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Tag: Uganda

  • UN condemms anti-homosexuality law in Uganda

    UN condemms anti-homosexuality law in Uganda

    UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Navi Pillay, have kicked against the anti-homosexuality bill, signed into law in Uganda on Monday.

    A UN statement issued on Tuesday in New York stated that the law criminalises and imposes life imprisonment on same-sex marriage, homosexuality and aggravated homosexuality.

    Ban said the law violates basic human rights and endangers Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people in the country.

    He said he was seriously concerned about the negative impact of the new law and shares the UN High Commissioner’s view which states that the law violates human rights.

    The UN scribe added that the law would institutionalise discrimination, restrict the vital work of human rights activists and could trigger violence.

    He insisted that it would also hamper potentially life-saving efforts to stop the spread of HIV.

    The UN chief appealed for complete and universal decriminalisation of homosexuality, which is now a criminal offence in some 76 countries.

    Ban stressed that human rights must always trump cultural attitudes and societal strictures.

    On her part, Pillay said disapproval of homosexuality by some could never justify violating the fundamental human rights of others.

    She said the law institutionalised discrimination and was likely to encourage harassment and violence against individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation.

    She added that it was formulated so broadly that it might lead to abuse of power and accusations against anyone, not just LGBT people.

    She said Uganda was obliged, both by its own constitution and by international law, to respect the rights of all individuals and to protect them from discrimination and violence.

    Pillay said the law violates a host of fundamental human rights, including the right to freedom from discrimination, to privacy, freedom of association, peaceful assembly, opinion and expression and equality before the law.

    The high commissioner expressed concern that the law might also threaten the critically important work of human rights defenders in the country and urged the Ugandan government to take immediate steps to ensure that LGBT people were not prosecuted for their advocacy. (PANA/NAN)

  • Uganda developing law to govern Mobile Money, Internet Banking

    Uganda developing law to govern Mobile Money, Internet Banking

    The Ugandan government, through the Uganda Law Reform Commission (ULRC), is developing legislation to govern how mobile money and Internet banking transactions are conducted in the country.

    In Uganda, mobile banking and mobile money services are provided by institutions such as commercial banks, mobile network operators and non-bank financial bodies. However, the rapid growth of effective commercial transactions with the aid of the Internet has caught the authorities in Uganda off-guard.

    Whereas the government has enacted electronic related laws and is in the process of enacting legislation of data protection, the ULRC notes that it remains a point of debate as to whether these laws will be sufficient and adequate to address privacy issues and maintain the confidential nature of bank-customer relations.

    Despite the lack of direct legislation, the sector now handles business worth trillions of shillings, owing to its speed, accessibility, convenience, affordability and relative safety. But it has also emerged as a frontier for breeding criminality, hence the need for legislation.

    Addressing the media, ULRC Secretary Lucas Omara Abong said the new laws would heighten security of transactions undertaken through Mobile Money and Internet banking.

    The development of the law comes at a time when Ugandans are increasingly falling prey to fraud on Mobile Money and Mobile banking transactions, largely anchored on ignorance. Prosecution of suspects has also been hard due to lack of direct legislation.

    The others issues targeted by the law include consumer complaint and dispute resolution, cross border electronic money transfer and regulation of mobile money services.

    Source: www.bernama.com

     

  • NCPC to extend pilgrimage to Turkey, Uganda

    The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Mr. John Kennedy Opara has said the commission would explore the possibility of extending the scope of pilgrimage operations to Ephesus, Turkey and Uganda next year.

    He disclosed this recently while hosting the executive members of the Knight of Saint Mulumba who were on a visit to his office in Abuja.

    The NCPC boss informed the knights that the commission had extended the scope of pilgrimage operations from Israel to Rome and Greece. He explained that the commission would continue to explore the possibility of expanding pilgrimage operations by identifying worthy holy sites in the world where Christians could visit for spiritual rejuvenation.

