Battle of pride as Heathens meet Kobs in 15s floodlight game

By Julius SenyimbaFriday 29th November will go down in Uganda rugby history as the first day a 15 aside rugby game was played under floodlights. And with the right fixture on the menu, having the two most successful clubs -Kobs and Heathens rugby clubs locking horns.  The Jinja road derby will see Legends based side kick […]
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Obukadde 150 ez’Omulimi Asinga zigabibwa leero

LEERO ku Lwokutaano abawanguzi b'empaka z'omulimi asinga lwe balangirirwa ku mukolo ogunaabeera ku kitebe kya Vision Group etwala ne Bukedde. Abawanguzi 13 be bagenda okulangirirwa nga ku bano abawangizi...

“I will Buy A Super Custom And A Harrier For Fille”-MC Kats Brags For Haters

One might think that think that NBS TV's MC Kats who is currently on holiday in London just went there to show off and brag about the things he owns In the wake of his fall out with producer Side Soft which has led them to wash their dirty linen in public for example Kats' […]

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Ebikoleddwa okuzuula eddala ly'akawuka ka siriimu

BANNASSAAYANSI bongedde obuyiiya mu bujjanjabi, okutangira n'okuwonya akawuka ka siriimu. Mu nsi yonna, abantu 37,000,000 be balina akawuka ka siriimu naye ekyennyamiza, abantu 27,000,000 kw'abo bali mu...

Photos: When The Inaugural Nsenene Ku Beat Excited Revellers

Not even the afternoon rain last Sunday the 24th of October could stop revellers from attending the inaugural Nsene Ku Beat event. Last weekend was an eventful one that saw lots of gigs happen in the different areas of Kampala and one of them was the Nsenene Ku Beat that took place at Naggulu Garden […]

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Cameroon youths protest older politicians running for office

YAOUNDE - As Cameroon prepares for local and parliamentary elections, young people have organized protests across the central African state against the aging political leadership. Cameroonian youths have been disrupting meetings to demand more say in politics and for octogenarian leaders to step down.  

Youth activists from the ruling Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement (CPDM) sing and shout that they no longer want elderly politicians to represent them. The group of about 400 young people erected barricades and marched Sunday through the Mvogmbi neighborhood of Cameroon's capital.

27-year-old Aristide Omgbwa, a member of CPDM's youth wing, said it is unthinkable that people who are above 80 years of age and who have been in power since 1995, with nothing to show as achievements, still want to make decisions for the public. 

The party should explain why they hate the youth, said Omgbwa, and why they want youth - who are the future of Cameroon - to continue to suffer.

Hundreds of Cameroon youth have been protesting in at least 23 towns across the country against elderly politicians seeking office during the upcoming February local and parliamentary elections.

In the town of Sangmelima, a group of angry youth crashed a swearing-in ceremony for the ruling party.  In the clashes that followed, at least seven people were wounded. While in the town of Tokombere, youths interrupted a meeting they said tried to impose 81-year-old lawmaker Cavaye Yeguie Djibril as candidate for their region.

Djibril has been a lawmaker for 47 years and speaker of Cameroon's national assembly for 27 years. 33-year-old Ibrahima Bascuda said the octogenarian can no longer represent the views of youth.

He said most of the old politicians have abandoned the populations they are supposed to serve. They do not attend meetings and only show up with huge sums of money to corrupt the electorate, claimed Bascuda, who for the most part are naive. 

He said the youth are saying no to old politicians who are frail and cannot even participate at debates in parliament, where laws that affect the future of the nation are voted on. The old(er generation) should allow the youth to build their own future in parliament and local councils, said Bascuda.

But it's not just octogenarian politicians who are being targeted by Cameroon's angry youths. In the town of Ebebda, Cameroonian youths gave chase to 62-year-old lawmaker Epondo Fouda Cecile after he announced plans to run again for re-election after fifteen years in office.  

Bernard Fongang is a senior ruling party official and close aide of CPDM party chair and Cameroon President Paul Biya. He said after the weekend's protests, Biya has given new guidelines for party candidates.

Fongang said Biya has given firm instructions that only youths who are of good character, have not been involved in acts of violence and corrupt practices, and who have been active in party and community activities should be given priority to compete in the elections.  Youth form a strong political force, says Fongang, and the CPDM wants to modernize.  He said four out of every ten candidates must be youths.

Fongang said Biya had given instructions that should a youth party member compete for a parliamentary seat with anyone in power for 25 years, the youth should be given priority. Biya himself is Africa's oldest ruler at 87-years-old and has been in power in Cameroon for over four decades.  

Critics have raised concerns about the aging president's health.  If there were a vacancy, 84-year-old President of the Senate Marcel Niat Njifenjis would take over as head of state.  

70 percent of Cameroon's lawmakers and 80 per cent of its senators are over the age of 60. The protesting youths say it is time they hand power to a younger generation to prepare for the future of Cameroon.  

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Esther Kabasombo, Micheal Ssenyonga crowned Mr and Miss Y+

By Ivan Kabuye Uganda Network of Young People living with HIV/AIDS (UNYPA) recently crowned Mr and Miss Y+ beauty pageants at Sheraton Hotel. A number of youth  from across the country attended the fun filled grand finale. Contestants were drawn from central, northern, eastern and western region, participating in the contest that saw Esther Kabasombo from […]
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Winnie Nwagi Lights Up Guvnor Ciroc Pop Night With ‘Amatala’ Bar Skills

Swangz Avenue star singer Winnie Nwagi was the bar girl of the Night at GuvnorCiroc Pop Nigt. The Matala artiste who was the mixologist of the day served her fans signature Ciroccocktails dubbed Yitayo,Amaaso, Matalaa longside her electrifying dance moves coupled with her hit songs that got the house on their toes. Nwagi known for […]

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Pressure mounts on KCCA acting ED Kitaka to vacate office

Seven people identifying themselves as 'taxpayers and concerned citizens' have written to the acting executive director, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Andrew Kitaka to vacate office citing the expiry of his acting tenure. 

Dan Lubowa Sserunjogi, Angel Lubowa, Richard Kiiza, Hakim Ssemakula, Asadu Lutale, Clarence Hafashimana and Vincent Ssenono through their lawyers of Kirya and Company Advocates contend when the former KCCA executive director, Jennifer Musisi Ssemakula resigned on December 15, 2018, Kampala Affairs minister Beti Kamya assigned Kitaka the duties of executive director in 'acting' capacity pending appointment of a substantive executive director.  

In their November 21, 2019 notice, the applicants say Kitaka has continued to execute the duties of executive director for the past eleven months in acting capacity contrary to Public Service Standing Orders, which provides for only six months.  

It provides that "An appointment on acting basis is expected to last not more than six months, and is subject to direction by the appointing authority. Any period of acting appointment beyond six months will be null and void and the officer holding such an appointment shall automatically revert to his or her substantive post, unless the appointing authority extends the appointment for another period of six months, but shall not exceed 12 months in total. This arrangement will only apply when a statutory office is temporarily vacated."    

They also cite Section 17 of the KCCA Act of 2010, which provides for the appointment of the executive director and mandate, which includes execution of duties of the authority and at the same time being the accounting officer. They contend that the responsibilities are enormous, arguing that one is likely to cause loss to the authority as well as the taxpayers once they execute the roles in an acting capacity.        

"We further notify you that acting appointments as done in public service do not apply indefinitely and any such act is illegal and unlawful," reads the notice in part.

They are now demanding that Kitaka ceases from committing or executing work on behalf of the authority and hand over office to any senior ranking officer with a substantive contract to avoid any audit and legal queries, 

"Provide an inventory of all contracts, expenditures and any related activities done in your 'acting' capacity", the notice reads. 

The petitioners have given Kitaka five working days to refund all the money he has received as salary or emoluments for the period he has served beyond the mandatory six months for one to be working in 'acting' position or else they institute a civil suit against him.

