Watchdog Uganda
The 22-year-old Ugandan timed 9min 01.45sec at the Olympic Stadium, outsprinting American Courtney Frerichs with 250 metres to go to win comfortably.
Frerichs claimed silver in 9:04.79 with Kenyan Hyvin Kiyeng taking bronze (9:05.39).
She also becomes the first Ugandan to win a medal at the ongoing games.
Uganda has now won three medals in Tokyo with Joshua Chetegei (Silver) and Jocob Kiplimo (Bronze) winning the other medal, both in the Men’s 10000m.
]]>Sarah Kagingo Named Principal Press Secretary to Speaker of Parliamenthttps://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210804/118597/sarah-kagingo-named-principal-press-secretary-to-speaker-of-parliament.html Wed, 04 Aug 2021 11:28:20 +0000https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=118597Kagingo, a Public Relations guru and Managing Director of Soft Power Communications has been named Principal Press Secretary to Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah.The appointments were announced on Tuesday by the Parliament Director of Communications, Chris Obore.
“Welcome on board Sarah Kagingo, Joseph Sabiti (Media for Deputy Speaker) and Sadab Kitata (Leader of the Opposition). Enhancing parliament communications. Congratulations,†Obore tweeted.
Profile
An old girl of Mt. St. Mary’s Namagunga, Kagingo is one of the most famous former Guild Presidents of Makerere University.
The calm communicator renowned for using her big online following to promote Uganda’s tourism and positives about the country, has served in various Public Relations and Communication capacities in the country.
In April 2021, the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) organised a football match and other activities to mend relations between the forces and the media, culminating into a dinner held in Mbuya. During the dinner, Kagingo, the CEO of SoftPower News, was one of the media personalities who received an award from the former Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen David Muhoozi in recognition of her contribution to fostering better relations.
Sarah Kagingo is also credited for digitising President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s communications.
Between 2011 and 2014, Kagingo served as Special Presidential Assistant for Communication relaying real-time updates of the President’s works.
Between 2015 and 2017, she was in charge of communications and public affairs at Operation Wealth Creation (OWC).
In 2016, she had also managed communications for Uganda’s bid to chair the African Union Commission where she was tasked with handling internal and foreing media relations on behalf of Uganda’s candidate for the African Union Commission.
The immediate past president of the Public Relations Association of Uganda(PRAU) is also a board member at the Private Sector Foundation Uganda(PSFU) representing professional services and a member of the exco of the National Association of Broadcasters(NAB).
]]>Suspended Uganda Airlines bosses are already fired, their crimes are beyond repair, Minister Ecweru revealshttps://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210804/118518/suspended-uganda-airlines-bosses-are-already-fired-their-crimes-are-beyond-repair-minister-ecweru-reveals.html Wed, 04 Aug 2021 11:19:58 +0000https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=118518The State Minister for Works and Transport Musa Ecweru had told the Parliamentary Committee on Physical Infrastructure last week that the top bosses of the national carrier who were suspended a few months ago will not return to their jobs because the preliminary investigations conducted so far indicate that the crimes they committed are beyond repair.Ecweru informed the committee that President Yoweri Museveni had already ‘shared a preliminary report with his boss [Gen Katumba] and that it was very shocking’.
“His Excellency the President received the investigation report on the suspended Uganda Airlines top bosses and he has already shared it with my boss (Gen.Katumba) and the report is bad, we can’t allow them to return, that’s a closed chapter, now we’re looking at how we’re going to move forward,†he noted.
“We shall do everything possible to ensure that the next management board is composed of professionals. In fact, we’re now engaging the Attorney General’s office and the office of the President to ensure that we do everything in the right way not to give chance to the suspended group in case they go to court, and in case they do, we must ensure that we’re on the right side of the law, but they’re not returning.â€
According to the preliminary report, amongst the biggest ‘grey’ areas the President is angry about, is that the former Chairman board, Mr.Perez Ahabwe was allegedly being paid fat monies three times more than he was probably supposed to get.
This, according to the report, was possible because, in return, Ahabwe also okayed the top honchos including CEO Cornwell Muleya to ‘award’ themselves hefty sums of monies and their Chairman wouldn’t whip them into line since they would first wet his beak.
It’s worth noting that President Museveni in May 2021 suspended the Airlines top managers including Muleya, a Zambian national, and then ordered for investigations on a number of allegations, among them; using a national carrier to smuggle alcohol into Somalia, an Islamic state, nepotism and corruption.
