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Zunum Aero’s Plane of the future to Make Air Travel Cheaper

By
Uganda Today
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0
Zunum Aircraft

When Tesla raised the bar on the production of electric vehicles, all eyes turned. Not only to watch how realistic the project would go, but for inspiration too. Zunum Aero, a small aerospace startup, is bringing on board a hybrid electric airplane with batteries stored in its wings. This project, the company says, will save operations both in time and costs.

The aircraft, meant to seat between 10 and 50 passengers, will do short-haul trips of around 700 miles as at launch, with plans to get over 1000 miles by 2030. This is a great attraction for motorists, with majority of travelers opting for road when moving up to 500 miles.

The company has patented this concept and is backed by the Boeing Co. as well as from JetBlue Technology Ventures, a subsidiary of JetBlue Airways. According to the founder and CEO, Ashish Kumar, the idea is to create aircraft that fit in dormant routes. These are routes that have fallen into disuse due to trends that favor larger aircraft serving bigger airports. Currently, only 2 percent of the USA’s more than 5,000 airports account for 96 percent of air traffic; an indication that the bigger airports are crowded, making service at the smaller ones costly, if it even exists.

According to the Insight Travel Guides, Zunum targets to fill the wide regional transport gap by cutting door-to-door travel times on busy corridors by 40%, and 80% in less traffic. Due to no fueling, operation costs would drop thus reducing travel fares by up to 80% below the current prices.

The aircraft will feature hybrid propulsion, with 80% lower emissions than the existing planes; and upon advancement in battery tech, emissions will drown to zero. The community noise will also drop by 75%, enabling all-hours access to smaller airports.

The firm has been in existence for three years, with a vision to develop a 1000-mile electric air networks to bring  fast and affordable transport. With the first prototype to be ready in two years, there is hope for commercial production in the early 2020’s. That shall be after complete approval by the FAA.

The interest in electric planes has been on the rise in recent years. Airbus has already recorded a successful flight of an electric plane across the English channel in 2015. With the technology, Uber plans to launch flying taxis in a bid to complete long-distance travels in countable minutes.

Zunum Aero’s concept comes at a time when electric vehicles are gaining traction, with Tesla already registering success on its projects. Like Tesla’s value now exceeding that of Ford, who knows, Zunum could overtake Boeing one day.

Opinion: Why I support the Human Rights Watch report about the Kasese Killings

By
Peter Nakibinge
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0

“Ensuring Independent investigations into the conduct of security forces would not absolve civilians who committed crimes from facing Justice, but would ensure security forces are also held responsible for their conduct and demonstrate a fundamental commitment to rule of law ” Human Rights Watch.

The Devil’s hand behind the Rwenzururu Omen continues. There are a few matters at a glance that one would ponder about.

It is important to note that justice can never be achieved through back doors.

It is equally inhumane to think that one can negotiate the loss of over 180lives for Justice’s sake in closed meetings.

Closing the people out of such processes is such an inhumane assumption.

This reminds me of the bitter realities “prominent” Rwenzururu figures were spotted in broad day light condemning the locally elected leaders.(Parliamentarians).

These are some of the historical moments that will never be forgotten by generations to come.

I came to learn the difference between human beings and being human.

How one earth would one fail to quickly discern that excluding the victim’s leaders was a way of trampling on the Victim’s freedoms.

The gist and why I support this independent investigations proposal is;
It is a milestone in ensuring that justice is not only seen to be done but it is truly done.

It will demonize all the would be speculations about the apportioned liabilities(leasing to the dire truth)

It will enlight the world in as far as the extent to which who wronged who is concerned.

Justice can never be established without establishing the truth first.

After we have established the truth then we shall be able to choose the right method to achieve the best path towards ensuring long lasting peace.

We can opt for a legal solution based on what would have come out.
We can equally opt for a local or an African solution of dialogue call it reconciliation.

However, this comes in after establishing the extent to which we wronged ourselves thereafter we apologize to each and decide in good faith to move on.