Last week, KCCA councillors chased Kitaka from a council meeting. They cited a letter written by the chairperson of the Public Service Commission, Justice Ralph Ochan reminding minister Kamya that Kitaka's tenure in 'acting' capacity had ended and it would most likely be challenged in court.

The development comes barely a week after the deputy head of the High court civil division, Justice Henrietta Wolayo ordered the police director in charge of engineering and logistics, Godfrey Bangirana to vacate office due to lack of a valid contract with the government.

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Huge Discounts On Offer As Kampala Cocktail Week Returns

Cocktail lovers need not wait any longer as Kampala Cocktail Week is back, running from 27th November to 7th December. For 10 days, top bars and hangouts in Kampala will offer specially priced bespoke cocktail menus. "Ugandans are a vibrant, trendy and fun people who want to enjoy their drinks in different tasteful ways and […]

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Maddox, Myko Ouma for “Nsiimye” corporate dinner

By Website writer On Saturday, November 23, Kampala will host its first ever thanksgiving dinner dubbed 'Nsiimye" slated to take place at the Kampala Serena Hotel Gardens. Directly translated as 'I appreciate,' the dinner will celebrate people who have walked the 2019 journey with families, bosses, clients, colleagues, employees and friends as well as appreciate […]
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Film About War Against Poaching ‘Sides Of A Horn’ To Premiere This Week

On Tuesday morning some journalists from different media houses gathered at Protea Hotel for the official launch of the 'Sides Of  A Horn' which is a seventeen minute film and the first of its kind to tell the story of Africa's poaching war from both sides of the fence. The launch shed light on how […]

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Museveni calls for accelerated investment in African population

President Yoweri Museveni has called for accelerated investment in human capital development across Africa to improve the quality of the continent's population.  

The president told delegates gathered at the 8th African Population Conference at Imperial Resort Beach Hotel in Entebbe on Monday that the wealth of the nation rests on the basement of a well-educated, skilled and innovative population.    

In a statement read by vice president Edward Ssekandi, Museveni said a skilled population is critical to the development of the insurance, banking, finance, hospitality, trade and shipping sectors among others. He said investment in the people will position the continent to harness the most from its bulging population in the age group of 15–64 years as the productive age structure of any nation.   

The president said, Vision 2040, focuses on improving human capital through universal primary and secondary education, tertiary education and vocational training as well as improved healthcare through immunizations, nutrition, water and sanitation lifestyles among others.  

He also called for the protection of the backbone of economic development and the human capital development through improved infrastructure in information, communications and technology, lowering the cost of doing business as well as job creations for the skilled young population to drive development.  

According to Museveni, Uganda has made very good progress in achieving inclusive development as evidenced in the increase of the population from 14 million in 1986 to the current 42 million people. Museveni further said Uganda's sustained investment in human capital development has  resulted into improvement in life expectancy by 20 years in one generation from 43 years in 1991 to 63.3 years in 2017; reduction in infant mortality rate from 122 in 1986 to 43 for every 1000 live births in 2016 and the fall in maternal mortality from 536 in 1986 to 336 per 100,000 live births in 2016.  

"Primary school enrolment has increased to 80 per cent by 2016 while the literacy rate has increased from 54 per cent in 1991 to the current 75 per cent of those who can read and write in their languages. The size of the economy has expanded more than 10 times from Shs 9.5 trillion in 1995/6 to Shs 128 trillion in 2018," he explained.

The director general of health services Dr Jane Ruth Aceng said Uganda's fertility rate remains significantly high at 5.4 children per woman while the rate of population increase is 3 per cent calling for robust measures for development.  

Dr Aceng said the population conference is critical in informing planning for such a growing population. Dr Natalia Kanem, the United Nations under secretary and the executive director of United Nations Population Fund urged the conference to make available adequate population data for informing policies on the continent.   

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Fun and glamour at Frosty Forest party

By Paul Waiswa Since the year started, it was the first of sort so no wonder why the attendance was moderate. The Frosty Forest Party that is organized by the Famous DJ's in the entertainment circles, a group of new generation DJs aiming at changing the Ugandan entertainment structures through creating event concepts with a […]
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Ekirwadde ekikwata ebitooke kitiisizza abalimi mu Lwengo

Bya FLORENCE TUMUPENDE ESSUUBI liwedde mu balimi n'abasuubuzi b'amatooke olw'ekirwadde kya kiwotoka abangi kye baakazaako erya 'Toduula' ekibamazeeko emirembe  n'okubakuba obwavu. Ekirwadde...

Two police officers arrested for selling bullets at Shs 5,000

Police in Kitgum district has arrested their own officers over illegal sales of ammunition.

Special police constables Beatrice Akello attached to Kitgum Matidi police post and James Canrac (Bus Park police post) were arrested over the weekend following a tipoff from the locals. Kitgum resident district commissioner William Komakech says that the duo was picked following intelligence that they were illegally trading in ammunition.

He says the suspects reportedly sold 16 bullets each at Shs 5,000 to a lady identified only as Irene, a resident of Lajang village in Pajimo parish in Labongo Akwang sub-county on an unknown day. Komakech says whereas security personnel were able to recover some bullets from Irene, an undisclosed number of bullets are still missing.   

Komakech says the police officer are being detained at Kitgum Central police station and charged with misuse of ammunition pending further investigation. He adds that their business partner, who is also detained at the same facility, is being interrogated over possibilities of being a serial dealer in ammunition and threat to local security.

Komakech lauded locals who tipped off police leading to arrest of the suspects and called in the public to be watchful and timely inform security personnel and leaders of such illicit trade. Kitgum district shares porous border points with volatile South Sudan and Karamoja region that has in the recent past seen proliferation of firearms and ammunition in and out of the area.

In August this year, police in the district recovered an AK-47 assault rifle loaded with five rounds of ammunition that was stolen from a security guard attached to Security Group Africa. The gun was recovered from a suspect who was already crossing into Karenga district, northeast of Karamoja region.    

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Uganda ekubye Malawi 2-0 n'ewaga

Mu za Afrika Cranes 2-0 Malawi MU Mupiira, waliwo enjogera egamba nti tewali buwanguzi bubi, wabula waliwo bw'otuuka ekiseera ng'olina okutunuulira omutindo gwa ttiimu efunye obuwanguzi. Cranes...

Two Ugandans arrested in Rwanda

Friends and family of two Ugandans recently arrested in Rwanda are worried and concerned about their safety. The fate of Gilbert Beingana, 24, and Amos Tibesiga, 50, both from Butanda sub-county, Kabale district remains unknown after they were arrested by Rwanda security officials on November 11. 

Their arrest comes on the heels of heightened tension between Uganda and Rwanda. Less than two weeks ago, two other Ugandans were shot dead in Rwanda by security on allegations of smuggling tobacco from Uganda into Rwanda.

Gideon Turyatunga, a brother to Beingana says that he had crossed to Rwanda through one of the porous borders in Rubaya sub-county to pay a visit to his female relative in Burera.  

Turyatunga says that Beingana had also offered to help another of their relatives to carry about 35 kilograms of sorghum to Kivuye market in Rwanda. However, they were intercepted along the way and detained at Commune headquarters. After interrogation, Beingana's relative was released. 

Turyatunga adds that although they know where Beingana is being held, they are hesitant to cross the border in fear of the repercussions to them and to the person in detention. He says that they have only reported the matter to sub-county security officials while liaising with their relatives in Rwanda to help.   

Venerable Pafura Baryamureeba, a brother to Amos Tibesiga; the second detainee says that he was arrested on the same day while carrying Irish potatoes to Kivuye market after crossing to Rwanda through a porous border in Butanda. 

Rubaya sub-county chairperson Canon Enock Kazooba says that the arrest of the two Ugandans in Rwanda has increased fear and tension among locals. Kazooba says that they are in touch with security officials in Kabale district to ensure that the two are rescued and returned to Uganda alive. 

