RUREKYERA GEOFREY

7 Police Officers including a Senior Commissioner of Police Joel Aguma, SSP Nixon Agasirwe, D/ASP Magada James, D/AIP Atwebembeire Benon, D/SGT Tumukunde Abel, SPC Katende Faisal, D/CPL Kwarisiima Amon and two Civilians Rutagungira Rene and Bahati Mugenga Pacifique have been arraigned before the  Makindye General Court on charges of Kidnap. They are currently appearing before Court Chairman Lt.General Andrew Gutti but are objecting to the jurisdiction of the court to try this case and the issue of infringement of their constitutional right to a fair trial. They are alleged to have kidnapped a one  Joel Mutabazi and conveyed him to the republic of Rwanda without his consent. They are said to have committed the offence on 25/October/2013 at Kamengo in Mpigi along Masaka road, while armed with fire arms and grenades.

A post mortem report has revealed that a one Nasasira Edison who died during a stand off between Uganda Police and Kizza Besigye in Rukungiri, was shot with a bullet. This contradicts reports from police who claimed the deceased was hit by a stone. Kigezi Region RPC Denis Namuwoza said that basing on the size of the wound found on the deceased, he had been hit by a stone. Kigezi region police spokesperson Elly Matte, also confirmed that the deceased had only one wound opening hence there is no way he would have been shot by a bullet. In a postmortem report from Karoli Lwanga Hospital and Nursing Training School, Nyakibale, it was discovered that Nasasira had a circular bullet entry wound on the left nasal bone about 0.5m in diameter. It was also discovered that the deceased had an exit wound in he right occipital region measuring 3cm by 2cm. The report was done by doctors; Gingo Stephen an obstetrician, Luyimbazi Julius and Mbiine Ronald both general surgeons. “Features ...

The shadow minister for Justice and constitutional Affairs Merdad sseggona says that the continuing strike by state prosecutors due to   failure by government to meet their demand for their salary hike may enhance corruption in police. Three months ago, Government asked prosecutors to call off their strike committing to meet some of their demands, which included professional allowances, salary enhancements, and tax waivers but Tuesday last week they resumed strike after government delay to respond to their complaints of low pay and poor working conditions. He said that the police officer to give to a suspect a police bond will need to be bribed. He challenged the DPP also to join the prosecutors strike enhance their point of protesting low payment since he is the chief prosecutor. He told the DPP to argue for bail applications for the suspects seeking for bail now as the prosecutors are still on strike. He said that he is in pain over being paid by his clients a...

• Kyadondo East Member of Parliament,  Robert Kyagulanyi also known as Bobi Wine has sued government and Kampala Metropolitan police commander Frank Mwesigwa for stopping his concerts around the country . Mwesigwa on Wednesday stopped Bobi Wine’s music shows pending investigations over what police termed as incitement of violence. • Through his lawyers led by Ladislaus Rwakafuuzi,Bobi Wine says that it was illegal and violation of his rights for police through the Kampala Metropolitan Police  commander to stop his countrywide shows . The legislator cites shows in Kamuli and Mukono as some of those that were stopped by police, a thing he says is against the law. • Bobi Wine says government should compensate him three hundred million shillings for violating his right to work because he earns a living from music .

One person has died and ten others are hospitalized at Rushere community hospital in critical condition after eating contaminated meat. The incident occurred yesterday in Kyabagyenyi, Rushere in Kirihura district. The identity of the deceased woman and other victims weren't readily available. Julius Ayebare, one of the affected residents, says they developed stomach complications after eating meat from a cow that had succumbed to rare illness over the weekend. Samson Kasasira, Rwizi Region Police Spokesperson, says they have dispatched samples from the cow and victims to the government analytical laboratories in Kampala for examination.  He cautions residents to desist from eating meat from dead animals or consuming meat without clearance from veterinary doctors.

Police at Ntusi tradng centre, in Sembabule district is holding a 35 year old police officer for reportedly sexually assaulting a suspect. Moses Ntegere 34, a police officer attached to Ntusi police station in Sembabule district has been arrested for forcing a female suspect  into sex. The suspect whose names have been withheld had been arrested on charges of beating up her neighbor at Merumeru village, Ntusi, Sub County in Sembabule district. Preliminary police investigations indicate that Ntegere grabbed a key to the police cells from the office of the criminal investigations officer where they were kept. He then proceeded to the cells where he reportedly forced the suspect into sex which prompted her to make alarms that attracted another officer that was on duty , who arrested him. The officer in charge of Ntusi Police station George Okurutu has confirmed Ntegere’s arrest saying that he is likely to face charges of rape when police investigations into the matter are complete...

