The Ugandan government has tabled a loan request of US$117.26 million (Shs446.7 billion) to be borrowed from Standard Chartered Bank to finance the construction of the Kitgum-Kidepo road.

The Minister of State for Finance, Planning, and Economic Development (Planning), Amos Lugoloobi, tabled the request during the plenary sitting on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

Speaker Anita Among noted that government has been improving tourism roads across the country to boost revenue generation from the sector.

“There is a need for us to work on tourism roads, and today we will receive a proposal to borrow money to finance a tourism road from Kitgum to Kidepo. This road, if constructed, will boost tourism in the Northern part of the country,” she said.

Among also expressed concern about the lengthy approval process for the loan, which has taken over a year and a half, resulting in the accrual of fees such as commitment fees.

“How can a loan take over a year in the approval process when all the feasibility studies have been done? The time value of money should be considered,” she said.

The Attorney General, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, acknowledged the concern but explained that delays are sometimes caused by the need for further and better particulars to ensure efficiency.

“Besides the time taken to negotiate the loan, the most important thing is that you need to get the right information from the necessary entities,” he said.

The Minister of State for Works, Musa Ecweru, highlighted the challenge of outdated road designs resulting from the delay.

Lugoloobi stated that they have evaluated the value chain of loan acquisition, approval process and actual implementation and evaluation of performance, noting serious concerns.

Speaker Among referred the proposal to the Committee on National Economy for consideration.

Meanwhile, the minister also tabled a supplementary request worth Shs1.106 trillion for consideration by Parliament.

The supplementary expenditure Schedule No. 2 for financial year 2023/24 was tabled according to Section 25 of the Public Finance Management (Amendment) Act (2015), which stipulates that the total supplementary expenditure requiring additional resources over and above what is approved by Parliament shall not exceed 3 percent of the total approved budget for that financial year without the approval of Parliament.

It also states that where funds are expended under subsection (1), supplementary estimates showing the sums spent shall be laid before Parliament within four months after the money is spent.

According to the breakdown, the bulk of the money, Shs 578 billion was spent on settling the offtake arrangement between the government and DEI Pharmaceuticals; Shs125 billion for settling wage shortfalls, and pension and gratuity shortfalls.

Others include State House Shs18.6 billion; Office of the Prime Minister Shs9.4 billion; and Ministry of Finance Shs37.6 billion.

The supplementary schedule was referred to the committee on the budget for consideration. APA News

Reacting to rulings today by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on three landmark climate cases, involving older Swiss women, six young Portuguese people, and a former French mayor and member of the European Parliament, Mandi Mudarikwa, Amnesty International's Head of Strategic Litigation, said:

"The ECtHR has set a vital and historic precedent today with its ruling in the case involving the Swiss women by finding that the Swiss government had failed to comply with its duties under the European Convention concerning climate change, including failing to set clear limits on greenhouse gas emissions and not meeting its past greenhouse gas emission reduction targets."

"The determination and tenacity of the applicants in all three cases seeking climate justice through courts was both remarkable and encouraging. We especially recognize the courage of the young people involved as they looked to protect not only their future but the future of generations to come.

"The Swiss case ruling strengthens legal pathways to achieving climate justice through the ECtHR. It is hugely significant that the ECtHR recognized the harm caused to the applicants by climate change and that the Swiss government was doing too little to curb greenhouse gas emissions and adequately protect them.

"The ECtHR's ruling sends a powerful message to policymakers in European countries that states must intensify their efforts to combat climate change. We note that the decisions of the ECtHR to dismiss the other two other climate-related cases was based on procedural considerations, rather than on the respective merits of each case. 

"Strategic litigation can help to deliver climate justice and protect the rights of billions from global warming, especially the most marginalized, and will yield benefits – as we have witnessed today with the Swiss case." 

Background 

The ECtHR ruled on three climate cases. In Klimaseniorinnen Schweiz and Others v Switzerland, a group representing more than 2,500 older Swiss women argued that their government's failure to adequately mitigate global warming violated their human rights to health and life and puts them at risk of dying during heatwaves.

In Duarte Agostinho and Others v Portugal and 31 Other States six young Portuguese people argued that countries bound by the European Convention on Human Rights — the 27 EU states, as well as the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Russia and Turkey — had infringed several human rights after heatwaves and forest fires closed down their schools and risked their health. Amnesty International submitted a joint third-party intervention in the case on the obligation on governments to create climate policies which protect the rights of people outside their borders.

In the third case, Damien Carême, a former mayor of Grande-Synthe, a suburb of Dunkirk in northern France, argued that the French government has neglected its obligation to protect life by failing to take sufficient steps to prevent climate change and therefore heightening the risk of future flooding in the area. 

The right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment was universally recognized by the UN General Assembly in 2022. Amnesty International is part of a coalition calling for the adoption of an additional protocol on the right to the European Convention on Human Rights which would help reinforce and clarify the ECtHR's jurisprudence on environmental protection, including climate change. 

IEA Correspondent

A KDF(Kenya Defence Force) helicopter crashed and caught fire in Sindar area on the border of West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet Couties killing five including Kenya Chief of Defence Forces Francis Ogolla.

The Helicopter crash killed 5 occupants and three survivors were airlifted to the hospital. Following the incident, President William Ruto has called urgent meeting with security personnel in State House. 

According to Elgeyo Marakwet County Commandant Peter Mulinge, the helicopter was among three choppers leaving Cheptulel area. It took off and crash-landed minutes later. 

President Ruto has said in interview before that he gave the job of Chief of Defence Forces to Francis Ogolla because he was most qualified despite the fact that he allegedly had gone to take his victory during Kenya's election in 2022. 

South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) officially reopened their borders, igniting hopes for economic prosperity and enhanced cooperation between the two nations.

On Tuesday, the governor of Western Equatoria State, Alfred Futuyo, and the representative of the Congolese government, Anza Tepe Danga, said the inauguration symbolised a strong commitment to bolstering trade relations and stimulating economic growth. 

Both officials underscored the significance of this historic move in fostering bilateral ties and unlocking opportunities for businesses and citizens alike.

Futuyo outlined ambitious plans for collaborative infrastructure projects, particularly focusing on improving road connectivity between South Sudan and the DRC.

He recognised the pivotal role of robust infrastructure in facilitating trade and mobility, the agreement to open the border heralds a new era of economic cooperation and mutual benefit. 

The atmosphere at the border inauguration was one of jubilation and optimism, with thousands of citizens from both nations in attendance to witness the historic occasion, amidst cheers and celebrations.

It symbolised not only the physical opening of borders but also the opening of doors to boundless possibilities for growth and development. This groundbreaking initiative marks a significant turning point in the diplomatic relations between South Sudan and the DRC, laying a solid foundation for future collaborations and regional stability.

As the borders between these neighbouring nations dissolve, trade barriers are dismantled, paving the way for increased commerce, investment, and socio-economic advancement. With the border now open, businesses on both sides stand to benefit from expanded market access and streamlined trade processes. Moreover, citizens are poised to reap the rewards of increased cross-border interactions, cultural exchanges, and opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. 

As South Sudan and the DRC embark on this journey of partnership and cooperation, the ripple effects of this historic moment are expected to resonate far beyond their borders. The vision of a more interconnected, prosperous Africa is inching closer to reality, propelled by the spirit of collaboration and mutual prosperity exemplified by this monumental border opening.

The ceremonious event was held on Tuesday, April 16, at the Nabiapai border in the DR. Congo and the Gangura border in South Sudan. By Emmanuel Mandela, City Review