We call it starting a new chapter.

You know what???
This basic understanding of this report makes me fail to categorize anyone that opposes it. For lack of a better world no matter how defective your lenses may be! You qualify as an enemy of peace and the entire region.

There is no flag big enough to cover the shame of killing innocent souls.

Sandy Apolo Randy
A humble subject of the Rwenzururu establishment.

The Dream Team
Keeping the Hope Alive.
The Eagle Eye.
The Voice from the Peak.

Spanish Woman Sentenced for Twitter jokes about Franco-era assassination

By
Uganda Today
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0
Twitter

A Spanish court on Wednesday sentenced a young woman to jail for posting jokes on Twitter about the 1973 assassination of a senior figure in the Franco dictatorship.

The National Audience, Spain’s top criminal court, found Cassandra Vera, 21, guilty of glorifying terrorism and humiliating victims of terrorism and slapped her with a one-year jail term.

She is unlikely to spend time behind bars though as offenders of non-violent crimes with a sentence of under two years do not serve time in jail.

Vera published 13 tweets between 2013 and 2016 about the assassination of Admiral Luis Carrero Blanco, the prime minister and heir apparent of dictator Francisco Franco who was killed in a car bomb attack in Madrid on December 20, 1973 carried out by the Basque separatist group ETA.

The massive explosion sent the car Carrero Blanco was travelling in hurtling into the air and over the roof of a church where he had just been attending mass.

“ETA combined a policy against the use of official vehicles with a space programme,” read one of the posts. Another said: “Did Carrero Blanco also go back to the future with his car?”

The case has raised questions over freedom of expression in Spain and Vera has received much support. The leader of far-left party Podemos, Pablo Iglesias, accompanied her to her trial.

Even the granddaughter of Carrero Blanco attacked the move by public prosecutors to charge and put Vera on trial, saying in a letter sent to daily El Pais in January that while the jokes were in poor taste they were not worthy of such legal action.

“I’m scared of a society in which freedom of expression, however regrettable it may be, can lead to jail sentences,” Lucia Carrero Blanco wrote.

5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Renting a Car in Uganda

By
mike
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0

Car rental in Uganda is an impressive and considerably Budget friendly option for traveling through Uganda especially for independent travelers with personal interests like a safari vacation, business tour and a family trip. However, car hire in Uganda can become very expensive if you aren’t careful enough with the basics and tips or things to avoid when hiring a car for either self drive safaris or guided trips through the beautiful lands. Much recommended taking precaution of the extra charges and try avoiding them as much as possible. Make sure you pay what you were quoted in the price catalogue.

  1. One of the mistakes people do is taking up extra insurance
    Most car rental companies in Uganda provide comprehensive insurance for the car however some people want extra insurance to also keep their belongings and themselves at no risk. This is hefty expensive for you. It is commendable to first check from your insurance company whether your personal insurance can be carried onto your car rental travel. This makes one compensate for the extra insurance you are supposed to pay for your own safety. Most rental companies if not all extend their insurance only to their rental cars and if you prefer zero pay for risk or zero deductable, then this will be a little expensive for you.
  2. Avoid returning the rental car without fuel
    In most case car rental agencies Uganda provide cars to their customers with half or quarter a tank or a full fuel tank so that one can start his/her journey easily without first going to the fuel station. However, some customers return the car with no fuel or less fuel after their expedition in Uganda and this is violation on one of the common terms in the car rental agreement considering that violation comes a penalty of a paying a premium fine that is more costly than refueling the car.
  3. Minimize paying for extra services
    For instance, car rental companies in Uganda charge for extra baby seats and GPS and yet these can be acquired on a personal basis. So make sure when you need any of these facilities acquire them from your home country; buy a baby seat and also download or update Google maps on your smart phones which can act as a gps for your navigation on trip so that you can save the money meant for these extra services. However if you do not want to pack a lot, consider saving enough more for the extra services provided.
  4. Consider checking the car before your expedition
     Most recommended to do a thorough inspection of the car with main enfaces on looking for any damages that are physical and mechanical. Also go an extra mile and take photos of the car before driving it. This is done to avoid the car rental agency apportioning the blame for the damages that may have already been on the car even before driving it. Put in mind that any damage caused on the car when driving it the cost for amendments is on your bill.
  5. Avoid returning the rental car later than the date proposed
    There is always a premium fine on un-communicated late  car returns for travelers who return rental cars later than the due date which is usually because the rental car is a commercial car that any day not paid for is a loss and the car rental agency cannot hold on that. So you have to make sure or a point that you deliver the car to the car provider on time.