When Rwandan officials shot dead Job Ebyarishaga and Bosco Tuhirwe, who were accused of smuggling tobacco into Rwanda on November 10, Uganda protested, calling the shootings "reckless" and demanded a joint investigation so as to bring the perpetrators to account.

However, Rwanda said the killings were meant to send a message to Ugandans that Rwanda doesn't tolerate criminality and handles crime in a different way. Soon after the protest note, Rwanda called off the second meeting between Uganda and Rwanda that was meant to address the border closure with President Paul Kagame warning of high costs for Rwanda's dissidents and those helping and facilitating them.

Rwanda closed its borders with Uganda in February 2019; blocking off any trucks or passengers going to and fro Rwanda. Rwandans crossing into Uganda were blocked with Kagame saying Rwanda could not guarantee their security.

Kagame accused Rwanda of harbouring and facilitating dissidents plotting against his government. Uganda denied the accusations, but likewise also accused Rwanda of destabilising peace in Uganda through espionage and infiltrating of Uganda's security organisations and agencies. 

Several Rwandans who have attempted to sneak into Uganda to access food and other services have been shot at or arrested.  

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Inspirational: How Dr Musinguzi Planted The Largest Apple Farm In Uganda

While on his first trip to the United Kingdom, 20 years ago, Dr. Musinguzi was advised by his English counterpart that an apple a day keeps a doctor away. From there and then Dr. Musinguzi has been eating an apple every day for good health and it was this that became his source of inspiration […]

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US Ambassador Malac's tenure comes to an end

The tenure of the United States of America (USA) ambassador to Uganda, Deborah Ruth Malac has come to an end. News of Malac forthcoming departure came to the fore when she visited the speaker of parliament, Rebecca Kadaga on Thursday where they held a closed-door meeting.    

A tweet from parliament of Uganda indicates that Kadaga wished Malac well as she reached the evening of her service as American ambassador to Uganda and gifted her with a locally made painting. URN has however learnt from diplomatic sources that Malac had long announced her exit as the US ambassador to Uganda.    

"What we know is that she has done her years as Ugandan ambassador and it was announced earlier but she is expected to leave in February next year," a source told URN. Natalie E. Brown also a career member of the Senior Foreign Service is tipped to replace Malac, according to a source at the embassy. Natalie currently serves as the chief of mission of the USA to Eritrea. 

The source said that Malac's departure hasn't been publicized yet because she is waiting for her replacement. Sources also say Malac personally told high-level meetings that she would be leaving as US ambassador but may return in a different capacity.       

Malac has had an outstanding role in Uganda, specifically advocating for freedom of speech, democracy and respect of human rights among others. Malac's major task as she came to Uganda was to help Uganda avoid complacency in regards to HIV/Aids after the progress made and also ensure that Uganda enforces tenuous peace agreements in war-torn South Sudan.    

While being vetted for the posting to Uganda by the senate foreign relations committee, Malac told the committee that if she was confirmed, she will urge the Ugandan president to ensure the political space necessary for a spirited and robust campaign in which all parties participate fairly as the country was heading to elections.   

In April 2016 while speaking at the post-election symposium on Youth, Democracy and Governance at Hotel Africana in Kampala, Malac called on the Ugandan government not to sacrifice the rights of its citizens in the name of maintaining stability. 

"These rights are guaranteed in Uganda's laws and constitution and shouldn't be sacrificed in the name of stability," Malac said.   

She also said the US cannot ignore actions that shrink Uganda's political space and restrict freedoms of assembly and expression. While speaking in July 2017 at America's 241st Independence anniversary celebrations at the US Embassy in Kampala, Malac said that strong institutions, not one person or party, is the secret to longevity and stability of nations.

She noted that true democracy requires the collection of all voices, backgrounds and beliefs and a system in which, every individual can and does have a say in how the government is run. Just in September, Malac was recognized for her work in Uganda and received an award for her effort in the fight against the Ebola virus.

She has also been a strong advocate for better health for Ugandans and at the center of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which is a US government response to the global HIV/Aids epidemic. Malac is a career member of the senior foreign service of the US and has served since 1981. 

Before coming to Uganda, she was the US ambassador to Liberia, deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and also worked as director of the Office of East African Affairs in Washington among others. 

Malac was nominated by USA President Barac Obama on September 19, 2015 replacing ambassador Scott Delisi who had announced his retirement. The US senate confirmed Malac's nomination in November 2015. Malac presented her credentials to President Museveni February 27, 2016.  

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Now Rwanda calls off Kampala meeting as Kagame warns of 'high costs'

The second meeting between Uganda and Rwanda to address the border closure issue has been called off.

According to the Uganda government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo, the meeting was called off at the request of Kigali. Ofwono said via his Twitter handle that "the media is hereby informed that the second meeting of the Adhoc Commission on Luanda MoU between Uganda and Rwanda scheduled for November 18, 2019, in Kampala has been postponed at the request of Rwanda."

The meeting, which would have been a follow-up to the Kigali meeting of September 16, was supposed to take place after 30 days – on October 16, 2019, but the date passed quietly. Now that the November date has been cancelled, it leaves everything uncertain as to when both countries would meet.

Kigali said then that it was waiting for an invitation from Kampala which never came. The second meeting was specifically expected to help resolve the Gatuna border closure, which has been shut since February 2019. 

Trade between Uganda and Rwanda has fallen to near zero. The call-off comes after Uganda's protest note to Rwanda over the shooting dead of two Ugandans; Job Ebyarishaga and Bosco Tuhirwe, who were accused of smuggling tobacco into Rwanda. Uganda called the shootings "reckless" and demanded for a joint investigation so as to bring the perpetrators to account. 

Yesterday, Rwanda President Paul Kagame spoke in Rwanda sending veiled barbs to the country's supposed enemies saying they were "going to raise the cost on the part of anybody who wants to destabilize our security. The cost is going to be very high".

"For those who are involved, you'll have to come clean. You can't be here benefiting from the peace and security that we have paid for in blood and then do things that cause us problems. We will put you where you belong," he said.

These barbs are seen to be directed at Uganda.

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How Mr. Martin Owako Is Diversifying Mofi Uganda Ltd To Build A Business Empire

A seasoned economist, Mr. Martin Owako who had worked with several Multinational Companies such as Suzuki, Uganda breweries and Smile Telecom at senior levels retired from regular employment at an early age of 48 years old to take on Mofi Uganda Limited(a family business) At that tender age,Mr. Martin could not withdraw his NSSF benefits […]

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Malawi clinic sets record of 8,000 successful births without any death of baby or mother

The founder of a Malawian maternity clinic for poor women says it has set a record – safely delivering more than 8,000 babies. For her efforts improving access to safe childbirth, Charity Salima has even won a prestigious British award and honorary title.

Grace Chakudza gave birth in November to a healthy baby boy – her fourth child - at Achikondi Community Clinic. It opened in 2008 to help poor women safely give birth. Since then the clinic has performed more than 8,800 successful deliveries, without the loss of mother or child, according to its founder.

That's a record number in Malawi, where the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) says the average mortality rate per 1,000 births is 22 deaths for babies and six for mothers. Chakudza appreciates the care she got from the clinic.

She says "there is a big difference. There is congestion in public hospitals. Women give birth on the floor. And, sometimes one nurse is responsible for three pregnant mothers. This compromises the health of mothers and children. But here, I received good treatment," Chakudza said.

The number of successful deliveries reported by the clinic, means it beats not only the global average of 17 newborn deaths per thousand births, but also the average of rich nations. Britain this year gave clinic founder Charity Salima the Commonwealth Points of Light Award, calling her Malawi's Florence Nightingale, the English founder of modern nursing.

Salima credits the way the clinic handles medical emergencies.   

"All that success has come in because we can refer whenever there is a complication as soon as possible. Early detection of any abnormality and any referral - that is what has made us to be successful," Salima said.

