Members of Parliament have moved a motion that Anti-corruption day funds should be earmarked to victims of corruption.

Appearing before Parliament during plenary that was presided over by Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, Mityana District Woman Member of Parliament, Joyce Bagala noted that a lot of statistics on money purportedly tracked down, saved and sometimes recovered is not backed by faces that allegedly stole such funds.

Bagala contended that the minister reported investigation of 26 high-profile cases.

“We need to know who these high profile public officers are and what was the outcome of the reported investigations warranting recovery of shs18.2 billion,” she said.

Bagala’s statements follow a report from the State Minister for Ethics and Integrity, Rose Lilly Akello who noted that the Inspector General of Government (IGG) has investigated 26 high-profile cases and directed the recovery of Shs.30 billion, 86 cases were prosecuted and 34 convictions secured whereas the Auditor General made audits which led to recovery of shs.175 billion.

She added that the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) of the police has registered 318 cases and through prosecutions and recovered Shs.615 billion.

This comes ahead of the International Anti-Corruption day set to be held on Friday December, 9, 2022.

During plenary today, Mityana Municipality Woman MP however insisted that the shs.452 million earmarked for the International Anti-Corruption Day should be re-channelled to victims of corruption.

“The victims of corruption are mothers who die during childbirth due to inefficiencies in the health sector public schools without toilets and communities without clean water. The activities of the anti-corruption day would make sense by thinking of those affected by corruption.

Kazo County MP, Dan Kimosho asked whether they can look at a sector approach and see what cases are investigated and what is done against the officers.

“We cannot keep carrying the burden for the corrupt. Whoever comes here should be specific and not demoralize those who are working hard,” he said.

Ntoroko Constituency MP, Gerald Rwemulitya also urged people fighting corruption to be free and bold adding that there are people shielding the corrupt.

He propounded, “You here, ‘call from above, he is from my region & religion’. This vice has no side. We need to start attaching property of the corrupt.”

Leader of Opposition, Mathias Mpuuga however moved a motion that the shs.452 meant for marking the anti-corruption day should be channelled to ‘the victims of corruption in Ibanda District’.

He wondered why they should put this money to tents, balloons and chairs and yet victims of corruption are around.

The 3rd Deputy Prime Minister, Hon Rukia Nakadama however revealed that preparations for the anti-corruption day commended earlier, insisting that preparations are already in high gear and some activities have already taken place and so if there is need in the near future, they should come early.

By Kalamira Hope

Major General Francis Takirwa has been appointed as Deputy Commander Land Forces.

President Yoweri Museveni who also doubles as the Commander in Chief of Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) also promoted and appointed General Officers.

Maj. Gen. Takirwa will deputize Maj. Gen. Muhanga Kayanja who was also appointed as Commander Land Forces (CLF) in October, 2022.

He also appointed Maj. Gen. Jack Bakasumba as Acting Chief of Staff Land Force.

Maj. Gen. Bakasumba has been Uganda’s delegate to the South Sudan Peace Monitoring Mechanism as the acting chief of staff land forces in the UPDF.

Museveni has also promoted Brig. Gen. Bob P. Ogiki to Maj. Gen and appointed him 2nd Division Commander.

Deputy Defence spokesperson, Col. Deo Akiiki congratulated the General Officers upon their well-deserved promotion and appointments.

By Kalamira Hope

The President of the Uganda Medical Association (UMA), Dr. Samuel Oledo, has stepped aside to allow independent investigations, according to Dr. Luswata Herbert, the Secretary General.

Last week, during the Patriotism and Youth Investment symposium, Dr. Oledo appreciated President Museveni for the great job when he decided that all scientists must be paid well.

“We request that you increase the salaries of our brothers and sisters in uniform, the soldiers, Uganda People’s Association (UPDF) prisons, and others.”

He went ahead and knelt before Museveni and asked him to stand again 2026.

This has since been condemned by a number of people who have termed his acts of kneeling as disrespectful to the profession and asked that he should resign.

On 4th December, 2022, UMA released a statement disassociating themselves from the actions of their President Dr. Dr. Samuel Oledo and his Kololo team.

Their statement read, “Uganda Medical Association is non-partisan and therefore does not participate in political activities of a partisan nature. The current U.M.A President attended the particular meeting in his personal capacity but not as U.M.A and
his communications at that meeting were not representing the official position(s) of UMA.

“Uganda Medical Association dissociates itself from any and all partisan political actions or acts, and is constitutionally required to do so. U.M.A is committed to remain neutral to and to serve all Ugandan doctors and persons from all the political dispensations of, and in Uganda and globally.”

Dr. Oledo’s team of medical personnel with President Museveni

Today morning, Democratic Party member and Buikwe South Member of Parliament, Lulume Bayigga said that Dr. Oledo should be brought to book.

Lulume made these remarks while appearing on NBS’ Morning Breeze today following an incident where Uganda Medical Association (UMA) president, Dr.Oledo Samuel was seen kneeling before the president and asking him to stand again in 2026.

Dr. Lulume noted that when they were in medical school, they were taught to be respected professionals and serve their country by treating people.

“The engagement we wanted the UMA president to be part of would be to advocate for the improved welfare of the medics to serve the country better,” he said.

Dr. Lulume added that the people who followed Dr. Oledu were not from Uganda Medical Association, and that’s why Dr. Mirembe is distancing herself from the act (endorsing President Museveni).

Dr. Joel Mirembe, a doctor at the UMA noted that they are not against Dr. Oledu and just like the UMA statement noted, whatever he did, he did it in his own capacity and so they are here to protect the Association.

He adduced, “It is sad that the doctors leadership body is invited to discuss a topic of political succession. That is where the issue is.

“We have reached out to Dr. Oledu and he is okay and safe. He hasn’t commented about his action, he seems not concerned about what is happening.”

Dr. Lulume however insisted that UMA will continue with its aspirations because it is Constitutional but what Oledo did scandalized the whole Association, and he must be brought to book.

“Impeachment is one of the reprimanding measures, but the doctors will take the decision.”

Dr. Mirembe adduced that Dr. Oledo is the President of the Uganda Medical Association, but what he did was embarrassing and wrong for the profession.

By Kalamira Hope