40 Students Injured In Separate Accidents

At  least 40 students sustained grave injuries in separate accidents that occurred along roads in western Uganda over the weekend.

The first accident in which 10 students of Birere secondary school in Isingiro were injured  occurred at Nyabuziba in Birere Sub-county, Isingiro district, as they were traveling from a football match at Green hill College in Kabarebere Town Council at around 8pm. The students were traveling in a Fuso lorry registration  number  UAQ 340 B which reportedly veered off the road at a slippery point and rolled several times. The injured were rushed to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital where they are undergoing medical attention.

The second accident in which 30 students of Immaculate Heart Girls Secondary School sustained injuries occurred along the Ntungamo-Rukungiri road, when a bus number UAZ 139P they were traveling on failed to negotiate a sharp corner, swerved off the road and overturned.

Boaz Bagarukayo, an eyewitness, says that the bus which was initially over-speeding, was seen rolling several times.The incident occurred on Saturday at around 5pm at Rwenkurijo in Buyanja Sub County Rukungiri District.

Irene Nanangwe, the Rukungiri Officer in-charge of Traffic confirmed and said that  the injured students were rushed to Nyakibaare Hospital for treatment while the driver is still on the run.

TZ Musician Ordered To ‘Improve’ Song Critical Of Magufuli

Tanzania’s Information Minister Harrison Mwakyembe has ordered the rapper Ney wa Mitego to be released.

He was detained on Sunday for releasing a song deemed insulting to the government.

The song emerged last week and has been widely shared on social media.

One line in it asks: “Is there still freedom of expression in the country?” and refers to a “doctor” who can’t tolerate criticism.

A tweet from the account of the spokesperson for the government says that the rapper should now “improve” the song.

The tweet says in Swahili: “Information Minister Dr Harrison Mwakyembe orders rapper Nay wa Mitego to be released but go and improve his song.”

See more; http://www.redpepper.co.ug/musician-arrested-for-abusing-tz-president/

Two Girls Stopped From Boarding Flight for Wearing Leggings

On Sunday, two girls were stopped from boarding a United Airlines flight simply because they were wearing leggings.

The incident happened on a flight from Denver to Minneapolis.

United Airlines said the girls were travelling on a special pass, for employees and their guests, which has a dress code.

It has since clarified that all regular, paying customers are welcome to wear leggings.

The girls were “United pass travelers”, which are tickets for company employees or eligible dependents, it explained in a twitter exchange on the issue

“United pass travelers” are eligible for free or heavily discounted air travel.

The dress code for pass-holders states they should not wear “form-fitting lycra/spandex tops, pants and dresses”, among various other stipulations, including no exposed midriffs, no miniskirts and no flip-flops.

Activist Shannon Watts tweeted about what happened to five girls when they tried to board a flight at Denver airport.

She said a United gate agent was “forcing” the girls, one of them aged 10, to change their clothes or wear dresses over the leggings.

She said three of the girls were allowed to fly after putting dresses over the top of their clothing, but two were prevented from boarding.

Bebe Cool, Son Clash Over Sugar Mama

Self-styled Big Size singer Bebe Cool will not like this at all. Info from Gagamel corridors is that Bebe Cool and his son Allan Hendricks Ssali are clashing over the latter’s lover.

It should be noted last year Allan was reported to be in a romantic relationship with Jackie Kateme, a singer attached to Gagamel Phamily.

However, what is disturbing the ‘Kabulengane’ hit maker is the fact that sexy light-skinned Jackie is seven years older than Allan.

It is alleged that Bebe Cool is against his son dating a woman almost a decade older than him and who can easily pass for a sugar mama. As a result, word is that Allan has been warned off Jackie by his father, although he appears to be head-over-heels in love with her.

This has caused friction between the two. Allan and Jackie have been together for close to a year although secretly, until a few months back when they made their romance public.

Recently, they were spotted together at Kireka based New Victoria Bar during the All-white party. However, Allan did not want to be snapped with Jackie. In fact at some point, he hid behind her back to avoid being snapped with her but our ever alert Snoops snapped them seated together.

Gorgeous Kakuru Gives Birth

Bubbly Tracy Kakuru, the Brand Executive at Crown Beverages Limited (CBL) is over the moon with joy after finally giving birth to her firstborn last week.