Achikondi Community Clinic

Services in the clinic are free-of-charge. The facility was built with donations from Scotland and the Norwegian Nurses Organization. The U.S.-based charity Freedom from Fistula Foundation, which helps treat childbirth injuries, funds the clinic.

Lita Kaunda hails from the community at Area 23, where the clinic is situated. She says "before this clinic, many pregnant mothers were giving birth on their way to the hospital because of the distance they were travelling."  

Despite its good reputation, Salima says the clinic does have challenges.

"Sometimes we lack resources. It could be financial resources; we don't have many resources. We also want if this building could have solar electricity because sometimes electricity is on and off."

Salima hopes the clinic will get additional support and do even more to reduce Malawi's newborn and maternal deaths.

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A Frosty Forest Treat At Najjembe Campsite For party Animals This Saturday

Party Animals take the fun to Frosty Forest Party this Saturday as the fifth edition of the Frosty Forest Party is set to thrill party seekers looking out for adventure and fun moments this Saturday. All is set for lots of fun with no boundaries as all roads will be leading towards Mabira Forest come […]

The post A Frosty Forest Treat At Najjembe Campsite For party Animals This Saturday appeared first on Chano8.

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Okwanjula kw'omuyimbi Rema Namakula mu bifaananyi

    Nabagereka atuuse ku mukolo.                   ...................................................................................................................................................................................

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12-year-old pupil killed in fight with 'best friend'

A primary three pupil of Lukolo primary school in Jinja district has died following a fight with his classmate.

12-year-old Sowedi Mugulusi reportedly fell on the floor during the fight and bruised his head before he breathed his last yesterday Wednesday. Efforts to get a comment from the school administration were futile. However, a teacher at the school told URN condition of anonymity that the two pupils were close friends and even shared a desk. 

"I am surprised that this unfortunate incident happened at such a time because these two boys have been so close in class and even sat together," he says.   

Salima Nabirye, the guardian of the deceased, says the school just handed over Mugulusi's body without offering her any explanation on the circumstances surrounding his death. 

"I have looked after this boy since his childhood and he has been healthy throughout. I am surprised that he passed away under unclear circumstances and the school didn't offer any explanation," she said.

Arajab Kakande, the LC I chairperson Lukolo village, says he was only invited at the school when Mugulusi was already dead.

Mary Nyangoma, the officer in charge of Mutai police station, says a postmortem was carried out before the deceased was handed over to relatives for burial. She however, didn't explain what could have caused the minor's death. 

Nyangoma says the boy who was involved in the fight with the deceased will be handed over to Kiira regional police station for further interrogation.

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Bobi Wine among Time’s Next 100 most influential people

By Ahmad Muto Singer and legislator, Bobi Wine has been named among the 100 most influential people by Time magazine. The "Kasukali" singer has been hailed for singing about social injustices all his music career and also running for a parliamentary seat that he won just to advance his conviction. According to time, "Now the […]
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French Montana promised us but has not delivered – Ghetto kids manager

By Ahmad Muto The million dollar question the public has been asking is how after all the social capital the Triplets ghetto kids have gotten over the years, sh112m has put them in a tight spot to the point of becoming homeless. Well, their manager, Dauda Kavuma has revealed that American rapper French Montana promised […]
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CHILE EGOBYE ABAZANNYI

EKIBIINA ekifuga omupiira mu Chile kigobye abazannyi 20 mu nkambi lwa kuwagira bannansi abeekalakaasa nga baagala Pulezidenti w'eggwanga eryo ave mu ntebe. Abazannyi bano okuli ne bassita, kapiteeni...

Shs 24bn Isimba dam money stolen - Kadaga

Over Shs 24 billion meant for the construction of Isimba dam bridge was swindled by officials in the ministry of Energy, speaker of parliament Rebecca Kadaga has revealed.   

Kadaga told MPs today that despite forwarding the names of the 'eaters' of the Shs 24 billion to President Yoweri Museveni in March this year, no response or action has come from the Office of the President. 

Commissioned on March 21, 2019, the 183MW Isimba hydropower project is located 4km downstream of Simba falls on the R.Nile, approximately 50km downstream of the source of the Nile. The project steering committee chairperson, Eng Badru Kiggundu, says China Water and Electrical Company Ltd was expected to construct a bridge across R.Nile that would link Kayunga and Kamuli districts.    

The bridge was meant to run from Kayunga to Kuva island and another from Kuva island to the Kamuli side. However, to date, the bridge has never been constructed although the dam was completed.

"By the way, at some stage, Shs 24bn had been chewed, Shs 24bn for that bridge had been eaten. 24! Hon members, I have been following that matter for several months, the money was eaten in the ministry of Energy, Shs 24bn...I have written to the president. I gave him the names of the 'eaters'. I have been waiting since March. I have not seen any action." said Kadaga.  

Isimba dam was constructed at a whopping $568 million (about Shs 2 trillion) per cent with more than 85 per cent coming as a loan from China's Exim Bank. While reacting to the debate on a matter of national importance raised by James Waluswaka, the Bunyole West MP, Kadaga said the failure to construct the bridge on Isimba dam and disappearance of the money could cost Museveni and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party MPs votes.

"The contract for the Isimba dam was supposed to have a bridge to connect Kamuli and Kayunga. I think either what they call mafias have taken the money, the dam was commissioned the bridge is not there. Now the issue I'm raising madam speaker when we go to Kamuli and Kayunga. We have relatives there. Villagers ask us. I want the ministry of Energy and Works to explain why the bridge has not been constructed as per the plan." Waluswaka said. 

However, the Works and Transport minister Monica Ntege Azuba told the house that the funds earmarked for the bridge are under the Energy and Works ministries, saying the money can only be released when the design is completed. She confirmed that the contractor was meant to build a bridge; adding that a new design is being drawn and will be funded.

Isimba dam

"Yes it is true the bridge was supposed to be done at that point, and when we came to the realisation when the dam was finished, we brought it up to the ministry of Energy. So the ministry of Energy has asked UNRA [Uganda National Roads Authority] to do the design and they will come up with the findings so that it will still be under Energy. I request ministry of Energy to expand further." Azuba said. 

MPs wondered why a new design is now being drafted for the bridge long after the dam was even completed and commissioned, yet the initial design of the dam included a bridge. David Guma Gumisiriza, the Ibanda North MP, said it is a serious issue for the speaker to say the money earmarked for the bridge was swindled. He said parliament cannot just ignore such issues, saying the implicated persons should be summoned.   

"The statement from the speaker of parliament of Uganda to say money is stolen for a project that is supposed to connect, ease transport in this country is such a serious matter. I would request parliament to summon in Irene Muloni and all the concerned people and twelve into the issue in this very matter. The other day money for Katosi road disappeared and some people who allegedly shared the money are in this house. Really how can we have a country like that?" Gumisiriza said. 

Government chief whip, Ruth Nankabirwa requested to present the matter formally to cabinet given its gravity.

"You said money was eaten and you repeated it, and I whispered to Hon Adolf [Mwesige] and said this is serious. The speaker is telling us that she has information that money was eaten. And how can we leave this statement hanging? I would like to propose madam speaker that I table this concern from you and parliament in cabinet on Monday and the person who shares cabinet is none other than the president because you have mentioned in your statement that you informed the president." said Nankabirwa. 

Asuman Basalirwa, the Bugiri Municipality MP said if there is evidence that money was stolen, cabinet cannot do anything about it other than arraigning those implicated before the Anti-corruption court. 

Gilbert Olanya, the Kilak South MP proposed that parliament institutes a committee to investigate the matter instead of handing it back to Government, which is accused. Jacob Oboth Oboth, the West Budama MP, said a whistleblower gave parliament information on the money swindled because they know the capacity of the house. Kadaga promised to make a ruling on the matter on Thursday.