Democratic party President Norbert Mao writes to the government chief whip Ruth Nankabirwa requesting for an opportunity to address members of the NRM Caucus to explain to them the dangers of amending article 102b to lift the Presidential age limit. Mao says that the MP’s need to understand that majority of Ugandans have spoken and are against lifting the Presidential age limit. Mao is also concerned that NRM MP,s have decided to secretly consult a few of its members to support the bill leaving out majority of Ugandans. He said this while  addressing a news conference today at the DP Headquarters in Kampala.

• President Museveni has ordered National Resistance Movement Members opposed to the Age Limit Amendment Bill out of a meeting of the ruling party’s parliamentary caucus. Museveni , who is also chairman of the NRM party chaired the meeting which sat at his office near the Parliamentary building. • The MPs were not invited to the meeting and according to reports, they had been warned by Government Chief Whip Ruth  Nankabirwa not to dare show up, since they shared different views on the amendment of the Age Limit, which was tabled by Raphael Magezi . • They however, insisted and proceeded to the President’s Office and sat in the room before commencement of the meeting. • The President on the advice of  Government Chief Whip, Ruth Nankabirwa ordered them to leave the room. According to one of the MPs,  Theodore  Sekikubo , Nankabirwa told the President...

• In a bid to  reduce the tension between Internal Security Organisation -ISO and Police, President Museveni has quietly directed an elite force of armed personnel to take over security at the residence of Christine Mbabazi   Muhoza , the former girlfriend of  the late  Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Andrew Felix Kaweesi . • O n Thursday, Police  attempted to break through barriers set up by the military at Mbabazi’s residence to arrest her . According to highly placed sources, President Museveni was recently briefed that Mbabazi had “high voltage” and “implicating information” in regard to Kaweesi’s murder. • • The president was briefed that before his death, Kaweesi had secretly recorded a tape in which he provided an in-depth account of his personal troubles . It is suspected this tape was hidden by Mbabazi , who has been under the protection of ISO soldiers in Lungujja , a Kampala suburb. • •...

The High court in Kampala has ordered that the 22 tortured suspects in the murder of AIGP Felix Kaweesi be compensated , 80mshs each attracting an interest of 20percent. This is after presiding judge Magret oguli Oumo ruled that their rights to life and liberty were violated by government security officers yet they are mere suspects and innocent till proved guilty.

Police is investigating circumstances under which a group of Standard High School Students in Ntungamo set several dormitories on fire last night, in which property worth millions of shillings was destroyed. The fire which started at mid night is said to have been started intentionally by a group of students, who poured petrol on the structures and set it ablaze. Twelve students were affected but  two, whose identities are not yet clear  were seriously injured in the blaze and are admitted at Mbarara regional hospital for treatment.       One Of the teachers at the school identified as John says one girl was critically injured in the fire.                     Meanwhile, Rwizi Regional Police Spokesperson, Samson Kasasira says the students intentionally locked themselves in the dormitory and set it on fire, adding that police is still investigating the matter.        ...

President Yoweri Museveni has asked the youth in the city to tell Kampala Woman MP Nabilah Sempala to leave him alone. Museveni was speaking to close to 100 groups of artisans, mainly composed of youth, at Uganda Museum before handing to them assortments of machines to facilitate their businesses on Wednesday. “Tell this lady……Nabilah to stop disturbing  Jajja  (a Luganda word for grandfather or grandmother),” Museveni said. Nabilah is one of the MPs, who are opposed to the Constitutional Amendment Bill 2017, seeking to remove the presidential age limit from the Constitution. Currently, under the Constitution, a person above 75-years of age is ineligible to run for president. Museveni, who has been president for the last 31 years, will be constitutionally eligible to run for sixth term in 2021 only if Article 102(b) in the Constitution is amended. Nabilah is one of the MPs who were roughed up on September 27 by security operatives, when they stormed Parliament to eject legisla...

   The man who died after he locked himself and his girlfriend up and set the room  on  fire in K atete cell, Nyamitanga division Mbarara municipality, has finally been identified.   The deceased has been identified as Atushemeza Eric, 28 years, a resident of Kyamugorani cell, Kakiika division, Mbarara Municipality, and a former employee of  Uganda Breweries Limited. The deceased’s girl friend, Natamba Penninah ,  who also passed away at Mbarara referral hospital today morning after sustaining severe injuries on her body, whose origin was not clear, was from Sheema Municipality, and a student of Bishop Stuart University.      Rwizi regional Police Spokesperson, Samson Kasasira says the deceased were identified by their parents. The bodies of the two are still at Mbarara regional hospital for post mortem, after which they will be handed over to their parents for a decent burial.  

