Kiggundu’s anger can be clearly understood for a man in his situation. He has taken long to deliver what he keeps touting is going to be a world class pitch. He was supposed to complete the job by the year 2019. He is now in default of the deadlines by three years, and still counting. Before Covid 19 paid a visit and turned into a perfect excuse for Ham to use to explain away the contractual breaches, he was blaming the delay on the magnitude of the job at hand and the need to do it perfectly as well his detractors.

Possibly looking to divert public attention away from the real issue which is the the delays in completion of the stadia, Ham would weigh in with the defence of patriotism. Ham calls himself a patriotic man who is workinghard to give the country a better stadium. And then, calls unpatriotic, those telling him to respect the requisite deadlines.

Ham says Covid 19 worsened the delays because Roko had laid off some of it’s workers. Yet, we all saw and witnessed Ham as he was building his shopping malls around the facility at break-neck speed, even as the Corona Virus was occassioning massive problems. Let’s agree for the sake of it that it’s actually Corona which caused the delays.

But even so, Corona had not raided Uganda previously, say, when Ham was meant to deliver the stadium but failed. Ham says Ugandans should render him support because he is building stadia for them. Ugandans did that already by giving him public land in exchange for building the pitch which he hasn’t done within  several deadlines.

Ham is benefitting from the massive shopping malls he has finished already and is scheduled to earn more from the others in exchange for the stadia which he hasn’t delivered. I respectfully think that reminding one to meet their contractual obligations isn’t the same as being unpatriotic. This is exactly what responsible citizens are supposed to do.

Since the President, and or his wife in charge of the sector, aren’t tasking Ham to respect the deadlines of delivering the stadia, Ugandans such as Dixon Bond Okello and Aldrine Nsubuga deserve the right to raise concerns, after all, they are citizens and are fully aware that the businessman was handed public land to upgrade the stadia which is far from completion.

The last time he was explaining himself over the delay which has been very recently, Ham was lamenting about the shooting up of the budget he is supposed to use to  the deliver the job. True, the budget is quite huge but the same has been occassioned by the failure to meet the deadlines and counting. Ham deserves cheers for undertaking to finish the job against all odds but the same should be done without too much delay.

Alternatively, he can officially exploit the issue of Covid-19 to legally ask for the readjusting of the deadline in which he was supposed to deliver the job so as to escape being faulted for the natural occurrence which was admittedly beyond his control as a human being. Short of that, anyone can still question his failure to complete the sports facility within the requisite deadlines which fell in 2019.

All in all, Ham should be thankful for being reminded to deliver his bargain of the deal between him and Ugandans seeing that he himself is a lawyer and knows the implications of breach of contracts. After all, no one has come up to take him to the courts over the breaches but those raising the concerns are doing so verbally and writing.

The Kyabazinga was the Chief Guest at the Busoga Innovation Symposium held in Ottawa Canada. He was attacked by Ntega, a former body guard of National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, in what seemed to be nearly well orchestrated ploy to harm the Royal. In an instinct, the Kyankwanzi-trained minister tactfully swerved into protective body formation and put the muscular Ntega at bay as other revelers reinforced her hold. Ntega, was later taken away by security. When the function resumed, the Kyabazinga challenged his subjects spread all over the world to ensure that their culture is preserved for all generations to come.

“We are all born with our different cultures and it’s a symbol of our identity that we can’t do away with. Therefore, I challenge all our people wherever they are to promote those good cultural practices that have stood the taste of time failure of which, our values and morals will go into extinction.” The monarch emphasized this before notifying the attentive audience of the four main pillars of the Kingdom to wit unity of purpose, transparency, accountability and positive impact.

“Our administration at Bugembe is determined to reach out to all our people both within and outside Uganda and our yardstick is those four pillars. I encourage you to execute your duties in pursuit of the same”. 3rd Deputy Premier and Minister without Portfolio, also Mayuge Woman MP, Rt. Hon. Lukia Nakadama advised the gathering composed of all Ugandans and friends living and working in Canada, to invest back home, and have a good working relationship with the government for posterity purposes. 

