The ongoing investigations into the conduct of the National Social Security Fund-NSSF former Managing Director, Richard Byarugaba will not in any way affect the members’ savings, Finance Minister, Matia Kasaija has said.

This comes almost three weeks after the president, Kaguta Yoweri Museveni on December 22, 2022, directed the Minister of Gender, Labor and Social Development-MGLSD Betty Amongi, to investigate the alleged mismanagement of the fund by the MD.

This followed a 22-page petition to the president, signed by more than 100 workers citing mismanagement and contract procurement issues. With an investment portfolio of up to 17 trillion Shillings, NSSF is Uganda’s largest retirement benefits scheme, overseen by the two ministries, though directly under MGLSD.

Following the president’s directive, Amongi instructed the NSSF board of trustees to conduct investigations, which they handed to the Inspectorate of Government and the Auditor General’s office. The investigations commenced on Thursday last week, and are expected to last for two months.

As a result, the Inspector General of Government-IGG halted any financial transactions at the fund, which aroused concern among the members about the safety of their savings and payment of their benefits within the investigation period. However, Finance Minister, Matia Kasaijja told journalists at the government-owned media center that the investigations are a normal process that takes place in all entities.

“Such investigations take place everywhere, and probing is not criminalization so there is no cause for alarm for whatever reason because your money is still intact and safe,” Kasaijja said. He said that his ministry agrees with the efforts of the MGLSD for the re-orientation of NSSF, such that it can expand its membership, and ensure more compliance.

On her part, Amongi said that MSLD has already submitted all the relevant documentation to the IGG and the Auditor General to facilitate the investigations.

“The operations at NSSF are going on normally, and nothing has changed except that there are investigations about the former MD, whose outcome is not yet even known at the moment. So fellow Ugandans do not panic, we are doing the right thing and protecting your money,” said Amongi.

According to Amongi, the outcome of the investigations will only determine the managerial agenda, but not the operations of the fund, which involve paying out benefits and investments.

Martin Nsubuga, the Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Retirements Benefits Regulatory Authority, said that as the sector regulators, they are closely following the events at the fund with the interest of protecting the members’ interests.

The NSSF Deputy Managing Director, Patrick Ayota, said that members are free to apply for their benefits as and when they need them as it has always been done and they will receive them in time.

“Our operations are going on very well, and we have so far paid up to 13 billion Shillings this month, both in midterm access and the matured benefits.”

Police have arrested Mr Abbey Musinguzi aka Abitex, an events promoter that organised an End of Year concert at Freedom City in which 10 people lost their lives following a stampede.

While addressing journalists at the police headquarters in Naguru on Monday, police spokesperson, Mr Fred Enanga said that they are also hunting for the other organisers who were part of the fateful event.

“We have arrested the promoter of that New Year concert as we continue the hunt for other organisers and managers of the same concert,” he said.

Mr Enanga said that preliminary information indicates that more than 500 revellers gathered at Freedom City on December 31, 2022, in a musical concert that would see them usher in the New Year 2023.

“The celebrations were progressing well until that moment when the Master of Ceremonies (MC) recklessly made an announcement for the concertgoers to move out and watch the fireworks display as one of the indicators that the New Year had come,” he said.

However, although the venue has several entry and exit points, only one was open at the moment and it was not enough to allow the bigger numbers of people who were rushing out for the fireworks. This caused a stampede that led to the death of nine people on spot. The 10th person died on Sunday according to Mr Enanga.

He said they are now preferring charges of negligence against Abitex, as well as considering a rush and negligent act against parents of children below 18 years who died in this stampede.

Buganda Road Court has issued criminal summons against opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye to appear and proceed with the hearing of his case of inciting the public in Kampala when commodity prices escalated a few months ago.

The presiding magistrate Asuman Muhumuza was prompted by the state’s request to have criminal summons issued against Dr Besigye who stayed away from court ahead of further hearing of his case.

