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36-Year-Baby Skeleton Removed From Woman’s Womb

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In a rare surgery, a team of doctors from an Indian hospital removed the skeleton of an unborn baby from the womb of a 60-year-old woman after a span of 36 years.

The woman, Kantabai Gunvant Thakre from Pipariya (Seoni) in Madhya Pradesh was operated upon recently by a team of doctors at a hospital last week.

She had been complaining of consistent pain in her abdomen for the last two months. On check-up, the doctors felt a lump on the lower right side of her abdomen, and feared it was cancer.

The presence of a lump was confirmed by sonography. Further, a CT scan revealed that the lump was made of hard, calcified matter.

“It was after the patient underwent a MRI that the doctors could make out that the mass was in fact a child’s skeleton,” The Tmes Of India reports.

The Times Of India reports that the woman who got pregnant in 1978 as a 24-year-old, had then suffered from a medical condition in which the baby was growing outside the uterus. However, the pregnancy got terminated mid-way.

“We asked for a detailed medical history and the patient’s brother told us that in 1978 she was pregnant and had some complications,” said Dr B S Gedam, who led the team of surgeons.

Earlier, doctors from a city-based hospital had told her that her foetus might have died at that time and she would have to undergo an operation. But the Thakre got scared at the prospect of surgery and went away to her village (Pipariya) without undergoing the operation, Gedam said.

He said that the patient claimed that after a few months of treatment at a health centre in her village, she was relieved.

Mbuga Tells URA: You Are Not Above The Law

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What would you do when you are wanted over a debt amounting to over Shs200million? The answer is that you would most probably go into hiding!

But not city tycoon Suleiman Mbuga Kabangala. Following the botched attempt by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to confiscate his expensive cars, the youthful tycoon went to Facebook to issue a warning.

“This is Uganda, a country of authority but no one is above the law. Let the game begin.” The message posted shortly after URA enforces stormed his home but it seems he was aware of the move prior to their coming.

He had moved the vehicles away from his home.

This is one of the methods that URA uses against tax defaulters. This was the same method used against singer Jose Chameleone when his escalade was confiscated in March over a tax debt of Shs42million.

He got back his car a month later after clearing his debt while others like Iryn Namubiru just left their cars to the tax body for good since they haven’t gone to secure them. it is coming to over a year since they were confiscated.

However, unlike his counterparts, Mbuga’s case has been taken beyond cars. The tax collection body has slapped the South Africa based businessman with a travel ban.

The body claims the decision was reached after Mbuga’s failure to clear his income tax amounting to Shs219million.

According to a statement issued Tuesday, URA says that between 2011-12, Mbuga did not file an income tax return as required by law. According his estimated tax assessment was raised in November 2013 and he was supposed to pay Shs192,241, 900, an amount which was to be paid by January.

URA adds that Mbuga issued a cheque of Shs100million to the body and another with Shs119million.

However, the latter is said to have bounced. They further say they have tried several times to reach him but have failed, leaving URA with one option; slapping a travel ban against him.

Khalifah Aganaga Survives Fatal Accident in Nakasongola

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Singer Khalifah Aganaga has survived a fatal accident in Nakasongola where five people have been confirmed dead.

The accident involved a Gaaga bus travelling from Koboko which had a head on collision with KK Bus. The accident happened along Nakasongola – Gulu highway.

The KK Bus that that collided with Gaaga bus (Picture by Herbert Ochan)

The KK Bus that that collided with Gaaga bus (Picture by Herbert Ochan)

The singer who was in a car with his manager Emma Carlos and some dancers survived the accident with just scratches.

However, the Gaaga bus driver and four passengers have perished in the accident, according to Exclusive Uganda, a local news wire.

Murchison Falls National Park Wins 2014 TripAdvisor Accolade

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Murchison Falls National Park has won the 2014 Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor due to its outstanding feedback from TripAdvisor travelers.

TripAdvisor is the world’s largest travel community boasting of more than 260 million monthly visitors, 60 million members, over 150 million reviews and opinions and 44 sites in 27 languages.

Murchison Falls National Park won the award based on the quality of reviews and opinions you have earned on TripAdvisor over the past year, according to Mac Charron, President TripAdvisor for Business.

“We hope you will showcase your certificate to guests and staff with pride,” said Charron.

