Last week, the Daily Monitor’s sister publication, The East African, reported that Tanzania had signed an agreement to link its Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The first phase of the construction will start from Uvinza District in Kigoma region in north- western Tanzania to Gitega via the Msongati region in Burundi, covering a stretch of 240km. The railway will then be extended to the eastern regions of DRC, The East African reported.

While the railway was seen as largely an economic undertaking, it is perhaps more important to remember that the “metal snake” has been one of the things that shaped not only the region’s politics, but also the shape of our states.

In mid-September in coastal Kenya city of Mombasa, traders demonstrated against the Nairobi government’s decision to transport all containers from the port to Nairobi Inland Container Deport – via the standard gauge railway.

The critics of the decision to move goods by rail to Nairobi after being offloaded from ships say it’s not necessarily cheaper; creates a monopoly; and that thousands of people who have invested in trucking and their drivers will be jobless. That it would crash the Mombasa economy – which it probably will. The protestors had many supporters. If we needed a reminder that railways are not just about transport or economics, that they are something bigger, that was it.

Conceivably New Vision thought they could jump unnoticed when they published a photo, not theirs in their sister luganda newspaper Bukedde.

Bad lucky trapped up them and today, the lawyers of Daily Monitor photojournalist Alex Esagala have written to Vision Group demanding copyright infringement compensation worth Shs400m.

New Vision CEO Robert Kabushga should have been very aware of copy rights at least and not used Esagala’s award-winning photo in his Bukedde Newspaper without getting permission.

In the notice of intention to sue written to Vision Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Robert Kabushenga dated on 26th of November 2019, Alex Esagala, through his lawyers of Kaggwa and Kaggwa Advocates, is also demanding for an apology from the media firm and cash compensation or else he sues them.

“On 25th November 2019, a photograph that was taken by our client appeared in Bukedde Newspaper. The said photograph was taken on 16th April 2018 and in fact, won an award in the Uganda Press Photo award.

Your actions of publishing the same without our client’s consent amounts to a copyright infringement contrary to the Copyright and Neighboring Rights Act, 2006,” reads the complaint.

According to the complaint, Esagala is demanding for usage fees and damages of Shs400 million due to the great risk he took while taking the said picture and skill while executing the same.

“Take notice, therefore, that should you fail to pay the above-mentioned sums together with 10% of the said sum as lawyers’ fees within seven days from the date of receipt of this letter, our instructions are to sue you,” Quote’s the complaint.

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Meets the People Power Movement in Uganda

“Your time is over, your time is over, your time is over,” a group of young people chanting to Uganda’s long-serving President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at a recent rally organized by the President of Uganda. Ironically, the President can organise mass gatherings of more than 25 people in public, but no one else in Uganda can. The political wave in Uganda is turning against the liberation President who has been in power since 1986. This is following the tide of the Alliance for Freedom & Change just up north in Sudan that led to President Omar al-Bashir stepping down in April 2019. Where political parties have been banned from campaigning, rallying, and organizing, a different approach to advance freedom became necessary.

Enter the People Power movement led by Uganda’s popular musician and Member of Parliament Kyadondo East Uganda, Honorable Robert Kyagulanyi also known as “Bobi Wine”. “The world is looking for somebody to do something, not explain why he did not.” This is the personal information written in bold on Bobi Wine’s public media platforms. People Power is a freedom movement in Uganda that is seeking “democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Uganda in this lifetime.” Several attempts to silence Bobi Wine and the People Power movement has been made since their inception. Their leader Bobi Wine has been imprisoned for “annoying the President”, their members have been attacked in public and attempts on their lives have been made in the name of silencing the movement. These attempts, however, have done little to stop the movement. With a drive to make a change from freedom, they keep moving forward.

Bobi Wine and the People Power movement recently announced that their leader will be running for President in the 2021 General Elections in Uganda. “Don’t get guns, get your National ID’s” he says to the youth in Uganda. A lot of violence comes to the surface.

Artistes like Bobi wine should appreciate NRM peace which has helped them make money. President Yoweri Museveni has revealed that the peace and stability that was brought by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government has enabled artistes like Bobi wine, Bebe cool and Chameleone to nurture and develop their talents while making money to fight poverty.

President Yoweri Museveni made these remarks on Thursday during celebrations of Sam Bagenda aka Bbosa’s 33 years in acting.

The actor, who has dominated drama in Uganda under the Ebonies, commemorated his legacy with a 40-minute play, titled Under The Bed.

The play depicts lust in society. President Museveni, who arrived at 8:25 pm, said he was grateful to the Ebonies for inviting him to the theatre, which he said he last attended 55 years ago and had been missing.

President Yoweri Museveni speaking to his Bazukulu

“I used to be active in drama and the Scripture Union in school. I took part in a play of the murder of Julius Caesar in the cathedral,” he said.

He added that later, from 1965, he got involved in the political struggles and did not have time for anything else after that.

“Therefore, when I was sitting there watching, I said to myself that these people have been enjoying good things, I have missed,” he said.

Museveni described the play as full of fun and at the same time educative.

“But I have not had time to interact with the dramatists for a long time. Therefore, I thank you for inviting me today. But in particular, I thank you for utilizing the opportunities created by the National Resistance Movement Government to develop your talents,” he said.

