JUBA, JULY 3, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – A South Sudan opposition commander of the main armed opposition SPLA-IO Kitgwang faction led by General Simon Gatwech Dual has turned down an appointment as zonal commander.
Gen. Gatwech today appointed Gen. Kerbino Ter Majak as the commander of the SPLA-IO zone in Unity State.
But in a statement, Ter said he was shocked to learn of the appointment, saying that Gatwech has no power to make appointments because he was dismissed by the SPLA-IO KD military command council last week.
“This afternoon, 3 July 2023, I was shocked to learn of my appointment as Commander of the Petroleum (Bentiu) Zonal Command by former chairman and commander in chief of the SPLM/SPLA (IO) KD 1st Lt. Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual,” he said.
“I am hereby informing the public of my rejection of the appointment. This is because 1st Lt. Gen. Simon Gatwech was on June 28 removed as chair and C-in-C of SPLM/SPLA (IO) KD by the SPLM/A IO Military Command Council (MCC).
“Therefore, Gen. Gatwech has no power to make appointments, including the one for myself,” he added.
He called on Gatwech “to respect the resolutions of the MCC and to cease all attempts to undermine the authority of the MCC” and said he remains “committed to the SPLM/SPLA (IO) KD and to the cause of peace and democracy in South Sudan.”
He further called on “all members of the movement to unite behind the MCC and to work together to achieve our common goals.”
Last week, Gatwech dismissed his chief of staff General Laraka Machar, accusing him of collaborating with President Salva Kiir, General Paul Malong Awan and First Vice President Riek Machar of the SPLM-IO mainstream.
Laraka went on to response by saying that a meeting of the SPLA-IO Kitgwang military command council resolved to withdraw confidence from General Gatwech because of biased decisions and expelled him from the movement. - Sudans Post
President William Ruto poses for a photo with 50 CASs at State House on March 23, 2023. PCS
The High Court on Monday, July 3, ruled that President William Ruto’s appointment of 50 Chief Administrative Secretaries was unconstitutional.
The ruling was made by a three-judge bench including Justices Kanyi Kimondo, Hedwing Ong’udi and Visram Alnashir.
The three-judge bench further ruled that whereas there was public participation before the appointment of CASs, it was only limited to 23 CASs and not 50 as appointed by President William Ruto.
"For the avoidance of doubt, the entire complement of 50 CASs is therefore unconstitutional," added Justice Kimondo
The High Court further faulted President William Ruto's administration for not subjecting the CASs upon selection by Public Service Commission (PSC) to vetting by the National Assembly.
"CASs are for all purposes assistant Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries are relegated to reporting to CASs and CSs," the High Court ruled on the need for vetting in the National Assembly adding that the CASs were supposed to earn more than PSs.
The three-judge bench in their ruling also questioned the wisdom of having 50 assistants to CSs when the Kenyan Constitution limited the maximum number of CSs to 22.
"We do not think it was the intention of framers of our Constitution to have 50 CASs deputising 22 CASs," the High Court ruled.
While it was established that the position of CAS was advertised as required by law, PSC was faulted for not indicating the number of vacancies.
On Friday, March 24, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and Katiba Institute sued President William Ruto and the Public Service Commission (PSC) for contravening the constitution.
The two bodies argued that by appointing 50 CASs, President Ruto violated Article 10 of the Constitution which provided for the creation of 23 positions.
Pending the determination of the case, High Court Lady Justice Hedwig Ong'udi barred the CASs from earning a salary, remuneration, and any benefit. By Kioko Nyamasyo, Kenyans.co.ke
Image Credits: Priscilla Muhiu, formerly of Glovo Kenya is the new MyDawa Kenya CEO. / MyDawa
Kenyan e-health startup MyDawa has raised $20 million funding from private equity investor Alta Semper Capital, to expand its regional reach and product offerings with the aim of becoming an all-in-one health platform for users.
MyDawa, which launched in 2016, has diversified from an e-pharmacy to include online and in-person consultations, and laboratory services at its expanding network of walk-in pharmacies and health centres.