Opinion: Refuting the Human Rights Watch Report is a Clear Sign of Weed Smoking

By
Peter Nakibinge
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0

Apologies to my brothers in the Rastafarian belief in Ethiopia and beyond, no offense.The Rwenzururu establishment woke up to a shock of its life on the 27th of November 2016. Scores murdered in cold blood in a single expedition!!! The Devils Hand Behind the Rwenzururu Omen continues.

It was a morning that the entire country will live to remember. Why remember it? It was a historical landmark.

The subsequent days after this landmark, were days of total mourning. Trauma to date still covers our people’s faces. What misnomer in the society!! We had all voices from all walks of life, some condemning and others justifying. We experienced the first King in History that was arrested, branded as a criminal, taken for questioning and later produced to court to face charges.

A total of 169 are still battling with charges in court with a few out on a temporary freedom measures called bail. At this point I can now confirm that it must be true that the Witchcraft in Rwenzururu seems to be too real. If not, this witchcraft seems to be feeding on something potent. Simply, it seems it smokes some weed.

The Rwenzururu hurdles are to do with trust. Anyone trustworthy will settle the puzzle.
Refuting the Human Rights watch report is a sign of weed smoking. This shows you the level of complexity of this matter. How on earth could people who claim to have gone to attend the White man’s education fail to comprehend some simple grammar? It is something once lost, can’t be regained.

I hope no one would ask me why the Rwenzururu people embrace the report save for the usual meal card defenders. That is what happens when your stomach overrides your mental capabilities. It is equally a sign of giving up in life.

They saw a a ray of hope that possibly wold restore some peace. They saw someone reaching out with a premise of a human face. They saw some promise to live again. It was a new beginning envisaged.

It will be entered in the world records if an opportunity is availed. An opportunity to have people regain hope and belief.

The only rational conclusion on would make, is that those unsubstantiated rebuttals of the report, are engineered by something hard to explain. It could be something potent that might have taken charge of some people’s faculties.

Give me a chance. Give me a break. I want to rebuild my Identity.

Sandy Apolo Randy
A humble subject of the Rwenzururu Establishment
The Dream Team
Keeping the Hope Alive.
The Eagle Eye.

Quality of life on rise for many Africans – report

By
Uganda Today
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0
Africans Live Improve

Africans are seeing a steady improvement in the quality of their lives, with some countries even nearing world averages, says a wide-ranging report out Monday on the continent’s future.
While large portions of the continent’s 1.2 billion people live in poverty, many of Africa’s 54 nations have made significant progress in health, education and standard of living.
“At least a third of African countries have now achieved medium to high levels of human development,” said the report published by the African Development Bank, referring to a composite measure of a nation’s condition.

“North Africa has the highest levels, approaching the world average, but all sub-regions have seen steady improvement” since the turn of the 21st century, it added.
Despite the advances, some 544 million Africans still live in poverty, according to the report titled “African Economic Outlook 2017”.

Rwanda recorded the most progress, followed by Ghana and Liberia in the fight against poverty since 2005. One of Rwanda’s key efforts was a community-based health insurance system that by 2010 had covered nearly 9 in 10 of its people.
At the same time, north African nations Egypt and Tunisia have health insurance systems that cover 78 percent and 100 percent respectively of their residents.
Spending on education, which is considered key for development, is above six percent of gross domestic product in South Africa, Ghana, Morocco, Mozambique and Tunisia. While Nigeria puts less than one percent of its GDP into schooling.
According to World Bank figures, European Union nations spent an average of 4.9 percent of their GDP on education in 2013.

