J.N. Ssekazinga - Hello Uganda Services Ltd

Sunday, 05 December 2021 18:21

Ukrainians told to shelter after 'leak' at ammonia plant

What you need to know:

The extent and cause of the incident was not immediately clear, but residents were told to seek refuge in basements or on lower levels of buildings to avoid exposure.
At least six people were killed in the overnight bombing of a shopping centre in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, an AFP journalist said Monday, with rescuers combing the wreckage for other victims.

Residents of the northern Ukrainian town of Novoselytsya should seek shelter after an ammonia leak at a nearby chemical factory, an official said Monday, as intense fighting with Russian forces in the area continues.

Sumy regional governor Dmytro Zhyvytsky said there had been an "ammonia leakage" at the Sumykhimprom facility, affecting an area within 2.5 kilometres (1.5 miles) of the plant, which produces fertilisers.

The extent and cause of the incident was not immediately clear, but residents were told to seek refuge in basements or on lower levels of buildings to avoid exposure.

"Ammonia is lighter than air, therefore shelters, basements and lower floors should be used for protection," Zhyvytsky said in a Telegram message.

He added that emergency crews were at the scene and prevailing winds meant the nearby city of Sumy -- with a pre-war population of around 250,000 -- was not under immediate threat.

According to Sumykhimprom's website the facility produces a range of chemical fertilisers.

Sumy, about 350 kilometres (220 miles) east of Kyiv, has experienced weeks of heavy fighting.

In recent days the Russian government has intensified propaganda and disinformation efforts alleging Ukraine is preparing to use improvised chemical weapons and has been developing a clandestine WMD programme.

The Russian Ministry of Defence claimed late Sunday that "nationalists" had "mined" ammonia and chlorine storage facilities at Sumykhimprom "with the aim of mass poisoning of residents of the Sumy region, in case of entry into the city of units of the Russian Armed Forces".

Russia has repeatedly denied helping Syria use chemical weapons in multiple attacks against its own citizens during the country's 11-year-old civil war.

Credit: Daily Monitor

Credit: AFP

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Wednesday, 14 December 2016 07:32

Useful Remedies Hidden In A Tea Bag

After brewing a big cup of tea, the first thing almost all of us do is, a hunt for a trash bin to get rid of that soggy tea bag. “Yeah! a good deed was done”, wrong!
Surprisingly, old tea bags can be used in multiple ways. It is similar to your granny’s advice – might sound weird, but definitely effective when used. They are mentioned below.

1.Revitalises Puffy Tired Eyes

All of us have those nights when we are too engrossed in completing the series, and the result is zombie-like puffy eyes the next day. Tannins in black tea can energise your eyes, and also help in removing that extra baggage under your eyes.
Store used tea bags in an airtight jar, and keep in a fridge. Grab your instant cool “Eye-Lifters” whenever you have those lazy mornings.

2.Fixes Minor Burns

Tannins in tea bags soothe inflammation caused by heat, you can use your refrigerated tea bag to get relief from minor burns as well. It helps in reducing inflammation, and is an effective remedy for minor burns.

3.Treats Sunburn

Do not worry if instead of getting a nice tan on the beach, you sun-burnt your back. A tea bag can be highly effective in getting rid of the itchiness as well as flaky skin. The acid present in black tea possesses soothing properties, that help in getting rid of the excess heat due to sunburn. So, next time pack a tea bag along with your sunscreen while going to the beach.

4.Removes Warts

Get rid of warts by placing a green tea bag on the affected area. You can secure it by wrapping a bandage on top of the tea bag. Antioxidants present in green tea, prevents warts from growing bigger. Replace the old tea bag with a new one after every 15 minutes.

5.Helps Get Rid Of Dandruff

Dandruff is one stubborn issue that almost all of us face at some point in time. If you are done with spending money on expensive products, here is a simple solution – rinse your hair with tea. Steep your favorite tea for an hour before rinsing. A daily scalp massage with tea not only removes dandruff but also adds shine to your hair.

6. Freshens Your Stinky Shoes

Stinky shoes are a matter of deep embarrassment, especially when you are far away from the comfort of your own home. You can freshen your smelly shoes by placing a tea bag in each shoe. It absorbs moisture and wards off the stink.

7.Shoos Off Odour From Hands

Wash your hands with tea bags to get rid of onion and garlic smell. It is effective in getting rid of odours to some extent.

8.Avoids Sore Gums

Spoiler alert – you will end up looking funny! But who cares if it works. Place tea bags in your mouth to reduce swelling and blood clot.

9. Gets Rid Of Watermarks On Mirror

Nobody likes any kind of distraction in the middle of self-admiration, right? Get rid of those water marks on your bathroom mirror by wiping it with a cloth soaked in brewed tea bags.