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Obutabanguko mu maka bwongedde ku butali butebenkevu mu ggwanga

Bya Madinah Sebyala Omusumba w'e Lugazi eyawummula, Dr. Mathias Ssekamaanya akubirizza abafumbo mu ggwanga okusala amagezi balabe nga bamalawo obutabanguko mu maka bw'agamba nti, bwongedde ku butali...

Profile: America based Ugandan socialite Zawedde eyes Zari’s crown

By Musa Ssemwanga Zari Hassan has been the queen of social scene for the last 10 years but looks like her time at the helm of showbiz throne is coming to an end sooner than we expected. America based Ugandan socialite and entrepreneur Juliet Zawedde is threatening Zari's boss lady showbiz throne. The new boss […]
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Golola Wishes To Live With NBS TV’s Sexy Agatha In New House Given To Him By Rock Boom

Motor mouthed kick boxer Golola Moses was appointed the energy drink Rock Boom's ambassador in 2015 and from then, he has visibly promoted the drink. It is for that matter that bottlers of the drink decided to reward him with a brand new house last week In an exclusive TV interview  with NBS TV Pundonor […]

The post Golola Wishes To Live With NBS TV's Sexy Agatha In New House Given To Him By Rock Boom appeared first on Chano8.

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Leonardo Da Vinci Exhibition To Light Up Italian Cultural and Culinary week

One of the biggest ever visual art exhibitions is set to open in Kampala come next. The Leonardo Da Vinci art exhibition which is expected to be the highlight of the coming Italian Cultural and Culinary week will open to the public on Monday November 18th at the Uganda Museum. While speaking to journalists at […]

The post Leonardo Da Vinci Exhibition To Light Up Italian Cultural and Culinary week appeared first on Chano8.

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KCCA efukamizza Express

Express 1-3 KCCA Police 4-0 Tooro Utd Villa 1-1 BUL Ggoolo ya Sadat Anaku, Mike Mutyaba ne Muhammed Yiga (eya kyeteeba) ze ziyambye KCCA okufukamizza Express ku ggoolo 3-1 mu mupiira gwa liigi...

Ugandan engineer develops 'cheaper' smart cane for blind

The National Drugs Authority (NDA) has approved a low-cost ultrasonic walking stick developed by Zablon Mulero, a Ugandan health engineer attached to Moroto regional referral hospital.    

Mulero, says the walking stick which he has been working on for the last five years, is meant to aid the movement of visually impaired persons.  

Speaking to URN on Tuesday morning, Mulero said production of the walking stick will start in December and will cost between Shs 80,000 and Shs 100,000. The smart walking canes on the market cost as high as $500 (about Shs 1.8 million) a pop. 

"This is a walking stick that helps the visually impaired navigate with ease using advanced technology. It's made using aluminium and is fixed with an alarm that alerts someone that there is an object ahead," he said.  

Adding that, "It's also foldable so it's convenient to move with even in a vehicle." According to Mulero, he has also registered with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) to patent his innovation as required to secure full certification for use."   

A report released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) last month shows that about 2.2 billion people have a vision impairment or blindness and only 1% of these can afford an electronic walking stick.

Mulero says in Uganda, many people with cataracts and other vision-related issues can't afford even an ordinary walking stick and still have to be guided for fear of possible accidents. He says to come up with the innovation; he first observed patients who were visiting Moroto hospital and the problems they experienced with navigation. 

The components of the stick include a sensor, fibre and a replaceable battery that keeps running the alarm in addition to a reflector such that one is spotted easily even from a distance, all these materials he says he sources locally. 

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Eby'abayizi 15 abaagaaniddwa okukola ebya S.6 biranze

Eby'abayizi 15 abaagaaniddwa okukola ebya S.6 biranze

Photos: When Ugandan Johnnie Walker Influencers Toured Scotland

A group of Ugandan Johnnie Walker influencers had a trip of a lifetime to Scotland courtesy of the Scotch Whisky last week. In the true Johnnie Walker "Keep Walking" slogan, the Ugandan team that included the likes of Marcus Kwikiriza, R.S Elvis, Gareth Onyango and Paul Jack Kutosi plus Alchemist proprietor Roger Izimba and Rutungu […]

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Uganda’s Evelyn Namatovu wins big at the 2019 Miss International

By Derrick Asaba Evelyn Namatovu Kironde has raised the Uganda flag when she emerged second runner up in the recently concluded 2019 Miss International that ran under the theme, 'Cheer All Women'. Namatovu, got a double-win of second runner up and won the Miss International Special Award of Best in Swimsuit at the grand finale […]
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Wakastar’s Racheal M returns in Bali Mu Swagga

By Stuart G-Khast Racheal M is the super Star kid that rose to stardom with Spice Diana’s Anti Kale master piece that introduced her to the music industry. Since then she has not set one feet back. Racheal M has gone on to do songs like No More crying, Jubilation, No Peace featuring Patricia, So […]

The post Wakastar’s Racheal M returns in Bali Mu Swagga appeared first on BigEye.UG.

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Eddy Kenzo Tips Few Fans With Money Despite Having Bundle, Leaves The Rest Disappointed

Singer Eddy Kenzo is not known for splashing money in the crowd while performing at the different events around town and upcountry but he last Friday the 8th of October left fans disappointed after giving a few Ug Shs 50,000 notes to some lucky revellers while performing at Dj Roja and Slick Stuart's Mixtape Party season […]

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BBS Terefayina Ekivuutu ripe for Sunday, artistes pledge their best

By Reporter Mengo based BBS Terefayina has an annual event that pulls all its fans to celebrate with its fans and family. This year’s event is slated for Sunday 17th at Wankulukuku stadium. The second event will be in Masaka recreational grounds on 24th. Ekivuutu this Sunday has lined up a numbet of artistes lead […]

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Mukoka asse omukadde

BYA JOHNBOSCO MULYOWA Ekikangabwa kibuutikidde abatuuze ku kyalo Kaliisizo South  mu Kalisizo Town Council mu disitulikiti y'e Kyotera, omukyala abadde asala oluguudo bwagudde mu mwala ogubadde gutwaaala...

MPs handover Atwine to CID over Shs 6bn unlawful expenditure

Ministry of Health permanent secretary, Dr Diana Atwine and undersecretary, Ronald Ssegawa have both recorded statements with the Criminal Investigations Department over the alleged unlawful expenditure of Shs 6 billion.

The duo was handed over to the CID by the public accounts committee chaired by its deputy chairperson, Okin PP Ojara. The committee is scrutinizing the auditor general's report for the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 financial years, which queried the mischarge and diversion of public resources.

According to Ojara, although parliament allocates funds according to work plans presented by the respective ministries detailing how it will be spent, Atwine and Ssegawa disbursed money ignoring the purpose for, which it was provided.

According to Ojara, as a committee they are also investigating the possibility that the money could have been swindled. The said money was meant for among other projects the rehabilitation and expansion of Kayunga hospital to include paediatric surgery unit at Shs 2.2 billion.   

Other funds spent outside the budget include Shs 416 million on unsupported payables, Shs 172 million irregularly transferred to an Italian non-governmental organisation and payment of Shs 800 million for unexecuted works. 

The committee also queried an unspent Shs 3.6 billion in the two financial years.

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Afromix Nights Return For More Soothing Live Music As Qwela Band Features Tamba Tangaza

Lovers of live band music are gearing up for another enchanting music experience with the Afromix series by Qwela. The band which organizes a monthly Afrocentric concert at different venues around the country has since garnered a legion of fans looking for a serene soul-filled music escape after the day's workload. Under the Tusker Malt […]

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All Set For Slick Stuart And Roja’s 6th Edition Of Mixatape Party As Duo Promises Electrifying Performance

The country's hottest deejay duo, Slick Stuart and Roja have promised an incredible and electrifying performance at their 6th Mixtape Party that is slated to be held on Friday, November 8, 2019 at the Multipurpose Hall, UMA Show grounds in Lugogo. The deejays, who also double as music producers made the announcement at a press […]

The post All Set For Slick Stuart And Roja's 6th Edition Of Mixatape Party As Duo Promises Electrifying Performance appeared first on Chano8.

