While Captain Mike Mukula single-handedly dominated the
Uganda Presidential elections 2016 campaign skies with his one helicopter, Kenya's politicians will show in next year's election that they are in another choppers league. Kenya's next election is expected to feature up to 50 choppers as politicians crisscross the
country for votes.
Those are Kenyan standards. In Uganda, Mukula, the NRM Vice Chairman for the East, was in charge of the 5Y-
HKK chopper hired to raise the profile and improve transportation for the party
in the just concluded elections. The chopper, and a drone, dominated the skies at nearly all President Yoweri’s Museveni’s rallies on his way to the election victory.
The same chopper, described as a “king maker” after Dr JP
Magufuli of Tanzania also used it in his election win, was in the news for more
reasons than one.
Mukula in Tororo
It even features in the ongoing Presidential Elections
Petition, mentioned in a case where petitioner Amama Mbabazi claimed it disrupted
his rally.
An article this week in Kenyan daily The Star indicates
that at least 59 newly imported helicopters have been issued with operating
licenses by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority over the last two years.
“Owning a helicopter is becoming an essential part of
demonstrating that you are one of the political big boys. Rightly or wrongly,
politicians seem to believe they are going nowhere without a helicopter. The
2017 elections are set to be the most expensive ever.”
Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto and Emurua Dikirr MP
Johanna Ngeno (in red shirt) alights from a chopper
during one of their recent campaign rallies in Kenya.
The Star Photo/File
The article, says “small passenger helicopters cost between
Sh100 (Uganda sh3.3billion) and 200 million in Europe or America but the cost of
import duties and final assembly in Kenya can easily double the cost to Sh400
million plus (Uganda sh13billion). The more
upmarket Eurocopter EC135 which is also used in Kenya carries 7 passengers for
620 kilometres and costs $3.9 million ( Sh390 million).”
Youth at a recent BPU event. Youth get a chance to
win scholarships today
The Youth and French Language Day 2016 will be celebrated in Uganda at the Alliance Française de Kampala (AFK) in Bukoto today 2pm -9pm. At the event at the AFK premises on plot 52, Bukoto street, Kamwokya, the Embassy of France in Uganda will officially launch its new scholarships programme for young professionals. The scholarship will allow talented Ugandans to win free French courses at the Alliance Française, and, for the best candidate, a business trip to France. Different activities have been programmed today, including concerts, “edutainment” activities about French-speaking countries from all around the world, screening of a West-African animated movie (“Adama”) and artistic performances by different Ugandan institutions. An open air stage will be set up to allow different schools offering French classes to perform in front of the public. Seven schools will be represented: Kampala Diplomatic School, Gayaza HS, Hillside, Taibah International School, Ecole Française des Grands Lacs and City Parents School.
A recent break-dance performance by BPU
The Break-Dance Project Uganda (BPU) that has recently conducted dance, singing, drama and poetry workshops with a girls secondary school (Gayaza High School), a refugee center (Interaid) and the French Club of Makerere University, will stage an original show to sensitize about French language and social themes such as environment, gender equality, peace and reconciliation. The final act will bring together French/English/Luganda speaking artists on stage in a joint performance.
PROGRAMME: • 2:00 PM: Youth and French Language Day begins with on stage arts performances by French-teaching schools and • 2:00 PM: 1st screening of Adama animation movie • 3:30 PM: 2nd screening of Adama animation movie • 5:00PM: Speeches / scholarships announcements • 5:30 PM: Performances by BPU-trained groups Set 1: Cruz, Lebon & Sapiens (Congolese rappers) Set 2 : Saint Nellysade (Ugandan rapper) Set 3 : Lady Slyke & Yallah (Ugandan women
Youth & French Language Day #YFLD@AFKampala March 19 offering food, drinks, music, dance, cultural activities. 52 Bukoto St #Kamwokya.
Micho and FUFA PRO Hussein reveal the Cranes team.
PHOTO VIA @UgandaCranes
AFCON 2017 qualifiers March 26 - Burkina Faso v Uganda March 29 - Uganda vs Burkina Faso Group D Team P W D L F A Pts Uganda 2 2 0 0 3 0 6 Burkina Faso 2 1 0 1 2 1 3 Botswana 2 1 0 1 1 2 3 Comoros 2 0 0 2 0 3 0 Cranes coach Milutin 'Micho' Sredejovic has today called 30 players to prepare for key games against Burkina Faso end of this month. Included are star players, Farouk Miya of Standard Liege in Belgium, and Sundowns goalkeeper Dennis Onyango. Denmark-based Emmanuel Okwi, who has had a long spell outside Cranes as he settled into his club, is also back.
Belgium-based Miya (top) and Okwi (above) are in the team
Uganda, who are top of Africa Cup of National 2017 qualifying Group D, fly to Burkina Faso for a game March 26, and are expected back home for the return match on March 29 under floodlights at Namboole. With two key games in three days, FUFA is still on its knees asking government for a chartered flight to boost their chances of getting maximum points.