    According to the NCPC helmsman, “NCPC will be able to partner knights to include it in our pilgrimage programme next year.”

    He adde: “The extending our pilgrimage to Uganda will not be a bad idea”, he assured.

    He hinted that both the Christian and Muslim pilgrims enjoy the concessionary exchange rate of 146 naira to 1 US Dollar approved by the Federal Government through the NCPC and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria and this has helped reduced the costs of pilgrimage packages. He, therefore, called on the church to fully maximize this opportunity to encourage their members to go on holy pilgrimage.

    He intimated his guests that the commission has been airlifting intending pilgrims from about six to seven airports in Nigeria which has helped in reducing the stress the pilgrims go through.

  • Spreading the free market gospel

    Spreading the free market gospel

    For two weeks, more than 30 students from Kenya and Uganda moved across the East African countries to liberate youths from the shackles of poverty.

    Tagged East African liberty road caravan, the event was devoted to promote entrepreneurship, civil liberties and free market across universities in the sub-continent.

    Organised by the African Liberty Students Organisation in Uganda Martyrs University, supported by the AfricanLiberty.org and powered by Atlas Network and Students For Liberty, the move was aimed at telling youngsters how they could use their talents to achieve prosperity and liberate Africa from poverty.

    The East African Liberty Bus Caravan, which moved from Uganda to Kenya, was a project of African Liberty Students’ Organisation (ALSO) chapter in the Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi. The students moved in a carnival-like road campaign to change the thinking of the youth through the use of various approaches, including seminars, one-on-one discussion and games to promote libertarian ideas.

    It was taken to students of selected institutions, while materials such as books and compact discs were freely distributed to people on the streets as the caravan moved from one city to another.

    ALSO is the students’ arm of AfricanLiberty.org, a network of youths and professionals whose mission is to promote student-driven platform to promote the principles of economic liberty. The organisation also empowers students to become leaders and agents of change in their communities, particularly on campuses.

    The universities visited included Uganda Martyrs University, Uganda Christian University, Makarere University Business School, Kyambogo University and St. Lawrence University. Others are Maseno University, Marist International University and South Eastern University in Kitui, Kenya.

    The volunteers began the outreach in Mbarara University, Uganda, with a football match between Liberty Boys of Kenya and Liberty Girls of Uganda. The comic match, who had not referee, was used to demonstrate the peace and exchange of love without government intervention. The game ended in 2-1 against the Liberty Boys.

    The students left the football field and engaged in one-on-one discussion on entrepreneurship with youths around the university.

    The ALSO team, in a nine-hour journey, left for Uganda Christian University in Mukono, where they met over 2,000 students for discussion on economic freedom. After the lecture, some motivated students showed interest to be part of the ALSO network.

    At the Kyambogo University, one-on-one conversation was held with students, who were visited in their hostels. Afterwards, a seminar was held in the department of Business Administration on ways to make societies free of poverty.

    To round off the tour, Kyambogo University and Makarere University hosted the ALSO team in an induction ceremony to welcome new members. The programme was attended by presidents of all Uganda universities in the caravan programme. The inducted members took the oath with copies of abridged version of Road to Serfdom, a book detailing how a nation can achieve economic prosperity.

    In his address, Adedayo Thomas, Director of Outreach, Africanliberty.org, said the Caravan of Liberty programme was the start of good things to happen in Africa, urging students to stand for freedom and challenge the status quo, which he said gave rise to injustice, tyranny, oppression, and economic backwardness in Africa.

    In a chat with CAMPUSLIFE, Salwa Kavuka, a student of the University of Nairobi School of Law, who was part of the programme, said he had opportunity to share her passion on how to liberate Africa from economic quagmire. She said: “Many of us have the idea on how to solve Africa’s socio-economic problem, but we did not have platform to express such view. This Caravan of Liberty programme afforded us the platform to air our views and tell our leaders the truth about our socio-economic wellbeing.”