As Members of Parliament prepare for nationwide consultations on the age limit bill, some have expressed concerns that the process may not yield credible results. According to the Kasanda North representative Patrick Nsamba, the consultation will not make any sense since some MPs are already biased. He says many members are likely to return with their own views and not those of their constituents. He has thus added voice to those proposing that an independent Constitution Review Commission be set up to spearhead this process if genuine results are to be achieved. This comes as the Speaker of parliament Rebecca Kadaga is set to meet party Chief Whips to discuss modalities of the consultations on the age limit bill. The Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs will on October 31 st begin proceedings about the Constitution Amendment Bill 2017.

The man who died after he locked himself and his girlfriend up and set the room  on  fire in K atete cell, Nyamitanga division Mbarara municipality, has finally been identified.   The deceased has been identified as Atushemeza Eric, 28 years, a resident of Kyamugorani cell, Kakiika division, Mbarara Municipality., and a former employee of  Uganda Breweries Limited. The deceased’s girl friend, Natamba Penninah ,  who also passed away at Mbarara referral hospital today morning after sustaining severe injuries on her body, whose origin was not clear, was from Sheema Municipality, a daughter to Tumusiime Fred Katabazi , a teacher at Kiziba primary school in  Kagango division, and has been a student of Bishop Stuart University.

  The family of Reverend lsaac   Bakka and residents of Misindye in Goma Division , Mukono  Municipality are anxious about  the mysterious disappearance of the man of God and former army officer. • Reverand   Bakka , according to family members was last seen on Sunday evening when he moved out of his home following a call he received from an unknown number . Eva Birungi , his daughter says the caller asked for her father’s help in locating space to start up a supermarket in Seeta . Nalubowa Sylvia Bakka , the wife to the missing reverend says after waiting for him in vain, they tried to call his number but no one received it and later it went off . Baka is a retired cleric who also served as an army officer, rising to the level of Captain, and also a chaplain in the late seventies. • He currently has been working as a journalist and cameraman for BTN television and Nile  FM

There has been deadly clashes between Democratic Party and National Resistance Movement-NRM Party supporters in Lwengo district on Tuesday leaving several people injured.  Trouble started after the Democratic Party supporters launched the anti- presidential Age Limit removal campaign code Togikwatako in Lwengo district. As part of their campaign, the DP members led by Hakim Kizza, a Youth leader held a consultative meeting in Kikenene village in Kisekka Sub County where they sensitized residents about the dangers of scrapping article 102(b) of the constitution, which restricts the president's age to be between 35 and 75 years. The campaign is in response to the Constitution (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2017 that was laid in parliament by the Igara West Member of Parliament Raphael Magyezi seeking to amend the article to scrap the presidential age limit. The bill has met stiff resistance from politicians across the political divide, civil society activists and ordinary residents....

The legal and parliamentary affairs committee plans to invite all former presidential candidates over the age limit removal bill. The chairperson Jacob Oboth who is also MP for West Budama says the committee will also interface with former justices of the Supreme Court and 8 political parties and other groups. All the invited groups and individuals will appear before the committee after it has met the bill’s sponsor Raphael Magyezi of Igara West on 31 st  of this month. Oboth says the committee that is expected to consider the bill for 45 days will request the Speaker for more time to accommodate wide consultations before writing and presenting a report to the House.  Oboth also believes that MPs are secure as they embark on consulting their constituents on the bill that seeks to amend article 102(b) of the constitution that only people between 35-75 can stand for presidency.

Kenya's opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) has withdrawn from the October 26 presidential election rerun . NASA presidential candidate, veteran politician Raila Amolo Odinga announced today that he and his running mate, Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka , will not take part in the repeat election, occasioned by the September 1st Supreme Court ruling that nullified the election.   Odinga said NASA has been calling for a free and fair election in accordance to the Constitution . He explained that NASA leaders came to the conclusion that there is no intention from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to guard against "the irregularities and illegalities witnessed in the August 8 elections.     Odinga , who has been a presidential candidate on four occasions, accused IEBC stalling any changes to its operations and personnel that led to the invalidation of the elections.    