Kakuru and her hubby Denis Otatiina, a city lawyer, welcomed their first child on Thursday but waited until Saturday afternoon to show off their newborn. The super excited pair has since revealed that the baby has been named Mali.

Close pals to Tracy and Denis intimate to this Red Pepper Online that the couple is on cloud nine after becoming first time parents. It should be noted that months before Kakuru pushed, she was reported to be excited by the prospect of becoming a mother.

Kakuru was one of the most-lusted after babes in Kampala until Otatiina, a Senior Associate at Kampala Associated Advocates, took her for keeps.

The loved-up pair exchanged vows at All Saints Cathedral-Nakasero before hosting guests to a banquet at Speke Resort Munyonyo. They later went to Singapore for their honeymoon where they enjoyed themselves tubeless without fear or favour.

Cindy Flaunts Curves

Local dancehall star Cindy Sanyu knows how endowed she is and is not afraid to flaunt it to the entire world.

Over the weekend, the former Blu3 songstress caused massive scrotal eruptions for her male fans when she posted a groin temperature-raising picture on social media.

The ‘Run This Town’ singer posted a sexy picture of herself flaunting curves and thighs on Instagram. In the picture, Cindy is seen wearing a one piece black swim suit sitting relaxing by the poolside.

In another shot, Cindy is seen standing showing off her assets without minding who was watching.

Minutes after the post, Cindy’s wall was flooded by her male fans heaping praise on her delicious figure.

Hilderman Ex-Manager Smitten With Essien

Singer Hilderman’s former manager Yvone Nasinguza will forever remember last weekend, because it was the day she met football superstar

Michael Essien. The sexy light-skinned babe was so star-struck upon meeting the ex-Chelsea and Ghana international that she begged him for photo opportunities.

Nasinguza met Essien in Dubai where she is currently working. After taking the picture, Nasinguza rushed to Facebook to show her friends and followers how she was rubbing shoulders with the Premier League winner. Going by her ear to ear smile, Nasinguza was evidently smitten by the soccer star.

Nasinguza used to manage Hilderman before she relocated to Dubai for greener pastures. The two fell out bitterly after the singer thumped her to near death over sex.

 Socialite Lubega In Boob-Show

She is known for being one of the carefree socialites who will do just anything for attention or remain relevant on the social scene.

Gorgeous socialite Millicent Lubega almost broke the internet on Sunday evening when she posted a teasing picture of her boobs on full display behind a transparent black blouse on Instagram.

Judging from the background, the picture appears to have been taken from a fancy hotel bathroom.

Tanzania Rapper Nay wa Mitego Released from Custody

Tanzanian rapper Nay wa Mitego has now been freed from police detention after being arrested over the lyrics of his latest song.

Photos show him being greeted outside a police station in the main city, Dar es Salaam.

The song emerged last week and has been widely shared on social media.

One line in it asks: “Is there still freedom of expression in the country?” and refers to a “doctor” who can’t tolerate criticism.

Earlier, Information Minister Harrison Mwakyembe said he should be freed but the song could be improved.

He later clarified that President John Magufuli loved the song and said that more verses could be added condemning corruption and tax evasion

Ugandans Optimistic to Dominate Africa Junior Swimming Championships

By Emmanuel Sekago

As sixteen Africa countries get ready for the Africa junior swimming championship, Ugandans are very confident that will win the most medals from the competition.

The competition is to start tomorrow, 28-31st March 2017, in Egypt.

The participating countries will include; Algeria, Angola, Benin, Egypt, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal, Seychelles, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.

The following are swimmers representing Uganda.

Jessy Sengonzi

Fadil Hassan

Nabil Hassan

Atuhaire Ambala

Selina Katumba

Team Uganda officials

Moses Mwase Chef de mission / team manager

Robert Sengozi (coach)

Patricia Hassan (chaperone)

Lindsay ( coach)

Cana officials

Peter Mugisha

Donald Rukare

Female Genital Mutilation Rates Soar-UN

Alain Sibenaler, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) representative to Uganda, has observed that the lack of safety Centres has worsened the problem of Female Genital Mutilation in Uganda.

