THREE Members of Parliament who includes Makindye Ssaabagabo’s Ssempala Kigozi Ssajjalyabeene, Kafeero Ssekitoleko of Nakifuma and Cissy Namujju (Woman MP Lwengo district) have been listed among the wanted Ugandans to be taken for Coronavirus quarantine.
The three legislators are said to have jumped quarantine on their way from a Dubai trip putting in danger lives of over 450 members of Parliament.
Now the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga has directed that the three should be locked out until they have been cleared of the deadly virusThis means, they will be taken for a Fourteen days’ quarantine.
This comes at a time when the number of Covid-19 cases are growing in Uganda and the President has given new directives.
SHADOW minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development who doubles as the Nakaseke South Member of Parliament Paul Ssemakula Luttamaguzi is indeed a man of his word!
He has put into writing the pledge he made on Sunday during NBS tv political talkshow to offer his monthly salary in the fight against deadly Covid-19.
In his letter dated March 24th 2020 received by the Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Luttamaguzi has said, “This letter comes to appreciate you for your hard work geared towards Uganda’s efforts to effectively combat the Coronavirus, Covid-19 pandemic.”
“Most importantly though, I write to authorise your office (madam Speaker) to make a deduction of Two Million Uganda Shillings (2,000,000UGX) from my monthly salary to support victims of the above mentioned pandemic and to support the ministry of Health to greatly curtail the spread of this virus.” Writes MP Luttamaguzi.
Hon. Luttamaguzi at one of the boreholes he gives out in Nakaseke South constituency. He is on a campaign to get clean water for them
The deductions, he said, should be made starting in the month of April 2020 until the deadline given by the government.
“I would also request you to make an appeal to leaders and my Hon. Colleagues to support this National cause in the same way that I have.” Writes Luttamaguzi to Parliament CEO Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga.
EGGWANGA nga lirindirira biki Pulezidenti Museveni by’agenda okwogera leero ng’eno omuwendo gw’abalwadde ba Kolona mu ggwanga gw’ongera kulinnya, ababaka ba Palamenti Allan Ssewanyana owa Makindye West ne Muhammad Nsereko owa Kampala Central baagala ayimirize ssente z’obupangisa, okuggyako amasannyalaze n’omusolo gw’amayumba.
Bano betwogeddeko nabo bw’atugambye, singa leero bino Pulezidenti anaabibuusa amaaso, ajja kuba aleseewo omuwaatwa munene nnyo mu kulwanyisa ekirwadde kya Kolona kuba abantu basula ku bwerinde olwa bannyini bizimbe ko n’amayumba mwe basula okwagala ssente z’obupangisa nga bino by’ebimu ku bibagaana okubeera mu maka gaabwe nga omukulu bweyabalagidde, ne badda mu kuguluba nga banoonya ssente.
Baagala Pulezidenti ayogere ku kya gavumenti ye okugabira buli maka ebikozesebwa mu kunaaba engalo (sanitizers) n’obugoye obw’okwebikka mu maaso (face masks).
“Tukimanyi nti ebyo byetumenye waggulu basobolera ddala okussibwa mu nkola kubanga minisitule y’ebyensimbi yasabye ennyongereza ya buwumbi 700 okulwanyisa Korona. Ezimu ku ssente ezo zisoboleraddala okukola ku byetwogendeko waggulu awo.” Ababaka bwebagambye ne balabula nti singa bino tebiikolweko, ekirwadde kyaliba ebizibu okutuula ku nfete.
POLICE at Kira road Police Station after being tipped off by good hearted people has today carried out an operation at two schools in Kampala, where 74 teachers were allegedly found teaching pupils amidst schools’ shutdown directive by President Museveni as a precaution to tame Coronavirus pandemic in Uganda.
The arrested 21 teachers were from Kabojja Junior School near Kampala Hospital and 53 Daffodil Primary School teachers.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy Spokesman Luke Owoyesigire, “These schools had openned their gates and pupils were comming in as usual. We carried out this operation and were able to arrest 74 teachers alongside 5 pupils who have been handed over to their parents after cautioning them.”
