The Government has issued a ban on the advertisement and promotion of natural “health drinks.”

A huge number of different types of “health drinks (beverages)” have successfully penetrated the market, as they can be found in almost all shops across the country.

In a joint statement issued on Friday by the National Drug Authority (NDA), Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), the drinks are not fit for human consumption.

“The National Drug Authority (NDA), Uganda Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and Uganda Communications Commission UCC have observed with concern a growing number of advertisements of products claiming nutritional and therapeutic value on television, radio and social media. These advertisements, which exaggerate the therapeutic capability of the drinks being advertised, are not only misleading to the public but actually putting lives at risk. Moreover, some of them, especially the visual content on TV and social media, portray inappropriate content,” read the statement in part.

Section 33 (1) of the National Drug Policy and Authority Act, Cap 206 prohibits the advertisement and publication of information that is calculated to promote the use of a drug for prevention or treatment of any disease or relating to enhancing human potency.

In addition, Section 5 (1 – 5) of the Food and Drugs Act, Cap 278 prohibits the false labelling or advertisement of food or drug.

Four radio presenters and comedians popularly known for acting parody skits under their stage name Bizonto have been re-arrested.

Mercel Mbabali, Simon Peter Ssabakaki, Julius Sserwanja and Gold Kimatono were arrested at Radio Simba over a July 2020 satirical skit that authorities think it was promoting sectarianism.
The CID spokesperson, Charles Twine, said they would be arraigned at Buganda Road Magistrate’s Court later today because the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had sanctioned their file.
“They are on their way to Buganda Road court. They had a sanctioned file for allegations of promoting sectarianism,” Mr Twine said.

He said Bizonto’s charges stem from last year’s arrest in which they were detained for several days on allegations of promoting sectarianism and offensive communication.
In July 2020, the quarter was arrested for releasing a satirical skit in which they listed several heads of government institutions denoting how they all hail from the western part of the country.

The comedians said they intended to teach children, who were stuck at home because schools were shut down, about the people who occupy strategic positions in Uganda.
They listed President Museveni, Chief of Defence Forces Gen David Muhoozi, and Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the senior presidential advisor on special operations.

The others they listed are: Bank of Uganda Governor Tumusiime Mutebile, Ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary Keith Muhakanizi, Commissioner General of Prisons Dr Johnson Byabashaija, Minister of Security Gen Elly Tumwine, Internal Security Organisation boss Col Bagyenda Kaka, Chief of Military Intelligence Maj Gen Abel Kandiho, commander of the Special Forces Command Maj Gen James Birungi, and the Electoral Commission chairperson, Mr Simon Byabakama.

When it came to the police force, the comedians pointed out its head, Mr Martins Okoth-Ochola, but were quick to add that Maj Gen Sabiiti Muzeeyi, the then deputy Inspector General of Police, was very influential in decision making within the Force.
They urged their fans to teach their children who is who in the country, further urging them to pray for Uganda’s leaders.

All the 12 people the comedians pointed out come from western Uganda. They said the individuals determine happens in the country and they would have a big say on who won the recently concluded January elections.

The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) ethics and disciplinary committee has sanctioned Police FC chairman AIGP Asan Kasingye and handed him a suspended 6-month ban from football-related activities. He has also been fined Shs 2.5 million to be paid within 30 days.

The decision announced today follows Kasingye’s misconduct during a Uganda Premier League game between Police FC and Vipers SC played on February 19 at St. Mary’s Stadium Kitende, home to Vipers.

It is alleged that the official handling the game as the centre referee made an error and sent off the police goalkeeper which irritated Kasingye who took his bitterness from the pitch after berating the match commissioner to his Twitter handle where he urged the league organizers to give the trophy straight to Vipers already.

Mukama Yebazibwe, Babawe ekikopo bukyali, Simanyi lwaki twonoona sente zaffe okuzanya liigi” meaning (Praise be to the lord, please give the trophy to them already so we don’t have to waste any more money). Kasingye tweeted.

“This is the order of the day for Vipers SC It’s too much. We can’t keep looking on as they rape the beautiful game. Someone must stop this madness. Corruption in football has gone beyond. Vipers, together with your hired refs, shame on you,” added Kasingye.

According to the FUFA ethics and disciplinary committee, Kasingye has been sanctioned for violating Article 39 (2) of the FUFA Ethics Code.

“Article 39(2) of the FUFA Ethics Code which provides that; Persons bound by this Code are forbidden from making any public statements of a defamatory nature towards FUFA and /or towards any other person bound by this code in the context of FUFA events,” FUFA said

“An automatic 6-month ban from all football-related activities (nationally & internationally) to be served in the event that Kasingye commits any other specified unethical conduct against match officials or club officials or in case he fails to furnish proof of payment of the fine” FUFA added.

It should however be noted that the red card that was given to the Police FC goalkeeper was earlier revoked by the executive board of Uganda Premier League.

