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  • Buganda On Song As Katikkiro Mayiga Marks 10 Years In Office

    Buganda On Song As Katikkiro Mayiga Marks 10 Years In Office

    Friday May 12 will mark 10 years since Kabaka Ronald Mutebi appointed CHARLES PETER MAYIGA as Buganda katikkiro thereby becoming the Kabaka’s principal advisor and head of the kingdom’s administration. DENIS JJUUKO reflects on Mayiga’s tenure and its milestones.

    It is approaching 8 a.m. Even though it is a rainy season, the sun is out early. A car with its headlights on and sirens on is fast approaching the main gate of Bulange, the Buganda kingdom’s administrative headquarters in Mengo. It is a small convoy of SUVs and pickup trucks.

    The moment the LandCruiser in the middle enters the gate, a security guard rings a bell. It signals the arrival of the katikkiro, or prime minister. Ringing the bell is a tradition from yonder! It tolls whenever the Katikkiro enters or leaves the Bulange compound.

    Anyway, the convoy stops at the main entrance of the imposing Bulange building, built in 1955, seven years before Uganda’s independence. Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga steps out of the black SUV. As he walks into the building, he stops to say hello to an elderly woman as onlookers take a photo using their smartphones.

    I’m not sure what she is whispering to him. He greets or waves at whoever he finds in the wide wood-panelled foyer or polished wooden floor corridors that lead to his expansive office. Once behind his sizeable wooden table, he removes his jacket as his office assistants help him with tonnes of letters and files that need his attention.

    Before he looks at them and immediately after switching on his laptop computer, he reaches for a TV remote. Once the TV is on, he mutes it to attend to his daily chores.

    The TV is switched to BBS, the kingdom’s television station. It is one of his key achievements as he marks a decade in office, having been appointed Katikkiro on May 12, 2013, by Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi. Immediately after his appointment, Mayiga embarked on a kingdom-wide tour to assess the wellbeing of the people and inspire them to fight poverty.

    The tour turned into a fundraising drive (Ettoffaali) that raised about Shs 9 billion to help the kingdom solve some of its most immediate challenges. But wherever Mayiga turned up, the people asked him for two things: a television station and a hospital.

    Mayiga is pragmatic; so, he started with the easiest one to accomplish — a TV station. The station would be set up in Masengere, a building that had stalled since the ouster of Idi Amin in the 1970s (Bulange had been renamed Republic House and turned into the army’s headquarters).

    The building was a constant eyesore and a reminder of the kingdom’s struggles. However, this was not the time for self-pity. Finishing the building was key. It was to give people hope. You can’t inspire people when a building, however gigantic it might be, at your headquarters has harboured reptiles for decades.

    But Masengere only came after the completion of a perimeter wall on 64 acres of the Kasubi Royal Tombs. Without a wall, people had started encroaching on these sacred tombs. Three years before his appointment, Muzibu Azaala Mpanga’s main mausoleum at Kasubi, where four of Buganda’s past kings are buried and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, had been burned to the ground. There was a need to restore it.

    The work to restore the mausoleum at Kasubi has taken more years than expected, but it is 98 per cent complete, and some sources say it could be handed over during the Kabaka’s 30th coronation anniversary at the end of July this year. Mayiga privately and sometimes publicly says that the work at Kasubi has been the most challenging during his tenure as Katikkiro.

    The cultural norms and mores are just too enormous. Regardless, completion is around the corner. Back at Bulange, the kingdom headquarters never had proper corporate governance systems. You hardly knew who worked there officially and who was a visitor.

    Most of the workers were volunteers who showed up whenever they wanted. Some are even alleged to have had personal bank accounts disguised as official kingdom ones. He couldn’t develop the kingdom under such circumstances. Mayiga set out to professionalise the operations.

    An auditor general’s office was established, as were law chambers, to enable the kingdom to handle its legal issues. Employees got appointment letters, and policies on human resources, finances, volunteers, and procurement, among others, were put in place.