‘Potential for prosperity’

In central Africa, where school completion rates for girls are the lowest on the continent, the gap with boys is increasingly narrowing. Nearly three times as many girls finished secondary education in 2014 than a decade prior.
Gender equality is on the rise in several nations — including Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda — where women “achieve almost equal levels of human development as men,” the report said.
While there are bright spots in Africa’s move toward better income, education and health, serious challenges remain in the fight against poverty.
One of the main ones is the lack of access to cooking fuel, electricity and sanitation. The needs may not come as a surprise given some 645 million people in sub-saharan Africa live without electricity.

The future is also not very bright for many of the continent’s young people, nearly half of whom are unemployed. One of the key problems is that many receive an education that does not give them marketable skills.
“The greatest contributor to economic growth is not physical infrastructure, but brainpower, what I refer to as ‘grey matter infrastructure’… Stunted children today leads to stunted economies tomorrow,” African Development Bank President Akinwumi Ayodeji Adesina said in 2016.
The report sees reasons to be hopeful for the economy this year, predicting a 3.4 percent expansion after weak 2.2 percent growth in 2016.

However, the future rebound assumes that “the recovery in commodity prices is sustained, the world economy is strengthened and domestic macroeconomic reforms are entrenched,” the report said.
East Africa remains the continent’s economic powerhouse, driven in large part by Ethiopia. Overall, Africa remains the second most dynamic region in the world behind developing nations in Asia.
The continent’s middle class, which the report estimates at 350 million people, “represents a vast source of potential for prosperity.”

Opinion : The Rwenzori Peace Restoration Fallacy

By
Peter Nakibinge
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0

You must drop your cheap Arrogance for our own good. Talk is cheap and anyone can say anything. Talking about peace does not necessarily bring peace. This is where you all have gone wrong.

Time and again I have been here, haunting the real devil.

I confirmed sometime back that indeed there is some invisible devil’s hand behind the Rwenzururu misery.

I would like to be educated about the peace mission possibilities in the Rwenzori amidst tears.

We all know it as a snow mountain with occasional rain drops but of late its a snow mountain with constant drops of tears.

From my humble understanding, I can conclude that peace is not an in put but rather an out put.

This may sound somewhat technical, but put in basic grammar I mean you must put certain things
place for the desired peace to fall in place.

I risk to sound inhumane but at the same time I hate being hoodwinked. Our brothers the peace merchants lost it.

They never asked themselves the hard questions. They are hiding under the pretext of dialogue.

There has never been any dialogue in the Rwenzori. All I constantly see is some sort of monologue.

How do you explain a meeting attended by a government minister, an RDC,DPC&GISO all these are government representatives.

The victims are not represented. The question is why isn’t the victims having representation? Its because the monologue champions have no message for them.

What will you tell a parent staring at six grave yards of his sons? That they deserved to die!!!

Take a humble walk with me to Liberia! Do you have any single idea about what happened in Liberia? Do you know why they have their current president female?

Please! Help me on your own, visit Rwanda. My brothers there can tell you how they have managed.

However, one thinking that he or she knows it all about peace and more so within the Rwenzori region! Its a blunder.

I do not know what they are reporting to the chief funder of these flopped crusades.

Allow me to report to you that the mission hit a dead end. It died as soon as it was conceived.

I would like to put you on notice that we can not have peace unless there are certain clear terms set.

We must stop behaving like hunters hunting for peace as if its an animal.

Peace can only be achieved if only we all sobered up, owned up and went back on the drawing board. I believe we must and should start with the basic called UNITY.

I am for peace. We are for Peace. We don’t believe in monologue for Peace.

Lastly allow me to thank the Human Rights Watch International. Thank you for that rich report. We look forward to its implementation by those tasked to do so.

