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    Uganda Wins Three International Tourism Awards For Explore Uganda The Pearl Of Africa Film…

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    Uganda being crowned this year’s Grand Prix and two times Gold award winner by the International Tourism Film Festival Africa for its film Explore Uganda – The Pearl of Africa.

    Uganda has been crowned this year’s Grand Prix and two times Gold award winner by the International Tourism Film Festival Africa for its film ‘Explore Uganda The Pearl of Africa’.

    The film premiered by Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) is an invitation to the world to rediscover the beauty of the Pearl of Africa.

    At the prestigious Awards Ceremony held at the Cape Town City Hall on Friday evening, UTB received the Gold Award for Tourist Destination Country in Africa, Gold Award for Tourist Destination Country Internationally, and the Grand Prix Award for Tourism destination country in Africa.

    The International Tourism Film Festival (ITFF) Africa Awards are part of the world’s leading film festivals and the only one in Africa with other circuits such as the New York Film Festival (USA), Cannes Film Festival in France, Terres Travel festival in Tortosa, Spain and the Amorgos Tourism Film Festival in Greece.

    The awards seek to honor exceptional and innovative video content related to the tourism and travel industry, accessible on all continents, and can be seen and used on various platforms.

    Commenting moments after receiving the award in Cape Town, UTB Chief Executive Officer Lilly Ajarova said, “It is an honor and our pleasure to receive these awards. Besides being a great motivation to our sector. We shall leverage the recognition to maintain high standards for ourselves in terms of sustainability, quality, and experience. This will also add to our voice to continuously position Uganda as a destination of choice in Africa and Internationally,.”

    The film, which is now part of Uganda’s refreshed destination brand identity seeks to increase arrivals in the destination as the global travel industry recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic. UTB is also working with all stakeholders to rebuild and restart the sector as the global tourism and travel industry resumes.

    The new brand is underpinned by a call to action for travelers to discover the true essence of what Uganda has to offer the world.

    “I would like to thank the Jury for finding us worthy of these awards. As a country, we are happy to be associated with ITFFA and we welcome all of you to come and Explore the Pearl of Africa as we continuously make it easy for tourists across the globe to visit us,” Uganda Tourism State Minister, Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahinduka said in his acceptance speech.

    Hugo Marcos, General Secretary of the International Committee of Tourism Film Festivals (CIFFT) also noted that, “The Explore Uganda Destination Video was one of the most rated films in the competition. It highlighted the uniqueness, authenticity, and variety of Uganda’s beauty and inspired the jury and the film viewers to visit Uganda now.”

    According to records, tourism remains one of the fastest-growing sectors in Uganda, earning the country over USD$1.6 billion in 2019, and accounting for 7.7% of the national GDP.

    Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) is a statutory organization established in 1994. Its roles and mandate were reviewed in the Tourism Act of 2008.

    The Board’s mandate is to promote and market Uganda across the region and internationally, promote quality assurance in tourist facilities through training, grading, and classification, promote tourism investment, and support, and act as a liaison for the private sector in tourism development.

    The broader goals of the Board are to increase the contribution of tourism earnings and GDP, improve Uganda’s competitiveness as an international tourism destination and increase Uganda’s share of Africa’s and the World tourism market.

    UTB also aims to create inclusive opportunities for the tourism sector through market transformation.

     

    By Kobusiinge Monica

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    MY MONEY

    Locals Celebrate As Stay In School Initiative Empowers Youths in Technical Skilling…

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    Lutakome (in a blue apron) interracting with parents during the meeting

    Locals in Busaana Town Council Kayunga District have celebrated the initiative spearheaded by Stay In School Initiative (SISI) a local Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) which empowered youths in technical skills.

    The excitement was exhibited during the showcase meeting held on Saturday 16th March, 2024 at the Offices the Organisation in Busaana.

    The project beneficiaries were given the opportunity to show their parents and trainers the skills they had acquired.

    The students exhibited skills gained in tailoring and hairdressing in front of their parents, who were invited for a special meeting as a precursor to the graduation ceremony.

    Ivan Lutakome, the Organization founder told parents that the initiative was brought into their community with support from VOICE as a commitment to empower youths through providing vocational skills to help them to become good citizens in the future.

    The partnership between the SISI and VOICE has been instrumental in providing valuable opportunities to young individuals to acquire technical skills that are in high demand in today’s competitive job market.

    “I am grateful to VOICE for believing in us and providing the resources we needed to excel,” he said.

    He added that they organized the said interaction meeting where the benefiting youths demonstrated their newfound skills to ensure that their children are ready to be job creators.

    Parents and friends, community leaders gathered to witness firsthand results of the youths’ hard work and determination for the first time since the initiative started a few months back.