Meanwhile, the assistant referee Juma Osire the assistant that led to issuing the red card to Police’s Derrick Ochan has also been suspended for one-month from all football-related activities. The committee ruled that Osire was wrongly positioned at the time of the incident and therefore couldn’t make the right call.

“The panel found that national assistant referee Juma Osire made a wrong call that led to issuing the red card. In the present case, the FUFA referees disciplinary panel sanctioned Juma Osire with one-month ban from all football related activities,” said FUFA.

Uganda Airlines says it has obtained landing slots at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) in the United Kingdom and Dubai International Airport (DXB) in the United Arab Emirates as it plans to launch its long-range operations with non-stop intercontinental flights to the Middle East, Europe and Asia.

“The process of obtaining traffic rights, foreign air operator permits and landing approvals, in the target destinations is progressing well,” reads part of the statement from the operator.

The operator said it will start inter-continental operations to Europe, Asia and the Middle East, after complete ting the ongoing A330-800neo aircraft certification process with the Uganda Aviation Authority.

“This is a five -phase programme which once complete will result in the addition of the aircraft to the Uganda Airlines Operator certificate (AOC),” reads part of the statement from the Airline operator.

The target initial routes with the A330 are London, Dubai, Guanzhou and Mumbai, with the airline operating direct flights to these city pairs from Entebbe International Airport.

Last month, Uganda received its second Airbus A330neo aircraft, bringing the total fleet to six as the national carrier, Uganda Airlines, continues with revival efforts.

The A330neo aircraft touched down at Entebbe International Airport, 40 km south of the capital Kampala, on February 2, 2021 as few invited guests due to COVID-19 guidelines cheered. The country received a similar aircraft in December last year.

Uganda Airlines collapsed in 2001 after it faced financial difficulties. It was liquidated after years of making losses.

Uganda began flight operations in August 2019 with the four Bombardiers CRJ900 for regional flights.

Government is optimistic that the revival of the national flag carrier will boost the country’s economic growth and tourism. Ugandans spend over 400 million U.S. dollars on air travel annually.

Hearing of the application seeking to withdraw the election petition which was filed by former Presidential candidate Hon Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu has hit snag as three of his lawyers turned up in court without practicing certificates (PC).

These led by Hon Medard Ssegona informed court that they already finalized the process of renewal of their certificates but were yet to receive their renewed copies.

“This matter was filed in January when lawyers were still enjoying the grace period which expired on 1st March 2021. It’s not in our practice to operate outside the law,” Ssegona said.

He also sought court’s guidance because the matter is of public interest and it requires expeditious hearing.

Chief Justice Dollo asked the lawyers whether they had informed Kyagulanyi about this issue so that he can prepare and represent himself if possible but they informed him that they never did so.

Being that this matter is of public importance, the Chief Justice gave Ssegona and his team up to 5pm to finalize with the process of acquiring these certificates before the Chief Registrar.

“If not I am giving you permission to go to the Registrar to give you a Temporary PC which will expire on 18th March 2021.”

The lawyers who represented Kyagulanyi.

The Internal affairs Minister Jeje Odongo has tabled before Parliament a list of names of 177 missing Ugandans who he said are in security detentions following their arrest during and after the January elections.

However, the minister’s list has a total of 222 people which security arrested.

According to Gen Odongo, 43 persons were arrested for participating in the riots, 156 found in possession of military stores and l7 arrested from meetings planning post-election violence, while 06 persons were released on police bond.

This therefore, means that details of 45 people arrested by security operatives are not on the list tabled by the minister before Parliament.

“Today I’m presenting to you a list of 177 names clearly identifying the person, the date when the person was arrested. The place where the person was arrested from, the reason why the person was arrested and the case management history. In summary, there are 43 persons arrested for participating in the riots, 156 found in possession of military stores and 17 arrested from meetings planning post-election violence, six persons were released on police bond, Gen Odongo told Parliament chaired by Deputy Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah on Thursday afternoon.

“I would like to inform the house and the general public that a copy of this list is at police headquarters with the office of the CPC. The public is encouraged to check with that office the whereabouts of their missing persons and to get permission to visit them. However, in doing so we should maintain SOPs and avoid overcrowding, he added.

After the minister had tabled the list, Hassan Fungaro called for a commission of inquiry into the events surrounding the abductions of persons by security agencies.

He demanded that the ministry of internal affairs gives more details.

However, Masaka Municipality MP, Mathias Mpuuga said the names on the minister’s list did not match what he had on his list.

“I have followed the Minister’s list and not even a tenth of what I have on my list have been read. We need to know the whereabouts of these persons, Mr Mpuuga said.

“Hon Jeje should read for us those names one by one, so that we know the reason of arrest and where they are. I’m afraid Parliament is being used as a clearing agent. Let him read one by one as I compare with the list I have,” Kira Municipality MP, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda said.

Obobongi MP, Mr Hassan Fungaro called for a commission of inquiry into the events surrounding the abductions of persons by security agencies.

He also demanded that the ministry of internal affairs gives more details.