“Our team will prepare under harsh conditions, especially in regard to flights, if Government does not come in with support like they did against Togo’ said FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo at a recent press briefing. Team training starts with non residential drills on Friday, 18th March 2016 at the Nelson Mandela National stadium, according to the FUFA website.
The referees to handle the first leg will come from Egypt.
The 32 picked
Full Squad: Goalkeepers: Dennis Onyango (Mamelodi Sun Downs, South Africa), Robert Odongkara (St George, Ethiopia), James Alitho (Vipers, Uganda), Salim Jamal (El Merriekh, Sudan) Defenders: Denis Iguma (Al Itihad, Lebanon), Isaac Isinde (St George, Ethiopia), Joseph Nsubuga (Bright Stars, Uganda), Joseph Ochaya (KCCA, Uganda), Denis Okot Oola (KCCA, Uganda), Isaac Muleme (SC Villa, Uganda), Murushid Jjuuko (Simba, Tanzania), Hassan Wasswa Mawanda (Al Shorta, Iraq), Timothy Awanyi (KCCA, Uganda), Bernard Muwanga (Bright Stars, Uganda) Midfielders: Mike Azira (Colorado Rapids, US), Aucho Khalid (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Moses Oloya, Yassar Mugerwa (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), Tonny Mawejje (Knattspyrnufélagið Þróttur, Iceland), Ivan Ntege (KCCA, Uganda), William Luwagga Kizito (Feirense, Portugal), Mike Sserumaga (SC Villa, Uganda), Godfrey Walusimbi (Gor Mahia), Farouk Miya (Standard Liege, Belgium) Forwards: Geofrey Massa (Bloemfontein Celtics, South Africa), Emmanuel Okwi (Sonderjsyke, Denmark), Erisa Ssekisambu (Vipers, Uganda), Hamis ‘Diego’ Kiiza (Simba, Tanzania), Ceasar Okhuti (KCCA, Uganda), Edrisa Lubega (Proline, Uganda)
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Burkina Faso last week named a strong team for the two games. The Burkina Faso team 1- Abdoulaye SOULAMA: Heart of Oak (Ghana) 2- Daouda DIAKITE: Free State Stars FC (South Africa) 3-Koffi Kouakou: Asec Abidjan (Ivory Coast) 4-Bakary Kone: Olympique Lyonnais (France) 5-YAGO Steeve: Toulouse (France) 6-Abdoul Aziz Kabore: Valenciennes (France) 7-Bakary SARE: Guimarães (Portugal) 8-Abdoul Razak Traore: Konyaspor (Turkey) 9-Alain Traore: FC Lorient (France) 10-Aristide BANCE: Chippa United (South Africa) 11 Charles Kabore: FC Krasnodar (Russia) 12-Bakary Kone Dibba Al Fujayira (Emirates) 13-Jonathan Zongo: Almeria (Spain) 14-Yacouba MANDO: Kozaf (Burkina Faso) 15-Issouf DAYO: RC Berkane (Morocco) 16-Préjuce NAKOULMA Mersin Idmanyurdu Sport Klubu (Turkey) 17- Issa GOUO: ASFA (Ghana) 18. Jonathan PITROIPA: AL Nasr (Dubai) 19-Bertrand Traore: Chelsea (England) 20- Patrick MALO: JS Kabylie (Algeria) 21-Adama Guira: Sonderjyske (Denmark) 22 Cyril BAYALA: Daklyeh (Egypt) 23 Cyril kpan: USFA (Burkina Faso) 24-Yacouba Coulibaly: RCB (Burkina Faso) 25-Banu DIAWARA: JS Kabylie (Algeria)
On the 4th day of the NRM MPs retreat in Kyankwanzi, President Yoweri Museveni, who is also chairman of the NRM, gives a lecture on "Understanding Geopolitics, regional integration and national integration"
His remarks and some reactions (from social media below): ON AFRICA'S PROBLEM: "Apart from bad political leadership, Africa's other problem is lack of markets." ON REGIONAL INTEGRATION: "If we didn't have COMESA, our maize & milk industry would have collapsed." ON UGANDA-US ECONOMY: "The US could limit our exports there especially under Mr Trump, who l like because he calls a spade a spade."
ALL sides have presented their final submissions. CJ Bart Katureebe thanks all the lawyers on behalf of the Supreme Court, says hard work still ahead - for him.
DECISION set for March 31.
10am: The declaration results forms have been a major area of contention in the ongoing Uganda Presidential Elections Petition. No wonder a decision to allow Amama Mbabazi's lawyers to scrutinize them was opposed by the respondents in court yesterday.
All eyes will be on Muhammed Mbabazi when he reveals their findings as they have insisted from the beginning that there is a contradiction between the official results and what their agents collected.
1pm: There has been a flurry of activity in court, this is where it is so far before court took a break to 2.30pm
DAY 5 Friday: The Supreme Court of Uganda today ruled in favour of petitioner Amama Mbabazi's lawyers, who requested for more time to review the Uganda Presidential Election Declaration Forms.
Muhammed Mbabazi, counsel for the petitioner argued that they received the forms late, and therefore needed time to respond to them.