Although FGM was declared illegal by an Act of parliament, the practice, which involves mutilating the female genitalia for cultural, remains practiced amongst the Pokot, Sabiny and Tepeth tribes in districts of Kapchorwa, Kween, Amudat and Bukwo, among others in eastern Uganda.
The Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga also expressed dismay at the absence of Safety Centres in Amudat district where girls can seek refuge from Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Kadaga, who was interacting with Sibenaler, said that Uganda needs to protect girls from such life-threatening practices adding that while the country has registered some success in Kapchorwa and Kween, there is more work to be done in the districts of Bukwo and Amudat.
Between 2012 and 2013, close to 1000 girls are reported to have sought refuge in schools, designated as ‘Safety Centres in the six districts where the practice is rampant.

Al-Shabab denies Kenya killed 31 of its Fighters

Al-Shabab has denied reports that its base in Badhade, southern Somalia, was attacked by Kenyan soldiers.

Earlier, Kenya’s government said that its soldiers killed 31 al-Shabab fighters and seized a number of weapons including improvised explosive devices

According to a government press release, the Kenyan army seized 11 AK-47 riffles, four improvised explosives, communication equipment, food and military uniforms.

The commissioner for the Badhade region told the BBC Somali service that an attack had taken place but could not confirm casualties.

Kenyan soldiers are part of the African Union force supporting the Somali government.

Kenya first deployed soldiers in Somalia in October 2011 in Operation Linda Nchi before they were absorbed into the United Nations-backed African Union Mission in Somalia the following year.

Uganda Rugby Squad For World Series Unveiled

The Uganda 7s coach, Tolbert Onyango has today announced the team that will represent the country at the 2017 HSBC World Series in Hongkong.

Hong Kong will play host to four days of action from 6-9 April as the men’s tournament and two qualifiers are played out at the Hong Kong Stadium and So Kon Po.

Team

Ramathan Govule

Phillip Wokorach

Marvin Odongo

Eric Kasita

Fred Odur

Timothy Kisiga

Lawrence Sebuliba

Pius Ogena

Michael Wokorach

Adrian Kasito

Byron Oketayot

Solomon Okia

Police Set To Defend The Inter-Force Championships

By Emmanuel Sekago

The Uganda Police Force has vowed to win this year’s edition of inter-force championships.

This year’s edition, 13^th will be hosted in Masindi from 10^th to 15^th April 2017.

All the Uganda forces namely; Uganda Wildlife Authority, Uganda Peoples Defense Force, Uganda Prisons Services, and Host Uganda Police Force will field their teams in different disciplines.

These forces will compete in games namely; Shooting at Kiigo, Athletics at Namboole and other games will all be played in Masindi which include; Football, Netball, Handball both men and women, Darts men and women, Basketball and Taekwondo among others.

After Police taking the previous trophies for keeps, the organizing committee has purchased new trophies to be competed for during the championship and the tournament will be graced by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Gen Jeje Odongo.

Mumbere, Wife Celebrate BD With Romance

The Omusinga Wa Rwenzururu Charles Wesley Mumbere  Irema Ngoma I yesterday celebrated his wife’s birthday in romantic style.

According to our Snoops, Mumbere and his wife Nyabaghole Agnes Ithungu enjoyed a very romantic moment at his residence in Muyenga last evening during a private birthday bash he organized for her, although they opted to keep her age a top secret, since she is a queen.

Mumbere, who is facing charges of murder and terrorism at the Jinja High Court after   being arrested last year following the Rwenzori clashes, was in a very jovial mood as he celebrated his queen’s life on earth.

He crowned the evening by feeding her on cake in the presence of their children and a few invited guests.

Though he has sanctions slapped on him by the state, this could not stop him from showing the love of his life that he is the happiest man ever.

This however comes at a time when several Mumbere guards are languishing at Nalufeenya Police and other detention centres around the country, after being arrested with him last year when the police and UPDF bombarded his palace during an operation that left several civilians, including children and women dead.

Egypt’s Demands to Take Full Control of River Nile Rejected

The Nile Council of Ministers, the supreme policy Organ of the Nile Basin Initiative has rejected the Egyptian government’s demands to take full control of river Nile.

During an extraordinary meeting chaired by the Ugandan Minister for water Sam Cheptoris at Entebbe, 7 member countries which attended the Meeting unanimously rejected Egypt’s selfish demands.

Cheptoris said the Egyptian government has been given time to go back and consult and come up with its position regarding the decision that has been taken by the council of ministers.

“The council of minister’s have rejected the demands, we have told our Egyptian counterparts to go back and rethink their demands then give us their take,” Cheptoris said.

The Egyptian participation in the council had been frozen since 2010; because it was opposed to the decision of the council which denied taking full control of the Nile.