     

  • British Council, Bharti Airtel launch digital learning hubs in Africa

    British Council, Bharti Airtel launch digital learning hubs in Africa

    More than half a million teachers and learners in nine countries in Sub-Africa, including Nigeria are set to have more access to digital educational resources in their schools.

    British council and Bharti Airtel have partnered to maximize the learning benefits of Bharti Airtel’s wider broadband connective of 5 GB per month in a three-year deal for 127 digital hubs located in schools across nine countries in continent.

    According to Peter Brown, country director, British council Uganda, the latest partnership initiative with Bharti Airtel demonstrates the council’s commitment to improving access to high-quality teaching and learning in Africa.

    “ The British council connects teachers and learners around the world, so they can learn from each other, accessing knowledge and ultimately become global citizens. It’s not always possible to make these connections face-to-face and moreover web-based connection allow for greater numbers of beneficiary and this is now a reality thanks to the partnership with Bharti Airtel and Micros, “ Brown stated.

    14 fully equipped and connected computer hubs located in 10 districts will benefit tens of thousands of students, teachers and their wider community.

    The partnership with Bharti Airtel will provide full internet accessibility to British council Hubs, surrounding schools and communities.

    Digital hubs have already by been set up through partnerships with Microsoft in Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Malawi, Ghana and Nigeria. High speed broadband access from Airtel for these hubs guarantees teachers and students limitless new education opportunities.

    Airtel Uganda Managing Director,  Mr. V.G Somashekar, believes this initiative will empower students to be more digitally enlightened and ultimately become more competitive in today’s fast changing economy.

    “ In line with Airtel’s Corporate Social Responsibilities, we are very excited to be a part of this initiative and we hope through our partnership with the British Council, that this initiative will be able to connect thousands of students and teachers and will also empower the local community with IT skills that will enable them to be more digitally enlightened and ultimately become more competitive in today’s fast changing economy, “ Somashekar said.

    Turyasingura N. Beatrice, Head Teacher Nakasero Primary school, said “many of our teachers have had a chance to access ICT skills and this has contributed to improving their interaction with fellow teachers in and outside the country.”

    “With full connectivity we hope that the child will also be able to learn and share information with peers. We are aware of the challenges such as an opportunity provides in terms of protecting the child from content that isn’t appropriate and will work with partners to ensure this is deal with.”

    British Council operates a number of similar educational programs including connection classrooms, International inspiration and Badiliko to support schools across Africa. Over 400 schools in Uganda are currently benefiting from these British council programs.

  • Nigeria should evolve beyond oil, or perish – NGE president

    Nigeria should evolve beyond oil, or perish – NGE president

    The President, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr. Femi Adesina, on Thursday in Asaba said that Nigeria needed to envision and evolve a nation beyond oil or it could “perish.”

    In his address of welcome at the 9th All Nigerian Editors Conference, Adesina said “Nigeria must now diversify, or die. For well over four decades, we have run a mono-product economy.

    “Petroleum has been our mainstay, and we have allowed the easy money from oil to strangulate other cash cows like agriculture, solid minerals, tourism and many others.

    “But as they say, `everyday is not Christmas, and the Egungun (masquerade) festival must end one day. The honeymoon is about ending.’’

    Adesina also told the conference that “oil is fast becoming a vanishing source of easy revenue. Nigeria once had a pride of being one of the largest producers of petroleum on the continent, but not anymore.

    “Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Cameroun, Chad and some others have also found oil. And much more contentious is the fact that America, our largest customer has discovered shale oil and so may not need to patronise us again.

    “I tell you doomsday is by the corner, except we become proactive and stave off the evil.’’

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that he argued that it was inconceivable that a country which could no longer fund its imports remained a consumer nation.

     

  • Ecobank expands to South Sudan

    Ecobank expands to South Sudan

    Ecobank Transnational Incorporated has announced the opening of its South Sudan banking affiliate. In a statement, the bank said the new banking affiliate, the 34th on the African continent, offers the opportunity to support the youngest African state in addressing the challenges in regards to its development.