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From The Banking Hall To Growing Super Rice, How Mayeku’s Life Was Transformed

A decision to drop a tie and hold a hoe is unusual for many of our leading elites however, Mr. David Mayeku stood out when he dropped his regular necktie and went into rice farming. Mr. Mayeku who had worked with Barclays Bank now Absa for three decades decided to retire from regular employment at […]

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Besides Jidenna, Here Are The Other Stars Lined Up To Rock December Edition Of Blankets And Wine

This year's December edition of Blankets and Wine is literally marked on every party animal's calendar as a must-attend event to end the year with a fun-filled unforgettable music experience. Afro-fusion music lovers are excitedly anticipating an incredible show and keeping social media buzzing about American rapper, singer and songwriter Jidenna flying into Uganda as […]

The post Besides Jidenna, Here Are The Other Stars Lined Up To Rock December Edition Of Blankets And Wine appeared first on Chano8.

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How John Okiror Helped Kalapata Get Its First Private Primary School

A small village in Kumi district known to many as Kalapata had its voices heard after it received its first ever private primary school. This milestone was achieved after the son of the soil Mr. Okiror John Stephen received and invested his NSSF benefits in a school. Mr. Okiror John Stephen, an accountant by profession […]

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Army will not immediately leave Makerere - Defense minister

The minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs Adolf Mwesige has said that the withdrawal of the army from Makerere University will be a gradual process.

On Wednesday, officials from the ministry led by Mwesige, Lt Gen. Wilson Mbadi the deputy army commander, the minister of Internal Affairs Mario Obiga Kania were appearing before the parliamentary committee on education to answer queries of brutality against students by the army. 

The army has been accused of brutalizing students who were demonstrating against the 15 per cent cumulative fees increment. On many occasions according to students, tear gas canisters were tossed into halls of residents affecting students who were not even participating in the demonstration. The army was also captured on camera flogging students and forcing them to roll half-naked on the tarmac during the strike. They also broke into student rooms in halls of residence and private hostels outside the campus.    

Mwesige told MPs led by the committee vice-chairperson John Twesigye that the army that responded to the Makerere University crisis has been at the university since 2018 in the wake of murders, robberies in the country. President Museveni ordered the soldiers out of Makerere claiming he did not know about their deployment there. 

Mwesige told the MPs that army withdrawal will be gradual since they do not want to leave Makerere unattended to.

"The army is withdrawing in a systematic way. This army has been deployed in Makerere for a purpose earlier. What happens if there's a reoccurrence of the same incidents that prompted the action of the army? The answer is very clear Mr chairman because the army is deployed as and when either there is a perception of threat or whether there's is happening of the threat itself." said Mwesige. 

Lt Gen Mbadi, says that the soldiers who brutalized the students are being investigated. He told the committee that the army does not tolerate any form of brutality. Mbadi also said the army was not necessarily interested in Makerere University but just used the institution as a staging area or base to for surrounding areas.  

When asked about the alleged sexual assault against the students during the strike that started on October 22, minister Obiga Kania said that they have never registered any complaints formally that any student was harassed sexually during the chaos. 

"From the 22nd of October 2019 to date police has neither received nor registered any complaint or case of sexual abuse and if there is any complaint it should be reported to the police," he said. 

Winfred Kiiza the Kasese Woman MP questioned why UPDF appears to have deployed without knowledge of the university authorities. The officials were also questioned over reports that several people carry guns in and outside lecture rooms at the university.  

Julius Achon, the MP Otuke County said that there are many guns at the university and several spies in classrooms. However, Mwesige told the committee that it is not a crime for spies to be at the Makerere as long as they are doing their job. He also told the committee that it is not permitted for someone to enter with guns inside the classrooms and if there is such a case they will follow it up. 

On Monday appearing before the committee, Makerere University students led by the guild president Julius Katerega told the committee that students are intimidated by plain-clothed security personnel with guns in and outside the university premises.

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Gen Salim Saleh seeks Bobi Wine meeting

The Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Gen Caleb Akandwanaho aka Salim Saleh is yearning to meet fast rising opposition figure Hon Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine. "I know Kyagulanyi and he is my friend but nowadays he became independent of me," Saleh said. Gen Saleh said he is more than willing to sit with […]
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When Maurice Kirya’s Half Naked ‘Birthday Photo’ Amused Social Media Users

As singer Maurice was celebrating his 35th birthday on Monday, he took it extreme when he took to social media only to post what we are comfortable calling a half naked photo of himself chilling in the bathtub with who is assumed to be his white girlfriend Lisa Gceverbeek, although it's just her thighs showing […]

The post When Maurice Kirya's Half Naked 'Birthday Photo' Amused Social Media Users appeared first on Chano8.

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How hospitals rob your cash

 

A way from the glamour of medical insurance cover, an investigation sanctioned by the Uganda Insurers Association (UIA) has uncovered a thriving grand corruption scheme involving hospitals and doctors that has robbed millions of shillings from insurance companies and patients.

The special investigation sponsored by six insurance companies has exposed a string of illicit tactics used by contracted medical facilities to bleed insurance companies.

At least 82 per cent of fraud incidences were recorded inside doctors' rooms at the time of the investigation. Doctors were faulted for facilitating medical fraud by signing onto or approving dubious medical forms.

"When we see doctors facilitating fraud, we worry that the ethical responsibility is getting blurred by financial incentives. These trusted medical professionals have chosen to violate their oaths and put fraud ahead," reads the UIA report.

Dubbed the medical insurance fraud investigation study, UIA contracted Mash Research Africa (MRA) to ascertain the depth and breadth of medical fraud at service provider centres in a bid to reduce fraud and identify strategies to enable growth of medical insurance in Uganda.

Documents seen by The Observer show that six insurance companies pooled resources to facilitate the fraud investigation. These included; ICEA, Jubilee, UAP Old Mutual, Sanlam, Prudential and Liberty insurance. However, every insurance provider was found susceptible to fraud risk since the different medical schemes do not act differently.

The report found that many health insurance claims investigated were fraudulent, and ultimately carried a very high price tag to the insurer, thus distorting the sector greatly. Sources privy to the workings of the scheme intimated to us that insurance companies have been making more losses annually on the medical component and had to look elsewhere to cover up the losses.

For instance, UAP on October 30, 2019, received a medical bill of Shs 2.1bn but a day later on October 31, the bill had climbed to Shs 2.8bn. This represented an increment of Shs 700m in just one day.

UAP has since followed Jubilee insurance in cutting ties with suspect facilities. Jubilee has already terminated 23 hospitals and pharmacies for abusing the system. In a letter dated November 1, Jubilee insurance said the termination takes immediate effect and has highlighted available alternatives for their service.

"Although this action may result into some regrettable inconveniences, it is done in good faith to ensure your benefits are not robbed in the manner the affected facilities have been doing," reads the letter signed by the provider relations officer, John Etayu, and the assistant general manager medical, Dan Musiime.

For a deeper understanding of the fraud, a mystery shopper study was adopted to get culprits. This involved use of mystery customers and impromptu checks done during service delivery to check on fraud incidences and how it manifests at service provider points.

This was aimed at identifying facilities deviating from standard procedure and detect weaknesses in the insurance system that would create vulnerability.

"Enumerators were specifically trained to experience and capture fraud-related activities by acting as patients and reporting their experiences in a detailed and objective way. They recorded their experience on a questionnaire after exiting the outlets so as not to arouse suspicion [from facilities]," the report notes.

To reduce any potential bias, enumerators were rotated across the visiting schedule to check on frontline and medical staff across all functional areas.

KEY FINDINGS

According to the report, the study population was huge but MRA collected data from 126 medical providers that were chosen as a case study. They define fraud as "any intentional act or omission designed to deceive, resulting in the victim suffering from a loss /or the perpetrator achieving a gain."