Prosecution led by Mr Ivan Kyazze who had presented three witnesses Wednesday told the trial magistrate that “no proof of any medical documents has been presented to court by the defense lawyer thus seeking for criminal summons.�?

Through his lawyer, Mr Samuel Wanda, court has heard that Dr Besigye was feeling unwell which deterred him from attending his case and the lead lawyer Mr Erias Lukwago was indisposed thus seeking a short adjournment.

Dr Besigye is facing a charge of inciting violence together with his co-accused Samuel Walter Mukaaku who has been present in court.

The accused were arrested addressing traders about the need to protest against the skyrocketing prices of commodities in the country mid 2022.

It is alleged that the duo without any lawful excuse at an assembly- addressed members of the public implying that it would be desirable for them to demonstrate, yet this act can result into violence and destruction of property.

The case was on December 14, 2022 adjourned to January 18, 2023 for further hearing of the prosecution witnesses.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority-UWA has started hearing compensation claims from persons who have been affected by wildlife.

In 2021, President, Museveni assented to the amended Wildlife Act in 2019.  The new law provides for a compensation fund for persons who suffer bodily injury or are killed or suffer damage to their property by wild animals.

According to the law, the government will affect the compensation when the person’s legal representative submits a claim to the wildlife compensation verification committee.

The committee shall then verify a claim and submit it to the board together with its recommendation.

John Makombi, the Director in charge of Conservation at UWA says that the ultimate goal is to compensate for every case so that people are positive about wildlife management.

Makombi says that the authority will start with 20 cases after regulations under the new Wildlife act came into effect on 5th August this year.

Makombi however said the verification committee is facing a challenge of poor case presentation where some of the claimants lack sufficient evidence to sustain their compensation claims. He said UWA is soon starting awareness of the new law.

Dan Kahungu, a farmer in Kasese town says the new law will safeguard from wildlife acts since UWA was initially extending compassionate contributions which often were less than the value of life or property someone losses.

Communities in Kasese District that neighbor Queen Elizabeth National Park have several times lost their livelihoods to wildlife and blamed the government for delaying operationalizing the new law.

In August, the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities said that it had earmarked more than 900 Million Shillings to compensate victims of human-wildlife conflict.  The funds are a cumulative 2 percent of the total annual revenue being generated by UWA.

Dr. Kiiza Besigye, former President of the Forum for Democratic Change- FDC has said that there are members of the party who are advocating for negotiating a surrender to the ruling government.

Besigye revealed this on Thursday while delivering a keynote address at the party’s two-day 15th National Council meeting at the party’s headquarters in Najjanankumbi, Kampala. The two-day meeting is the first of its kind after the 2021 general elections.

Besigye noted that over time he has heard the voices of some members of the party who are asking to negotiate a surrender to the ruling government, claiming that they cannot succeed in overthrowing the government but these he said are free to join the NRM.

“There are some people amongst us who advocate for a form of surrender, saying that we shall not manage this, let us give up, those voices are there, I hear them, you can discuss them here whether as FDC we can negotiate a surrender,” Besigye said.

Besigye further said that many members have since started complaining that the struggle has taken too long and along the way have joined the government which Besigye says he will not demonize because of their decision. He said many of these are exhausted mentally, and financially.

However, while he says he has no problem with former FDC party members and opposition in general who join the government, he asserts that this cannot be a long-term solution.

“But I have told you that whether you surrender or not surrender, the struggle is bigger, yes your life may be a little better for a few months when you negotiate a surrender, but in the end, you will go in the same direction,” Besigye said.

Ambassador Wasswa Biriggwa the Chairman of FDC said that the primary role of the meeting is to restore public trust in FDC as well as find means to end political thuggery in the country.

In the 2021 general elections, FDC lost ground to the National Unity Platform. For 15 years, FDC was the biggest opposition political party in and outside parliament. With 57 MPs, NUP won the prize of the biggest opposition political party followed by FDC with 31 MPs.