The arrested teachers denied being found teaching pupils, saying they children had come for interviews.
However Owoyesigire told journalists this evenning that, “The parents were stopped from taking their children to any school no matter it is for interviews, touring or any such kind of business.”
He said that should never happen due to the presidential directive to shutdown all schools to guard the country against the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We want to urge any school director, headteacher or any one running a school to desist from any attempt of disobeying the Presidential directives. Our operations are on going, if any one is caught teaching during this shutdown, we will arrest and charge you accordingly.” Said Police Spokesman.
On Wednesday last week, President Museveni in a National address, directed all schoose to close down and sent over 15M students back home to avoid spreading of the virus.
He shutdown all places of worship, bars, banned burial functions of big groups of people and weddings.
Directing all schools to be shutdown on Friday and banning mass gatherings Museveni said, “We must do everything possible to ensure that this enemy (Coronavirus) does not come here. Does not find plenty of dry grass, piled up and ready for ignition. What is the dry grass that can help to start and sustain fire of Coronavirus epidemic?”
“It is the big masses of people, gathered togather and in close proximity. What are these masses of people that are gathered in groups that can easily aide the spread of the virus?” Asked the president.
Police has now warned all schools teachers obeying the presidential directive that they will be dealt with according to the law.
OPPOSITION MP Paul Ssemakula Luttamaguzi commonly known as Kasana representing Nakaseke South in the 10th Parliament has offered his salary to help government fight Covid-19!
During his weekly show ‘The Eagle’ on Next Media owned NBS television yesterday, Democratic Party (DP) legislator told viewers how he has already informed the Rt. Hon. Speaker Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga to use part of his salary in the fight against Coronavirus pandemic.
“I am not speaking on behalf of other members of Parliament, colleagues please don’t hang me. This is my personal monthly offer of UGX 2M. I want Rt. Hon. Speaker to deduct it from my salary.” Said Hon. Luttamaguzi.
On the show moderated by senior journalist Haji Baker Kazibwe who is Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) President, Hon. Luttamaguzi urged Ugandans to comply with all the measures put by President Museveni and the ministry of Health on how to tame Coronavirus.
“However because of acute poverty, am worried our people may fail to stay in their homes. This is why I have decided to offer my salary in helping them during this testing moment. Let others do the same.” Said Hon. Luttamaguzi.
Others who featured on this political show were FDC Deputy Secretary General Harold Kaija and Nakawa Deputy RCC Anderson Burora.
A few months ago, the same Luttamaguzi offered his monthly salaries to buy beds for Nakaseke government Hospital and paid all electricity bills.
KAMPALA Central legislator Muhammad Nsereko has warned that the adverse economic effects shall lead to self defeat of the principle of minimizing social contact as the best way to contain the spread of the corona virus.
In a statement released today morning, the Kampala Central business district MP thanked President Museveni and Ministry of Health officials for the job so far in a fight against Covid-19, “However the country needs both health and economic solutions to stop the spread of the CORVID 19 virus.”
“First I warned that the 100 dollars for quarantine was very expensive and would expose the deep rooted corruption and lack of patriotism amongst some elements in our institutions. Secondly I insist, the economic effects shall lead to self defeat of the spread of this Pandemic.” Noted MP Nsereko.
He said, “My suggestion is that Government undertakes A FIVE (5) plan solution economically to avert yet another crisis and boost confidence for people to stay home.”
HON. NSEREKO GIVES GOV’T A 5-PLAN ECONOMIC SOLUTION
Suspend payment of rent and evictions. This can be done by His Exellence the President signing into law the landlord and tenant bill that parliament passed. This shall in effect cover both commercial and residential tenants. In return land lords can be exempt from payment of rental income tax this financial year. This shall save 7 million tenants both commercial and residential level from unnecessary disruption.
By asking all utility companies to suspend charges for all bills like water and power for the next 120 days. In return the debts due to government companies be offset to the equivalent for example power UMEME. As for National water and sewerage corporation. It’s fully owned by government and should comply.