During the study, more service providers were found to be honest but there were still a few outliers continuously committing low value but cumulatively costing insurance huge losses. Some service providers, whose names have not been declared, that had been victims of fraud in the past had stopped and resisted any attempt to engage in the same.

Out of the 126 medical providers, fraud manifested in at least 41 per cent of the outlets. Highest incidences were recorded in the doctors' room at 82 per cent. Doctors are followed by receptionists with 20 per cent and pharmacists at four per cent.

By region, the central recorded the highest number of fraud cases at 63 per cent, Northern, 14 per cent and Eastern and Western with 12 per cent each. However, the report notes that the likelihood of fraud is highest in the eastern and central regions.

HOW FRAUD MANIFESTS

At medical facilities, fraud is syndicated and done with the knowledge of some key personnel. In some cases, enumerators found that either independent of/or with either receptionists or attendants such as nurses and pharmacists acted as co-conspirators, who worked with doctors to defraud the medical schemes. The easiest form of fraud was collecting medicine for non-card owners. This was high in cases for persons requesting to take medicine for a sick person at home.

"Ultimately, medical service providers end up submitting false claims," reads the study.

Other commonest methods used to defraud insurance companies are; acceptance to offer extra medicine beyond the normal prescription, issuing cards to non-card owners and billing for unnecessary services not permitted by the standard operating procedure.

Collusion with the medical service provider was another indicator of the fraud web. For instance, receptionists were engaging directly with doctors to commit fraud with supervision of nurses to guide them on the process. Pharmacists, on a low scale, seemed skeptical but went ahead to offer services.

In some instances, patients deliberately informed service providers about the intended fraud and the service provider accepted to collude, with or without the doctor's consent.

"Here, the doctor approves services that have not been diagnosed and presents them on the claim form as diagnosed. Members also make requests for extra medicines contrary to the diagnosis and doctors approve it," reads the study.

"[Other] members walk in an outlet and go straight to receptionists to request medicine for non-card members. The receptionists check for the doctor's approval and medicine is given to the card member."

Enumerators found that impersonation or theft of cards was possible where unauthorized personnel would access services by fraudulently using the scheme cards that were not theirs. This, according to the report, went on unnoticed for all schemes and across multiple unsuspecting service providers. In most of the outlets, enumerators asked for medicines for non-insured patients and the service providers willingly provided them.

"We also physically presented other non-card patients to service providers and they were treated. The process involved the investigator using their own cards, sign the claim form, use own fingerprints for the smartcard system while presenting and accompanying to respective departments a different person," the report highlights.

Facilities that accepted to treat non-card owners are; KAYS dentist clinic Kamwokya, UMC Kampala, Lira Medical Centre, Kampala Medical Chambers along Buganda road, Bethany Women's hospital Luzira and Alphine Medical Centre and Ageteraine nursing home in Fort Portal.

The report explains that this type of fraud is, perhaps, a case of lack of control systems on the side of the scheme owners to validate authorized personnel especially for new card owners. On a worrying note, doctors were also seen freely prescribing medicines that patients wanted without any diagnosis. In some instances, such medicines were additional volumes or extra medicine meant for doctors.

This case was evidenced at Ntinda Family Doctor, I-Jay medical centre (Mityana), and Lydda medical services Kyaliwajjala and Eco pharmacy, all in Kampala.

PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT

In this study, researchers have also found that there is professional transgression among the facility administrators, erosion of trust as well as the physical risk to patients. Key persons in this are doctors whose level of professionalism is compromised during frauds, especially when they are caught red-handed aiding fraud by providing ideas on how to go about the process.

There were cases where too many medicines were given to patients, maybe, to maximize claims as a result of greed. In one incident, a pharmacist was quoted as saying: "We have given you more because you might have other patients who can benefit from this medicine and we have a lot of it…"

In another incident, a doctor is quoted as saying: "The child is supposed to take 5mls while an adult takes 10mls. If I put here a 5mls dosage, it will be questioned since this card is for an adult. So, I will put 10mls, but when you reach home, please give the child 5mls. The 10mls here is just to disguise so that it is not suspected."

At Case clinic, a client requested for extra medicine for a four-year-old child at home with similar cough and allergies. The doctor, however, said, "…it would be difficult for her to add another prescription on the same form but she wrote the prescription on another Case hospital sheet and asked to get the medicine with cash but not the card."

In facilities, researchers found potential lapses in procedure that could create inconveniences to the client with high chances for fraud. A case in point is the unavailability of the smartcards at points of interface and asking patients to come back later.

"At Rugalama hospital, the doctor attended to me knowing that the reception had closed and she did not have access to the smartcard system. After all the necessary laboratory tests and acquiring the medicine, I was asked to come tomorrow and pick my card," one researcher narrates.

RECOMMENDATIONS

In all these medical frauds, clients can hardly avert them since most of their copies received were faint, giving them no opportunity to see details of the medicine and treatment. This leads to illegal billing of the insurance provider. The report emphasizes a burning need to develop vulnerability and mitigation strategies in the medical insurance sector.

"Safeguards are needed in cases of multiple usage of cards in shorter intervals of time and inability to identify actual users," reads the report adding that multiple visits with cards to numerous outlets in a day went undetected.

Researchers want the use of smartcard systems enhanced with, among others, inclusion of images of the cardholders to help the provider confirm the genuine beneficiaries. In fraud cases involving doctors and other staff, the researchers call for sanctions imposed by the UIA against perpetrators.

Cancelled hospitals, clinics, pharmacies speak out

Eco pharmacy

"Right now Jubilee insurance has temporarily terminated their services with us but we are trying to reach out to them and solve the issue as soon as possible," an Eco pharmacy manager said yesterday.

Kampala hospital

One hospital manager said they are yet to get formal communication from Jubilee.

"We are treating all those allegations as hearsay because we have not got formal communication from Jubilee insurance that they have withdrawn their services from us and we are still treating their clients," one official said.

AAR Health clinic

The clinic confirmed they had been cancelled out a couple of days but were re-instated after discussions. They said Jubilee clients can continue to use AAR health services.

Ntinda Family Doctor clinic

Management said Jubilee terminated their contract indefinitely without prior communication. "We never got any information or summon from them prior to the incident and the announcement went round to very many other organisations without us even getting it first," said Hope Ogwal, the clinic's spokesperson.

Bugoloobi Medical Centre

Dr Peter Kawanguzi said insurance companies had all of the sudden terminated their contracts without prior warning. "We got information that some insurance companies had cancelled their services with us with immediate effect. They should have first warned us because most of them also take long to pay us but we never terminate their contracts abruptly," said Kawanguzi.

UMC Victoria hospital

The hospital said it had no official communication from Jubilee insurance and they are still serving Jubilee insurance clients.

IMC hospital

These confirmed that indeed some of their clinics like the one in Kololo had been cut off by Jubilee insurance for reasons they are yet to establish.

Bethany Women's hospital

The hospital management confirmed the termination but said they are currently ironing out their differences with Jubilee.

jjingoernest1@gmail.com

nangonzi@observer.ug

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Vinka most hardworking singer at Swangz Avenue

By Joan Murungi Recently, Swangz Avenue signed a new artiste they brand named Zawie. Her addition makes a total of three artistes being signed under the music label. Before, Swangz has been working with singer Winnie Nwagi and Vinka before introducing Zawende alias Zawie as the new face. While premiering Vinka's new collaboration song with […]
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Inside Museveni’s war on the ghetto

President Yoweri Museveni's recent incursion into the ghetto with wads of cash and political appointments has opened up wide public debate and drawn new attention and importance to a turf that was once Bobi Wine's exclusive preserve.

In recent months, the president has not only doubled his presence on social media particularly Twitter and Facebook but has also reached out to musicians like Bebe Cool, Catherine Kusasira, Butcherman, Eddy Kenzo and, Full Figure.