Presidency Minister, Hon. Milly Babalanda emphasized the need for the diasporas to work together as one way of solving their challenges in addition to having a critical mass as regards bargaining power for the region. Moses Isanga, who is the Chairperson of the Symposium revealed that the Kyabazinga’s official visit to Canada has emboldened them to deepen their agenda for a cultured community.

“We have always talked about our values as a community since we love it but this time round, we shall do more than we have been doing to protect and guard against our identity amidst the challenging times of the digital age”, he said, noting that they have since formed a cultural group called Busoga Cultural Association of Canada which will act as a mobilization tool for fellow Basoga and other interested persons. 

He also said that through this association, they are able to support the vulnerable members of society back home and for networking purposes whenever need arises. The function was graced by MPs Mariam Naigaga (Namutumba WMP), Rachael Magoola (Bugweri WMP), Owek. Joan Machora (Foreign Affairs Minister Busoga Kingdom). Others are Bagishu, Baganda, Batoro, and Asians. Alongside the symposium, there is an ongoing exhibition of art and craft. Earlier on the Kyabazinga met with representatives of His Highness the Aga Khan and they discussed developmental matters. 

Organized by African Focus Inc (AFI), the colorful function was held at The Renaissance Hotel Resort, Los Angles, California on Saturday. This year`s event was initially scheduled for 30^th April but was pushed to August 20^th 2022, due to covid pandemic effects. “We will cherish your presence and the honor for you to officiate at the 2022 African Family Induction Ceremony at the gala event,” wrote the AFI Executive Director, Mr. Uchenna Nworgu, in the March 8^th 2022-dated invitation to the Kamuswaga.   

For starters, African Focus Inc. (AFI) is a California based non-profit organization that focuses on promoting culture, education, economic growth and wellbeing of African countries and its people. Africa and the Diaspora around the world have been celebrating rich cultural heritage through songs, dance, drama, sculptor, and other art forms largely in isolation, the Kamuswaga heard. “It is time to capitalize on this core-shared heritage and collaborate in many areas that guarantee a mutual benefit for all,” said the Executive Director. 

African Focus Inc. established Africa Birthright Celebration, known as African Ancestry Family Induction ceremony, to promote, inspire and encourage people of African descent to share their heritage, culture, economic growth, and political fortune with their cousins in the Diaspora. “The induction ceremony has been a successful inter-cultural and economic alliance, which allows the inductees and their host families to enjoy a newfound relationship and collaboration on various levels,” Nworgu observed. 

Nworgu said this year’s event featured the Induction of 35 African American families into the African Families from Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, Senegal, Ethiopia and Sierra Leone. Accompanied by his Principal Private Secretary (PPS) and Minister without Portfolio, Owek. Herbert Nsubuga, Princess Natasha and Kooki Prime Minister Hajji Iddi Ahmed Kiwanuka, among others, the Kamuswaga set off at Entebbe on Thursday August 18^th 2022. Upon his arrival at Los Angeles International Airport, the designated members of AFI received the royal team and accompanied them to his Presidential Suite of their hotel. Later in the evening, the Executive Director, Mr. Uchenna Nworgu the man himself, paid them an official visit to welcome His Royal Highness to Los Angeles.  

Among the places the Kamuswaga visited and officiated over their events thereafter include; the California African American Museum. Here, he honored a special courtesy visit to the elected officials of Los Angeles City. After this, he, in the evening, attended a special dinner, also hosted in his honor. The dinner ended at 9:30PM, to allow the Kamuswaga and his team enough rest for the next day`s activity. On Saturday, the main event started at 4:00PM. However, prior to this, he was ushered to a private room where he met the 2022 Inductees and other special guests, for a meet and greet, as well as photo opportunity moments. The interactive session lasted for one and a half hours before the main event started. 

After this session, His Royal Highness retired to his room for dinner, until the Induction Ceremony started. He was now ushered into the main event Banquet Hall, beautifully sandwiched with cultural dancers from different sets of African groups. After settling in his royal seat, the Induction ceremony commenced. Donned in his official snow-white robes, coupled with his yellow, umbrella symbol of unity, the Kamuswaga gave his speech, rich with messages of unity and brotherhood amongst Africans. “This museum preserved so well the story, as well as the historical struggles of our ancestors and our survival; you and I, who are here today. 