Th The National Resistance Movement (NRM) caucus is scheduled to meet on Friday to discuss the Constitutional Amendment Bill which seeks to remove the presidential age limit of 75 years. The caucus deputy chairman Solomon Silwany has revealed that the meeting will decide on how the MPs will handle consultation of their constituencies on the Bill, which has become highly controversial. There are reports in the corridors of Parliament that the Friday meeting is also aimed at releasing the long-awaited funds from the NRM party leadership to facilitate the MPs in consulting their voters. While discussing the Bill last week, the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga told MPs that they would have to consult their constituencies on the Bill. e 

Hearing of a case in which former FDC presidential candidate Dr. Kiiza Besigye is suing Uganda Broadcasting Corporation,  (UBC) for refusing to run his 2011 campaign messages has flopped before the High court in Kampala, after UBC lawyer Kiryowa Kiwanuka made no show in court.  Justice  Margaret Oguli had scheduled the case for  hearing today but UBC was reported sick, something that angered Besigye whose concern is that the case is taking so long in court having filed it in 2011. Besigye wants  a refund of 21 million shillings he paid to the National broadcaster to run his campaign adverts. Besigye also wants an injunction restraining UBC  from  discriminating  people depending on their  political affiliations.  He also sued UBC's former Managing Director Edward Musinguzi, who allegedly received the money from Besigye's media agent- Big ideas  to run over 200 spot  messages for his 2011 presidential  campaigns but none-wa...

State prosecutors have announced the resumption of their sit down strike starting today. This follows elapsing of the 90 days grace period given to the government to address their concerns which included salary increment, a tax waiver on their salaries and promotions among others. Speaking to  the media  this morning,  the president of the Uganda Association of Prosecutors,  Baxter Bakibinga said the Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Kahinda Otafire had in July written to them confirming their pay rise and had asked for at least 90 days within which to present a supplementary budget request, nothing has come through. He now says they have no option but to resume the strike.

There was drama at the funeral of Dr. Abel Rwendeire, the former Deputy Chairman of the National Planning Authority at Kibuzigye Primary school playground in Bubaare Sub County in Rubanda District on Sunday.It all started after Rev.Fr. Hebert Agaba, the Kakore Catholic Church Parish Priest who led the funeral mass recognized Reverend Fr. Gaetano Batanyenda, the Chairperson Kigezi Inter-Religious Council and Kitanga Catholic Parish Priest. He hailed him for his strong mobilisation against the proposed amendment of article 102(b) in the 1995 constitution. Article 102(b) restricts the president's age to between 35 and 75 years. All was well until Ruth Nankabirwa; the Government Chief Whip took to the podium. She accused Fr. Batanyenda of being at the forefront of fighting the proposed amendment, saying there is need to amend the article since it is only God who determines one's age on earth. Nankabirwa's statement didn't go down well with the mourners, they shouted back...

Parliament is finalizing preparations to have two injured MPs Betty Nambooze Bakireke and Francis Zaake Butebi airlifted to India for more specialized treatment.The two were most injured in a fight that involved MPs opposed to the Age Limit Constitutional Amendment and security forces who were brought in to remove them from the parliament chambers on Wednesday September 27th. Nambooze is admitted at Bugolobi Health Centre with a  lumbar  spine compression, while Hon Zaake is still admitted at Mengo Hospital, where he said he laid unconsuous for hours, and was placed on  life support  having taken a powerful punch from former Army Commander Gen Katumba Wamala during the parliament scuffle. Opposition  Chief Whip Hon Semujju Nganda revealed today that the two will be flown out of the country to get treatment. This comes on the heels of increased pressure from the opposition  Democratic Party , who early this week complained that Parliament was not ...

Members of the Uganda Young Democrats-UYD have today launched a new campaign to block the constitutional amendment on the presidential age.  The campaign will involve a procession to parliament every Tuesday by teams dressed in red and engagements with the legal and parliamentary affairs committee. The committee has the mandate to scrutinize the bill and collect public views within the next 45 days.  UYD Finance Secretary Isaac Mando told journalists in Kampala that they will dress in red ahead of the Kampala Capital City Carnival, ahead of the October 9 independence day celebration in Bushenyi district, and as they head to Namboole Stadium for the World Cup qualifier between Uganda Cranes and Ghana tomorrow.

• Rights Activists under the Indigenous and Ethnic Minority Group (IMG), a coalition of 11 member organization has called upon Parliament to consider amending the constitution to include a number of ethnic minority groups that were left out. • The call was made by the Deputy Executive Director, Cross Cultural Organization Uganda (CCFU), Barbra Babwetera during the coalition interface with legislators and officials from the Ministry of Gender in Kampala. • Babwetera told legislators that they should use this space where a number of constitution amendments are being considered, to promote the rights of those groups of people that were left out during the promulgation of the 1995 constitution . The  indigenous ethnic groups in Uganda that are not recognized in the 1995 constitution include the Benet, the Basese , the Marogori and the Banyanja , groups  she says existed even during the colonial time.

