On trail of dangerous rebel mission
Vestibulum eget tincidunt quam. Nulla et tellus id velit gravida volutpat id a urna. Nullam felis eros, adipiscing vitae fermentum ut, pretium at odio. In quam justo, molestie at ultrices vitae, ornare in lacus. Etiam felis tortor, tristique vitae ultrices a, ornare vitae leo. Nulla vel sapien dolor, vitae mattis erat. Nulla facilisi. Donec mi lorem, fermentum ut egestas aliquam, tincidunt vitae magna. Phasellus nec commodo elit. Nulla aliquam risus in ligula feugiat vel dapibus libero placerat. Nulla non volutpat mi. Vivamus sapien augue, tincidunt vitae vestibulum id, convallis quis orci.
USA Today's Susan Page Says Obama Administration Most 'Dangerous' To Press In U.S. History
Yet another journalist has come out against the seemingly unprecedented secrecy of the Obama administration.
USA Today Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page said at a White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) event on Saturday that the current administration is more threatening to press freedom than "any administration in American history." Page said she was "really worried" about what could happen if the White House continues to prevent reporters from doing their job of telling the news and telling the truth.
“This administration has been more restrictive and more challenging to the press, more dangerous to the press, really, than any administration in American history,” Page said. “I think access to the White House has just gotten worse and worse.”
In January, former New York Times executive editor Jill Abramson called the Obama administration "the most secretive White House" she has ever encountered as a journalist. Associated Press Washington chief of bureau Sally Buzbee also chimed inon White House transparency in September, citing daily "intimidation" tactics and firmly stating that the current administration is "significantly worse than previous administrations."
The famous media lawyer James C. Goodale, who represented the New York Times through the Pentagon Papers case, condemned Obama for criminalizing whistleblowers and reporters who use them as sources, boldly stating that "Obama will surely pass President Richard Nixon as the worst president ever on issues of national security and press freedom."
Journalist and co-founder of the Intercept Glenn Greenwald noted these recurring claims Tuesday morning:
President Kagame calls for talks over standoff
Kampala. President Paul Kagame has called for an end to the tension between Uganda and Rwanda that led to closure of Rwanda border on February 28.
Mr Kagame, who was addressing the Africa CEO Forum 2019 in Kigali on Tuesday, said on the official presidential Twitter handle Presidency/Rwanda @Urigwiro Village that Uganda and Rwanda can avoid “quarrels” that might hurt both countries.
“To say the least, if we can’t work together as brothers, sisters, friends, we can decide to give each other peace and forget what we have to do together but above all avoid quarrels that will be destructive because no one will win from any serious quarrel,” he told the summit.
His reconciliatory tweet is seen as a change from his earlier hardline position when told Rwanda’s local and central government officials on March 16 during a retreat at Rwanda Defence Forces Combat Training Centre, Gabiro in Gatsibo District that no one can bring him to his knees.
However, Mr Olivier Nduhungirehe, Rwanda’s minister in charge of East African Community Affairs, yesterday told Daily Monitor that Mr Kagame has not softened.
“The President has been clear right from the start and as government, we have given three options. The first option is that we want to work towards normalisation of the relations for economic cooperation. We have said this before. The second option is that if the first option is not possible, we should ignore each other. But that’s not our preferred option. The third option, which is the worst is that if Uganda wants do harm to us, and continues to support our enemies, Rwanda is ready to defend itself,” Mr Nduhungirehe said.
Uganda’s Regional Cooperation Minister Philemon Mateke yesterday said that “there are no quarrels” between both countries.
In a separate interview, Col Shaban Bantariza, the Uganda Media Centre deputy executive director, last evening said: “That is a positive statement and that has been the policy that nobody benefits from such a situation.”
Rwanda closed the border with Uganda and all the Ugandan cargo trucks have been blocked from entering Rwanda over allegations that Uganda is harassing and arresting Rwandans, an allegation Uganda has denied.
During the same forum, which was also attended by DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi, Mr Kagame also said it was only the people or Rwanda who can remove him from power.
“Whether you like me or not, President Kagame is here as President of Rwanda, it is the business of the people of Rwanda. If they want Kagame, they will have him and if they don’t they will remove him,” he said.