He praised the resistance of the ancestors `long walk` against all odds. “It has been indeed a long walk. From the chains around their necks, to being crossed overseas. From the fields, to emancipation. And from the ballot box restrictions of all kinds, to the ballot boxes that ushered in the Presidency of the 44^th President of the United States of America, and now, the Vice President.” Kamuswaga emphasized the need for unity and its protection. “Our way forward ties so well with what Martin Luther King Jr said thus; “If you can`t fly, then run. If you can`t run, then walk. If you can`t walk then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”

In conclusion of his two-minute speech, the Kamuswaga invited all Africans to always consider `returning home`. “My people, in this long walk, I only encourage you to keep on moving forward. Africa still needs her children, one by one, back home. I am representing many of us in Africa [who] are ready to welcome you home. Speaking to the Investigator last night, Kamuswaga`s PPS. Owek. Herbert Nsubuga said this particular trip has fished several friends and potential investors to Kooki. “We expect more enhancement in fields of education, health, tourism and communication.”  The minister without portfolio also confirmed that a TV Station equipment has been fully secured by the Kamuswaga. Nsubuga confirmed that the `Kooki Peaceful Leopard` is expected back in Uganda on Thursday this week.         

When Ugandans celebrated the Country’s first two medals at the ongoing 2022 World Athletics Championships, very few could honor another country’s third man in the same race park on Sunday evening, Stephen Kissa. At this particular race, Kissa finished 24^th, coming last and posting 29 minutes, 21 seconds and 10 micro-seconds (29:21.10 SB).

Nonetheless, as the park started the race at gun sound, Stephen Kissa set the early pace for the rest of the field before paving way for Cheptegei to take over. Kissa was fortunate enough to have Jacob Kiplimo, also come third and settling for bronze at the same race – equally a celebrated medal. After Kissa had set the pace early, Cheptegei then moved to the front at the 3km mark, though Barega briefly surged through the 5km mark in 14.01. Kiplimo put in a shift upfront, further splitting the pack to a lead group of 15, perhaps bigger than the east Africans might have liked. Heading into the final two laps, Barega and Mburu shot to the front, setting up a grandstand finish as a pack of eight went through the bell for the final 400 meters.

A long-time leader, Cheptegei was in no doubt about what his race plan was. Kicking past the pair at 300 meters and easily holding off all-comers down the backstretch, around the final bend and towards the home straight in a consummate display of distance running, was a meticulous view. Cheptegei had also won gold over the same distance during the 2019 World Championships held in Doha, Qatar. He had earlier settled for silver during the 2017 edition in London, United Kingdom. Cheptegei is only the fourth man in history to win back-to-back titles! Last year in Tokyo, Cheptegei kept his powder dry until the bell, only to be outkicked by the Ethiopian, Selemon Barega. On Sunday, he started upping the ante with over a kilometer to go, throwing in laps of 64 and 63 seconds to stretch a group of eight as they hit the bell.

He then continued to press and though there was a mad scramble behind him that had the healthy Hayward Field crowd roaring in appreciation, he was strong enough to hold the field off and came home in 27:27.43 minutes. Kenya’s Stanley Mburu, who took a heavy fall on the first lap, recovered well to finish second in 27:27.90. Jacob Kiplimo, 21, who was third in Tokyo, claimed another bronze for Uganda in 27:27.97.

“I knew that if I get into the last fight, I can control it and I could speed it up,” said Cheptegei, still only 25 but who made his world championship debut back in 2015. He added; “I did not aim to run really fast because of the heat. The sun was very strong, but I was able to get stronger and kept it faster and faster.” He says it was very emotional for him to come back to the USA where; “I started my international career in 2014 (winning the world junior 10,000m title in Eugene),”

He said he now wants to continue his dominancy in the long distance running and hopes he will manage it. Appreciating Kissa for the pace setter job, Joshua Cheptegei last year gifted Kissa with UGX25M, having received 50M for his gold medal and UGX25M for his Silver medal at the 10,000M line up at the Olympic Games.

