Tag: #UgandaDecides2021

Government assures farmers of intensified fight against fake Agriculture inputs on the market

The Minister of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries Hon Frank Tumwebaze has assured stake holders in agriculture sector that the government is working on eliminating completely fake products on the market.

These products include agro chemicals, acaricide and many other farm products on the market.

The Minister government through Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has noted with concern over rising reports of increasing fake supplies in the Agriculture sector.

He said the Ministry set up a technical committee to study the issues of supply chain, factors responsible for increasing tick resistance and why farmers don’t get value from the agricultural inputs. He said once the committee finilises, appropriate action will be taken.

While the committee is ongoing with findings, MAAIF is also working with NDA to intensify through district to publish a list of licensed veteran drug pharmacies and drug sellers in the country.

He said if they don’t intensify the fight, fake products will continue to flock the market.

“As you know genuine drugs tend to be higher price wise compared to fake ones but if we get rid of them, farmers will not be affected,” Hon. Frank said.

He said the list of stores, pharmacies and sellers will soon be published for all to see on social and mainstream media platforms.

He added the Ministry is aware of all as it is part of farming community and is working hard to have it solved once and for all.

“Caution to farmers on how to source & buy quality acaricides & inputs..

@MAAIF_Uganda

& @UNDAuthority
intensifying the fight against fake/counterfeits linksharing.samsungcloud.com/keuJIREECf2h

linksharing.samsungcloud.com,” Hon Frank Tumwebaze tweeted.

January 15, 2022
Electoral Commission explains use of the Biometric Voter Verification System (BVVS) in the polls

The Electoral Commission chairperson Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon has explained how Biometric Voter Verification System (BVVS) will be useful in the forthcoming general elections which starts on 14th January 2021. Below is his full statement on the technology use.

“On behalf of the Electoral Commission and on my own behalf, I welcome all of you to this briefing and public demonstration of the technology the Electoral Commission is deploying for purposes of the 2021 General Elections.

Like in the past elections, technologies and strategies that are aimed at enhancing the level of transparency and accountability in events leading to the voting and Results Transmission system have been put in place.

The purpose of this briefing and public demonstration is, therefore, to bring you on board and obtain your feedback, and seek for your support in disseminating clear information to the general public.

In order to improve accuracy, security, efficiency and credibility in the delivery of electoral services, the Electoral Commission has embarked on deliberate actions to integrate technology in its operations and systems.

Accordingly, in preparation for the General Elections, 2021, the Electoral Commission has acquired biometric voter verification machines which will be used to verify voters who present themselves at polling stations on polling day.

Out of the above consignment, two thousand (2,000) units have been purchased while thirty-six thousand five hundred (36,500) have been leased from Smartmatic International, a leading technology firm based in The Netherlands.

The Biometric Voter Verification (BVV) machines will be deployed at all the 34,684 (thirty-four thousand six hundred and eighty-four) polling stations in Uganda during the upcoming General Elections.

The BVV System is one of the new measures aimed at improving the management and conduct of elections in Uganda through authentication of voter identity. This biometric voter verification system basically uses fingerprints to match voter details which will help the Presiding Officer to confirm the identity of the voter as being the one on the Voters’ Register of that particular polling station.

The BVVS System will enable the Commission to ensure that only registered persons vote during the elections and that such persons (voters) do not vote more than once for the same election. Hence, the BVV System will help the Commission greatly improved the identification of voters and also addressed the challenge of voter impersonation during elections.

The BVV System will also assist in the search of a voter’s details, by reading the unique bar code on the Voter Location Slip.

This system will also help a voter to locate his/her polling station within the district, in case they turn up at a polling station where they are not registered.

The training for field staff on the use of Biometric voter verification equipment has been going on at National and Regional level and will be concluded with the training of the Presiding Officer and the one Polling Assistant for the BVV Machine before polling day.

Political parties and independent candidates are urged to appoint and deploy their agents to attend the training so that they get familiar with the operations of the machines.