    “The Stay in School Initiative has given me a second chance at building a career,” a happy Harriet Kwagala, one of the beneficiaries said.

    “Learning tailoring skills has not only boosted my confidence but also opened doors to new opportunities for me,” Lutakome, another beneficiary highlighted the importance of vocational training in creating opportunities for youths and reducing unemployment rates in the country.

    “The dedication shown by these young individuals is truly commendable,” remarked Pastor Moses Mbago, a parent who attended the event.

    “I’m proud to see my daughter excelling in a field she’s passionate about.”

    The tailoring segment featured an array of beautifully crafted garments, showcasing the students’ proficiency in pattern-making, stitching, and finishing techniques. From traditional attire to modern designs, each piece reflected the creativity and attention to detail instilled during their training.

    “I never thought I could create such intricate designs,” exclaimed Nyombe Allan, another benefiting youth.

    “Thanks to the guidance and support from the Stay in School Initiative, I now have the skills to pursue my dream of becoming a fashion designer,” he added.

    The graduates also transformed women’s hair into stunning creations, ranging from intricate braids to elegance, showcasing their mastery of cutting, coloring, and styling techniques.

    “I have always had a passion for hairstyling, and this training has allowed me to turn that passion into a profession,” said Rose, who was beaming with happiness as she presented her work.

    Parents and attendees were visibly impressed by the quality of work presented, applauding the youths for their achievements and determination.

    “My son has found his calling in hairdressing, and I couldn’t be happier,” remarked Mr. Chemba Joel, a parent.

    It was evident that the Stay in School Initiative’s commitment to empowering youths through vocational training had made a tangible and meaningful impact on the lives of these youths, their families and the community as well.

     

    By Grapevine Reporter

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    CRIME

    Terra Solar Energy Swiss Boss, Girlfriend Dragged To Court Over Shs19bn Fraudulent Land Deal …

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    Heimhofer's girlfriend Mariam Kajumba

    Swiss businessman David Ferdinand Heimhofer and his girlfriend Mariam Kajumba the properiator of Terra Solar Energy Limited together with the Commissioner Land Registration have been dragged to Court over a Shs19bn fraudulent land deal.

    City car dealer businessman Medad Osborn Twesigye, the proprietor of Testimony Motors Limited accuses the defendants and their company of fraudulently grabbing his land measuring 499.781 hectares comprised on Block 5 plots 623, 633 land at Kayera, Bugahya in Hoima district.

    In his suit filed at Hoima High Court, Twesigye through his lawyers led by Fred Muwema claim that in August of 2022, he was approached by a lawyer who introduced himself as Accram Luzinda and a land agent Jim Kibira who told him that they had a deal of selling his land to Ferdinand and his girlfriend.

    He later met the accused persons at Fairway Hotel Kampala where they confirmed to him that they were interested in his land since they had entered a deal with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s government to start a solar energy project in Hoima.

    In his affidavit, Twesigye claimed that the accused persons requested him to first allow them to carry out a site survey of the land to confirm its ownership, size, soil conditions and accessibility which was done and the final report from the investigation was issued in October 2022.

    He explained that the defendants told him that they are ready to purchase his land under the names of Terra Sola Energy Limited.

    Swiss businessman David Ferdinand Heimhofer

    They even signed a Memorandum of Understanding to purchase the land at the cost of UD$5m and both parties agreed that the agreement should be valid for a period of 10 months with a two months extension.

    Twesigye explained that the said period was supposed to be used by the defendants to carry out a feasibility study to determine the suitability of the land for a solar power project which was done and the results were positive.

    They agreed that the defendants deposit to the plaintiff’s bank account a non-refundable fee of UD$100,000 as down payment before the purchase of the land was done.

    The payment was supposed to be done within 10 days from the date of signing the solar power implementation Agreement with President Museveni’s government.

    Twesigye claimed that in December 2022, the accused persons used the Memorandum of Understanding they signed with him to lodge a caveat on his land before even depositing the UD$100,000 on his bank account.

    He made a written complaint against the defendants in March 2023.

    He explained that the defendants wrote back explaining that they lodged a caveat to protect their interest in the land even though the government had delayed the process of signing the agreement with them to deposit the agreeable amount of money.

    They added that they had instructed their local engineers to conduct further studies to identify the grid capacity in Hoima and get the government to agree to the said study so as to trigger payment.

    He added that in May 2023, he instructed his lawyers to demand the defendants to remove the caveat registered on his land but they insisted that they could not remove the caveat because if they do, they were going to lose the money they had already used since they had already entered the deal.

    Twesigye told Court that in December 2023, a serious Arab investor approached him and told him that he has interest in his land.

