Busoga Express

Museveni to address nation on Labour Day as companies sack workers over declined revenues.
President Yoweri Museveni will address via live broadcast on the occasion of this years’ International Labour Day, May 1, State House has announced.

“H.E Kaguta Museveni will address the Nation on the occasion of this years’ International Labour Day LabourDay May 1st via live broadcast. Please tune in to all national Televisions and Radios,” Ms. Lindah Nabusayi, his press secretary said via Twitter.

The address will be carried live on television and radio.

International Workers’ Day, also known as Labour Day or May Day, is a celebration of labourers and the working classes that is promoted by the international labour movement which occurs every year on May Day.

Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development Frank Tumwebaze last week announced that Ministry of Labour will not organise International labour day celebrations earlier planned to take place in Mbarara Western Uganda due to COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am writing to notify all workers and fellow citizens that due to the social disruptions caused by the COVID19 pandemic and in pursuit of the national coronavirus prevention guidelines in place, Ministry of Labour will not organise International labour day celebrations on 1st May 2020, earlier planned to take place in Mbarara,” Mr. Tumwebaze wrote.

The day has come at time when a total of 81% of the global workforce of 3.3 billion people have had their workplace fully or partly closed.

Restrictions on daily life have led to the closure of many companies and the laying off of staff – either permanently or temporarily.

The outbreak is expected to wipe out 6.7% of working hours across the world during the second quarter of 2020, according to International Labour Organization.

That is the equivalent of 195 million full-time workers losing their jobs.

The worst-hit region is predicted to be the Arab states, with an 8.1% decline in working hours (five million full-time workers).

Confident: If we are to hold an election now, I can win with 80% of the vote – Bobi Wine
People Power Movement leader Hon Robert Kyagulanyi is confident that despite all the malicious propaganda the regime has done on them, they have in various ways managed to reach out to the population and convinced them to support their cause.

According to Bobi Wine, as it stands now, the numbers they have gathered can easily see them win an election against incumbent President Yoweri Museveni.

“If we are to hold an election now, I can win with 80% of the vote,” said Bobi Wine.


He however added that if at all the opposition comes together and front one candidate, it can be a landslide victory for as they can beat Musevevi by 90% votes.

“We are stronger together,” he said.

In relation to the coalition, Bobi Wine said he sees no hope of the forces of change coming together to challenge Museveni because a lot of them have concentrated on fighting individual battles with in their respective parties.

He revealed that as People Power, they can’t just seat back and wait for a coalition, they will instead go around the country mobilizing for support of their cause in the struggle.

Doctors mourn slain colleague.

Doctors under their umbrella organisation, the Uganda Medical Association (UMA), are mourning the death of their colleague, Dr Catherine Agaba. Dr Agaba was killed on April 12 by a watchman who was guarding her home in Muyenga, a Kampala suburb.

The watchman according to police, confessed to have killed Dr Agaba, saying she was threating his job by reporting him to the boss.
“It is with great sorrow that we learned about the gruesome murder of our very own rising star Dr Cathy Agaba. We, doctors of Uganda, mourn with the family. We understand that Dr Agaba was the family vanguard, morning star and darling of her Father "Mzee Agaba". We pray the Lord gives you strength to overcome this trying moment,” a condolence message signed by the association chairman, Dr Ekwaro Obuku, reads in part.

Dr Obuku during the requiem mass at Our Lady of Africa Church Mbuya, said Dr Agaba was a young, brilliant, hard working woman full of life and with a promising future. He said Dr Agaba represented the youth who are the majority and hoping for a safe and prosperous Uganda that works for every citizen, but was unfortunate to be killed by a fellow youth for trivial reasons.

“Dr Agaba's killing depicts the vulnerability of our Ugandan women and girl child today. Recently, over 23 women were killed serially in Metropolitan Kampala, whose cases are yet to be resolved. Our treasurer UMA Busoga Branch was gunned down at his home months ago, the criminals are yet to face Justice,” he said.
He said police should do more to prevent such occurrences instead of only being swift in arresting suspects.

“While we commend strongly the Uganda Police Force for taking quick action to bring Dr Agaba's murderer to book; we implore the Police leadership to invest more in prevention and fighting crime rather than tear-gas and similar items that do not necessarily benefit the common Ugandan citizen,” he said.

“We request the Police to immediately release our members and fellow Doctors (including Dr Mohammed Hassan Mohammed, Dr Agabas boyfriend), following due processes like Police Bond now that the suspect has been identified, detained and awaits Justice,” he added.

Museveni drops Isoke, appoints Byenkya new land boss

President Museveni has appointed former Hoima District Woman MP Beatrice Nyakaisiki Byenkya as the head of Uganda Land Commission, replacing Mr Baguma Isoke.

Mr Isoke has served the Commission since August 2013. ULC is a statutory body charged with managing government (public) land in the country.
In a letter dated April 8, 2019 addressed to the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Museveni also named new members to the commission, only retaining Mr Charles Muhoozi.

The President, in a letter confirmed by State House and Lands Minister Betty Amongi last evening did not explain why he replaced the Isoke Commission. Mr Isoke who served his two terms as ULC boss replaced the late Jehoash Mayanja Nkangi.
The new members include former Iganga district chairperson Mr Asuma Kyafu; former Gulu university Vice Chancellor Prof Nyeko Pen-Mogi and Ms Stella Achan.

The President also appointed former Kabale Town Clerk Mr Rukiika Bujara as a member of the commission.
“I hereby forward their names and curriculum vitae to you for Parliamentary approval,” reads Mr Museveni’s letter.
Currently, the House is on recess to allow MPs scrutinise the 2019/20 budget before resuming next week.
However, it is not yet clear when the House Appointments Committee chaired by Speaker will convene to vet the ULC appointees.

Who is Byenkya
Ms Byenkya and others legislators in 7th Parliament came to the public lime light in 2005 after rejecting Shs5m that was given out to lawmakers to carry out public consultations on the Article 105 (2)of 1995 Constitution. The disputed constitutional amendment sought to remove the term limits. After she lost her sit in Parliament, President appointed Ms Byenkya to the Immigration and Citizen control Board in 2012.