â€You see that team of Muleya and his managers had created a complicated working environment for any employee who tried to intercept their deals and had the President not intervened by showing them an exit gate, today we would be with a different story for Uganda Airlines,†a highly placed source at the national carrier revealed.
]]>Tororo District Grapples with Increasing Teenage Pregnancieshttps://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210804/118588/tororo-district-grapples-with-increasing-teenage-pregnancies.html Wed, 04 Aug 2021 10:17:47 +0000https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=118588By Salume AmongTororo district is grappling with increasing cases of teenage pregnancies, alcohol and drug abuse.
Dr. Okoth Obbo, Tororo District Health Officer says the district average prevalence for teenage pregnancies stands at 26% down from 14 % in the last two years. The current average is higher than the Ministry of Health’s national average of 25%.
He says the rate at which more children are produced by teenagers since 2020, is worrying communities in Tororo district.
“it is okay children are at home, but this is a reproductive health challenge, †Dr. Obbo says while demanding for collective interventions to ease the cases of teenage pregnancies in Tororo district.
Among the most affected areas include Iyolwa, Kwapa, Apetai, Petta and Kisoko, where teenage pregnancies are higher than the district average of 26%.
Close to 80% of parents in Tororo district are worried about the rate of teenage pregnancy as the country battles the coronavirus pandemic according to a survey released by Twaweza in July 2021.
The research findings presented to the Ministry of Health indicate that eight out of ten citizens (79%) say teen pregnancy has become a bigger problem during the Coronavirus pandemic, and half say physical (51%), emotional (51%) and sexual (46%) violence has got worse.
Twaweza’s Sauti Za Wanainchi survey was done in Tororo, Kampala and Kyotera. The findings reflect concerns around the country during the two lockdown periods since 2020.
Marie Nanyanzi, a senior Program officer in charge of Twaweza Sauti Za Wanainchi survey says citizens are also reporting an increase in alcohol consumption (58%) and drug abuse (49%).
According to Nanyanzi, the data being shared were collected in December 2020 from 1,590 respondents and from 768 residents of Kampala, 639 residents of Kyotera and 622 residents of Tororo in June 2021.
Assistant Commissioner Reproductive and Infant Health at the Ministry of Health ministry, Dr. Richard Mugahi said the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted service delivery affecting mothers, children and teenagers. He says the issue of teenage pregnancies remains a big challenge across the country when girls are not at school.
“The COVID-19 lockdown data shows young girls are better and safer at schools, †Mugahi says.
But Demeter Margret Namuyobo, Medical Coordinator Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) says that with the help of funds from United Nations Funding for Population Activity (UNFPA), together with Tororo district administration, several sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) camps are going to be conducted under strict COVID 19 guidelines. The camps will entail health education, counselling, cervical cancer screening, HIV/AIDS testing and enrolment to family Planning for those who are sexually active and don’t want to get pregnant among other things.
“In order to ease the teenage pregnancy problem with the support of UNFPA, we are going to conduct SRHR camps to target teenagers, young people women, girls and the people with disabilities in Tororo district, †Namuyobo says.
Jane Acham, a youth focal person in Tororo district says several factors a leading to teenagers getting pregnant during the COVID 19 pandemic and lockdowns.
She cites young girls lured by materials incentives by men in the communities, some girls are promiscuous and some girls were caught off guard after parents sent them to vend merchandise at trading Centre’s in the evenings.
]]>He deserves it! Government speaks out on arrest of controversial blogger Fred Lumbuye https://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210804/118585/he-deserves-it-government-speaks-out-on-arrest-of-controversial-blogger-fred-lumbuye.html Wed, 04 Aug 2021 09:40:42 +0000https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=118585Following reports of Fred Lumbuye’s arrest, the State Minister of Foreign Affairs Henry Okello Oryem has said the controversial blogger is not above law that he could walk scot free despite committing crimes.Reports about the Turkey based blogger started making rounds last night. Lumbuye was arrested in Turkey from where he was broadcasting his hard hitting youtube and Facebook videos targeting government of Uganda and Buganda Kingdom officials.
Addressing journalists at Uganda Media Centre in Wednesday, Oryem said Lumbuye was not a special person and should not expect to be treated exceptionally if he broke the law.
