’s college Layibi

Mapenduzi pointed out that when the FEASSSA executives visited Gulu in May this year to see if Gulu can host the games, the Pece stadium was in dilapidated; the pitch is bare, the wall fell off. He said from Layibi they had also to start construction swimming pool.

 

Mapenduzi who doubled as local chairman organizing committee FEASSA games Gulu said when they asked for support from government; government abandoned the renovation work of Pece and construction of Layibi to community.

He said the district, community and school grappled with financial constraint to renovate stadium and building of swimming pool on time.

Mapenduzi said they have resorted to asking for support from community who contributed the little money and in kind to see that the work is completed before the games

He said the renovation of stadium and construction of swimming pool was the responsibility of government, but seems the government is not taking sports seriously

Mapenduzi appealed to MPS to take issues of budget for sports activities fully so that sports activities are cater for equally.

 

The 2nd  Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Affairs, Kivejinja Kirunda  who represented Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataaha Museveni said the purpose of the games is for regional integration and exposing talents of learners.

He asked Gulu local government not to single out only ministry of education and sports for failure to support renovation work, but technocrats from all parts of country in the ministry

Justus Mugisha, president FEASSSA said they inspected the facilities in Gulu four times to see if Gulu can beat time in finishing the renovation and construction work at swimming pool.

He said in the beginning they thought Gulu could not host the games, but fortunately the determination and love of sports by local communities in Gulu, made everything possible.

“For the first time in the history of our games, the brand new semi Olympic swimming pool has been constructed for the games and a formerly dilapidated stadium; Pece stadium has been brought back to life”, Mugisha said.

Mugisha said the numbers of facilities have been constructed in a shortest possible time.

He said all objectives they sent to administrator to achieve have been achieved. Mugisha said they have been able to emancipate people of East Africa through sports. They have provided students from six states who could only produce student at national level to regional level.

He said FEASSSA has improved sports in members’ talents and brought the East African States together.

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Best uganda cup goal keeper 2017 dreams to play for uganda crane and in Azam premier league

By Jackson Kitara June 28, 2017
Gulu

The Uganda cup best goal keeper 2017, Emmanuel Rubangakene who plays for Paihda Black Angel football club is dreaming to play Azam Uganda Premier league.
Rubangakene who helped his club to reach final of Uganda cup for the first time said he is dreaming of playing in Azam Uganda premier league.
“My dream is to play in Azam Uganda premier league and play for Uganda among Uganda Crane national team in future”, he said.
Rubangakene 22 years started playing as goal keeper when he was a pupil in Kasubi Army primary school in 2007.
When he joined Vision College Kitgum in 2012, he took Vision College for the first time to COPA coca cola national tournament in Tororo.
Rubangakene was Gulu High school goal keeper who was selected in northern Uganda team who played against national team Crane, Crane Namutimba in 2015 tour in Gulu at Pece War Memorial stadium.
After sitting his advance level from Gulu High school, he joined Super Eagles football club in Gulu municipality where Paihda black Angels spotted him.
Rubangakene joined Paihda black Angels football club in 2016. The club is based in Paihda town council in Zombo district and the club is playing in Uganda Big league.
Paihda Black Angels  this year was one of the favorite club in Uganda cup after beating Fort Portal FC, Bright Light FC in Lira, Vipers, Sadolin home and way in semifinal and lost to KCCA FC in final of Uganda cup two goals to zero.
Rubangakene missed final of Uganda cup because he has conceded two yellow cards, but voted best goal keeper in Uganda cup 2017.
When New Vision reporter met him in his father home in Kanyagoga parish, Bar Dege division in Gulu municipality he said he is willing to transfer and play for any club who is playing Azam Uganda premier league
He said his dream is to play Azam Uganda premier league  so that he gains experience  and more exposure to join the national team.
Rubangakene said he will go for trial to Jinja SS football club and Bidco who called him for trial so that if he passes, he can join one of the club and play in Azam Uganda premier league
Rubangakene encourage other football players to commit themselves in playing football for them to succeed.

Walter Opwar, Rubangakene father said he could not believe that his son could reach where he is now the way he started playing football as goal keeper.
He said he was a footballer who was a midfielder, but his son surpassed him.
Opwar said when he was studying at institute of teacher education Kyambogo (ITEK), now Kyambogo University; he was assistant captain playing as midfielder for ITEK. He said he also played for Nile breweries in 1989
“I encourage my son to continue playing football as his profession that God has given him to earn his living from”, Opwar said
Opwar advice parents not to force their children to sit on talents that God has given them that they should only concentrate in academic, but allow their children to explore their talent that God has given them.
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National association of broadcasters appealed to UCC to regulate social media broadcasters

By Jackson Kitara July 2, 2017

Gulu

National association of broadcasters (NAB), an association that register all the media houses in Uganda has appealed to Uganda communication commission (UCC) to regulate social media broadcasters

Kin Kariisa, the chairman NAB said UCC should regulate broadcasters on who stream live event and activities via social media like Facebook, watsap, twitter, mobile hubs and other platforms that they are misinforming the public.

“There are some people who have set up their radio stations or TV stations, but are using social media to broadcast. Most of these are people who have not registered and are dodging UCC and paying revenue to Uganda revenue authority”, he remarked.

Kariisa who is also the executive director NBS TV said there is no different between the cause of technology convergency of people who live stream event or activities on social media with licensed radios and TV stations.

He made the remarks on Friday during launch of UCC regional office at Andrea Ola road in Gulu and 5^th communication consumer parliament in Bomah Hotel in Gulu under the theme; “the media we want”.