    It said Ecobank South Sudan offers products and services of the Group to individuals, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), multinationals and institutions.

    The Group Chief Executive Thierry Tanoh said the bank is very excited to have obtained the authorisation of South Sudanese authorities to operate in this country which holds a huge potential for financial intermediation.

    “Our presence in four of its six bordering countries, namely Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic, is a unique advantage to contribute to the development and integration of South Sudan young republic,” he said.

     

  • 105 Sokoto indigenes depart for studies in Uganda

    A hundred and five Sokoto State indigenes at the weekend left the state for a post-graduate diploma programme in Education in Uganda.

    They are members of the first batch of the 300 students who will study various programmes at the Islamic University, Uganda.

    The students departed aboard an Arik Air chartered flight via the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport, Sokoto.

    A statement in Sokoto by Abubakar Dangusau, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Press Affairs, said the students were among those sponsored by the state government for post-graduate diploma and Master’s in Education at the foreign university.

    The statement said: “This first batch of 105 students has NCE and other non-Education degrees holders who will first undergo the post-graduate diploma studies in Education.

    “The remaining 195 students have both NCE and Education-related degrees and they are expected to leave Sokoto next December and meet the 105, who just left.

    “They will together undergo the Master’s degree studies in Education and they are expected to come complete their studies in 18 months and come back to Nigeria.”

    The statement quoted Governor Aliyu Wamakko as urging the students to be good ambassadors of the state and Nigeria.

  • Sokoto State Govt. sponsors 300 indigenes in Uganda

    Gov. Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State on Saturday said the state government would sponsor 300 indigenes of the state for graduate and post graduate studies at the international Islamic University, Mbale, Uganda.

    Wamakko said this in Sokoto while bidding farewell to the first batch of 150 students for Master’s programme in educational development .

     

    “The first batch of the post graduate students will leave on May 12 to start with a post graduate diploma in education for six months .

    “The remaining batch will meet them there in December. They will together commence the two-year Master’s Degree program in educational management in Jan. 2014,” he added.

    Wamakko said another set of 150 holders of the National Certificate of Education (NCE) would also leave for the same University in September for various science-related first degree courses .

    He said arrangements for similar partnerships were ongoing with the University of Lagos and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

    “The problem with the education system in the state is not lack of teachers but that of the dearth for the required supervision.

    “So, these 300 graduate and post graduate students are expected to come back to the state in 2015 and help in changing the ugly trend,” Wamakko said.

    The governor said the state government had made adequate arrangements for the students throughout their stay in Uganda.

    “I will visit you soon to see how you are faring in Uganda. You should be disciplined and be good ambassadors of the state and Nigeria.” (NAN)

  • Siasia applies for Uganda job

    Siasia applies for Uganda job

    Former Nigeria Super Eagles head coach Samson Siasia is among the top applicants for the vacant Uganda Cranes coaching role.

    According to our reliable sources, Siasia, who lost only once as the Super Eagles manager between 2010 and 2011, has reportedly dropped his CV at FUFA for consideration for the job that was left vacant after former head coach Bobby Williamson was shown the door.

    The former Nigerian international striker was the coach of the Nigerian Olympics Team (Dream Team IV), who won a silver medal for Nigeria, losing to Argentina in the finals by a lone goal in 2008.

    He has previously coached the country’s U20, and U23 sides where he led the U-20 team to win the U-20 African Youth Championship 2005 in Benin.

    Also on the list of applicants for the Cranes job is Macedonia national Nikola Ilievski who holds a Uefa Pro Licence.

    Ilievski is currently the head coach of FK Vardar, a member of the First Macedonian Football League.

    The Macedonian was the head coach for the Bangladesh National Team between 2011-2012.

    Others hunting for the same post include Tom Saintfiet, who is the former head coach for Tanzania giants Simba SC.