It has also launched its own branded products, and plans to open up its technology infrastructure from telehealth to fulfillment, helping other businesses in the health sector to scale. It claims to have already inked deals with some of Kenya’s biggest clinic chains, which are looking to expand their reach.
Additionally, MyDawa has also acquired Uganda’s Guardian Health, one of the many acquisitions and collaborations it aims to make as it expands beyond Kenya. The growth plans will be steered by new CEO Priscilla Muhiu, formerly of Glovo Kenya.
Commenting on the funding and newest acquisition, MyDawa co-founder Neil O’Leary said: “Alta Semper’s ambition exactly matches that of MyDawa, and it brings the drive, connections and clout to succeed. Three years ago, AAIC, a Japanese backed African healthcare fund joined as our first external investor and now the team has been augmented in the strongest manner possible.”
“MyDawa now has both a solid secure base and a great expansion opportunity based on a great offering which improves health outcomes. Guardian is a great first step on fulfilling our ambition,” said O’Leary.
MyDawa raised $3 million from AAIC’s Africa Healthcare Fund in 2019, and has also received $1.2 million grant funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS by increasing access to PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) medication.
Alta Semper CEO, Afsane Jetha, said the investment marked the PE firm’s first entry into digital healthcare in Africa, regarded as one of the sectors with the potential for great growth in the coming years.
“MyDawa was the logical choice for us as their groundbreaking technology, underpinning a scalable business model, along with regulatory knowhow and market entry experience, mapped so well to our own strategy. The drive to increase the access to good advice and safe and affordable medication is core to our overall mission of democratizing access to health and wellbeing across the African continent,” said Jetha.
“With consumer spending in Africa projected to reach $2.1 trillion by 2025, this represents one of the continent’s largest business opportunities. Therefore, the investment into MyDawa is part of our strategic aim at meeting this growing demand by investing in locally produced and value-priced consumer goods and services.” TechCrunch
General Ter Majak Thach, newly appointed SPLA-IO KD Zonal Commander for Unity State. [Photo via Bentiu TV]
JUBA, JULY 3, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – The leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/SPLA-IO) Kitgwang faction General Simon Gatwech Dual on Monday named a new zonal commander for his forces in Unity State.
In an order extended to Sudans Post, General Gatwech who removed his chief of staff just last week named Lt. Gen. Ter Majak Thach as commander of the SPLA-IO Kitgwang Petroleum (Bentiu) Zonal Command with an immediate effect.
“Pursuant on the power conferred upon me under Section 13 (1) (2), Section 14 (5) of SPLA Act 2009 amended SPLA 10 KD Act 2022 and Reference to SPLA IO KD Command Council Consultative meeting dated 26/06/2023, 1st Lt. Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual, Chairman and Commander in Chief of SPLM/A IO KD Do here by appoint 2nd Lt. Gen Kerbino Ter Majak Thach as SPLA IO KD Petroleum (Bentiu) Zonal Commander with effect from 03 July 2023,” Gatwech said.
This comes a day after General Gatwech named a new chief of staff after he dismissed the SPLA-IO chief of staff Laraka Machar Turoal, a former deputy governor for the defunct Northern Liech State, over allegations of cooperating with enemies.
On Saturday, Gatwech appointed Lt. Gen. James Riek Ruai as the new chief of staff for the opposition group and named Lt. Gen. Paulino Gattek Deah – in another order on Saturday as well – as the SPLA-IO Kitgwang deputy chief of staff for operations. Sudans Post
Kampala, Uganda - Despite the recent attack on UPDF forces in Somalia and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) offensive in Kasese, President Museveni has assured Ugandans that the country is still safe and secure.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), said this while passing out 9,690 local defense personnel on June 30,2023 at Kaweweta Recruit Training School in central Uganda.