10.Helps Cleanse The Dishes

We all understand the struggle of removing grime from the dishes. Here is an easy solution, soak your dirty dishes with tea bags for overnight. You will thank yourself the next day as they are much easier to clean now.

11.Acts As A Manure For Your Garden

Impress your buddies by this impressive re-use of tea bags. Tannins in the tea lower the pH levels of the soil. Lesser the pH level, fewer chances of fungus accumulation at the base of plants. Place the tea bag in the soil around the plant and enjoy the beautiful blossoms.

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Monday, 06 December 2021 06:46

My wife has abandoned our marital bed

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She no longer sleeps in our bed but in the sitting room, she does not like to get intimate yet when we do, I find myself on treatment for STIs

Dear Heart2Heart, my wife and I have been together for some time now and we have a child together. However, of late, her behaviour has changed. She no longer sleeps in our bed but in the sitting room, she does not like to get intimate yet when we do, I find myself on treatment for STIs. Mind you, even through all this, I have never been tempted to cheat on her. I love my wife but I do not think she is faithful or in this marriage for the long-term. What should I do? Anonymous

Credit: Daily Monitor

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Sunday, 20 March 2022 08:55

Speaker Oulanyah burial programme expected on Tuesday

What you need to know:

The Speaker was first hospitalised at Mulago hospital and later at Nakasero Hospital before he was flown to the US. Earlier, he had been to Dubai where he underwent a surgical operation.

Government has said it will issue an official statement about the burial arrangements of Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah on Tuesday.

The minister for Presidency, Ms Milly Babalanda, tweeted on Sunday that the government will take charge of the Speaker’s burial arrangements.

“Fellow Ugandans, it’s most unfortunate to lose our speaker. I commiserate with all Ugandans and Africa at large,” Ms Babalanda said.

President Museveni on Sunday broke the news of the death of Mr Oulanyah, who had been hospitalised in Seatle, USA.

READ: We did everything humanly possible to save Jacob- Deputy Speaker Among

Condolence messages then started pouring in, several of which were praising the deceased for his outstanding contribution as Speaker and deputy Speaker.

READ: In Oulanyah, Uganda and NRM have lost a key leader- Kadaga

The minister for ICT and National Guidance, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, said the government is scheduled to convene a meeting with Oulanyah’s family to discuss preparations for returning the body from the US.

“We have to accord the speaker a decent burial. We urge fellow countrymen and women to continue praying for the members of the deceased’s family,” he said.

About his sickness

He said the deceased had been unwell for some time and had been to several hospitals.

READ: How unanswered phone calls tipped off Oulanyah's deputy, friends about illness

The minister said the Speaker was first hospitalised at Mulago hospital and later at Nakasero Hospital before he was flown to the US. Earlier, he had been to Dubai where he underwent a surgical operation.

“He has been sick and the doctors and health workers have been attending to him but as to the cause of death, I think we shall wait for a postmortem report from the doctors who have been attending to him,” he said.

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Sunday, 20 March 2022 06:00

How govt will earn from oil, gas sector

What you need to know:

Income. Government has provided a number of taxes under the Income Tax Amendment Bill through which Uganda will earn from the oil and Gas sector as a country.

Now that the oil development stage has started, it is easier to connect the dots on how the private sector will directly benefit from the resource.

A number of contracts have been drawn while hundreds or even thousands of others, are still in the pipeline.

However, beyond individual or company level benefits, the question is; how does Uganda, as a country, earn from the oil and gas sector?

Pamela Natamba is the head of oil and gas division at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

In her assessment, as a country, during the development stage, Uganda will mainly earn through taxes, given that there will be no commercial production until 2025.

READ: Tax exemptions under oil, gas sector

Therefore, she notes, such earnings have been provided for in the Income Tax Amendment Bill, which particularly focuses on the oil and gas sector.

“That Bill has made specific provisions, but one of them which is very interesting is it introduces a Windfall Tax,” she says and notes that this tax will apply to licensees that have signed Petroleum Sharing Agreements, many of which have been involved in exploration up to the point of production.

READ: Making sense of oil contracts

These, she says, include large companies such as TotalEnergies, CNOOC and Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), among others.

What the Bill puts in place, Natamba says, is that as long as you earn revenue in excess of a certain amount, you will be subjected to a Windfall Tax.

For instance, she explains, if international oil prices are expected to go for a certain amount you a company sells beyond what has been projected, the expectation is, the company will pay an extra tax over and above 30 percent.

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Sunday, 20 March 2022 08:45

Govt starts forceful evictions in Sango Bay Estate to pave way for oil palm project

What you need to know:

Out of the estimated 10,000 households, the government says it’s ready to compensate only 300 who are bonafide occupants

Government has commenced forceful eviction of people in the vast Sango Bay Estate in Kyotera District to pave the way for oil palm growing expected to start next month.