Sandy Apolo
(A humble subject of the Rwenzururu Kingdom & a citizen of the Republic of Uganda)

The Dream Team.
Keeping the Hope Alive.
The Rwenzori Eagle Eye.
sapolo87 @gmail.com

Multichoice Launches Rewards Programmes For DStv & GOtv Customers

By
Jeffrey Kahigana
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0

Today, video-entertainment company, MultiChoice, introduced two brand new incentive programmes – DStv THANKS and GOtv WOW – to appreciate their DStv and GOtv customers. From this month, the DStv THANKS and GOtv WOW programmes will offer exiting rewards for loyal DStv and GOtv customers.

“We are delighted to launch DStv THANKS and GOtv WOW to say thank you to our valued customers. We are committed to putting customers at the heart of the business and one of the ways is to show our appreciation for their loyalty and unwavering support by offering them more value,” said Charles Hamya, General Manager MultiChoice Uganda “We remain committed to exploring various ways to improve our value-added benefits and create platforms where we can show gratitude for our customers for being part of our family.”

DStv THANKS and GOtv WOW are customer-focused programmes aimed at recognising and rewarding subscribers for their commitment to the brands. Customers who qualify for these programmes include those with subscriptions that have remained continuously connected to DStv and GOtv nonstop for three months or more.

Some of the exciting rewards that await loyal customers include monthly airtime bonuses and two brand new entertainment channels for GOgetters as well as four additional entertainment channels on the DStv platform featuring the hottest telenovelas, movies and great local and international content for the whole family to enjoy, at no extra cost. The entertainment channels offered as rewards will offer a fantastic line up of ‘not-to-be missed’ new shows with something for everyone in the family to enjoy. These include:

Zee Bollymovies on DStv channel 114 and GOtv channel 12. This Bollywood movie channel offers a mix of classic and contemporary movies dubbed in English – expect it all: melodrama, dance, music and fashion. The channel will launch with movies such as Mohra, Kushi, Shaitan and Fitoor.

Viasat Life on DStv channel 177 and GOtv 57. Look forward to factual entertainment channel with inspiring stories of ordinary people who have made it big, insightful and practical information. The channel will feature shows with Hollywood greats like Snoop Dog and Martha Stewards in Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson in Wake Up Call and a variety of lifestyle shows like, House of Curves, The Three Day Nanny and My Floating Home.

Nina TV on DStv channel 143. Nina TV is a telenovela channel featuring African and Brazilian novelas of romance, passion, drama, suspense, action and vengeance. Viewers can enjoy movies such Lalola, Brave Woman, Side By Side and Mali.

Trigger on DStv channel 188. Trigger is a male-skewed entertainment channel infused with a dash of macho.

For two weeks, starting 7 March until 21 March, all DStv customers as well as GOtv Plus and GOtv Value customers will get the opportunity to experience unlimited access to these exciting channels offering a range of the latest quality content. Thereafter, all customers on Premium, Compact, Compact Plus, Family and Access plus GOtv Plus and GOtv Value who stay continuously connected for three months and more will have uninterrupted access to the channels.

There’s more, in addition to getting Zee Bollymovies and Viasat Life, GOtv customers will also be rewarded with monthly airtime bonuses, provided they remain continuously connected to GOtv Plus and GOtv Value for a minimum of three months.

“When putting together these programmes, we analysed the best global rewards programmes practice as well as what our customers love about the DStv and GOtv brands. The rewards offered had to provide greater value to our loyal customers beyond what they would normally get while also providing added motivation to stay loyal to our platforms,” added Hamya. “We’re confident that the rewards we have lined up for DStv THANKS and GOtv WOW will not only enhance our customers’ television viewing experience but also solidify their connection to our platforms.”

UN Commence Signal Training for Female Peacekeepers

By
Uganda Today
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0
UN Women Peace Keepers

A group of 39 police and army female officers from 17 countries across the globe including Uganda are undergoing training in signal operations at UN Regional Service Centre (RSCE), Entebbe.