"When we make a few mistakes, like those that occurred in Somalia and Kasese, people who are unfamiliar with war begin to run around in panic, but I can assure you that Uganda's security is absolutely secure. I was speaking with commanders here about several errors that were made in Somalia. There are still some intelligence gaps in Kasese, but they are all easily resolved. That region of the country has been tranquil for a long time, and the people there are pretty relaxed,” The President warned that anyone who upsets us will pay a very high price.
At the event, where 9,690 LDUs from Kaweweta Recruit Training School in Nakaseke, Labwordwong Training School in Agago, and Olilim Training School in Karamoja were recruited, the President also mentioned that educated people can make good soldiers and cadres who learn quickly because modern warfare has a lot of "science."
"When you hear about how well-performing some forces, like the Israeli army, are, it's because their members are educated. In the 1960s, educated individuals would engage in armed conflict with peasants from other nations, and due to technology and quick learning, they were unable to handle. Only occasionally do the educated grow arrogant and despise manual labor, but otherwise, educated individuals can become excellent troops and excellent cadres in other fields,” the President added.
The President was pleased to learn that 5,000 of the more than 9,000 recruits have education credentials equivalent to or more than an A' level. And of those, 700 have bachelor's degrees, while five have master's degrees.
"With this degree of education, it is simple to pick things up because science plays a big part in modern combat, and educated individuals can prepare extremely quickly. The individuals to whom rewards were given here are all educated. The other girls are midwives, and you know how cautious midwives are. One of the girls who won this honor had a degree in civil engineering. You won't survive if a midwife shoots you, he said.
"I'm thus extremely glad since this is great for the army and for the nation. Only 37 of these recruits completed Primary Seven, the speaker continued.
Gen. Museveni also expressed his gratitude to the graduates for finishing their program successfully. He sternly advised them to maintain discipline, maintain professionalism in the army, and take good care of their health by abstaining from risky behavior.
On the other hand, Gen. Museveni voiced concern, however, about the Katugo Marram Road in Nakaseke, which lacks drainage channels. Before dealing with them, he instructed the accountable parties to resolve the situation as quickly as feasible.
"Are they building a swimming pool or a road? Because if you build a road without drainage channels, your road will turn into a swimming pool when it rains. I'll have to deal with the person responsible if I return the next time," he warned.
Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), stated that the addition of these additional soldiers fits in perfectly with the UPDF's mission to create a modern, professional, effective, and efficient force that is capable of safeguarding Uganda.
"Therefore, Your Excellency, we thank you for your customary leadership and for creating a formidable force. Today, we have incorporated all of your observations made during the demonstrations, particularly those pertaining to the fundamentals of training. In order to increase soldiers' ability to recognize and use cover, their marksmanship, and their sense of teamwork, we will keep reviewing our basic training curriculum, General Mbadi added.
"Your Excellency, despite our limited financial resources, we will keep improving the UPDF's capabilities, capacity development, logistical support, welfare, and infrastructure development without neglecting all other collective solutions to solving our force's welfare issues like Education, medical care, the Defense Forces shop, WASACCO, and others," the UPDF said.
The recruits have been in training for 47 weeks, according to Brig. Gen. Bonny Wolimbwa, the training school's commandant, and they are now fully prepared to serve in the UPDF.
Brig Gen Wolimbwa continued, "Let me take this opportunity to thank the Ministry of Defence, the Army Leadership, and all other stakeholders for the support that they have offered that have helped us to reach this day successfully.
"This is the day for the recruits. You have already demonstrated via your performances that you have gained the necessary abilities to perform in your respective units. As you leave this building, I implore you to act as good ambassadors and cooperate with one another because that is how you will succeed, he continued.
The top pupils received recognition for their remarkable achievement during the same event. The best overall student was Wampagana Moses Wasike, followed by Chelangat Bashir and Agabirwe Natasha as top performers in their respective fields. The best students in terms of leadership, range, and discipline were Kongai Rachel, Nechemet Annet, and Chebet Mercy Faith. Under Museveni, Uganda has had relative political stability and economic prosperity, but there have also been serious shortfalls in democracy, governance, and human rights. In addition to the rapid population growth, Uganda also suffers infrastructure and power shortages.
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