Since Thursday, bulldozers have been pulling down structures of people who reportedly encroached on 247 square miles.

Out of the estimated 10,000 households, the government says it’s ready to compensate only 300 who are bonafide occupants.

According to assistant commissioner of police, Mr Godfrey Matte who is spearheading the eviction exercise, they are enforcing a directive issued by State Minister for lands, Mr Sam Mayanja last month.

Credit: Daily Monitor

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Sunday, 20 March 2022 06:00

Mps to elect speaker before next sitting

What you need to know:

By dying before the 10 month in office, Oulanyah, a former Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) adherent-turned-NRM diehard, becomes the shortest-serving speaker of Uganda’s Parliament.

Lawmakers are to elect a new Speaker of the 11th Parliament following the death of incumbent Jacob Oulanyah, according to the Constitution.

Article 82(4) provides that subject to Clause (4) of Article 81 of this Constitution, “no business shall be transacted in Parliament other than an election to the office of Speaker at any time that office is vacant”.
Clause 4 of Article 81 relates to incoming lawmakers taking oaths of office, and of Member of Parliament, in order to be eligible to vote, and be voted, as Speaker.

Credit: The Daily Monitor

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Sunday, 20 March 2022 06:00

Bobi Wine unloads on SMACK over son’s suspension, segregation

What you need to know:

Altruism and empathy involves an examination and respect for diverse perspectives and an ethic of social service to address local and global issues in a peaceful manner. Today these skills are necessary not just for a few Ugandans, but for most of the world’s population.

In 2014, my colleagues and I wrote a paper, “The Economic Aspects of Child and Human Sacrifice.”. Whenever the word ‘child sacrifice’ was mentioned, the quickest things that run through one’s mind were rituals, body mutilation, killing, murder, and witchcraft, among other things often associated with sacrificial rituals. These were usually believed to have economic benefits such as wealth and prosperity, fueled by poverty and trickery by traditional healers.

Today, citizens are being killed, some with no specific economic gains attached. In the 2020 Uganda Police Report of April 19, 2021, 4,460 people were killed in 12 months, translating into at least 12 murders daily, through assault, poisoning, shooting or mob action. According to Grace Akullo (Daily Monitor May 27, 2019), the reason behind such murders include land wrangles, business rivalry, delayed justice and family disputes, while jealousy, greed, poverty, anger and, poor security are suspected to perpetuate the murders (Daily Monitor Wednesday September 4, 2019, p.16).

These murders of innocent citizens in Uganda raise some questions. In what ways did the education of the offenders nurture them to take the lives of innocent civilians who are not engaged in war or combat? How did the teaching received at home and school shape such prejudiced and inhuman acts towards their humanity? To what extent has the education of people prepared them to be good citizens - socially responsible people, respecting the rights of all individuals and promoting a safe, just and peaceful society for all people to live. The answer is somehow clear: homes, schools and colleges in Uganda and probably around the world may not be adequately preparing their students and other citizens to understand the nature of shared humanity - planetary citizenship.

Credit: Daily Monitor

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Wednesday, 12 June 2019 08:22

Court refuses to block Kiruddu sewage plant

Kampala. Court has dismissed an application seeking to block a government entity from constructing a sewage treatment plant to mitigate the irritating stench at Kiruddu Hospital in Kampala.
On May 5, the Assistant Registrar of the High Court Land Division, Ms Justine Atukwasa, ruled that the construction of a sewage treatment plant is meant for the greater good of the wider public which should not be stopped.
The registrar added that if in its final judgment court finds that Mr Steven Lwanga, who is claiming ownership of part of the land is the rightful owner, he can be compensated.

“The question would be what is the threat here that would render the applicant’s main application and the matter nugatory that it cannot be addressed through the award of damages? I do not find any such threat. He still has remedies at disposal including compensation for his equitable interest,” Ms Atukwasa ruled.
She continued: “In conclusion, therefore, bearing the above consideration in mind, I have come to the finding that this is not a fit and proper case for the application of interim injunction to be granted.”

The registrar further explained that court declined to issue a temporary injunction against government halting the construction of the sewage plant because it does so only in compelling circumstances.
Mr Emmanuel Ainebyoona, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Health, said following the court ruling, they are waiting for the National Water and Sewerage Cooperation to commence the construction of the treatment plant.
“This land was given to the ministry by Buganda Land Board which promised to sort out all third party claimants. So, we are now waiting for the National Water and Sewerage Cooperation to commence the construction of the waste treatment plant,” Mr Ainebyoona said yesterday.

