KAMPALA – Capping an eventful week, Parliament passed the 2019/2020 National Budget, which several economic analysts have since described as a ‘bloodsucker’ financial plan.
Budget criticized:
Mr. Mwangushya Ndebesa, an economics professor at Makerere University noted that the UGX 40.5trillion budget will see some Ugandans fail to pay school fees for their children while others will have to park or sell their cars over expected shoot up in prices of key commodities including fuel.
In the UGX40.5 trillion financial plans, the Ministry of Works and security are the most funded with each taking up to UGX6.4 trillion and UGX3.6 trillion of the share respectively.
The huge share by security has since received social media backlash with netizens accusing government of plans to stifle opposition ahead of 2021 polls.
Chief Whip Nankabirwa’s bad week:
Before passing the budget, Deputy Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah, took a swipe at Government Chief Whip, Ruth Nankabirwa, for delays that caused the House to pass the budget without debating it.
It went down on record that Parliament passed the 2019/2020 National Budget without debating it.
Mr. Oulanyah said the House had difficulties in considering “this Budget…we all know ministerial policy statements were not submitted one month after the deadline.”
He ordered Ms Nankabirwa to apologise for the embarrassment.
Several other MPs including Muwanga Kivumbi for Butambala constituency who was holding brief for the Leader of the Opposition blasted Ms Nankabirwa over incompetence and submission of forged documents.
“It is the first budget that was passed without debate…members who had ideas to contribute did not contribute,” said Mr. Kivumbi.
Rwanda rebel leader names Burundi, Uganda:
Also in the same week, diplomatic relations between Uganda and Rwanda continued to sour after self-styled Rwandan rebel leader Callixte Nsabimana alias Maj. Sankara, while appearing before a Rwandan Court pleaded guilty to the 16 charges terrorism he stands accused of.
Maj. Sankara in a shocking court testimony named Uganda’s Chief of Military Intelligence Brig-Gen. Abel Kandiho and Burundi military officials as backers of numerous attacks on President Paul Kagame’s regime including the famous Nyungwe Forest attack that saw government forces hit hard.
He also alleged that Ugandan intelligence supported rebel outfit National Liberation Force (FLN)’s attacks in and around Nyungwe National Park. The group last year launched sporadic attacks on Rwanda, killing nine people and leaving scores injured.
Maj. Sankara’s allegations cannot be independently verified as the matter is before court in Kigali.
Relations between Rwanda and Uganda have soured in recent past in the wake of a raft of grievances against the Kampala establishment, including alleged persecution and illegal arrest, torture and irregular deportation of Rwandans.
Fresh Kid lands Kampala Parents scholarship:
Away from the bickering, this week also saw, Patrick Senyonjo alias Fresh Kid unveiled to study at Kampala Parents School, one of Uganda’s top educational facilities.
The budding rapper was oriented at the school premises in Naguru after an MOU with parents, management and the Ruparelia Foundation who offered him a full scholarship till primary seven.
Bobi wine touches risky subject – the security forces:
Meanwhile, Robert Kyagulanyi, the Kyadondo East MP popularly known by his stage name – Bobi Wine, put Parliament on notice revealing plans table a motion seeking for improvement of the welfare of the army and Police officers in the country.
He argued that the continued meagre pay has left the security forces disgruntled.
The musician turned politician told parliament that having interacted with many of security officers, he has realized that these work under unfavourable conditions and are underpaid among other challenges concluding that it’s because of this that these harshly treat Ugandans.
The army leadership has since denied reports of underpayment, claiming they are Pan – Africanists, serving with the spirit of patriotism.
Bobi Wine had earlier hit out at long-serving leader President Museveni, accusing him of presiding over impunity, bad leadership, lawlessness and blatant corruption.
He showed dissatisfaction with the opposition leaders dialoguing with President Museveni under the Inter-Party Organization for Dialogue (IPOD) saying it is a complete joke.
Bobi Wine claimed that Mr. Museveni, he intends to challenge in the next polls has a lot of blood of his own citizens on his hands, making him unfit to share the same platform with the innocent opposition leaders. Meanwhile, Bobi Wine did not turn up in court for mention of his case as earlier ordered. The budding opposition figure is accused of conniving with 4 other people to disobey statutory duties. The magistrate set July 10, 2019, as the trial date.
Court issues garnishee order against BoU, dfcu Bank accounts:
In business, the High Court in Kampala issued an order to attach accounts of Bank of Uganda and dfcu Bank accounts to recover UGX98 million arising out of a court award to a former Crane Bank employee who successfully sued the two, for unlawful deductions to his account.
Justice David Wangutusi ordered dfcu Bank to pay Mr Shakil Pathan Ismail UGX62 million compensation, general damages of UGX20 million and costs of the suit, plus an interest rate of 21 percent of the total sum from April 2016.
Now this week, High Court deputy registrar Flavia Nabakooza commanded both Bank of Uganda and dfcu Bank to appear before court on June 4, and show cause why their accounts should not be attached.
UK’s Theresa May final quits:
Crowning an eventful week, United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May announced she will step down as Conservative Party leader on 7 June this year. Ms. broke down in tears as she said serving as prime minister was “the honour of my life.” May was under pressure to quit after a backlash from her own MPs against her Brexit plan. UK Parliament has rejected her withdrawal agreement three times
Sports: Kitende crowned Coca Cola champions:
In sports, St. Mary’s Kitende defeated Jinja SS 3-1 in the 2019 Copa Coca Cola Championships final played at Kakindu Stadium early this week. Lawrence Tezikya scored the opening goal of the contest for the home side before three second-half goals by Kitende sealed the 9th championship for the Wakiso based giants.
Umar Kyebatala, Najib Yiga and Richard Basangwa scored the goals for Kitende.
This year’s two-week tournament which was hosted in Jinja attracted 59 schools from across the country.