    Those who used to wake up to mill around Bulange left bitterly and turned to social media to malign him. Ministers were reduced from about 50 to 12 if you add the Lukiiko (parliament) speaker and his deputy. To ease their work, each got an official vehicle, and they too earned a regular stipend or salary.

    The 18 Ssaza chiefs also got official vehicles, and sub-county chiefs were recently given motorcycles. Bulange was also the unofficial headquarters of opposition politicians from Buganda and elsewhere. They used the kingdom’s platforms for selfish political gains. The kingdom paid by being a target of the central government.

    Mayiga opened up Bulange to every politician, albeit with one caveat: respecting the institution of the Kabaka. Some opposition politicians paid social media warriors to call him an NRM agent. Meanwhile, some NRM people called him an opposition activist. The peril of being a Katikkiro!

    However, that decision eventually endeared him to people from all walks of life, as evidenced by the numbers of people that turn up at kingdom events. The Kabaka Birthday Run attracts 100,000 paying participants. It is perhaps the biggest paid marathon on the continent.

    And each year, now in its 10th year, the focus is on a particular health issue. From fistula, sickle cell and HIV/Aids. Kabaka Mutebi is the UNAIDS goodwill ambassador for male engagement. Masaza Cup competitions and coronation anniversaries attract thousands of people.

    Buganda doesn’t collect taxes but is expected to deliver services to people. So, income-generating projects had to be prioritised. Buildings like Masengere and others in Makindye and Kasangati were constructed. Houses are being built in Kigo and Ssentema so people can buy them at a affordable prices. Schools like Lubiri Secondary Buloba Campus and the kingdom’s technical institute in Mengo got new gigantic buildings to increase their intake.

    Muteesa I Royal University got itself a charter. Kingdoms are revered because they are the custodians of people’s heritage. Five of the six palaces of the Kabaka have been refurbished, and for the first time since the 1966 crisis, the Katikkiro resides in Butikkiro (the official residence in Mengo), having been refurbished.

    Clan heads, through their council, are facilitated, and clan ancestral land has been registered in trusts so it can be protected from land grabbers and encroachers.

    The goodwill the kingdom has established with the central government has led to the return of more than 200 land titles, which are now under the custody of the Buganda Land Board, from which some lease income is generated.

    But first, it was to enable people to get leasehold land titles through the popular Ekyapa mu Ngalo campaign. Many people unsure of their tenancy responded and registered their interests in 49-year leaseholds, including those at the forefront of decampaigning it publicly.

    With increased resources, the kingdom is now capable of providing services to people, such as Emmwanyi Terimba (growing coffee programme), which has seen the country significantly increase its coffee exports over the last few years.

    Just last week, Mayiga launched the start of building at least one hospital (at the level of a health centre IV) in each of the 18 counties, starting with Ssingo.

    Blood bank managers say they collect more units of blood from kingdom drives than anywhere else. When the ministry of Health needed people to vaccinate against Covid-19, they turned to Mengo. Bulange was filled to the brim for days by people who had been previously sceptical of the efficacy of the vaccines.

    Savings and credit cooperatives have been started where women and young people save and borrow at low interest rates while at the same time providing market opportunities through trade shows. Others have returned to their villages to get involved in agriculture rather than loitering in the city searching for elusive jobs.

    And because they make money and appreciate the work being done, they have given some of it back to the kingdom through Luwalo Lwaffe (our responsibility), where more than Shs 2 billion has been raised.

    Buganda may not be where it needs to be, but in the last 10 years of Katikkiro Mayiga’s tenure, there have been some tangible results achieved by building on what his predecessors had previously done.

    As he marks his 10th anniversary, his tenure is a true reflection of the meaning of one of the most endearing titles of the Kabaka —Maaso Moogi, meaning the one with a clear vision.