Machar Rebels Capture County Headquarters in S.Sudan

South Sudanese rebels loyal to former former Vice President Riek Machar have claimed that they captured Kajo-Keji county headquarters in Yei River state after clashes with government troops, local media reports.

The incident, a rebel spokesperson said in a statement, occurred in Kuku villages in and around Kajo-Keji and on the Juba-Kajo-Keji road.

“The purpose of the attacks was to loot, destroy and erase these villages,” Col. William Gatjiath Deng.

The rebel official claimed their forces killed 14 government soldiers, captured 27 newly acquired AKM-47 and 5 PKM in good condition.

However, the rebel’s deputy military spokesman, Lam Paul Gabriel said their position along the Juba-Kajo-keji road came under attack by government forces on Monday morning, but they were repulsed.

“The headquarters is under our control. After they attacked us, we repulsed the attack, and during the fighting we reached the county headquarters,” Lam said in a separate statement.

He claimed four soldiers were killed and nine others captured during the clashes, adding that they also released 12 civilians who were detained by government soldiers at the county headquarters.

@Sudan Tribune

Ending WhatsApp Encryption Risks Users’ Lives – Activists

Privacy advocates have criticized U.K. Home Secretary Amber Rudd after she called for security services to be able to access encrypted messaging services like WhatsApp in order to fight terrorism.

Rudd said there must be “No place for terrorists to hide,” following Wednesday’s attack in London that left four people dead. Police believe the perpetrator had accessed WhatsApp two minutes before carrying out the attack.

“We need to make sure that organizations like WhatsApp, and there are plenty of others like that, don’t provide a secret place for terrorists to communicate with each other,” Rudd said on BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show on Sunday.

However, WhatsApp said in a statement that it was ‘horrified’ by the attack and is cooperating with law enforcement as they continue their investigations. The Facebook-owned messaging platform, which has more than 1 billion users worldwide, introduced end-to-end encryption last year to protect people from ‘cybercriminals,’ hackers, and “oppressive regimes. Many at the time praised WhatsApp’s decision to enable encryption. Jacob Ginsberg, a senior director at encryption firm Echoworx, told the press that it was a “great leap” forward.

But while responding to Rudd’s statement, privacy advocates and online safety groups argue that that it would be dangerous to create security loopholes that would allow intelligence services to bypass encrypted services.

“It is right that technology companies should help the police and intelligence agencies with investigations into specific crimes or terrorist activity, where possible,” says Jim Killock, executive director of Open Rights Group. “However, compelling companies to put backdoors into encrypted services would make millions of ordinary people less secure online. We all rely on encryption to protect our ability to communicate, shop and bank safely.”

Min. Nadduli, District Boss Clash over Juju Ban

The Minister without Portfolio Hajji Abdul Nadduli has clashed with the Luwero district LC5 chairperson Ronald Ndawula, over the ban of witchcraft in the district.

Recently, Luweero District Security Committee banned gatherings convened to exorcise or drive out demons from people and removing fetishes from villages, citing extortion by witchdoctors.

But Ndawula explained that in many cases people believe they suffer from evil spirits yet they have diseases that can be treated medically. Following the ban, the Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale Kayihura ordered Police officers to stop escorting witchdoctors to conduct exorcism, saying witchcraft is illegal in Uganda.

He directed the arrest of any officer found escorting witchdoctors to conduct exorcism.

Nadduli says the ban contravenes the right to worship, as per the Constitution of Uganda. According to Nadduli, the gatherings of exorcism help to restore peace and save people from deaths plotted by evil doers in society through witchcraft.

He argues that Ndawula should have proposed how to regulate the activities of the witchdoctors instead of banning such gatherings. Nadduli reveals that he has received a petition from the witchdoctors challenging the ban and forwarded it to Museveni.

In his defense, Ndawula explains that he isn’t opposed to traditional worship, but that witchdoctors use gatherings to extort money from members of the public.

Finance Ministry Officers Netted Over Bribery

Two officials of the ministry of Finance and Economic Planning were today arrested over allegations of bribery.

In a statement issued this afternoon, the Finance Ministry Spokesperson, Jim Mugunga, says the officers were picked up in a Police operation at the Ministry headquarters this morning in relation to an ongoing investigation.

He however declined mentioning the names of the suspects, noting that it would jeopardize investigations.