The NUP Presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi also defeated the FDC Presidential candidate Patrick Amuriat Oboi who garnered 300,000 votes against 3 million votes.

Since then, Kyagulanyi and his party cemented themselves as the undisputed leaders of the opposition in Uganda.

Parliament on Thursday paid tribute to veteran politician, the late Dr. Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere. He died on Friday at home in Lubaga and was laid to rest on Monday at his ancestral home in Nkumba, Wakiso District.

During a debate on a motion moved by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Members of Parliament eulogized the late Ssemogerere for his steadfast loyalty to the country, advocacy for equity, respect for rule of law, and human rights, among other qualities.

Ssemogerere, contested twice for the presidency, in 1980 and in 1996, losing both to Dr. Apollo Milton Obote and Yoweri Kaguta Museveni respectively. After a decade of service, he retired from active politics in 2005 but remained a senior figure in the opposition until his death.

He led the Democratic Party- DP for 25 years after replacing Benedicto Kiwanuka who was murdered in 1972. Dr. Ssemogerere handed over the party leadership to the late John Ssebana Kizito 2005, the former Kampala City Mayor.

Dr. Ssemogerere served as a Member of the Uganda Legislative Council between 1961 to 1962 and a Member of Parliament for North Mengo Constituency in the first Parliament of Uganda.

During the tributes, his portrait was displayed on the screens inside the parliament chambers.

Nabbanja, said that the late Ssemogerere was a particularly dedicated and dignified leader who immeasurably participated and contributed to shaping the pre and post-independence democratic governance and political leadership of Uganda.

She further described the late Ssemogerere as a firm advocate and promoter of democracy and one of those who contributed to constitutionalism in Uganda.

Nabbanja asked parliament to appreciate the service that Dr. Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere rendered to the Democratic Party and the people of Uganda and pass a resolution in his honor.

While seconding the motion, Medard Lubega Sseggona, the acting Leader of the Opposition recommended that the resolution moved by Nabbanja is amended to urge the government to name a befitting prime road in the memory and appreciation of the late Ssemogerere.

The Busiro East MP said that the death of Ssemogerere crowns 90 years of a solid character of loyalty to the country, a high level of integrity, a brilliant record of service to the public, a deep sense of nationalism, unshakeable faith in God, and unquestionable commitment to the motherland.

“His commitment to his country was critically underpinned by the understanding that beyond all manner of thought and idea, Uganda is bigger than any one individual or any institution. I recall with fondness that in 1993 he chaired the committee for the coronation of His Majesty Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, for which he was awarded a medal,” said Sseggona.

He told parliament that Ssemogerere was saddened at the increasing number of abductions and political intolerance in the country by state operatives, the growing authoritarianism and the country’s weak institutions, the assault on constitutionalism and rule of law, the uncertainty arising out of the debate on political succession, economic stagnation and the youth growth without assurance of a stable future.

Sseggona said that this is a far cry from Uganda the late Ssemogerere tirelessly worked for and applied himself for all his adult life.

“If any in his memory and honor, this is a renewed call for deliberate sacrifice on our part to deliver reforms to the electoral landscape and validate the legitimacy of the aspirations of our people to decide how they are led. To deliver equitable opportunity and services across the nation,” Sseggona appealed.

Nabbanja said that government will consider a proposal to name a road after the late Ssemogerere.

Cecilia Ogwal, Dokolo Woman MP said that she knew the late Ssemogerere as a Democratic Party member, a catholic Christian, a democrat, and an activist in the restoration of the country.

Ogwal appealed to the government not to wait for people like Ssemogerere to die for it to give them a glorious send-off.

James Baba Boliba, the Koboko County MP said that when Dr. Ssemogerere was a Minister of Foreign Affairs for a decade, he gave protection to Foreign Service officers.

“As a foreign service officer it is a very competitive job and when you join it, you hope to rise to the ambassadorial level from grade six to grade one. Dr. Ssemogerere as Minister protected this, so officers like me rose to become ambassadors and head missions. Now these aspirations of foreign service officers are almost dashed,” said Baba.