Pace Maker

For starters, a pacemaker or pacesetter, sometimes informally called a rabbit, is a runner who leads a middle, or long-distance running event for the first section to ensure a fast time and avoid excessive tactical racing. A pacesetter basically ensures that he or she leads the race for a major portion of the event with a very fast speed, but eventually, dropping off for the led. 

Hence, they are also termed as rabbits, informally. The major benefit of having a pacemaker or pacesetter is that there is minimal to no tactical running. Generally, a pacer is an experienced runner that runs at a set speed in a race, typically a long-distance event. This helps them finish at their desired time. You don’t have to think too hard about your pace. In fact, the only thing you have to worry about is keeping up with your pacer. That has been Stephen Kissa’s job for team Uganda and more so, for Joshua Cheptegei. He has featured in at least every race Cheptegei has won.  

Double hopes;

After the 10,000m gold finish on Sunday in the States, Cheptegei, who also took a silver in the event in 2017 and who won Olympic gold over 5,000m last year, will now attempt the elusive double when going again over 5,000 later in the week in Eugene.

Nankabirwa, who was meeting a delegation of the NRM Canada chapter including the Symposium Supreme Fred Kinene, the Presidential adviser on Diaspora affairs Abbey Walusimbi, and Hon. Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi, assured themof her readiness to attend in person.

“I am so grateful for the president who has directed me to represent him. I will be ready to show case what has been achieved so far by the many Ugandans in Canada. Many would like to see the true picture of Uganda which has been miss represented by the opposition.’’ Said Nakiwala.

The minister further stated thus; “This is an opportunity for Ugandans both in Canada and America who would like to acquire property to directly engage with property consultants and overseers who will be exhibiting at the symposium to avert being cheated by relatives and unscrupulous individuals”.

The symposium that is set for July 8^th to 10^th 2022 at Niagara Falls Hotel will see the party members share knowledge on how they can tap into the investment opportunities back home and also to promote Uganda while in Canada.

Kinene said, “it’s the first of its kind in Canada involving NRM members and leaders in the diaspora, friends and well-wishers. We have invited several officials from Uganda Revenue Authority, Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), Post bank, Uganda Airlines and Ministry of Lands to sensitize people and answer several questions from their areas of expertise”.

Participants will also be able to partake of the vast opportunities in Canada through process of obtaining a visiting and residency permits that include education, Agriculture and medicine, among others.  There will also be a selected group of entertainers from Uganda and across the globe to entertain the guests.

Other events will include; touring the Niagara botanical gardens, Zip line to the falls, wild plays and whirlpool, Shaw festival, helicopter flights on the lake behind the falls and climax with a boat cruise. Those intending to grace the event will be required to pay $300 each to cater for hotel bookings, entertainment and meals.

There have been several theories and recounts about how political activist Frank Kalyango affiliated to the Democratic Party, who had been missing since late 2018, managed to beat the security ring around him and fled the country for Canada.

We have since established chilling details that surround the daring escape of Kalyango aged 40, one of the new firebrand vocal opposition activists in the country.

It has emerged that Kalyango’s dramatic escape was orchestrated and executed by one Fred Kavuma, a local politician belonging to the SDP party and now is a counselor   with the Kampala City Council Authority ( KCCA ), in Makindye division, representing Kibuli Parish .

Kavuma’s  Narrative on the Escape..,

Kavuma who is also a relative of Kalyango, says that ‘ I have known Kalyango since childhood and can attest that when he showed his interest in politics while still in school, we have been very close for a long time.”

‘when I realized that Kalyango, was very good at mobilizing as exhibited by his involvement in politics at campus, I recruited him into DP in the subsequent presidential and local elections as a mobilizer and polling agent’. Says Kavuma.

 Kavuma went on to say that , It was  during that  time that Kalyango’s affluent mobilizing skills were spotted by the ruling government, whose agents in turn tried to recruit him to no avail, that is when his woes with security operatives begun. He was subsequently in and out of jail over tramped up charges and religiously released of the same.

He further stated that ‘ it was during the last general election in 2016, where he ( Kalyango), underwent the most humiliating experience on constant incarceration and torture ,which forced us to embark on plans on his escape the moment he gained his freedom.’’