“I heard that he has been arrested. And if he’s arrested because of a crime he committed, then he deserves to be arrested because of that crime. Anybody who commits a crime in any country whatsoever will pay the price for committing for breaking the law, including in Uganda. That person you’re talking about is not a special person. Who is he that he can be above the law irrespective of where he’s he is! The law is very clear in all countries; you break the law, you pay the penalty. So if he broke the law then he will pay the price,†the Minister said.
“And I would have thought that every single one of you would be jubilating that this person committed a crime and he’s been arrested and being brought before the court of law but now it seems you’re sympathizing with him.â€
However, Oryem disclosed that by morning the Uganda Embassy in Ankara was yet to receive official communication from the relevant law enforcement institutions of Turkey in regard to Lumbuye’s case.
Its alleged that unknown people arrested Lumbuye on Tuesday evening. Charges against Lumbuye are yet to be revealed but friends and fans have said he is wanted in Uganda on hateful propaganda against President Museveni’s government.
Lumbuye is the blogger who announced Kabaka Mutebi of Buganda and President Museveni dead, leading to speculation on the health of the principals.
]]>Worry as Covid-19 cases rise again in Rubanda district https://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210804/118583/worry-as-covid-19-cases-rise-again-in-rubanda-district.html Wed, 04 Aug 2021 09:03:55 +0000https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=118583The number of covid-19 cases in Rubanda district has sharply increased by 20 percent a few days after the President relaxed the lockdown.The district has registered 46 coronavirus cases in less than one week, bringing a total of 231 cumulative cases in the district.
While speaking to our reporter on Tuesday, the Rubanda district Health officer Dr Abdon Birungi attributed the rise to reluctance of the people over observing Standard operating Procedures.
Dr Birungi warned the public to use this partial lockdown while respecting all health measures to win the pandemic.
The most affected sub counties of Rubanda are Bufundi, Hamurwa and Nyamweru.
At least six people have succumbed to COvid-19 in Rubanda since May this year.
]]>Museveni institutes special security team to investigate ‘mafias’ behind possible poisoning of Speaker Oulanyahhttps://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210804/118576/museveni-institutes-special-security-team-to-investigate-mafias-behind-possible-poisoning-of-speaker-oulanyah.html Wed, 04 Aug 2021 08:20:58 +0000https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=118576President Yoweri Museveni has reportedly instituted a special security team to investigate the possible poisoning of the Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah.According to the Observer Newspaper, Museveni ordered the team to probe Oulanyah’s last 48 hours before his health abruptly deteriorated in June, prompting an emergency medical evacuation to the UK.
Oulanyah’s health allegedly deteriorated a few days after assuming office as Parliament Speaker.
The source told the local newspaper that the President is concerned Oulanyah could have been poisoned after medical reports from the UK, where he was rushed on June 22, turned out inconclusive.
“The report ruled out Covid-19 as it was earlier alleged in some circles. Oulanyah’s problem started with stomach complications, then vomiting before he got breathing problems,†said a source familiar with the matter.
“Oulanyah is now awaiting the full toxicology report to find out whether indeed something was planted in his food or drink but the president has decided to do his own investigation.â€
The source added that the assembled security team which is made up of specialists from police counter terrorism unit, Special Forces Command (SFC) and Internal Security Organisation (ISO) is analyzing CCTV footage at parliament and every place Oulanyah visited between June 19 and June 22 for leads into the matter.
“They [security] have already interrogated some relatives, friends and MPs but it is too early to get any solid information,†a source at State House further told The Observer.
“The team will hand over a report about its findings to the president in a few weeks.â€
Last week, Oulanyah returned to office after taking over two months break.
Oulanyah had been out of the country for one and half months. He last presided over Parliament at the reading of the 2021/2022 financial year budget at Kololo Independence Grounds.
His absence from the public had continued to raise speculation with several media reports indicating that he had tested positive for COVID-19.
There were also reports that he was allegedly transported to Entebbe International Airport in an ambulance and carried on a stretcher to the plane that evacuated him from Uganda.
The Director of Communications and Public Affairs at Parliament, Chris Obore, said that the Speaker had travelled to see one of his children in the United Kingdom- UK.
“He travelled to the UK, but this is in no way related to sickness or anything, but to see his son whom he had not seen in a long time,†Obore said.