The former State Minister for Internal Affairs appealed to the government and the President to look into the issue of foreign officers being reduced to working in headquarters, as secretaries, and in other positions.

Richard Lumu, the Mityana South MP said that the late Ssemogerere was very incorruptible while Fortunate Rose Nantongo, the Kyotera Woman MP said that the veteran politician mentored youth.

Jimmy Akena, Lira East Division said that the last conversation he had with the late Ssemogerere was on the 1996 elections and he was questioning whether his father, former President Milton Obote totally supported his bid for the presidency.

“I assured him that the struggle for multi-party politics was forefront and it was clear that we don’t have to agree on everything but so long as the common ideal for a better Uganda is before us, we can work with anyone in whatever circumstance,” said Akena.

Akena, the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) President said that they are sure that his party won the 1980 presidential election fair and square and that contrary statements are just hearsay.

Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa appealed to MPs to emulate the late Ssemogerere’s efforts toward peace and reconciliation. He directed the Clerk to Parliament to extract the resolution made by parliament and avail it too the late Ssemogerere’s family.

Members of the Interparty Organisation for Dialogue-IPOD Council on Wednesday visited the Democratic Party-DP headquarters along Balintuma Road in Mengo Kampala to eulogise the late Dr. Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere.

Dr. Ssemogerere died last week at his home in Lubaga and was accorded a state funeral at his home in Nattale, Nkumba Wakiso District. Since his passing and sendoff, messages of mourning have continued to come in to both his family and the Party he led as President General for 25 years.

On Wednesday, the council which comprises of Secretary Generals of member political parties of IPOD which are, the National Resistance Movement -NRM, Uganda People’s Congress-UPC, Justice Forum Party-JEEMA, People’s Progressive Party-PPP, and the host, DP eulogized the late Ssemogerere, describing him as an icon of dialogue and peace in this country.

The DP Secretary General, Dr. Gerard Blacks Siranda says that while they are saddened by his passing, they are equally celebrating a life of a man who loved unity, dialogue and engagement even with people with whom he held personal grievances.

He says, Ssemogerere believed in unity and diversity, multiparty dispensations and the general unity of the Country. Dr. Siranda says that IPOD stands for the values that Ssemogerere espoused, putting Uganda first amidst all challenges.

The IPOD Council was led by the NRM Secretary General, who is the council chairman Richard Todwong and he too had only praises for the late Dr. Ssemogerere. He says he learnt of Ssemogerere when he was still a young boy and was mesmerized by the attributes he learnt that the late exhibited in his life as a Christian and a politician.

Todwong says that Ssemogerere exhibited high level of humility during his political career referring to the 1980 elections won by Dr. Milton Obote. Ssemogerere is said to have won the highly contested elections but his victory rigged by the Obote government. He chose to let go although there were views that he would go to court or even resort to a rebellion to rescue his victory.

He says that it takes a man of high humility and a big heart to choose peace and unity of his country at a time when his victory is snatched from him. He recognized Ssemogerere for the contribution he made in the leadership of this country and in grooming young people especially through the DP.

Todwong who also used the opportunity to praise DP for entering into a Cooperation Agreement with the NRM said that the country is currently divided on petty issues and losing focus on the bigger picture of globalization where countries are recognized by what they have to offer to the world.

He says that as politicians mourn the passing of Dr. Ssemogerere, they should reflect on his legacy and weight their actions to see if they have strong faith as he did, keep strong no matter the tough times and commitment to unity for the sake of the country.

The JEEMA Secretary General Muhammad Kateregga also delivered their condolences and hailed Ssemogerere for his relentless service to the growth and development of the political dispensation of the country.

Other Secretaries General who visited DP headquarters were Fred Ebil of the UPC and David Alira of the PPP. The IPOD Executive Secretary Frank Rusa was also part of the team.

According to the DP, they shall be in mourning and continue welcoming mourners to their offices up to close of next week.