Central bank must suspend all interests payable on all loans just like all governments internationally have started negotiating with their creditors. In effect all interest payments are frozen for 180 days. This shall reduce pressure on landlords and business owners, small, medium and big and in return shall keep people on jobs and avert the catastrophe of unemployment. For example with closure of borders over 50,000 people shall loose jobs directly and indirectly.
Government should consider the option of people partially accessing their NSSF savings by between 10 to 30 percent depending on their amounts available. This shall enable workers stay home with the comfort that they have an option to access their savings and feed their families. The justification is that if NSSF could lend Bank Of Uganda 7 trillion by buying its treasury bills, why not lend or give those that save with it during such a crisis.
Government should avail rapid testing kits to make work of diagnosis easier and effective.Additionally also provide an extra allowance to the medical and health practitioners from ambulance drivers, Nurses, Doctors, Laboratory Assistants etc as a motivation to work harder , save lives but also know that we care that they put their lives on the line first.
MUNNAMATEEKA Joseph Luzige ssentebe wa disitulikiti y’e Mityana, ewuwe agobyeyo eby’obufuzi mu lutalo lw’okulwanyisa ekirwadde kya ‘Kolona’, agambye obululu babwagala kyokka tebajja kulondebwa bantu balwadde oba abafu.
Kati nno alangiridde ekikwekweto vvomwange ekitandika olwaleero mu ppaaka ya ttakisi e Mityana, ku maduuka ga Supermarket, amalwaliro, ebirabo by’emmere, obutale n’amaduuka agasuubuza, awanasangibwa nga tewali mazzi na ssabbuuni bikozesebwa basaabaze, abalwadde ne bakasitoma okunaama mu ngalo, ebifo ebyo byakuggalwa.
Bannyinibyo bakwatibwe era baggulweko emisango egy’ekuusa ku ku kujeemera ebiragiro by’omukulembeze w’eggwanga n’okulagajjalira obulamu bw’abantu.
Mu kiragiro kyeyafulumizza eggulo ku Ssande, Ssentebe Luzige yagambye tagenda kukkiriza bantu be kufa olwabannyini bizineesi abeesisiggirizza.
Yategeezezza nti, “Olunaku lwa leero nafunye ebiragiro okuva mu minisitule etwala eby’obulamu n’eyebyokwerinda mu ggwanga, mbategeeze Bannamityana bannange nti mu Uganda kyaddaaki twafunye omulwadde eyasoose ow’ekirwadde kya Kolona ekyakazibwako erya hCovid-19.”
Ssentebe Luzige aba minisitule baamutegeezezza ajjukize ebitundu ebiri mu disitulikiti gy’akulembera okwerinda ekirwadde kino ekyatuuse edda mu ggwanga.
“Bantegeezezza nti mu Mityana, Olwomukaaga baalumaze balambula ne bakizuula nti zi ssemaduuka (Supermarkets) ezisinga mu kibuga kya Mityana n’eziri mu bubuga obutonotono obw’enjawulo, tezinnasa mu nkola biragiro bya mukulembeze wa ggwanga nga okussaawo ebifo bakasitoma webanaabira engalo nga bayingira oba n’okufuluma.” Luzige bw bw’agambye mu kiwandiiko kyaweerezza Bannamityana.
Yangambye, “Mu ngeri y’emu era bantegeezezza nti n’ebirabo by’emmere ebisinga obungi, bikyeesuuliddeyo gwa Naggamba. Kuno kw’ossa amaduuka amanene agasuubuza ebintu mu Mityana agayingiza bakasitoma abangi nago gakyajeemye.”
“Kabuyonjo yaffe mu ppaaka ya ttakisi e Mityana nayo tewannasdibwawo mazzi na ssabbuuni nga ne ku miryango gya ppaaka, oguyingira n’ogufuluma tewali bikozesebwa basaabaze kunaaba mu ngalo.” Luzige bw’agambye ku mbeera eri mu Mityana.