Rwanda also claims that Uganda harbours the Rwanda National Congress dissidents to undermine the Kigali government.
President Tshisekedi said leaders should not conflict because it’s a waste of time.
“Our countries will be neighbours forever, as leaders, we are here temporarily but our countries will always be there. Conflict with each other is a waste of time, time that could be used to build our countries,” he said.
Credit: The Daily Monitor
Facebook to report first earnings
Facebook is due to reports its first quarterly earnings since it became a public company.
Shares are down 25% since the company's $100 billion market listing in May.
With limited historical data available for the social network, the numbers are hard to predict.
But nerves were seriously rattled late on Wednesday when Zynga, which publishes games on Facebook, badly missed Wall Street estimates and slashed its forecasts for the year ahead.
Michelle Fleury reports from New York.
ARTISTES SET TO BENEFIT AS HOUSE PASSES BILL ON CULTURE AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES
ARTISTES SET TO BENEFIT AS HOUSE PASSES BILL ON CULTURE AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES
East African Legislative Assembly, Kampala, August 25 2015: Culture and Creative Industries in the region today received a shot in the arm following the passage of the EAC Culture and Creative Industries Bill, 2015 by EALA.
The Bill sailed through the 3rd Reading after intense debate on the floor of the House.The key Bill recognizes people with talents and skills and creates an environment that promotes talents and the necessary infrastructure to develop the industries, many of which are considered nascent, while removing existing barriers
The object of the Bill is to promote the Culture and Creative industries at the EAC. The Bill seeks to establish the Culture and Creative Industries Council that shall provide an environment conducive to the enhancement and stimulation of creativity and innovative endeavours among the citizens of the Community.
Once formed, the Council shall provide high quality training for skills and creativity development and formulate policies and strategies to stimulate creativity and innovations among the youth to ensure long term supply of talents.
Culture and Creative Industries are considered one of the fastest growing sectors in the global economy and contribute significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of many developed and developing countries.
The Council is also to conduct a comprehensive mapping of individuals or groups involved in creative industries and design practical tools that assist individuals to effectively use and diversify their products to be locally and globally competitive.
According to the mover of the Bill, Hon Dr. James Ndahiro, there are citizens with talents and if such (talents) are well exploited, then individuals and the nation would greatly benefit. The Bill, Hon Dr Ndahiro states, seeks to provide a legal framework for East Africans to excel in all forms of talent and creativity and contribute to the welfare of the Community.
We need to celebrate the integration aspirations but only if we take into consideration and overcome challenges been faced in the cultural and creativity industries. Such include unfair treatment in terms of permits to operate, discrimination of citizens from Partner States despite our co-operation and the opening up of region due to the Common Market Protocol, Dr Ndahiro maintained.
The debate today was preceded by a Report of the Committee on General Purpose presented to the House by the Chair of the General Purpose Committee, Hon Dr. Odette Nyiramilimo.
The public hearings were held on March 9-12th, 2015, to form an effective medium for sensitization of stakeholders on the Bill and a forum for them to contribute to its enhancement. Stakeholders visited included the government officials from the Ministries of EAC, Culture Ministries, Private sector and officials of the Investment and revenue collection bodies.
Hon Dr Nyiramilimo said it was necessary for the Bill to consider Intellectual Property rights which is a specialised and wide technical issue requiring consideration. The report also states that it is important for the region to consider the relevant provisions of the EAC Common Market Protocol and their operationalisation. The Report also states that digital media and other forms of art including audio-visual media be included.
The debate on Bill commenced last week. However it was adjourned to give the Committee time to interact with the Council of Ministers. During debate today, Hon Shyrose Bhanji said it was necessary to support local artistes. “There is not still a good market for artistes and it is vital for Governments to create budgets to enable them compete in the world market” Hon Bhanji said.
We have the likes of Juliana Kanyomozi, Ken Wa Maria, Bobi Wine, Kidum among others. They need to marketed widely so they also widen their scope,” she said.
Hon Dora Byamukama said it was necessary to have intellectual property rights through a Bill to enable innovators to enjoy the royalties. She called for development and mapping of an inventory of artistes in the region as a marketing tool.
