Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula and ICT CS Eliud Owalo during the opening of free government wifi at Magunga market. [James Omoro, Standard]
Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga’s announcement stopping demonstrations has been welcomed by politicians across the political divide.
Several politicians in both Azimio and Kenya Kwanza camps on Sunday said the calls to stop demos will play a major role in uniting the country.
Lrd by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo, Suba South MP Caroli Omondi and former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero the politicians said giving dialogue a chanc is the best way to solving political issues.
On Saturday, Raila said he will not tell Kenyans to demonstrate in streets but to call on them to boycott going to work if talks between the opposition and the government fail
And speaking at Tonga Catholic Church during a fundraiser, Wetang’ula said, “I want to hail Raila for saying he will not engage Kenyans into demonstrations. It is worth noting that putting on sufuria on the head does not reduce the cost of living. The remedy is engaging in serious crop production to enhance food security.”
Wetangula said a time has come for all politicians to ensure that Kenyans live in harmony.
“What we want is the harmonious co-existence of Kenyans. Let us live in unity because Kenya is one nation that focuses on conversations,” Wetang’ula said.
His sentiments were echoed by Owalo who said Kenyans must also understand that politics of rhetoric had already been overtaken by events.
He said everyone’s focus should be on how to improve the economy.
“Politics is already overtaken by events. This is the time we are focusing on economy. Anybody who wants to engage us in politics should tell us politics of economy but not any other,” Owalo said.
He said the Kenya Kwanza government is committed to serving all Kenyans through implementation of various development projects.
The CS said his docket is establishing wifi connectivity in markets and digital laboratories in each ward.
“Earlier today we opened a wifi in Magunga market but we are going to enhance accessibility of the internet through the digital laboratories,” Owalo said.
He said the government is also going to construct Lake Victoria ring road and other development projects for enhancing blue economy in Nyanza region.
“I urge the people of Nyanza to create enabling environment for working with the government. This is the only government that is ready to serve the people of Nyanza even though residents did not vote President William Ruto overwhelmingly. Let us utilise this government to transform our lives,” Owalo said.
Omondi told leaders who are trying to scuttle the bipartisan talks to stop doing so.
“We need conversations for prevalence of peace in our country. The ongoing talks should go on successfully to unite Kenyans,” he said.
He argued that his constituency had lagged behind by being the only constituency without a tarmacked road and wifi.
“The people of Suba South told me to work with the government even though I was elected on an ODM ticket. Let everybody support the government to enable us realise development in Nyanza region,” Omondi said.
Kidero said no leader should be victimized for working with the government.
“We are working with the government and we will continue doing so whether they like it not,” Kidero said. By James Omoro, The Standard
The High Court is to rule on whether it is illegal to fine motorists using CCTV evidence.
Transport for London is seeking a judicial review to try to establish whether it has broken the law by issuing fines through the post using CCTV evidence.
A judgment by London Tribunals, which hears appeals against penalty charge notice (PCN) fines, ruled that analysis of legislation and ministerial guidance showed CCTV fines should be a last resort and only used when traffic wardens were unable to enforce road rules.
The laws attempting to limit the use of CCTV were introduced nearly 10 years ago after ministers became increasingly concerned about “overzealous enforcement by local authorities”.
Now, Transport for London (TfL) has lodged an application seeking a judicial review to try to overturn the appeal ruling.
An order issued by Mrs Justice Foster to the High Court in London said “there is an urgent issue of statutory interpretation requiring decision concerning the penalty enforcement mechanism on red route parking bays in London”.
The move comes after Ernst & Young, TfL’s official auditors, received a letter claiming the transport authority’s accounts needed to be reviewed because they included money raised from fines that had been found “contrary to law”.
The test case is expected to be used to overturn numerous fines issued by CCTV.
Derek Dishman, who helps people challenge fines, wrote to Ernst & Young claiming TfL may have to pay back some of the fines it had issued following the London Tribunals ruling.
Mr Dishman, from north-west London, said the ruling that found using traffic wardens allowed motorists to contemporaneously challenge a fine was a “fairer, more human system” than a CCTV fine arriving weeks later in the post.
“What TfL is doing, by relying on cameras, is using the most cost-efficient system at the expense of trouble for motorists, especially blue badge holders whose badge cannot be seen if the camera points at the rear of the vehicle where it cannot possibly read the details of a blue badge at distance.
“Big Brother has gone far enough in the world of PCNs.
A TfL spokeswoman said the organisation’s accounts “will be reviewed after the resolution of the High Court application”.
She added: “We believe we have been applying the regulations correctly and are seeking a review of the tribunal’s ruling at the High Court.” By Steve Bird, Telegraph
Emeritus Rt. Rev Dr. George Tibesigwa the former bishop of Ankole Diocese has died aged 78. His death was announced by the dean of Ankole diocese Ven Bob's Mwesigye.
"We have received the sad news of the passing of our Emeritus Bishop, however, we await the Bishop Associate Professor Bishop Sheldon Mweigwa to officially communicate the details and the program," he said.