The Commission has designed a plan for the timely dispatch of the machines to all districts in time for the polling.

The Commission calls upon all the stakeholders in the electoral process to follow the guidelines for the use of this biometric verification technology, so that we get the desired result, which is a fraud-free election. For God and my Country,” Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, Chairperson, Electoral Commission

January 10, 2021
First Consignment of Ballot Papers for the 2020/2021 General Elections arrive in the country

The chairperson Electoral Commission Justice Byabakama Mugenyi has this evening witnessed the delivery of the first batch of elections materials, namely, ballot papers and Declaration of Results Forms for Elections of District Woman Representative to Parliament.

This first delivery has been made by Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing Company based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This firm won the contract for Lot 2 of the ballot papers for the General Elections.

This delivery comprises 116 pallets which contain ballot papers for districts falling in seven (7) electoral regions, namely Kampala, South West, Central South, Elgon, Karamoja, Norther and West Nile.

Materials for the five (5) remaining regions is expected within the next few days, which is still within time.

The cost for the delivered election materials is Uganda Shs. 2,536,352,880 (two billion five hundred thirty-six million three hundred fifty-two thousand eight hundred eight), out of the total consignment cost of Uganda Shillings 9,701,600,000 (nine billion seven hundred one million six hundred thousand).

“At this point, I wish to acknowledge the fact that Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing Company has delivered ahead of schedule. We are indeed impressed by the timely production and delivery of the election materials,” Byabakama said.

The 116 pallets weigh a total of forty (40) tons and have been delivered by Emirates Airlines Flight Number EK 9757 at 6pm. Our technical team has already commenced with processes to clear the cargo and deliver it to our Stores for safe storage ahead of the packing into the polling kit.

The delivery has been observed by agents of political parties and organisations as well as the media.

In addition to the above, the Commission has received official confirmation of completion of printing of Ballot Papers and Declaration of Results Forms for Presidential Elections 2021.

The printer, United Printing and Publishing of Abu Dhabi has confirmed the delivery of these materials on Thursday 10th December 2020 at 13:15 hours, on Emirates Flight 9865.

These deliveries are a positive indicator of the progress of implementation of critical and final preparations for polling for the 2021 General Elections.

“This is indeed a sign of our readiness to deliver the elections as scheduled,” he concluded.

December 9, 2020
Odonga Otto tells off Amuriat to concentrate on one child

Aruu County Constituency in Pader District Member of Parliament Hon. Odonga Otto has advised Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate Patrick Oboi Amuriat to concentrate on his quest for the big office and leave him alone.

Odonga Otyo

Otto said this after Amuriat told people of Pader not to vote for Otto and this pissed off the Aruu County legislator who took to his Twitter to lash out at presidential hopeful. Below is his tweet;

Patrick Oboi Amuriat

“FDC’s POA to Pader, “don’t vote Otto”. Amuriat, concentrate on having just one child. Why seek the highest office to manage other people’s children? No wonder you are moving barefeet because there is no child at home to ask you why. Whose child should die in your struggle,” Odonga Otto tweeted.

November 18, 2020
Photos: Bebe Cool takes his mobilization skills to Kitgum

Star singer and National Resistance Movement (NRM) political activist Moses Ssali aka Bebe Cool took his mobilization skills to Kitgum.

Accompanied by Big Eye, Phina Mugerwa and other area musicians, the singer made a stop over at Acholibur on his way to Kitgum and was showered with yellow love.

In Kitgum, the singer his celebrity status and caused excitement in Kitgum paralyzing business as people left to join NRM supporters match with the celebrated singer.

As he mobilized, NRM presidential candidate was meeting the party leaders in a scientific style meeting.

November 17, 2020
NBS TV Launches “UG Votes Debate” to Enable Political Debate

Campaigns for the upcoming presidential and parliamentary polls are in high gear, with presidential candidates already traversing the country in search of votes from their electorate. But what is in the promise each candidate is fronting? Are these practical?