In his petition, Mr Lwanga had sought for an interim injunction blocking Buganda Land Board (BLB) and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) or their agents from further trespassing on the contested land measuring 2.75 acres in Valley Zone, Salama Parish in Makindye Division where the treatment plant is set to be constructed until his main case has been concluded to determine his claim of ownership.
Mr Lwanga is claiming the land which was also formerly claimed by a one Serufusa who acquired it from Prince Richard Nakibinge of Kabaka, Sir Daudi Chwa lineage.
In February this year, following complaints from the residents about the terrible stench at Kiruddu Hospital, government and BLB negotiated to acquire the 2.5 acre land to build a sewage treatment plant to remedy the problem.

The BLB offered a lease to government through KCCA. Early this year, the area MP Allan Ssewanyana and the residents held a demonstration to protest the stench. Police arrested the MP.
Once the treatment plant is completed, the sewage from the hospital will be channelled directly to the plant since the current septic tanks cannot contain the huge sewage discharge from the hospital.

Credit: Daily Monitor

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Saturday, 05 November 2016 08:04

EAC LAUNCHES COMMON MARKET SCORECARD 2016 IN KAMPALA

East African Community, Kampala, Uganda, 28 October, 2016: The second EAC Common Market Scorecard (CMS) 2016 which evaluates implementation of the EAC Common Market Protocol was launched in Kampala, Uganda by the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Finance and Administration, Hon. Jesca Eriyo. The Scorecard 2016, which measures Partner States' compliance to the free movement of capital, services, and goods, was developed by the World Bank Group together with Trade Mark East Africa at the request of the EAC Secretariat.

The Scorecard was developed over a period of 18 months under the supervision of the EAC Secretariat and Partner States. The areas of capital, services and goods were selected for scoping as they are fundamental to the operations of the Common Market.

Addressing the participants at the launching, the EAC Deputy Secretary General stated that "a number of reforms have been undertaken since the 2014 CMS. These have brought the total number of non-conforming measures (NCMs) down from 63 in 2014 to 59 in 2016.'' While this shows progress it should be noted that all EAC Partner States remain largely non-compliant in their services trade liberalization commitments, added Hon. Jesca Eriyo.

Hon Eriyo disclosed to the participants that In CMS 2016 all Partner States were given full marks for compliance. Subsequent scorecards should consider assessing implementation of these commitments.The Deputy Secretary General informed the participants that the Scorecard is well aligned with the EAC's implementation priorities. "It fosters peer learning and facilitate the adoption of best practice in the region".

"The Scorecard will contribute to strengthen the regional market, grow the private sector and deliver benefits to consumers," stated Hon. Eriyo.

She said the implementation in terms of recognition of certificates of origin, an issue repeatedly identified as a significant non-tariff barrier (NTB) in 2014, Burundi continues to earn full points and Kenya continues to score 90 percent. Tanzania's recognition of certificates of origin has improved from 50 to 60 percent; Rwanda and Uganda's scores have both declined, indicating a worsening performance in terms of recognizing certificates of origin of other EAC Partner States. Most countries improved their score on applying tariff equivalent charges, though such charges persist as barriers to intra-EAC trade, stated the EAC official.

Hon Jesca Eriyo disclosed to the participants that the EAC average of resolution of new NTBs for the 2016 period was about 54 percent, better than the 38 percent rate for CMS 2014. The EAC Deputy Secretary General called for greater information sharing regarding the Treaty and Protocol provisions in the Partner States. Some members of the private sector, including private sector apex bodies, were unfamiliar with the Protocol or with the commitments affecting their operations. Hon Eriyo urged Partner States to strongly engage and inform the private sector on the implications on these reforms on their day-to-day operations across the region and develop a private sector reform champions who could help push for implementation.

Catherine Masinde, the Practice Manager, East Africa, Trade and Competitiveness, World Bank Group, said, EAC Partners have done a commendable effort in removing barriers to free movement of capital, services and goods, but more needs to be done

She said the EAC Scorecard provides transparent, rigorous, unbiased and client-led data on the key implementation gaps to the integration of the region's economies. It also highlights possible reform areas to improve compliance to the Common Market Protocol".

On his part Vice Chairman of East African Business Council Uganda, Kassim Omary, said it is of atmost importance to measure the extent to which the EAC Parter States are translating the Common Market Protocol into policies that support actualization of free movement of people and workers, goods, services and the rights of establishment and residence within the EAC Partner States

Mr Richard Kamajugo, Senior Director of Trade Mark East Africa in-charge of Trade and Environment, said that the TMEA Program of support to the Common Market Scorecard has been running from 2012 to march 2017,under the EAC Investment Climate Programe. He said the total budget support to the program was $ 10.4m, through IFC and EAC (technical support), under a 5 component program aimed at increasing inter and intra-regional trade and investment through investment climate reforms supporting the EAC Common Market.

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