“We also encourage you to promote your win to local media and past and future guests by using our free tools for award winners,” Charron added.
Murchison beat three other National Parks which include Queen Elizabeth, Kibale and Bwindi Impenetrable for the certificate.
Some of the reviews from Visitors to Murchison Falls National Park include:

The top of the Murchison falls is just the best. At a certain point, there is a rainbow that does not disappear. The journey is a long one but once you reach this place, it becomes worth it. the thunderous noise made by the water as it passes through the tiny hole is magnificent “THE ANGER OF THE NILE”

When one reaches this massive savanna land then yes you will accept Uganda is the Pearl of Africa. Dominated by one of the world’s strongest falls, Murchison Falls, this park brings all the wonders the Uganda can offer. Here at Murchison Falls the mighty River Nile cuts through a gorge that’s really makes it the angriest point seen on the Nile.

In Murchison Falls National Park we took the boat trip on the Victoria Nile to the base of Murchison Falls. The launch trip takes about three hours return. You can also take it 1.45hrs then get off and climb to the top of the falls. You need to pre-arrange this option and have your driver wait for you at the top of the Nile.

Priest Drags Chameleone To Court Over Failure To Turn Up For A Show

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Mitala Malia Church’s Priest, Father Edward Bwanika has dragged celebrated Afro-beat singer Jose Chameleon to court over failing to turn up for the show yet he had been paid.

t is reported that Chameleone was paid by Father Edward to perform at the grand opening of his new beach, Heart Beat but the singer was out of sight on the last day.

Edward alleges that the singer was fully paid prior to the final day with payments being made in installments.

According to Bukedde, a luganda newspaper, Chameleone was first paid a sum of Shs1 million and Chameleone’s manager, Robert Jackson Nkuhe also known as Mutima.

Edward adds that he later added him Shs2 million before adding him Shs1 million on the last day, bringing the sum to Shs4 million.

However, even after the payments, Chameleone put a conditionality that he was to perform only if a modern stage and equipments were in place.

Edward alleges that given that fact that he wanted Chameleone to perform at his beach, he dished Shs10 million into the equipment the singer had requested for.

When everything was in place, Edward adds that Chameleone still asked for an extra Shs200,000 as transport fuel to go check the stage and sound system if it fitted the one he had asked for.

He was given this but still he didn’t turn up which made revelers who had turned up for the show threaten to damage Edward’s properties if the singer never showed up.

Edward rushed to police and with the help of the police, he managed to protect his property but says he has instructed his lawyers to take legal measure against the Bayuda singer.

He wants Chameleone to pay back all the money he gave him, that he spent on the modern equipments and security to protect his property from the angry revelers.

Mufti Shaban Mubajje Names New Imam For National Mosque

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Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) Wednesday appointed Sheikh Imran Abdunoor Ssali as one of the Assistant Imams of the Gaddafi National Mosque – UMSC Headquarters Old Kampala.

According to UMSC Secretary for religious Affairs, Sheikh Murshid Luwemba, the decision was reached in a UMSC management meeting which was Chaired by His Eminence the Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje.

It took place at UMSC Headquarters.

Sheikh Imran who has been serving as the Personal Assistant to the Deputy Mufti of Uganda since 2008.

He graduated from the International University of Africa – Khartoum Sudan with a degree in Sharia/Law.

He is also the head of Daawa department on 94.1 Radio Bilal FM, an Islamic founded radio at UMSC Headquarters – Old Kampala.

He is the one who delivered the Khutubah (Friday Sermon) for Juma prayers at the National Mosque on Friday 8th August.

Sheikh Imran Ssali also holds a Diploma in Computer Science commended the UMSC management committee for entrusting him with the responsibilities and promised to deliver as expected of him.

The first Imam of the National Mosque is Sheikh Hussein Rajab Kakooza, the UMSC Director of Sharia.

Hotel Link Solution Launched services in Uganda

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Hotel Link Solutions launched its services in Uganda aimed to help hotel and accommodation businesses to use the power of the internet and increase their business across the country.

“I am very excited to be working with Hotel Link Solutions and to lead these activities,” remarked Mr. Sula Kakande the new country director. “By setting up shop in Uganda, Hotel Link Solutions makes evident the growing importance of the region and the demand for cutting-edge online marketing solutions to support it.”

“As Hotel Link Solutions provides easy-to-understand and comprehensive digital-marketing solutions to accommodation providers, it is poised to extend the reach of the Ugandan market and I look forward to great years to come.”

As Director of Business Development for Hotel Link Solutions Uganda, Kakande also has plans to reach out to neighboring countries like Rwanda and Burundi, the statement from the company said.

Uganda is Debt Sustainable – Says Finance Ministry

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Four Uganda’s representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) have picked nomination forms to vie for the post of speaker for the assembly.

The members are Mike Kennedy Sebalu (NRM), Chris Okumu Opoka (UPC), Daniel Kidega (NRM) and Suzan Nakawuki (Independent).