The Chief Justice therefore asked him to present his case Saturday morning at 10.30am despite protests from the respondents. This after court also ruled that the return forms, DR forms and tally sheets by consent of Amama team and EC lawyers are admitted as evidence.
Led by Kiwanuka Kiryowa, the respondents argued that the Mbabazi team have not handed to court as evidence the forms that they wish to compare those that the EC gave them.
Kiryowa told court that the petitioner's request isn't made in good faith and is made in breach of court rules and procedures.
He argued that petitioner should have applied for the document before he amended his petition and if they didn't receive them then seek remedy.
Presidential Election Petition No. 1 of 2016 filed by former candidate John Patrick Amama Mbabazi.
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Lawyers consult during a break on Day 4.
Photo by Pascal Kwesiga
DAY 4 Thursday: The Supreme Court of Uganda today continues hearing of the highly-billed Presidential Election Petition No. 1 of 2016 filed by former candidate John Patrick Amama Mbabazi. It is the day for the Electoral Commission to defend its actions, with counsel Enos Tumusiime making most of the arguments. He went on the offensive immediately, stating that "the election in 2016 was not a one-day event. It started on the last day that the 2011 election ended."
DAY 3 Wednesday: The Supreme Court of Uganda today continues hearing of the highly-billed Presidential Election Petition No. 1 of 2016 filed by former candidate John Patrick Amama Mbabazi. After hearing from the lawyers of the petitioner in the past two days, focus turns to the petitioners, who respond for the next three days.
DAY 2 Tuesday: The Supreme Court of Uganda today continues hearing of the highly-billed Presidential Election Petition No. 1 of 2016 filed by former candidate John Patrick Amama Mbabazi.
The petitioner's lawyers have had their say.
Chief Justice Bart Katureebe yesterday adjourned court early because both parties had failed to submit evidence as required in advance. He stressed it will be non-stop business today - and will only start with all evidence in his hands. Summary of DAY 2
DAY 1
Summary of Day 1 The Supreme Court of Uganda has today started hearing of the high-billed Presidential Election Petition No. 1 of 2016 filed by former candidate John Patrick Amama Mbabazi. First on their agenda was an amicus curiae application by the Civil Society Organisation and Makerere Law dons.
The law dons got the nod. The law dons are Prof Joe Oloka-Onyango, Prof Sylvia Tamale, Prof Christopher Mbazira, Dr Ronald Naluwairo, Dr Rose Nakayi, Dr Busingye Kabumba, Mr Daniel Ruhweza, Dr Kakungulu Mayambala and Daniel Ngabirano. After a morning in which counsel for the petitioner Muhammed Mbabazi cross-examined Electoral Commission Chairperson, Eng. Dr Badru Kiggundu on the electoral process, results announcements and the Biometric voter verification process, the day ended abruptly just after 4pm. Katureebe complained they were not able to follow the presentations by the counsel as they did not have all the affidavits from both sides that were being referred to. "It's futile for counsel to continue making references to documents Court doesn't have. I think we adjourn to tomorrow at 9:30am," chief justice Bart Katureebe said at 4.10pm.
The nine Justices of the court handling the case are Chief Justice Bart M. Katureebe, Jotham Tumwesigye, Dr. Esther Kisaakye, Mary Stella Arach-Amoko, Augustine Nshimye, Eldad Mwangusya, Rubby Aweri-Opio, Faith Mwondha and Prof. Lillian Tibatemwa Ekirikubinza. Mbabazi petitioned the Supreme Court citing irregularities in the elections. He has sued the poll winner President Yoweri Museveni, the Electoral Commission and the Attorney General seeking to nullify the February 18, 2016 presidential poll results. President Museveni was declared the winner of the presidential race with 60.62% of the votes, followed by Dr. Besigye, (35.61%), while Amama polled 1.39% of the total votes cast. The laws governing presidential poll petitions allow the court only 30 days to hear and determine a petition. With limited time remaining, the petitioner will have two days to submit and respondent three days. Then a day for each party to wrap up.
It wasn't the dream start players pray for, but Farouk Miya took his first steps in European professional football as a substitute when 10-man Standard de Liege suffered a 4-0 league loss yesterday. Ugandan football ace Miya came on as a 2nd half substitute, replacing Colombian Andrade with the team already 3-0 down and a man down. This after Milos Kosanovic was red carded early in the game. Miya then got a yellow card as KV Mechelen hammered his new club Standard de Liege 4-0 in Belgium's Jupiler Professional League.
Miya came on for Darwin Andrade
Standard Liege, who have had a poor season by their high standards, dropped to 7th on the table but are still good enough for the Belgium League Play-offs 1 for the top 7 teams. Mechelen remained in 10th and will play in the Play-offs 2. Miya's club return to action in the Cup Final on Sunday against Club Brugge. Standard starting XI yesterday: Valdés, Goreux, Scholz, Kosanovic, Andrade, Dossevi, Maniatis, Trebel, Dompé, Boschilia, Santini Substitutes: Hubert, Fai, Arslanagic, Fiore, Miya, Badibanga, Emond.
Photographs from Sunday's game
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