Tibesigwa died on Wednesday afternoon while undergoing treatment at Mayanja Memorial hospital where he had been admitted since the beginning of this week. He had been diagnosed with dementia. Tibesigwa served as the 4th bishop of the Ankole diocese from 2007 until July 2010. He succeeded retired bishop Elisha Kyamugambi.
At the time of his election, Tibesigwa was serving as the principal of Barham University College in Kabale. Tibesigwa was the first principal to be appointed to Bishop Barhum University, a Kabale-based constituent college of Uganda Christian University.
His election came to some as a surprise after the House of Bishops had rejected Dr Rev Wilberforce Kamukama and his brother Rev Dr Grace Karamura then nominated to replace Elisha Kyamugambi who was about to retire.
He took over after Bishop William Magambo was appointed the caretaker by the Most Reverend Henry Luke Orombi, the then archbishop of Uganda. Tibesigwa was consecrated in Mbarara on 2nd September 2007, together with the Rev. John A.M. Guernsey, an American priest then canonically resident in North Kigezi diocese.
He was among the eminent clergy and individuals who tremendously contributed to the transformation of Uganda Christian University. Others in that category include Rev. Can. Yokania Bitashoborokire, Rt. late Rev. Dr. Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo, Rt. Rev. Dr. Elisha Kyamugambi late Prof. Enoka Rukare, Rt. Rev. Henry Luke Orombi, late Prof. Emmanuel Mutebire, justice Bart Katureebe, Prof Jossy Rwakishana Bibangamba and Rev. Can. Gershom Kamondo among others.
Dr Tibesigwa has been the coordinator of the North Ankole Diocese University Project. He was the advisor on community welfare and development issues, a senior presidential advisor on southwestern Uganda; chairman of the board of the Coalition for Health Promotion and Social Development (HEPS-Uganda) a non-governmental organization (NGO) that promotes the health and socioeconomic rights, Eliphaz Laki Memorial Foundation; East Africa TEE and COU Provincial Building Committee and chancellor Bishop Stuart University.
He held a Doctor of Ministry from the Asian Centre for Theological Studies and Mission/United University of ASIA, Master of Divinity University College of Emmanuel and St. Chad, a bachelor of Arts (Sociology and Psychology) from the University of Saskatchewan, a Bachelor of Theology. - URN/The Observer
Members of Parliament are pushing for Kenyans to pay contractors directly for power connection, which will edge out Kenya Power.
The proposal by the National Assembly’s Energy Committee will allow Kenyans who wish to be connected to electricity pay contractors licensed by the distributor and its sister company, Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (Rerec).
The contractors will then do the high voltage connection, thereafter issuing the customer with a certificate.
The customer will then walk to the nearest Rerec or Kenya Power offices and present the certificate, who will then go to examine the connection. If it satisfies them, they will then energise that line.
This move, as explained by the committee chair and Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka, is meant to reduce the hurdles Kenyans go through when they want their homes or businesses connected to power.
Currently, Kenya Power or Rerec pays contractors after a customer pays for the connection.
Mr Musyoka was of the opinion that Kenyans have to do a lot and are also charged a high amount, only to be taken round in circles for years before Kenya Power connects them.
Adoption of the proposal, he said, would help Kenya Power in regularising the illegal connections and start charging for the energy consumed.
More revenue
Even so, he said the committee was aware that such a proposal if passed into law, would deny Kenya Power some revenue, but would eventually lead to more income.
“You might think it will deny you revenue, but it will give you more because you do not make profit in the lines but in (electricity) charges,” said Musyoka as he engaged Kenya Power Chief Executive Joseph Siror, who was appearing before the committee to respond to audit queries raised by a report by the Auditor General.
“You energise that line when it has been inspected and within a very short time, you will see everybody getting connected and you start generating revenue.
“It will work to your benefit. The issues of demand which Kenya Power is struggling with because you have so much (power) that you cannot sell will be sorted. - Graham Kajilwa, The Standard
Publicly, without mentioning names or dropping pointers, President Museveni subtly admits he is talking and working with some opposition people but privately, insider sources say, he has built nothing less than an empire of followers within the opposition.
On May 24, 2021, the ruling NRM muscled through parliament their choices for Speaker Jacob Oulanyah and his deputy Anita Annet Among with jubilant celebration after beating off stiff challenge from the opposition-backed former speaker Rebecca Kadaga.
Speaking in the immediate aftermath of that victory, at Kololo Ceremonial grounds, President Yoweri Museveni revealed that he was on good talking terms with two grand old opposition political parties; the Democratic Party and Uganda People’s Congress.
He said that he has also started talking to some people within the Forum for Democratic Change, FDC, which before the January 14, 2021, general election, was the biggest opposition party in parliament. Museveni added that the only party, which is still elusive, was the Robert Kyagulanyi-led National Unity Platform- NUP, now the biggest opposition party in parliament.
Museveni revelation jolted some FDC members who wondered how deep the NRM chairman had infiltrated their party. However, to some insiders, Museveni’s announcement didn’t come as a surprise. According to highly placed sources at the Najjanankumbi- based party, tensions within the party hierarchy have been bubbling for months, triggered largely by allegations that some top-tier officials are clandestinely dealing with President Museveni.