]]>Kabale: Missing teacher found deadhttps://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210804/118573/kabale-missing-teacher-found-dead.html Wed, 04 Aug 2021 07:05:54 +0000https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=118573The body of a former primary school teacher, who went missing in Kabale district on Thursday last week, was on Monday evening found in a eucalyptus tree plantation near his home in Kyanamira Sub County.The deceased identified as Hebert Sunday, 53 was a resident of Nyakabungo village, Katokye parish in Kyanamira Sub County of Kabale district.
The Kyanamira Sub County district woman councilor, Bridget Asinga Tumwesigye, told our reporter on Tuesday that they had received reports from Sunday’s family that he disappeared from his home in Nyakabungo last Thursday. She said that the family members tried to search for him in vain.
The Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson, Elly Maate confirmed the incident saying that a case of disappearance was reported at Kabale Central Police Station by his wife Winfred Komuhangi and the search has been on until Monday in the evening when his lifeless body was discovered. Maate said that investigations are still ongoing to find out who is behind the act.
]]>Apart from begging, Bebe Cool reveals real reason why artistes have been camping at Gen Salim Saleh’s territoryhttps://www.watchdoguganda.com/entertainment/showbiz/20210804/118541/apart-from-begging-bebe-cool-reveals-real-reason-why-artistes-have-been-camping-at-gen-salim-salehs-territory.html Wed, 04 Aug 2021 06:12:40 +0000https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=118541Singer Moses Ssali famously known as Bebe Cool has revealed the real reason why artistes and events promoters have for weeks been camping at General Salim Saleh’s territory in Gulu.In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Bebe Cool said yesterday marked the last day in Gulu where artistes have been attending a workshop under the theme; ‘Strengthening the Cultural and Creative Industry in Uganda’.
During the workshop, the ‘make a wish’ singer said they dissected the Peforming Arts industry using the SWOT (Strength Weakness Opportunities and Threats), SMEACC (Situtaion Mission Execution Administration Comman & Control) and TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More) analyses to understand the position of the industry,identify the enemy and strategize on how to attack and win the war of restructuring the sector.
“The arts and creative industry contributes 3% of Uganda’s GDP and this gives us the right for government to pay full attention and organise our industry. For those who wanted to know why GULU is GULU,here you are,†Bebe Cool said.
However, during the workshop, Bebe Cool, Dr Jose Chameleone and 24 other artistes under their new Uganda Superstars Musicians Association asked Gen Salim Saleh to give them Shs9.4 billion as stimulus package.
The artistes led by the association president Chameleone told the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) Chief that they need the stimulus to cover up for their individual losses registered as a result of the closure of music business due to Covid-19.
“Its our request that this issue is addressed with urgent concern to save the Uganda Music Industry for our members are crucial stakeholders,†said Chameleone, the president of the new association which so far has 26 members.
Among the would be beneficiaries include Chameleone who wants to be given Shs800m, Pallaso Shs821m, David Lutalo Shs420m, Bebe Cool Shs670m, Winnie Nwagi Shs380m and Azawi Shs250m.
The Uganda Superstars Musicians Association was formed in June this year.
]]>Stop your political feud and work for people- Vice President Alupo urges MPs from Teso sub regionhttps://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210804/118569/stop-your-political-feud-and-work-for-people-vice-president-alupo-urges-mps-from-teso-sub-region.html Wed, 04 Aug 2021 06:04:21 +0000https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=118569Vice President Her Excellency Maj (Rtd) Jessica Alupo has urged all Members of Parliament from Teso sub region to stop their political feuds and work with leaders from LC1, LC3 and LC5 to deal with problems affecting the people in their areas.Speaking to the Teso region Members of Parliament at the Prime Minister’s auditorium in Kampala, the Vice President said that although some members from the region belong to other parties, it should not stop them from contacting the relevant ministers to enable their people address key challenges and further pledged her support whenever they face any hurdles.
Alupo urged the members to build rapport with Ministers of Works, Water, Education, Agriculture, Gender, Finance and Security since many of the challenges of Teso rotate around them.
During the same meeting Prof. Patrick Engeu Ogwang a Ugandan pharmacist, pharmacologist, ethnobotanist, medical researcher and entrepreneur and the brain behind Covidex made a moving presentation to the members of parliament about the people he has treated to full recovery from Covid 19.
He updated them about his goal of setting up a research laboratory to manufacture Covidex and production of other medicines, in Soroti City, that are affecting Ugandans. Prof. Ogwang also thanked President Museveni for the efforts he has accorded his research to produce a Ugandan solution to the global pandemic of Covid 19.
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