Aba minisitule bamutumye ategeeze Bannamityana nti okutandika n’olunaku lwaleero, olukiiko lw’ebyokwerinda, abakungu okuva ku Poliisi ne mu gavumenti eya wakati, bagenda kuyita mu bibuga eby’enjawulo mu Mityana ttawuni ne mu byalo eby’enjawulo mu disitulikiti eno okuggala abo bonna abatannassa biragiro bya Pulezidenti mu nkola.
“N’olwekyo njagala kubakubira omulanga, bannyabo ne bassebo benjogeddeko waggulu awo naddala ab’amalwaliro gonna, obulwaliro obutonotono obwa gavumenti n’obwobwannanyini, ab’amaduuka ne mu ppaaka, musseewo ebikozesebwa mu kunaaba mu ngalo.” Munna NRM Luzige bw’agambye n’akkiririza nti, “Ate era nammwe abalina bizineesi ez’amaanyi zenjogeddeko, okutandika n’olunaku lw’enkya, ebifo byammwe biyinza okuggalwa singa binaaba tebitadde mu nkola biragiro bya gavumenti.”
Akakiiko k’ebyokwerinda aka disitulikiti katuula ku ky’okussa ebiragiro bya Pulezidenti mu nkola wabula Luzige agambye, ebiragiro ebipya byeyafunye okuva mu minisitule y’ebyobulamu bya njawulo nnyo, nti Mityana tennaba kugoberera bulungi biragiro bya Pulezidenti.
“Mikwano gyange njagala okubasaba, obulamu ky’ekisinga obukulu. Ensonga weeri eyaviiriddeko abaana b’amasomero okuzzibwa awaka, era bizineesi ezimu ne ziggalwawo kw’ossa amasinzizo ne kkooti.”Ssentebe Luzige bw’agambye n’ategeeza nti, “Obulwadde buno butta, tujje eby’obufuzi mu nsonga y’obulwadde buno nkimanyi twetaaga obululu bwammwe naye tetujja kubufuna nga mulwadde oba nga mufudde.”
“Nkimanyi mulina eddembe lyammwe ery’obuntu naye teriyimirirawo nga muli balwadde. N’olwekyo nsabiddwa okubawa okulabulwa kuno, okutuukiriza ebiragiro by’omukulembeze w’eggwanga mu bwangu nga tetunnabatuukako. Ssaabasajja Kabaka awangaale.” Ssentebe wa disitulikiti y’e Mityana bw’agambye.
Bino webiggyidde, ng’omukulembeze w’eggwanga yakoogerako eri bannayuganda omulundi ogw’okusatu mu bbanga lya nnaku nnya zokka, ku by’ekirwadde kya Kolona ekiri mu kulya ensi yonna kumpi kugimalawo.
Okunaaba mu ngalo ne ssabbuuni ly’erimu ku makubo agayambako mu kutta akawuka kano akeefudde mukoko mu ggwanga lya Italy emirambo gyegiyiika buli lunaku ekyaviiriddeko omukulembeze waayo okwogerako eri eggwanga lye ng’attulukusa amaziga olw’ekirwadde okubazimbako akayumba.
Pulezidenti Museveni agambye, ye ekirwadde k’akirwanyise mu ngeri ya kite kiyeekera, kwekuwa ebiragiro bannayuganda byebateekwa okulagira era alagidde ebitongole ebikuumaddembe okulaba nga ebiragiro by’awadde bigobererwa.
THE Archbishop Church of Uganda is featuring in the studios of 93.9fm Namirembe radio, a Church of Uganda owned radio station preaching against Coronavirus.
This is the Words of Hope radio program. The Archbishop is the Chairman Board of Governors Words of Hope Ministries Uganda.
He has said, ” Government has not banned churches, church can be in our homes, rooms. This is how early church behaved. Churches in our houses are very moment. This is a biblical mode. It is not new. This is family oriented, family must meet, worship, encourage, children and their parents. Let husbands take control as the pray togather. Husbands who have been going home very late, it is now your time to go back home early and lead home church. In a home church, every one contributes. This is a challenge.”
This comes after President Museveni suspended usual church prayers to tame Coronavirus Pandemic that is eating up the world killing hundreds.