Through my contact who worked with a tour and travel company ( details withheld ), we managed to procure a passport for him in the pseudo names, after which we submitted his travel documents and passport to the Canadian consulate which after perusal issued him with a visa.

The whole process was money consuming and I spent about 8m shillings in the next few days trying to have the plan fully perfectly executed.

And just like lady luck would have it, Kalyango managed to beat the security at Entebbe airport, saving his life. Says a confident Kavuma.

Right now, more than 98 million adolescent girls are not in school, and yet an educated girl can lift up her family, her community, and her country. The Global Girls Alliance aims to advance the efforts of organizations and individuals doing this work by driving public awareness and action. As part of this effort, the Alliance will help support grassroots leaders around the world who best understand the unique challenges girls face in their local communities and the strategies needed to overcome these barriers.

“I’m thrilled to announce the Obama Foundation’s launch of the Global Girls Alliance,” said Mrs. Obama. “We want to lift up the grassroots leaders in communities all over the world who are clearing away the hurdles that too many girls face. Because the evidence is clear: educating girls isn’t just good for the girls, it’s good for all of us.”

The Global Girls Alliance will amplify this work being done around the world to empower adolescent girls through education by:

Inspiring, empowering, and connecting grassroots leaders. The Foundation wants to ensure that those on the front lines are supported with effective strategies to enhance and scale their work. We created an online network to connect leaders to one another so they can share best practices, resources, encouragement, and ideas.

Driving specific commitments through GoFundMe. These grassroots leaders need more than visibility and connections to one another—they need financial support. To close this gap, the Foundation worked with GoFundMe to launch the Global Girls Alliance Fund, a fund that will directly support grassroots leaders working on girls education. Donations to the fund may be general or designated by donors for specific projects listed on the Global Girls Alliance GoFundMe page.

Inspiring and challenging young people in the developed world to join this Global Girls Alliance. We want young people in the United States and around the world to learn about this issue and get involved. From encouraging young people to share a presentation on this issue at school to collaborating with girl group organizations who have expanded their programming to include work on adolescent girls education, the Foundation is offering resources to help young people turn their passion about this issue into action.

Mrs. Obama announced the initiative on a special 8 am hour of the Today Show devoted to the International Day of the Girl.

“Through Mrs. Obama’s passion for this issue, our aim is to drive global attention, awareness, and action—and generate commitments to help empower adolescent girls around the world, so that they can, in turn, support their families, communities, and countries,” said Obama Foundation CEO David Simas.

The event, which was hosted to empower Ugandan artists, musicians and producers, follows the successful partnership launch between TIDAL, a global music and video streaming platform, and MTN Uganda, the leading communications operator in Uganda offering mobile & fixed telecommunications.

According to Munyaradzi Chanetsa, Head of Operations at CCA, the conference aimed at empowering participants on the latest trends in the digital space that can be used to advance careers and commercial success of musicians and artists alike.

“The advancement of technology has positively impacted the global music industry. Musicians are now able to produce their music faster, cheaper and at better quality. At the Artists Collaboration Conference, we have seen Ugandan musicians eager to turn their talent into long term commercial success using digital channels”, said Munyaradzi Chanetsa.

CCA is an independently owned media and content business based in Johannesburg with extensive experience in the African entertainment industry.

The core of CCA’s offering is digital distribution of audio and visual content and through a seamless and specialized technical process, music and videos are submitted, digitized and ingested to platforms that deliver content products to millions of consumers across the World.

Jason Kpana, Senior Vice President Artist & Label Relations, explained how TIDAL came back to Uganda hot on the heels of their recent partnership launch with MTN.

“Our arrival in Uganda was met with so much excitement from consumers and artists alike. TIDAL will continue connecting with local musicians, producers, engineers and other players in the music industry to share all the tools necessary to take advantage of all we have to offer!”

On their part, MTN Uganda has been at the fore front of empowering musicians and advancing the music industry in Uganda, as told by their Chief Marketing Officer Olivier Prentout.

“Our twenty year strong existence in Uganda has seen us support musicians in various ways. With the Artists Collaboration Conference we have moved from just sponsoring their shows and launches to giving them the tools and expertise to earn money even when they are not on the stage performing” said Olivier Prentout.