    He added that this investor wanted to establish a sugar project.

    Twesigye narrated that he asked the defendants to remove the caveat but they refused which forced him to carry out due diligence to establish the legality of the company he was dealing with.

    In December 2023, he found out that it had paltry capital of Shs10,000,000 with no registered office or assets in Uganda.

    He further established that the company never conducts any business in Uganda as alleged by the defendants but they were using it to veil corporate personality as a mask to defraud him.

    He pleaded with court to declare that the defendants have no caveat-able interest on his land and also asked court to direct the Commissioner Land Registration to lift the caveat placed on his land.

    He also asked court to order the defendants to pay monetary compensation for lodgment of the impugned caveat on his land, general damages for material distress and inconvenience caused, exemplary damages, interest on any pecuniary award at 23% from December 2022 till the payments in full.

    The defendants have not yet filed their defense.

     

    By Hadijah Namagembe

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    MTN, Three Ways Directors Shs.9.5bn Fraud Scandal Enters Final Stage After Top Judge Rules On Case To Answer…

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    Geoffrey Baitwa one of the Managing Directors at Threeways Shipping Services (Group) Ltd.

    Justice Lawrence Gidudu the Head of the Anti-Corruption Court has directed Oscar Baitwa and Geoffrey Bihamaiso the Directors of the Jinja road based Three Ways Shipping Service Limited to defend themselves in the Shs9.5bn fraud case.

    The accused persons who are brothers are supposed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that they didn’t participate in the theft, conspiracy to defraud, obtain money by fraud and conspire to defraud Shs9.5bn as the Director for Public Prosecution (DPP) through Abigail Agaba claims.

    “The fact that the accused persons kept quiet from 2009 to 2012 while huge sums of dollars were coming in for no work done renders the accused liable as links in the chain. The two have a case to answer on all the accounts,” the nonsense judge ruled.

    According to court documents, MTN Uganda contracted Three Ways to provide forwarding and clearing services for its equipment sourced from overseas.

    In the course of business, MTN Uganda alleged that Three Ways had been paid money based on false invoices supported by fake airway bills.

    DPP claims that the accused persons connived with JP Bosabosa and Naphatali Were who were employees of MTN who pleaded guilty and asked to be allowed to negotiate with the complaint and pay some of the stolen money.

    DPP further dropped charges against Faridah Senkumba, Kafuko Wasswa who were employees of Three Ways who were earlier accused of processing the money which was paid in fraud.

    Agaba the lead prosecutor told court that Baitwa and Bihamaiso together with Oscar Baitwa Obusa were the principal signatories to the company’s bank accounts and were mandated holders of the accounts used to siphon money from MTN insisting that they participated by facilitating the exit of the stolen money.

    She added that the accused persons were the brain behind those activities of their company and were responsible for facilitating the theft of USD 3,800,000.

    She further submitted that the stolen money was moved electronically and was received by the accused’s company through their bank accounts and fraudulently processed by employees of MTN.

    She insists that the two accused persons are signatories to the said company bank accounts and benefited from the stolen money.

    “As regards the participation of the accused persons, Agaba referred to the testimony of Masanso, PW11, a fraud investigator who testified that he was called by the accused for a meeting over this case. He met them and they asked him to destroy evidence at a fee of USD 150,000 which he declined,” a judge stated.

    Agaba insisted that whether the invoices from Three Ways company were transmitted by flash disk or by email, the fact remains that they committed the offences by obtaining money without providing service to MTN.

    She told court that the entire fraud was discovered after MTN contracted Deloitte International company to do a forensic investigation according to supplier payment documents.

    However, Henry Kyalimpa the accused’s lawyer submitted that since there was a running contract between MTN and his client’s company, any money paid to the accused’s bank accounts was for service rendered.

    He told court that there was no evidence that any of the accused persons provided MTN with fictitious invoices to make payments and the DPP failed to connect the accused persons to the crime.

    He insisted that Naphtali, JP Bosabosa and all employees of MTN were the ones that processed payments from MTN, not his clients.

    Kyalimpa pinned Senkumba and Kafuko as the source of the fictitious invoices. Unfortunately, the DPP shielded them and they did not testify to implicate the accused persons.

    In conclusion, the judge stated that on the stage of a case to answer, court did not evaluate evidence to find if the accused are guilty or not.

    “It is not in dispute, at this stage, that money was processed fraudulently, using unregistered invoices from Three Ways company which were attached to bogus airway bills that were not issued by any airlines or endorsed by customs,” the judge stated.

    The judge discovered that the money under dispute is USD1,800,000 not USD 3,800,000 as MTN claims.

     

    By Grapevine Reporter

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