The two weeks United Nations Signals Academy (UNSA) training will strengthen peacekeeping operations by combining practical training for UN contingents and signals experts with the teaching of UN operating procedures, equipment and familiarization with operating in a peacekeeping environment.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of UNSA in Entebbe, Deputy Japanese Ambassador to Uganda Yutaka Nakamura showed commitment by Japan in promoting women emancipation for peacekeeping missions.

“Japan is committed in facilitating women’s active role in society and women’s empowerment and enhancing global health diplomacy. Supporting women’s participation and protecting their rights in the area of Peace and Security. “He said.

Sam Leal from UN Signals Academy in New York urged trainees to take this unique opportunity to leave the course with a spirit of peace and unity of the United Nations.

Trainees speak out

Maureen Akuro a UPDF officer with AMISSOM in Somalia acknowledged that she has faced challenges in operating the latest signal technology while on mission.

“The training will enable us counter the problem of signal interference by enemy threats and curb the long distances we have been moving to provide information to our commanders.” She added.

Opinion: Could This be the Genesis of the fall of Rwenzururu Kingdom?

By
Peter Nakibinge
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0

Am at pain to continue with our series of “the Devil Behind the Rwenzururu Omen”. At this stage I would like to draw your attention to the simple bitter facts as they unfolded.

Looking at them in isolation may not make real sense, but all combined one can discern the danger befalling this Kingdom.

Paying attention to detail is one thing my lecturer taught me. I never just take anything for granted.

Kingdoms are such a unique establishment that have a unique social order.When such order is broken or tampered with, they definitely cease.

Whoever, is still waiting for an announcement on radio receivers or Television sets, you may have to wait a bit much longer.

On the 27th November 2016, the social order of the Rwenzururu Kingdom was broken.

When the King was ejected out his palace and the palace set ablaze, we went back to square one.

No King in history ever reigns or rules over his subjects while in exile. Possibly we are waiting to see the first of its kind in Rwenzururu.

It is naive of any Rwenzururu subject to believe that this establishment is still in existence.

Come to think about these basic facts;
The King’s palace is attacked in broad day light, blood is shed and very many arrested.
The King is airlifted from his territorial jurisdiction to another Kingdom, to his subjects he was being air lifted to go and meet the President. Alas, he ended up in some detention camp at Nalufenya.
He is finally produced in court and various charges tramped upon him.
Various people flock statehouse with all sorts of pleadings.
The legal battle starts.

Blackmail and mistrust takes over the whole institution and process. No one is genuine.
There emerge castigating teams in the name of peace lover(actually the conflict merchants).
The first bail application is made and it is successful granted. However, the fruits of the same are not realised due to what we shall discuss lator.
The King is disgraced and rearrested at the court premises taken back to Jail.

Another bail application is made, conditions given on how it should be made and who should do what.(actually the first of its kind, where bail becomes negotiable).
Finally then bail is granted in a way of changing his prison to house arrest. Actually the only right that the King was granted is stay with his family.
He is not allowed to talk to his subjects save with due clearance from the powers that be.
As he appears before court from his house its Police that takes charge. He uses some police car to take him to Court and back.
Lastly but not least, he is historically now the only King worldwide who is leading his people without communication.
There has never been a Kingdom ran like this. No King reigns under such. The bitter truth is that the Rwenzururu Kingdom has been abolished and in any case, the King no longer has any powers.

If he is acquitted he will have to start over again. He will have to establish a new order in place.
This means the old order was tampered with and subsequently banished.

The King needs not be exiles to Europe for you to know that the Kingship is no more.
You might wait for a billboard to raised along Kampala road or Rwenzori Square for you to know what i’m talking about.

Sandy Apolo Randy
A humble subject of the Mighty Kingdom of Rwenzururu.

The Dream Team.
Keeping the Hope Alive.
The Rwenzori Eagle Eye.
The Voice from the Peak.
sapolo87@gmail.com

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