President Museveni sitting with Prince David Wasajja

Museveni quoted the Bible, about a man who was given a talent and utilized it well. He narrated that when they had just returned from the bush, he used to watch Uganda Television and enjoyed Ebonies’ drama series — That’s Life Mwattu — which featured Bagenda prominently.

“At that time, he (Bagenda) used to demean the people of Kiboga, describing them as backward and, therefor, did not know much about the city and urban life. That was the last time I saw him on television acting,” he stated.

President also said he was shocked to learn that Jimmy Katumba died. Bbosa knelt on stage and raised his hands high, thanking everyone who had shown him, love. He repeatedly said it was too much joy for him He quoted Simeon in the Bible, who said:

“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have President Museveni admires mugs which were donated by Dr. Bbosa during celebrations to mark Bbosa’s 33 years in drama at Theatre La Bonita in Kampala on Thursday. Photos by Eddie Ssejjoba Pastor Bugembe praying for Bbosa promised” (Luke 2:25).

Some of the Ebonies members performing
“This is my day, but forgive me, because I am speechless. Let me keep quiet because I can weep in front of you,” he continued saying as his fans cheered him on.

Bbosa hailed President Museveni for having accepted to grace his day and thanked Wilson Bugembe, a gospel artist and pastor of Worship House, who he said prayed for him to host the President. Bugembe prayed for Bagenda and compared him (Bbosa) to the leper in the Bible, who returned to thank Jesus Christ after being healed.

The other lepers did not bother to return and give thanks. Bbosa donated two mugs to the President, one bearing Museveni’s picture and another, his wife, the First Lady. Museveni also promised The Ebonies a donation of sh100m

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has warned government officials intent on plundering public resources.

Speaking on Wednesday after a march against corruption in the capital Kampala, he called on government agencies to put integrity ahead of academic credentials when recruiting staff.

“Do not recruit people on basis of papers but look for integrity. That should be common in Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Inspectorate of Government (IGG) and State House anti-corruption unit. Maybe in judiciary, army and civil service. Those ones we need the papers more,” said Museveni.

According to the president, poor supervision was failing his government’s efforts against corruption.

He lambasted wealthy civil servants for stealing public funds.

“These people (wealthy civil servants) are parasites because they feed on what they have not worked for. They should know that corruption is a spiritual problem. The deputy speaker has just challenged you that let he who has never stolen throw the first stone. I will throw the first stone, I have never stolen and I am rich,” he said.

According to Museveni, in power since 1986, obesity among some public servants was also a sign of corruption.

“I have decided to cut weight. I was 106kgs, now I am now 76kgs. I think obesity is also a sign of corruption,” Mr Museveni added.

President Yoweri Museveni has urged Christians in Kalaki District in particular and Uganda in general to implement the mandate bestowed upon them by God of developing their areas and the country at large by harnessing the gifts of nature.

“From the very beginning, God had assigned the human race, that He made in His own image, to have dominion over all things on earth. Praying is good but does not abandon your assignment and you only think that prayer will do what you should do. Do your work and pray that God helps you to execute what he told you to do,” he counseled.

The President made the remarks yesterday (Saturday 30th November 2019) at the thanksgiving ceremony that was organized by Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu at his home in Anyara Parish in the new district of Kalaki in Teso Sub-Region.

Hill Water
The occasion that also attracted Teso cultural leader, Emorimor Augustine Osuban, marked the opening of the Temple of Elohim – a place of worship – that was constructed by Gen. Elwelu, who is Commander of the UPDF’s Land Forces.

The ceremony that was attended by a massive congregation, was characterized by several activities that included, according to the host Gen. Elwelu, the re-union between the people of Teso and their kins of Western Uganda, installation of President Museveni as liberator of the oppressed people as well as a special prayer dedicated to the people of Teso.

President Museveni, who was commenting on the role of prayer, called on all Christians to implement the mandate God gave them coupled with prayers. He stressed that all kind of work should be done with humility, not with pride.

“When we bring electricity here and we chase away darkness and water in the swamp is brought in homes, that means we are establishing control over nature. But pride is not what God wants. When you do good things, don’t claim them; give glory and honour to God,” he said.

Regarding patriotism, President Museveni agreed with Gen. Elwelu’s comments that Ugandans were not like their neighbors who strongly love their countries.

“But these wonderful Ugandans, they like to be Iteso, Langis, Banyankole, Baganda and yet, especially under the NRM, things have improved. Elwelu was saying many things and one of the things he said which I know, is that you people have a problem of being Ugandan. That one, among the many things he said, is definitely a fact. That is very dangerous for us,” he noted.

Commenting on the criticism leveled against UPDF’s role in controlling bad fishing activities, President Museveni, who asked all those engaged in the bad practice to stop it, explained that the Army was brought in to control the dishonesty of the people who were catching immature fish. He added that the exercise helped in restoring the fish population in the lakes as the original mistake was made by the people themselves who depleted fish stocks from all fresh water bodies.

President Museveni pledged support to the families of the late Elyau and late Denis Ecou, who were NRM cadres. He promised to construct an institution in memory of the late Dennis Ecou.