The position fell vacant on Wednesday after the House impeached Uganda’s representative Margaret Zziwa as Speaker EALA over alleged impunity and incompetence.

The nomination exercise is expected to end tomorrow at 1:00pm according to EALA deputy clerk Obatre Lumumba.
“So far three members have returned their forms, it is only Honorable Nakawuki who is yet to return her form,” said Lumumba.

Yesterday, Ugandan MPs were locked up a long day meeting trying to agree on the candidate by press time the meeting was still going on. Sources attending a closed door meeting for EALA members Uganda chapter disclosed that the members were planning to front Mike Kennedy Ssebalu as the next speaker for EALA.

Uganda was on Wednesday given 48 hours to replace Zziwa so as to fill the vacant position of EALA speaker. Uganda, whose representative Margaret Zziwa was impeached as the Speaker EALA, is holding the position until 2017. The New Speaker from Uganda will lead the House for the next two and half years.

Meanwhile, Speaking to New Vision yesterday, Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda said government was still studying the situation regarding Zziwa’s impeachment adding that government had not yet taken a position on the matter.

Nicholas Opiyo: I Saw My Father Being Brutally Arrested in Gulu

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Nicholas Opiyo

He grew up in Gulu at the height of the LRA Conflict, walked four kilometers to sleep on the verandas of Gulu town to avoid abduction, but Nicholas Opiyo managed to grow up into a prominent lawyer and human rights activist in Uganda.

Mr Opiyo had a one on one with Uganda Record about his career and perception on the current issues in the country.

Tell us a brief background about yourself?

Nicholas Opiyo is a very humble lawyer. Currently the secretary of Uganda Law Society, board member of the Anti Corruption Coalition Uganda, a leader of the Chapter 4 Uganda among other things. Born in a remote village in Amuru district, I lived in Gulu at the height of the conflict, was a night commuter as a child, who made his way by sheer luck.  I went to Uganda Christian University for my degree, to Makerere University for a postgraduate and then Law Development Centre for diploma in legal practice.

Was being a lawyer always your dream career as you grew up?

No. I actually wanted to be a journalist. As early as my primary school, my father used to make us listen to BBC Focus on Africa and would ask us questions about the news. I think I wrote my first article in the Daily Monitor when I was in senior two. But my thought about being a lawyer turned around in 1994 when my cousin brother was running for a post in Gulu Municipality . He struck me as very smart and so he inspired me to become a lawyer. By then, he was also an advocate for the Legal Aid Project of the Law Society in Gulu. He tutored and mentored me, so I wanted to be like him. Reflecting back on my background as a night commuter, walking 4 kilometers to sleep on the verandas of Gulu town to avoid abduction , seeing my father being brutally arrested by the government troops in middle of Gulu Town in 1989, I felt a strong urge to do something about it.

Have you ever regretted being a lawyer?

There are challenges about being a lawyer in terms of public perception  but I enjoy every single minute of my profession. The beautiful thing about it is I get to do what I actually wanted to do as a journalist.

What do you consider the biggest challenge you have faced in your career?

There are several but the biggest challenge of them all is that of perception. People used to look up to lawyers, but now the profession has kind of lost credibility because of the many things that happen in the practice but also because of the understanding of what lawyers do. People think all lawyers are liars. However, I think another huge challenge of being a lawyer is the fairly, under-developed justice system in Uganda.

Have you ever been threatened by a person because of work?

Yes, several times I have received threats, intimidation and all kinds of things. But those things are just threats. If somebody wanted to do harm to you, they wouldn’t warn you. They just want to scare you are break your spirit, although I don’t take them seriously.  The only thing that people say in my tribe that keeps me going is that “You can postpone a date for burial.” Your death is pre-determined by some fate.

What is the most important thing that has ever happened to you in your career?

Growing up in northern Uganda in extreme poverty, hardship at the height of the conflict, having to sleep on verandas, to live off relief aid, seeing my father and family line up for yellow posho and second hand clothes, I would never have imagined I would be where I am today. Being able to emerge from that surrounding to be what I am, is the most important thing that can ever happen in my life.

What is your opinion on the way Ugandan youths, politicians and police handle demonstrations?

First, the principle has to be under-scored, but there is an inherent right to peaceful demonstration provided in our constitution that everybody must be allowed to exercise that right in accordance with law. That to me is the principle. It is how democracy is functioning. Democracy is exchange of ideas; people must be involved in their governments either by way of demonstrations or presentation. But over time, demonstrations in Uganda have become synonymous in riots. Riots are not demonstrations. So the twisted conception within the police force is that all demonstrations are riots.