  • U.S Mission Honors Human Rights Defender Margaret Sekaggya

    The United States- US Mission has recognized human rights defender, Margaret Sekaggya with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

    Sekaggya received the award during the inaugural U.S Mission Alumni Impact Awards Ceremony held at Sheraton Hotel on Saturday.

    The event was organized to honor the impact of U.S. exchange program alumni as the Mission celebrates 60 years of its relationship with Uganda.

    Sekaggya, the Executive Director of the Human Rights and Peace Center was recognized with the highest award, beating former Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga and Santa Joyce Laker, the Vice Chairperson at Uganda Women Entrepreneurs Association Limited.

    Also, other 12 Ugandans were honored with outstanding awards in different categories for their dedication to selfless service within their communities, region, and the world. A total of 150 people were nominated for the awards and 58 reached the semi-finals.

    Before she founded the Human Rights and Peace Center, Sekaggya served as the Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) which she also helped establish. She has been a leader in human rights for over 30 years in Uganda and the world. Sekaggya was also the first United Nations (UN) special rapporteur for human rights defenders.

    “I have been working for many years, I have mentored many and it is good to see that many people are coming up to take up the work I have been doing. I was sent to the U.S. for the International exchange program, I learnt a lot, we traversed the U.S…..we went to the Bill Gates campus and I was seeing young people doing a lot. I think young people can be mentored,” said Sekaggya after receiving her award and cash price of 3.7 million Shillings.

    She added that while the UN special rapporteur, she went to 45 countries and that she continues to serve since a lot has to be done to cause a difference in the country.

    “It has been a pleasure working world over, at the UN Council, and General Assembly, fighting for human rights defenders. We need to do more, you know we are having a lot of challenges…but we have a lot of successes which we should build on,” said Sekaggya.

    The Lifetime Achievement Award received by Sekaggya is named after the longest-serving Public Diplomacy Professional at the U.S. Embassy in Uganda, Dorothy Ngalombi who is recognized for her work supporting U.S. government exchange program participants over the years.

    The award is given to an alum who has had the greatest impact on their communities using the experience they gained while in the United States. The impact is defined as affecting policy or social change, providing meaningful social benefit, contributing to education, training, or raising awareness about important issues.

    The U.S. Ambassador to Uganda, Natalie E. Brown said that the United States believes in investing in people, and partnership and that the Mission was proud to see the experiences, networks, and new perspectives gained through its programs, to thrive and positively impact the communities.

    “As we celebrate 60 years of the United State’s partnership with the Ugandan people, I can think of no better way to honor the work we are doing together than by celebrating the impact of U.S. exchange program alumni,” said Ambassador Natalie.

    She added that in September last year, the Mission celebrated the first African Fulbright Scholar, the late Professor William Senteza Kajubi, who went to the United States on the program in the early 1950s before Uganda’s Independence.

    “He went on to do many things to support the development of this country, including two separate terms as Makerere University Vice-Chancellor. Following his inspiring example, so many alumni of our programs return home to Uganda and make an impact in their respective sectors,” the Ambassador said.

    According to the U.S Mission, over 4,700 Ugandans have participated in the U.S. government-supported exchange programs and these alumni are under the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI and Mandela Washington Fellows), Fulbright academia exchange programs, the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP), the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) and others.

    “From the first Ugandan Fulbright scholar to study in the United States in the 1950s, to the cohort of 2022 Mandela Washington Fellows under the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), alumni of U.S. government-supported exchange programs have made a significant impact in their respective sectors in Uganda, be it business, academia, education, public management, civil society, the arts, medicine, public health, the media and many more,” said Tony Kujawa the U.S. Mission spokesperson.

    Some of the other recognized Ugandans are Florence Nightingale Kuteesa, the founder Council for the Economic Empowerment of Women- Uganda (CEEWA-Uganda) with the Outstanding Public Sector award. She is a retired civil servant from the Ministry of Finance Budget office and a public finance management consultant.