Show is moderated by senior journalist David Kiwanda.
SSAABASAJJA Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II asiimye okuyimiriza emisinde gy’amazaalibwa ge gi mubunabyaalo egibadde egyokubeerawo omwezi ogujja nga 05/04/2020 ng’entabwe evudde ku kulanda kw’ekirwadde kya Kolona ekyafukamizza ensi yonna!
Wabula Katikkiro ategeezezza nti amakakkalabizo g’Obwakabaka gaggya kugenda mu maaso n’okuweereza abantu.
Bino webiggyidde, nga Pulezidenti Museveni y’akaggala amasomero 5000 n’alagira abayizi abali eyo mu bukadde 15 okudda ewaabwe, amasinzizzo gaggaddwa, ebinywero n’ebifo ebisanyukirwamu byonna ne biwerebwa ssaako enkungana z’ebyobufuzi, embaga n’okuziika okuliko abantu abangi.
Okusinziira ku kiwandiiko ekifulumiziddwa olwaleero ne kissibwako omukono gwa Mukuumaddamula Charles Peter Mayiga (CPM), emikolo gy’Obwakaba gyonna awamu 22 giyimiriziddwa okutuusa ng’embeera eteredde.
EMIKOLO GY’OBWAKABAKA EGIYIMIRIZIDDWA GIIGINO
Okulambula kwa Ssaabasajja e Kakuuto n’e Mutukula nga 19- 20/03/2020
Emizannyo gy’abaana mu Lubiri e Mmengo nga 20/03/2020
Olukiiko lwa Buganda nga 23/03/2020
Okusisinkana ba Ssentebe ba disitulikiti za Buganda nga 24/03/2020
Olukubaganya ebirowoozo ku nsonga z’amazzi n’obutonde bw’ensi e Ntebe nga 24/03/2020
Enkyuukakyuuka mu lutuula lwa kabineeti olwa nga 26/03/2020. Luno lujja kugenda mu maaso naye ku nkola ey’olukomo emanyiddwa nga ‘Teleconference’ oba ‘Zoom conference’ oba okutuula okutuula nga twewadde amabanga ga mita nnamba.
Okutongoza ekitongole ekirabirira ebisolo n’ebinyonyi e Nabweru nga 27/03/2020
Empaka za Volleyball nga 27/03/2020
Embaga y’Omw. Mugwanya Kagombe e Masaka nga 28/03/2020 Katikkiro tajja kugyetabako
Okutongoza kaweefube wa Mwanyi terimba, olunaku lw’ettaka, obwegassi n’obutonde bw’ensi e Busujju nga 31/03/2020
Empaka za Squash nga 02/04/2020
Emisinde gy’amazaalibwa ga Kabaka nga 05/04/2020
Olukiiko lw’abamagombolola n’abaminisita nga 07/04/2020
Olukiiko lwa kabineeti nga nalwo lujja kuba lwa ku lukomo nga 09/04/2020
Mmisa y’amazaalibwa ga Kabaka e Lubaga nga 13/04/2020
THE Justice Forum (JEEMA) political party has today released a press statement on the coronavirus epidemic saying, by directing over 15M students to go back to their respective homes was unnecessary, the President acted in a panic mode!
In a statement signed and read out to journalists at the Party Headquaters in Mengo Kampala, JEEMA President Hon. Asuman Basalirwa said, “We recognize that prevention is better than cure but it is also important not to act in a panic mode. A self-imposed quarantine may have far reaching negative ramifications economically, politically, spiritually and socially hence calling for a delicate balance. Some of the measures proposed by government require further scrutiny.”
“For instance, wouldn’t it be easier to control learners in boarding schools than at home where some parents may not exercise enough restrictions on their children and those in day schools guided on the best behavioral tendencies?” Asked JEEMA President.
Secondly, he asked, “How will government and school administrators account for the 32 days off to the parents that paid fees for a full term or semester?”
“We also believe that the said measures would have been accompanied by appropriate legal instruments and implementation/monitoring mechanisms. There should have been clear sanctions for any eventual breaches and violations of the proposed measures, to create clarity and effectiveness.” Explained Hon. Basalirwa.