Secondly, the mentality appears to be that the role of the police is to block such riots/demonstrations. But I think the role of the police is to facilitate an equal enjoyment of rights for all people in this country so that a person seeking to demonstrate must do so alongside that person who wants to sell her tomatoes on the roadside.  If the police could only grasp that principle, all these demonstrations we had in town would have been very peaceful and organised.

What is your opinion on the recent controversial Anti-gay bill? Do you think it will be assented in the future?

The process of the law becoming the law has now been set in motion. It is an irreversible process in my view. Whether President Museveni decides or not if Parliament has resolved, it will hold its ground and that law will become law by either default or assent of President. That process under Article 9 is irreversible. I don’t agree with the bill myself but I think that the state has no duty in prescribing who you love, don’t love, have safe with or don’t have sex with. Intercourse is an intimate private act between two consenting adults therefore, that cannot be regulated by law, it is unenforceable.

Secondly, you cannot begin to set moral values in a law. Moral values are a process of societal norms taking shape in growing. You cannot prescribe that by law. You cannot impose a majority moral value upon all of us because people behave differently. Therefore, in that respect I think the bill is misguided. This bill affects and defines our sexual life in more fundamental ways than we can imagine.

What is your opinion on the anti-pornography bill?

This is the most useless piece of law I have ever seen. It is an attempt to control the body of a woman. It is just impractical. It is that same mentality of putting moral values on a particular society.

The Uganda Record Spot On Questions

1. What is your typical day like?

I wake up at around 5:00am, do some reading, listen to the news, reach work at about 7:30am. When I get to my desk, I open and  respond to emails, go to court if there is court, attend meetings if any and I spend most of my time between police and court. In      the evening, I leave work very late like about 9:00pm.

2.What do you want to be in 10 years?

A Civil Lawyer

3.What do you love most about Uganda?

Its natural resources

4.What do you hate about Uganda?

How people are deeply divided along ethnic lines and the corruption

5.Who is your biggest influence in life?

My Father

6. If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items or people who would wish to have with you?

My book, father and a ball

7.Favorite movie you last watched

A Long Walk to Freedom

8.What is your favorite place you would love to have dinner from? Any place where Acholi food is served

9.What would you wish to be written on your tombstone?

I don’t want to have a grave. But if someone wanted me to have one, I would wish them to write: Here is the guy who tried to make human rights a reality.

10. Beer and whiskey

I don’t drink anything alcoholic

11. When was the last time you cried?

Last month

Nichol

Over 100 MPs Have Signed To Bring Back Anti-Gay Law

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Ugandan Parliament

Over 100 members have so far signed a document calling for the re-commitment of anti-homosexual act to Parliament.

While Tuesday addressing Journalists at Parliament, Kawempe North MP, Latif Ssebagala, one of the people championing for the re commitment of the act said that the press conference was called to assure all religious leaders and Ugandans that they (MPs) have not back tracked on the Anti-Homosexuality act.

“We are asking all MPs to come and sign for all those who are support the Anti-Homosexuality Act. We want the speaker to allow us suspend our rules of procedure so we can have the Act back and passed.”

He added that it is possible for the bill to be passed within three days and they are happy that most MPs have reacted positively towards the initiative.

“Whether we stay hungry and get no donations we shall pass the Anti-Homosexuality Act again as Mps,” he said.

Kampala Woman MP, Nabillah Ssempala said she is glad the bill is back “because we shall preserve our culture, anual sex is not African.” “Some women are being subjected to anal sex because their men can’t have fellow men and this should be included in the bill.”

“I am a member of the caucus and we shall pass it from there to parliament whether one wants it or not,” said Igara West mp, Rafeal Magezi.

“The court did not nullify the principal of the law but the method of its passing therefore the law will come back,” said Bufumbira East MP, Eddie Kwizera.

Uganda’s Constitutional Court Friday annulled the anti-gay legislation signed into law in February.

It ruled that the bill was passed by MPs in December without the requisite quorum and was therefore illegal.

The decision of the court was met with anger from the public and religious leaders. In his reaction to the ruling, the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Stanley Ntagali, on Sunday said the court ruling was a big surprise and great disappointment to the church, other religious leaders and many Ugandans.

The youth leader of the biggest opposition political party, FDC, Francis Mwijukye while reacting to the ruling advised religious leaders and others who are against the court ruling to blame Mr Museveni for lying to them, saying the president who conned them by signing a nullity into law.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General, Peter Nyombi shortly after the ruling said he was going to appeal in the Supreme Court.

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