Those who know his modus operandi argue that in reaching out, Museveni is not running scared, but he is being himself – a man who doesn't leave anything to chance, who doesn't underestimate his opponents. Museveni's new opposition is now in Kyadondo East Member of parliament, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, aka Bobi Wine.

The self-styled ghetto president has already declared he is running for president in 2021 riding on his People Power informal structures. Political observers however, wonder whether it was wise for Bobi Wine to declaring his presidential run almost two years to the general election.

This, they say gives the president ample time to weaken Bobi Wine and his political vehicle People Power even before the first vote is cast. Social Media commentator, Abbey Kibirige Ssemuwemba says Bobi Wine made a mistake to declare his presidential run too early because he will be stretched financially. He says Museveni now has ample time to punch holes in Bobi Wine's little preparations and turn many opposition leaders against him.

"Not even Museveni is capable of issuing such a statement now till when he has been endorsed by the NRM delegates' conference, yet everyone knows that he is going to stand,"Ssemuwemba says.

Museveni's incursions into the ghetto give some credence to Ssemuwemba's assertions. Museveni seems to be firmly focused on shifting the battleground to Bobi Wine's backyard and force him to fight the war on NRM's terms.

In appointing Buchaman as a presidential advisor on the ghetto, Museveni, according Mukono municipality MP Betty Bakireke Nambooze, is getting Bobi Wine's people to fight him. 

"Using the carrot, Museveni is now recruiting the city riff-raffs and musicians not because of the value they bring to his NRM but because he wants Bobi to be fought by his own. The Buchamans are not therefore useless as their status would have dictated; they are commanders in the satanic battle the junta is going to wage against a leader of the oppressed and disadvantaged young people who are the majority in the country. So when General Museveni saluted Butcherman he meant it," Nambooze said.

But Bugiri Municipality MP and Justice Forum President, Asuman Basalirwa thinks that in reaching out Museveni has realized the significance of various stakeholders in the country who have been ignored for long. "It's good that he has come to the realization that this segment of society is part of the people he leads which is a welcome development. I know he appears to be caring but he is doing this for his personal political gain," Basalirwa said. Abdul Katuntu, the Bugweri County MP, said in reaching out to the poor youth, Museveni is doing what any prudent politician ought to do.

"You need to know where your weaknesses are if you are going into an electoral race and Museveni's weakness today is the ghetto and the urban poor and that is what scares him. In the rural areas, Museveni is home and dry. Among the rural women, Museveni is home and dry. Among the elderly, Museveni is home and dry. His biggest problem is the young people and the urban poor. That's where his opposition is. If I were Museveni I would be targeting that group," Katuntu says. 

Should Bobi get worried?

Political pundits opine that Bobi Wine has no reason to get scared because his constituency is solidly behind him. However, recent political developments in the country show that a combination of the carrot and stick, in Nambooze's words is enough for Museveni to coast to victory. Those who resist him, Nambooze says, are subjected to all manner of humiliation and those who support him are abundantly rewarded like Bebe Cool and Catherine Kusasira.

Joel Ssenyonyi, the People Power spokesperson, says for Museveni to wake up now and cozy up to the ghetto is outrageous.

"For 34 years, Museveni has impoverished, marginalized and ignored the ghetto. Tired of indignity and discrimination, the ghetto rose up to speak, led by the ghetto president, Bobi Wine. Museveni dismissed the ghetto thinking it is good for nothing, but right now he's scared and desperate…" he said, adding, "He's trying to brand himself as man of the ghetto, thinking the ghetto people will fall for his comedy, but the ghetto people know better than to be taken for a ride. For Museveni to come out now and bribe ghetto people yet he has denied them services all this while shows what kind of leader he is, a transactional leader, not a transformational one."

For Basalirwa, this rapprochement will achieve nothing beyond a few artistes who he says have no following among Bobi Wine's core base.

"What we stand for is known and what Museveni stands for is also known. Our agenda and ideology are very different from what Museveni stands for. For us, we represent a generation, a future and Museveni represents the past. The ghetto he's going to is the segment we represent –the Uganda of tomorrow and there is no convergence in aspirations. So his overtures cannot scare or undermine our support," Basalirwa says.

He adds that they have been the ghetto representatives all this time and he doesn't see that changing. "Bobi Wine must not react in any manner but just remain consistent with what he stands for because even those who are leaving what do they accuse him of? Has he abandoned the cause? If they believe that Museveni is now so good and they can abandon a person they have been with for a long time, then we wish them well," Basalirwa said.

Interviewed for a comment, Government and NRM spokesperson Ofwono Opondo said those sulking about Museveni's incursion into the ghetto forget the president has always recruited from this group starting from his 1980 Luweero war.

"Some of the successes of the NRM engendered urban explosion, which has led to many people in urban areas getting marginalized leading to discontent. As a democratic and responsive government, you respond to the challenges that have been created by your own success," Opondo said.

He said the country should remember that Museveni and the NRM expanded the frontiers of the music industry, which he also joined in 2011 with a song; Another Rap.

"It was the NRM that gave people the liberty to sing about what they want and Bobi Wine is a product of Museveni, and the NRM."

Opondo, the executive director of Uganda Media Center, also attacked those who castigate artistes for supporting Museveni.

"If Bobi Wine or his loose mouth spokesman Joel Sseyonyi want to define his narrative as a very popular man scaring even the NRM, let him define his narrative that way, in 2021 we will disprove him. They are sulking because the false shadow they have been using of young people, ghetto people and musicians is no more as we respond; we are pulling the rug from under their feet. If you say this government doesn't care, why should they complain when it reaches out to the so called ghetto? Is the ghetto a monopoly of Ssenyonyi? If Butcherman or Catherine Kusasira is useless so to speak, why would people think that the person who was also in the ghetto, Bobi Wine, is now a politician with a brain?" Opondo said. 

bakerbatte@observer.ug

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Djs Slick Stuart And Roja Promise High Energy Performance At Their Mixtape Party 6

In an earlier exclusive interview with Chano8, Dj Roja, one half of the Dj duo 'Slick Stuart and Roja said that apart from the thrilling Dj mixes the fans will enjoy, MTV Base Africa will produce the season 6  of the their annual Mixtape Party this Friday the 8th of November On Tuesday evening they […]

The post Djs Slick Stuart And Roja Promise High Energy Performance At Their Mixtape Party 6 appeared first on Chano8.

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Gulu University students arrested over Makerere University demo

Five students of Gulu University have been arrested by anti-riot police in a foiled protest against the 15 per cent tuition increment at Makerere University.

About 70 students gathered on Friday at the main campus and held a press conference before they were intercepted and bundled into a waiting police patrol pick-up a few meters away from the university gate.

ASP John Bosco who led the operation told the students to call off the demonstration and warned them against holding an unlawful assembly. Those arrested include; Tonny Olanya Olenge, Kenneth Ssebunya, Herbert Azivua Amante and Mesach Kalami.

The students explained why they were participating in a solidarity demonstration. They said government is using Makerere as a benchmark for the tuition increment before it rolls it out to other public universities including Gulu University. 

Jimmy Patrick Okema, the Aswa River Region police spokesperson revealed the arrested students will face charges of holding unlawful assembly and incitement of violence contrary to Public Order Management Act, 2013.

There is still heavy deployment of over 30 anti-riot personnel at the university vicinity to avert further threats. On Wednesday, the students wrote to Gulu district police commander (DPC), Emmanuel Mafundo, requesting for protection for their planned demo but they did not get any response.

Khalid Mohamoud, the assistant public relations officer of Gulu University says that management is not part of the planned demo by the students. 

"There are students who had written to the police but those are personal issues and we have got nothing to do with that. Those are Makerere issues and we are not Makerere," says Khalid.

The 15 per cent tuition increment on tuition has sparked off students protest at the university. The protests have been characterized by a violent crackdown on students by the police backed by the military paralyzing business at Uganda's biggest and oldest public University.

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