Arua Municipality MP Ibrahim Abiriga who was summoned by Kampala City Hall court to answer charges of being a common nuisance, has not reported to court as ordered. According to Prosecution's Hillary Musimenta, Abiriga was personally served  through the speaker before he travelled to his constituency and he acknowledged service. However Abiriga's lawyer Usama Sebuufu told presiding Grade one magistrate Moses Nabende that Abiriga was served late after he had travelled which statement the prosecution denies. The magistrate has now extended the summons to 25/October. The Legislator is alleged to have urinated on the fence of Ministry of Finance on 26th/September 2017 along Kyaggwe Road within Kampala city, which illegal action makes him a public nuisance. Abiriga's case stems from a picture of him that went viral on social media showing him easing himself along the road.

• Makerere University Visitation Committee Chairman and Deputy Chairperson of National Planning Authority, Dr Abel Rwendeire has died.  Rwendeire is said to have died of heart failure  this morning .  • H e  joined NPA in July 2008 following his four year tenure as a Managing Director at the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation , (UNIDO), in Vienna, Austria. Prior to joining UNIDO, Rwendeire was MP for Rubanda County East from 1996 to 2002. • • During this time, Dr Rwendeire served as a minister of State for Tourism, Trade and Industry; Minister of State for Higher Education in the Ministry of Education and Sports, laying the foundation, inter alia, for the establishment of Uganda Vocational Qualifications Framework with a view to integrating the informal sector into the main stream formal educational processes. • He was the Chairman of the Joint Admission Board (JAB) that was responsible for the national admissions to all the terti...

Mathew Kanyamunyu the man said to be at the centre of last year's Lugogo shooting in Kampala, in which Social worker Kenneth Akena died, is finally granted bail by High court Judge Wilson Kwesiga.Justice Kwesiga ordered Kanyamunyu to pay 10mshs cash bond, deposit his passport with court, and report to the High court's Criminal Division registrar once a month beginning 6th /November until his trial is concluded.While granting him bail Justice Kwesiga noted that much as other Judges denied him bail due to the circumstances surrounding his case; each bail application should be handled on its own merits. The Judge also observed that no doubt that murder is a grave offence , however its not fair to evaluate the application based on the evidence the Prosecution intends to adduce, becuase you will be infringing on the applicant's right of presumption of innocence.Its against this background that Justice Kwesiga allowed Kanyamunyu's application, with sound surities ...

• Igara west mp Raphael Magyezi says he is very ready to table the bill, he already secured certificate of financial implication from ministry of finance and that the bill is already gazetted . • • The bill is expected to be tabled today for the first reading and it is already on the order paper for the business today to proceed in parliament . •       The bill seeks to remove age limits from the constitution, which caps the upper presidential age at 75.      Magyezi was granted leave of parliament for 40 days last week to consult on the bill, which has attracted public controversy and rejection.

• Police has warned former FDC presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye and a group of other opposition politicians against the planned walk to work campaign . • • The commander Kampala metropolitan police Frank Mwesigwa has said they have learnt that Besigye and other opposition leaders plan to walk to work from their respective homes to show their displeasure with plans by ruling party MPs to amend the constitution and remove the age limit for the presidency. • Mwesigwa says they will deploy at all strategic places to ensure that no one leads a procession. • • The campaign starts today and is supposed to be conducted every Tuesday, with the four time presidential candidate Dr Besigye threatening to either walk to work, or use public means like Boda Boda , a taxi or a bus.

• Grenades have reportedly been detonated at the home of Kyadodondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi popularly known as Bobi Wine in Magere , Wakiso District and that of Makindye West MP Allan Ssewanyana . • Kyagulanyi   disclosed that Grenades have for the second time in two days been thrown at his house and exploded. There was Property damaged and no one hurt. • Earlier, Ssewanyana also posted on his Facebook wall that People have thrown a grenade at his home. • • This comes just days after two explosives ripped through the house of Rubaga North MP Moses Kasibante only an hour after police returned him home after Wednesday’s detention over the age limit controversy .

• Makerere University Lecturer,  Prof. Sabiiti   Makara has said Members of the ruling National Resistance Movement-NRM party are siding against the population to support the removal of presidential age limit. Makara , a senior lecturer in the Department of Political science and Public Administration says that the proponents of a move to remove the cap on the presidential age have not involved Ugandan nationals in their  attempt to amend article 102 (b) of the constitution.    Makara warns that Uganda could suffer a tyranny of the majority if NRM continues to ride on its numerical strength in parliament to frustrate the rule of law.