Kariisa said if UCC come up with framework to regulate those who use social media to broadcast; it will help consumers from misleading and inciting information and sending unedited information that have no relevant to the public

He added “i ask all media houses operating in Uganda to register with us and appealed to them to be ethical, not to divide the people using their platform, but to protect the community as consumers”.

Kariisa said media houses are supposed to create development, unite people and communicate thing that are public interest, but not incite public.

He said as NAB, they will fight politicians who use media houses to fight and abuse their opponents.

The executive director Uganda communication commission, Godfrey Mutabazi retaliated that social media like Facebook, watsap and Twitter has the best technology in the world and people are using it to explore new technology of digital migration.

He said they are trying to regulate social media in Uganda, but article 29 of constitution of Uganda also allows citizens on freedom of expression.

Mutabazi said people have freedom of what they want to access and when to access; saying the government seek digital communication as key part of enhancement of economic growth.

“What audience need is rich mix of competing provider of public service content to bring the best in them. The communication acts 2013 empower broadcasters to comply with all the laws, they should be ethical when broadcasting, not like social media where people send raw information”, Mutabazi warned media houses

He added that Uganda has more than 200 radio stations and over 28 TV stations.

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Govt gives Horyal investment Company 17.7 million dollars for the construction of Atiak sugar factory

By Jackson Kitara July 22, 2017

Amuru

Dr. Amina Hersi Morghe(with eye glass), CEO Atiak sugar showing some equipment brough uninstalled at the factory due to financial constraints.Pix By Jackson Kitara

Government has given 17.7 million dollars to Horyal investment holding company limited for the construction of Atiak sugar factory and paying back loan

Work on the sugar factory had grounded to a halt after the Dr. Amina Hersi Moghe, the Chief executive officer Horyal investment holding company limited failed to pay back a loan she had secured for the construction works

The factory which is on leased of 24,000 hectares of land on which the sugar cane cultivation has already commenced. Currently, the company is installing a Greenfield Raw sugar cane crushing plant with a capacity of 1,650 tons per day and 12 MW power plants already at 70% completion.

The factory was supposed to be opened officially in November last year, but the company run bankrupt

The support follows a request by Amina to government last year for financial support through Deputy Speaker of parliament, Jacob Oulanyah Okori.

P.K Singh, engineer Uttam Sucrotech limited that was installing equipment at Atiak sugar factory showing Samuel Odonga Otto equipment at the factory.Pix by Jackson Kitara

Amina last year pointed out that “as a private company I have spent most of my money on opening road, extension of electricity to the factory and purchase of transformer where I am building Sugar Factory”.

She explained that she borrowed a short term loan from Crane bank, but the interest rate was high at 35% Dollars which she is finding difficulty paying back before the factory has started operating which finish all her money and wants government to support her

“I ask government to support me with concessionary loan for five years grace period and should treat with public interest because 14,000 hectares of sugar cane will be getting ready market in the factory”, Amina asked

Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mathias Kasaija says they have given the company 12.5 million dollars for completion of the factory and 5.2 million dollars to repay the loan she borrowed

Kasaija while speaking during a visit at Sugar factory located at Gem Village, Pacilo parish, Atiak Sub County in Amuru district on Friday said the 12.5m dollars money was taken from agricultural credit scheme fund while the 5.2m dollars was money got from selling share from Kinyara sugar works.

Kasaija said the government decided to support Amina because the banks are threatening to sell her assets to pay banks’ loan she borrowed. He said Bank of Uganda and DFCU was demanding her to pay 5.2m dollars to restructure her loan.

“We decided to support her because the project is not for her, but for the people here in Amuru so that this areas is developed equally”, Kasaija noted.

Kasaija also said the government has supported out growers with NUSAF 3 and NAADS funds for bush clearing, seed cane and planting on 14080 acres of land.

P.K Singh, engineer Uttam Sucrotech limited(with hat) that was installing equipment at Atiak sugar factory showing leaders and stakeholders equipment at the factory.Pix by Jackson Kitara

He advises investors not to apply for land from Kampala, but come to land owners to discuss term and condition so that they acquire land in Acholi region.

Kasaija asked local government of Amuru district to open up feeder road and to open access road for out growers to sell their sugar cane to the factory.

 

Amina advises people of Acholi to change their mind set that they are unable and unemployed, but engage in doing productive work in your land.

 

“I do not want to hear people crying about poverty, yet you have eyes, hand and chunk of land. There is a lot of job you people can do if your attitude is positive to change you lives”, Amina said

 

Amina asks government to construct bridge at Unyama River so that it connect the factory and out growers.

Michael Lakony L.C 5 Amuru district asks ministry of trade to include Horyal investment holding company limited (Atiak Sugar) in the zoning of the sugar works in Uganda.

“There is politic in development, when you go to office of ministry of trade, you will never see, in the zoning, you will never see Horyal investment holding company limited, Atiak sugar factory and sugar cane plantation in Amuru”, Lakony said.

Lakony said by doing that ministry of trade is denying Horyal investment holding company limited, Atiak sugar factor opportunity and disservice for investment of the factory.

He said the government should open the way for the factory to allow money flow for investment for better.

Lakony said “you rather waste your money here where there is already 70% completed other than talking for something which is not yet established like Madivani sugar in Amuru where the land is not there, but here you only spend 30% then allow investment and production  to allow people of Amuru to be wealthier,”.

Lakony said investor should come and negotiate with land owners if they want to acquire land and it will be given on terms and condition apply; other than requesting for land from government, on television, radio and print media.

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