NBS TV, the Political Command Center, last Sunday launched the “UG Votes Debate,” a show that will see different political figures face off in debate to scrutinize each other’s manifestos. This show is aimed at providing as much information as possible to the electorate in order to improve the accountability they demand of their leaders once voted into power.

The show that will be airing every Sunday at 3 PM, is moderated by Joseph Sabiti, a senior political reporter at the Next Media Park-based TV station, along with Mildred Tuhaise, herself a seasoned news anchor and talk show host.

The pilot episode that was aired on Sunday, 15th November, featured Ramathan Ggobi from NRM, Nalukola Luyimbazi from Democratic Party, Matthias Mpuuga from NUP, and Ronald Mukasa from ANT. They shared a summary of their manifestos and showed how they plan to achieve their manifestos when elected into power.

The show now joins a variety of other political shows at Next Media Park such as The Big Talk on Nxt Radio, Elections 360, The Frontline, and Barometer, among others. One wonders if the highly-ambitious NBS TV will also be gearing themselves for the much-awaited presidential debate in the near-future.

November 17, 2020
Lord Mayor Aspirant Kawooya Innocent boosts Katumba’s presidential bid with state-of-the-art digital gadgets

Kampala Lord Mayor aspirant Innocent Kawooya has come to the rescue of presidential hopeful John Katumba by buying him a smart phone equipped with unlimited data and airtimefor the entire campaign period.

The 24-year-old Katumba received the donations this afternoon when he paid a courtesy visit to Kawooya’s campaign office inKamokya where the two also shared about leadership, innovation and digital communication.

While donating the items to Katumba, Kawooyasaid that this gesture rhymes well with his Lord Mayoral campaign slogan of Digitizing Kampala, noting that the presidential aspirant needs well-connected gadgets to reach his youthful supporters who predominantly access news through digital means.

“Allow me to congratulate you on your nomination as a presidential candidate. You have entered the books of records as the first Ugandan below 30 years to be nominated for presidential elections since independence. This is a major record and great milestone that the rest of us failed to achieve,” Incoming Lord Mayor Kawooya said.

“Because I believe in digitizing Kampala, my campaign team and I found it wise to help you address the communications glitches you have been facing due to lack of a smart phone. We have been able to get you a smart phone, airtime and data to cover all your campaigns. I have a team of digital experts that are also willing to help you execute a great digital campaign if you are interested. I am also doing my best to ensure that I deliver a digital city that benefits every resident of Kampala,” he added.

The suave Katumba has risen to prominence after breaking barriers to stand for presidency in a race laced with seasoned politicians and prominent persons such as the incumbent president Museveni who has ruled Uganda for close to 35 years.

Likewise, Kawooya, a digital financial inclusion entrepreneur, has become a household name in Kampala by vowing to remove politicians from Kampala’s mayor’s office and replace them with development-minded people.

Early this week, Katumba, the youngest of the 11 presidential candidates, damaged his phone during a scuffle with security operatives blocking his movements on the campaign trail – thus prompting Kawooya to intervene.

The smiley Katumba thanked Kawooya for the support and promised that this has energized him to canvas for votes and become Uganda’s 10th president.

“I thank my brother Kawooya for inviting me. As a young Ugandan, I am happy to work with likeminded people to develop Uganda. Like you know, the presidential campaigns are very expensive. I am facing issues including lack of a car, and team facilitation to ensure that I move to every corner of Uganda,” he said.

Katumba is now headed for northern Uganda where he will hold rallies in several districts.

He says he still needs support from well-wishers including transport means since he cannot use the security truck provided by the electoral commission.

“Nonetheless, with or without a car and money, I will continue my campaigns. I am very happy that Innocent Kawooya has seen it wise to get me a new smart phone, airtime and data that will ensure that I communicate effectively. Though Innocent is a few years older than me, he is also a youth. I am happy that a young Ugandan is helping out another young Ugandan. That is how it is supposed to be,” he determinedly said.