Throughout the day long conference, musicians learned about the evolution of music, the impact of the digital revolution in the music industry, how to choose the right digital business partner, rights management and how to take advantage of digital marketing to advance their careers among many other topics.

Sodamola Oluseye Desmond – aka DJ SPINALL – and Kemar Donaldson popularly known – Kranium – made an appearance at the conference where they addressed the participants and networked freely with them.

Speakers at the conference included Aly Allibhai (CEO Talent Africa), Manny Teixeira (General Manager Digital Media & Services MTN Group), Susan Kayemba (Senior Manager Digital Services – MTN Uganda), Tom Mbalu (Business Unit Director & Head of Digital, TBWA Uganda) and Warrick Percy – Head of Licensing, CAPASSO SA.

Over 40 mothers check into the hospital every month for delivery. The hospital took a bold decision to accommodate only expectant mothers because of space constraints. The rest, with varying ailments, were referred to other health centres for management.

Today, a new block stands tall at the health centre ready to usher in patients who say they have been incurring heavy expenses and losing a lot of time traveling to Kasese for treatment. Hima Cement has built a new General Ward at the health centre. The ward, worth Shs 260 million, will help to ease access to medical services for the people of Hima and the wider Kasese community.

Hima Cement CEO Mr. Nicolas George said that this project is part of Hima Cement Corporate Social Responsibility to the communities where the company operates. He said that the communities have given Hima Cement the limestone to make cement but also an opportunity to create thousands of jobs and employ people in Kasese, Kampala and across the country.

“The least we can do is to give back to the community where we work. We will continue to contribute as much as we can in health, education and environment protection, which are key focus areas.”
He said this during the handover of the health centre to the community members and management of Hima Health Centre III in Kasese on 24th September.

Dr Manasseh Baluku, the in charge at Hima Health Centre III says while the hospital has enough staff to handle and manage patients, they do not have the equipment to diagnose many cases.
With a new facility in place, he says government should construct a theatre.

“It will be unfortunate to have all these facilities when we don’t put them to use. Now that we have a newly constructed ward, we call upon government to construct a theatre. We need to give our people proper services. You have put up this structure and we promise it will not remain empty. We have reached out to Ministry of Health to have it operationalised,” said Dr Baluku said.

Sadolin Wallguard ® is unlike other paint brands in that it not only offers the smooth finish and colour expected from high quality paint but also features unique MouldexMoisture Resist technology.

Developed by an international task team to meet the harsh local climatic requirements, Sadolin Wallguard’s MouldexMoisture Resist has a dual purpose.  It allows harmful trapped moisture to escape while creating an impermeable barrier that stops outside moisture from getting in.  This breakthrough technology makes Sadolin Wallguard’sperformance superior to other paints and provides the assurance that paint work will resist mould attack for longer.

Commenting on the new product, Nathalie Sweeney, Marketing Director AkzoNobel Sub-Sahara Africa said; “We are thrilled to launch Sadolin Wallguard ®, leading a comprehensive range of protective paints for walls, roofs and exterior surface preparation to address the damaging effects of humidity.”

“Humidity and mould can really make a house look old before it’s time but now with the new Sadolin Wallguard® with Mouldex Moisture Resist, walls will look cleaner and mould-free for longer,” Sweeney added.

Deon Nieuwoudt, the Commercial Director East Africa at AkzoNobel said that as Grand Masters of Protection since 1907, Sadolin does not only provide exceptional colour and finish to customers but also meets the modern exterior protection needs required from premium paint products.

“The new Sadolin Wallguard ® with Mouldex moisture resist specially made for Uganda offers ultimate protection and it gives longer lasting protection in extreme humidity,” said Mr. Nieuwoudt.

The new range of exterior paint products also boasts Sadolin Roofguard®, a pure acrylic paint that offers roof tops excellent protection and durability; Sadolin Rainsheild®, a flexible, fibre-reinforced water and crack resistant surface preparation waterproofing product for areas prone to water leaks and Dampshield®, a low-odour, quick drying water based preparation product that stops the destructive effect of rising and penetrating damp.

These 4 new specialist exterior products together with well-known Sadolin Weatherguard® take exterior protection in harsh and humid climates to a whole new level.