Dr Kizza Besigye, the founding president and four-time presidential candidate, is said to be very unhappy with the way the party is being run. Our sources said that towards this year’s general election (2021), two high-level party officials separately met with President Museveni to discuss the election. One party official reportedly asked the president to bankroll the party’s participation in the general election.
“The president agreed to give him money, but he said he would send it through someone [name withheld]. Actually, the money came and you saw the party buying those big brand-new cars that were used in the campaign,” the source said.
Eventually, other top-tier officials including Besigye got to know that money had changed hands. Besigye is said to be very disappointed with the current party leadership. The source said Besigye’s initial angry reaction was to publicly denounce the dealings.
“He felt betrayed; he said it was important to rescue the party from what he called businessmen,” the source said.
However, the timing was bad for such a public denunciation, according to our source. The party was still recovering from months of negative publicity triggered by the defection of a number of MPs and the emergence of Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine as the most formidable political challenger to Museveni.
The last thing the party needed, according to our source, was another self- inflicted crisis. With the intervention of trusted allies, the source said, Besigye was soothed out of speaking publicly against the implicated party leadership. However, he vowed never to play any active role in the campaigns.
“It’s true Besigye is very cautious about Covid-19 but it’s not the reason he stayed away from Amuriat’s campaigns. He just simply couldn’t take part in a campaign sponsored by Museveni,” the source said. Besigye joined Amuriat twice; during the FDC manifesto launch in Hoima district and when he campaigned in Rukungiri district.
Even at last month’s induction of members of parliament who were elected on the FDC ticket, Besigye was a noticeable Col Dr Kizza Besigye absentee, yet he was in the country.
“Do you think there was nothing Besigye could tell those MPs... he has just chosen to stay away because his relationship with some of the leaders in the party has really deteriorated. Don’t be surprised if he supports another person other than Amuriat in the coming party election,” the source said.
Besigye supported Patrick Amuriat in the 2017 party election that ousted the then president Maj. Gen Mugisha Muntu. Elections for new leaders were supposed to be held last year but were shelved for another three years because of Covid-19 pandemic. It was impossible to interview Amuriat for this story. He neither picked nor returned our calls.
Interviewed for this story, Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda, the party spokesperson, said there has never been a party resolution to work with Museveni.
“I sit on all party organs and not once has a decision been taken to work with Museveni. If anyone is dealing with him, he/she is doing so in his or her personal capacity,” Ssemujju, the MP for Kira municipality, said.
BESIGYE RESPONDS
In response to our questions put to him through WhatsApp, Dr Besigye said he was sure Museveni never funded the FDC presidential candidate. In fact, Besigye said, Amuriat ran the most poorly funded presidential race that FDC has ever had.
“For the most part, he had no public address system and was using the hand-held loudspeaker - mukalakasa. He had to do with a very thin support team that hardly had any basic facilitation,” Besigye said.
The retired colonel said if indeed Amuriat was a friendly presidential candidate, he would not have exposed Museveni’s use of crude violence and harassment of opponents as he did.
“You should revisit his campaign trail and see what he went through,” Besigye said. Asked why he stayed away from Amuriat’s campaign, Besigye said he didn’t want to draw attention away from Amuriat and in the process intensify conflict with the NUP campaign.
“This, in turn, would cause or increase demoralization of our activists and supporters. You may have realized that even with my non-participation, my name was still being dragged into the contest with a view of inflaming conflict among “pro-change” activists and supporters,” Besigye said.
The other reason the four-time presidential candidate stayed away from the campaign trail was his strong conviction that the election outcome was predetermined by the state and the campaigns and electoral process was just intended to legitimize that fraud.
“I preferred to engage differently and quietly,” Besigye said.
He, however, conceded that President Museveni has infiltrated FDC just like he has done with all other parties. This, Besigye said, has been ongoing since the party was formed and only escalates towards elections.
“That’s how we lost senior leaders like Alex Onzima, John Butime, Beatrice Anywar, Christopher Kibanzanga, Anita Among, Michael Ocula, Jackson Kafuuzi, Agnes Akiror Eginyu, Francis Atugonza, Bernard Atiku, etc. These leaders are attracted by short-term personal gains and most of them regret in the end,” Besigye said.
He, however, added that despite buying off some leaders, the opposition against President Museveni countrywide is growing with more reliable and determined leaders emerging as others defect.
“I am personally, not discouraged; in fact, my optimism about the impending success of a people’s revolution intensifies. Now that the phase of ‘office seekers’ is over, the real struggle of our people is going to get more focused and intensified,” Besigye said.
After the 2016 general elections that Besigye and the FDC dismissed as rigged, there were attempts at mediation between FDC and the NRM. The talks were midwifed by the Women Situation Room with support from the Swedish government. However, after the tension that had been created by the arrest and detention of Dr Besigye ebbed, the talks suffered a stillbirth. The Observer
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