“Let us market our products aggressively but such products should also be quality”, the legislator added.Hon Judy Pareno said there was creativity and energy among the youth that should be harnessed. “The Bill will address some of the issues that concern our youth”, she said.
“There is so much expertise in the bead work of the Maasai for example, Have we patented them? We must protect intellectual property and the regional law goes a long way in addressing some of the areas including protection and harmonisation”, Hon Pareno added.
Hon AbuBakar Zein lamented that the Sauti ya Busara which showcases the best of artistes and one that brings together the globe to East Africa is unlikely to take place in 2016 due to lack of funds.
“This is sad thing should it happen, given that the occasion fuses a melt pot of creativity and innovation, he said.
“The project of integration can wholly be inspired by arts,” he added.
Hon Hafsa Mossi said the region was blessed by a rich culture and great potential in terms of arts. She said the media could play a key role in outreach. The Chair of Council of Ministers, reiterated that United Republic of Tanzania was committed to the law and had submitted its inputs for consideration.
Hon Frederic Ngenzebuhoro, Hon Valerie Nyirahabineza, Hon Leonce Ndarubagiye, Hon Ussi Maryam, Hon Susan Nakawuki and Hon Martin Ngoga duly supported the report.
Uganda’s EAC Minister, Hon Shem Bageine said it was important to preserve, protect and defend the culture of Africa at all costs. We should also strive to promote the Kiswahili culture, the Minister said.
Source: EAC Press
HOUSE ADJOURNED INDEFINITELY
East African Legislative Assembly, Kigali, October 30, 2014: EALA has this morning adjourned sine die (indefinitely) on the last day of business owing to a quorum hitch.
The Rules of Procedure (Rule 13) provide that the quorum of the House shall consist of half of the elected Members provided that such quorum shall be composed of at least three of the elected nine Members from each Partner State.
Only two Members of the Assembly from the United Republic of Tanzania were present in the House this morning. Kenya had 8 Members, Burundi 8 Members, Uganda 7 Members and Rwanda 9 Members, during the roll call by the Speaker.
Hon Susan Nakawuki brought the matter of objection to quorum to the notice of the Speaker, who suspended the House for 15 minutes in accordance with the Rules. Upon resumption, the numbers remained the same.
As at the time of interruption, the Motion moved by Hon Dora Byamukama on Wednesday, October 29th, 2014, to remove Hon Shy-Rose Bhanji as a Member of the EALA Commission (EALA's policy organ) by way of secret ballot was on the Order Paper. Under the Rules of Procedure (Rule 18) any item of business standing on the Order Paper as at time of interruption shall be placed on the Order Paper for the next Sitting.
The Motion moved under Article 31 (l) avers that the Member had exhibited misconduct while on an EU Benchmarking trip to Brussels, Belgium on October 7-11th, 2014 and attended by Members of the Commission and Chairpersons of EALA's Committees.
According to the Motion, the Member in question made derogatory remarks about some EAC Partner States, some Members of the Summit of EAC States and verbally insulted Members of the delegation.
The Resolution condemns and expresses displeasure in the mis-conduct of the Honorable Shyrose Bhanji.
The Motion was supported by Hon Abubakar Zein, Hon Christophe Bazivamo, Hon Bernard Mulengani and Hon Dr. Martin Nduwimana. Others were Hon Hafsa Mossi, Hon Abdulkarim Harelimana, Hon Peter Mathuki, and Hon Mike Sebalu.
Those who opposed the Motion were Hon Makongoro Nyerere, Hon Taslima Twaha, Hon Mumbi Ngaru and Hon Susan Nakawuki.
In her contribution, Hon Shyrose Bhanji denied the allegations terming them as character assassination. She urged the House that all allegations be put in writing to afford her an opportunity to formally respond.
The Speaker has also announced in the House of the resignation of 5 Commissioners from the EALA Commission. The Members are Hon Abubakar Ogle (Kenya), Hon Christophe Bazivamo (Rwanda), Hon. Patricia Hajabakiga (Rwanda), Hon Hafsa Mossi (Burundi) and Hon Jeremy Ngendakumana (Burundi)
This now means that for the Commission to transact any business it needs to be re-constituted according to Article 3 of the Administration of the East African Legislative Assembly Act.
Source: EAC News Press