After this courtesy meeting, Katumba and his entire entourage were treated to great lunch at Café Javas, Kamwokya.

November 14, 2020
Pictorial; Bebe Cool thrills Aruans as he mobilises support for M7

Star singer Bebe Cool is surely showing his might in mobilizing support for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who is NRM presidential candidates.

Bebe Cool alongside fellow singer Catherine Kusasira, Big Eye and Coco Finger painted Arua yellow.

Thousands of NRM supporters joined them on the streets of Arua chanting NRM songs.

Bebe has been on top of his game this week mobilizing support for ruling NRM ahead of 2021 General elections. You can the followI M7’s campaign trail through these #SilentMajority #SecuringYourFuture

November 12, 2020
EC warns candidates on the Conduct during Campaigns for 2021 General Elections

Candidates’ campaign meetings for Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Councils Elections commenced on Monday 9th November 2021, across the country.

The Electoral Commission wishes to appreciate candidates who have organised and conducted public meetings in accordance with the Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for conducting campaigns in a COVID-19 environment.
The Commission has, however, noted with concern that some candidates, including Presidential candidates, are holding their campaigns in a manner that violates the Guidelines for Conduct of Campaign Meetings:
1. Some candidates are mobilizing their supporters to gather at campaign venues in large numbers. It is important to note that The Public Health (Control of COVID-19) (Amendment No.3) Rules, 2020, issued on 9th November 2020, provides that gatherings for purposes of political meetings should not exceed two hundred (200) persons;
2. Some candidates are conducting processions along public roads, through towns and trading centres, and are also holding rallies in non- designated venues as per the harmonised campaign programme. This is in violation of the Commission’s Guidelines that the campaigns should be conducted in observance of Standard Operating Procedures (social distancing, hand washing, and wearing of masks) and in designated places;
3. Some candidates are making impromptu stopovers in trading centres, attracting and addressing public gatherings along busy highways from their car rooftops.

These spontaneous public addresses are a violation of the Commission’s Guidelines which provides for conduct of campaign meetings only in the approved venues and in accordance with the harmonised campaign programme, which clearly indicates the dates, time and venues for such meetings;

4. The Commission has also noted that some candidates and their supporters are not wearing face masks during public meetings, which puts all participants, including the candidates, at the risk of contracting COVID-19.
This conduct is unacceptable considering that as at 10th November 2020, the cumulative COVID-19 infection cases in Uganda stood at 14,704 with 133 deaths so far registered in the country.
The Commission reiterates that processions and public/mass rallies remain banned in accordance with the measures put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The Commission warns all candidates contesting for various elective positions under the General Elections 2021, and all other stakeholders in the electoral process to conduct themselves in accordance with the Guidelines for the campaigns and strictly observe the measures issued by the Commission.
Non-compliance with the Guidelines issued for the campaign period will necessitate intervention by law enforcing agencies, among other measures.
The Commission wishes to emphasise that the health and safety of voters, their families, candidates, security personnel, the media and the general public should be of paramount consideration.

November 12, 2020
Pictorial: This is how NRM campaigned in Lira

Day 2 of the Presidential Campaigns saw NRM team camp in Lira for the support ahead of next year’s elections.

Supporters led singers Bebe Cool and Catherine Kusasira, Big Eye, Coco Finger and Bajjo painted Arua yellow as the NRM presidential Candidate Yoweri Kaguta Museveni campaigned scientifically at Lira Golf Course.

The President met NRM leaders in the area as well as the youth and spread the gospel of the NRM campaign agenda.

“Pitching our campaign agenda to the leaders of Lira District. I will also met the youth leaders on the same day. To the rest of our NRM supporters, we are running a purely scientific campaign because of this terrible pandemic. I implore you to stay safe, our different leaders will engage you at your respective grassroots structures,” M7 said.

November 11, 2020