He said it’s true a new strain of corona virus, COVID-19 that was initially discovered in the Huabei Province of China has now affected the entire world prompting the World Health Organisation to declare it as a pandemic but the measures given by Uganda government to tame this virus are wanting.
In his address to the country yesterday the 18th of March, 2020, President Museveni outlined several preventive and containment measures including but not limited to closure of all educational institutions and congregational prayers of all denominations for the next 32 days. Hon. Basalirwa dont agree with closing schools saying it was unnecessary.
He says, “Whereas Jeema welcomes the aforementioned measures, there are remarkable gaps that require serious consideration. What are the 32 days’ shutdown intended to achieve since we have no confirmed case of the virus?”
“When China placed a 7-week quarantine on Wuhan, it was intended to slow down the virus and/or minimize/obliterate it completely. They closed entry from all affected countries and discouraged travel to the worst hit areas.” Said JEEMA President asking, “What will happen after the 32 days shutdown in Uganda? Will the quarantine be lifted in case there are no reported cases of the virus or it will continue as a precautionary measure?”
JEEMA FULL STATEMENT ON CORONAVIRUS
Jeema is equally concerned that the President did not address the economic impact of the virus and the measures to address them.
COVID-19 will definitely plunge the country into an economic imbroglio. Already the tourism sector, a leading foreign exchange earner that contributes about 10% to our GDP is suffering drastically.
The country is likely to lose close to 10 trillion this year if the impact persists. How does government plan to support that sector? We propose that government should consider announcing adequate fiscal and monetary interventions to create a stimulus for the economy.
To this regard, we propose that government considers capping and/or lowering interest rates to facilitate borrowing, extend loans and accessible credit facilities to businesses and vital sectors like the tourism, travel and hotel industry, extend tax cuts on sanitary chemicals/products, give tax holidays and exemptions to struggling businesses and entities.
Since hygiene is a key containment aspect, we propose a reduction on water and power tariffs as an interim measure.
Jeema also expected the President to comment on the current status of the health facilities in the country. This financial year, Ug.shs.2.6 trillion was allocated to the health sector. Not only is it insufficient but COVID-19 was not anticipated.
We are also aware that the Contingency fund in the budget has been depleted to cater for the locusts’ invasion and the Bududa landslides. Government needed to give assurance on the financial resources available to deal with COVID-19.
We propose that money be availed from other sectors to avail at a free or subsidized cost face masks and sanitizers to at least the most vulnerable and impecunious communities like the elderly and disabled.
We also propose that government considers training volunteers to handle simple basics.
JEEMA PARTY APPLAUDS SPEAKER KADAGA
They said, “We are aware that President Museveni held a meeting with an American Professor Sarfaraz Niaz, a reknown inventor of pharmaceutical patents but the details of the said meeting were not disclosed in his address.”
SALUTED: Rt. Hon. Kadaga
“We applaud the Speaker of Parliament of Uganda the Rt. Hon.Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga for disclosing to the country the works of Prof. Niazi especially his efforts in making healthcare affordable.” Said Hon. Basalirwa, adding explaining further that, “Rather than denigrating and bashing the Rt.Hon. Rebecca Kadaga for her revelations and good intentions, bodies like the Uganda Medical Association (UMA) should be working towards understanding the scientific works of the said scholar and advising on how best the country could benefit from his vast knowledge and expertise.”
“It is unfair for UMA and some sections of the public to dismiss the Speaker’s statements without verifying the authenticity of the assertion that there is an effective disinfectant against COVID that the country can exploit and that the said professor was its developer. We hope that the said matter will be clarified by UMA and other relevant authorities.” JEMMA statement reads.
On the whole Jeema considers President Museveni’s address on the current situation of COVID-19 as timely but falls short of addressing the salient key economic stimulants and incidental issues as herein above enumerated.
“Nonetheless, we call upon all Ugandans to adhere to the said guidelines and/or regulations for the good of our country and for the wellbeing of everyone.” Said JEEMA Party president