    “Through her impressive career in government and international organizations, Kuteesa has been instrumental in developing and instituting gender-responsive planning and budgeting reforms that have helped bridge the gap between policy and the empowerment of women and girls including gender-based advocacy enhancing the economic status of women through her organization,” reads a statement from the U.S Embassy.

    Associate Professor Etheldreda Nakimuli Mpungu, a senior lecturer and psychiatric epidemiologist Makerere University was awarded the Health sector outstanding award for innovative work in mental health and HIV.

    The award event brought together hundreds of Ugandans from across the country who participated different in U.S. government exchange programs over the past six decades. Some of the key dignitaries were former legislator Joyce Mpanga, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine, Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, and others.

  • 300 Families in Kakumiro Threatened with Forceful Eviction

    More than 300 Families in Kakumiro district are facing eviction from their ancestral land. The families are residents of Kasambya village in Katikara sub-county.

    They are feuding over a piece of land measuring approximately 200 hectares with George Kwemara Ssetanda, a tycoon in Kakumiro and Kampala respectively who is equally claiming ownership of the land.

    According to the residents, they started settling on the piece of land in the 1960s wondering how Ssetanda is claiming land.

    The residents are also questioning the circumstances under which Ssetanda came to acquire a title on their ancestral land without the consent of the leaders. They want the government to immediately come to their rescue and revoke the title since it was processed and acquired fraudulently.

    The land in question is also accommodating key institutions including Busanga Primary School, Busanga Catholic Church and Busanga Church of Uganda, Katikara sub-county headquarters, among other government installations.

    Livingstone Bakumira, a resident called for immediate government intervention to rescue the locals from being forcefully evicted from their ancestral land. He too wants the government to compensate Ssetanda so that they can attain peace on their land.

    John Ssebaka the LCI Chairperson Kasambya explains that the residents are living in fear since Ssetanda has already issued them with an eviction notice. He wonders how Ssetanda came to acquire land in their area without their consent adding that government should prevail and investigate the circumstances under which he acquired the title.

    Ruth Mbabazi 60, another resident says she was born and raised on the contested piece of land adding that she has nowhere to go at the moment. She demands that President Museveni intervenes to save them from being evicted.

    Tereza Birungi 56, also a resident says her grandparents were born, raised, and died in the same area adding that she is shocked that their ancestral land is being claimed by someone not even known to them. She wants the title canceled immediately.

    Everisto Kabagambe, the Kasambya LCIII Chairperson says many land grabbers and speculators have invaded the district threatening area residents with evictions. He wants the government to investigate the emergence of fraudulently acquitted titles in the area that are putting residents in fear.

    Joseph Sentayi Senkusu, the Kakumiro LCV Chairperson wants the government to give special attention to Bunyoro subregion given the escalating land-grabbing cases in the region.

    Ssetanda when reached for comment by URN, maintained that he genuinely processed and acquired his title for the said land in 2005 after following all the legal processes.

  • Buganda Asks For a Direct Share From Coffee Revenues

    Buganda Asks For a Direct Share From Coffee Revenues

    BUKOMANSIMBI:  As Bunyoro Kingdom is advancing their demands for a ‘concession’ on oil revenue, their Buganda counterparts are also considering asking government for a direct share on proceeds from coffee exports.

    The Buganda premier Charles Peter Mayiga hinted on the consideration last week while addressing the kingdom subjects in Bukomansimbi district, where he monitored several exemplary coffee farmers, under his initiated campaign dubbed “Emwanyi Terimba’  that intends to popularize growing of the cash crop.

    According to him, Uganda as a country has since its creation held Agriculture as its backbone, particularly with coffee as its main cash crop, which has largely been cultivated by communities within the boundaries of Buganda but the kingdom has never got any direct benefits from its sale.

    “For years coffee has been the leading foreign exchange earner that has sustained the country’s economy for years but Buganda people as the main producers have never been considered for a direct benefit. While I support demands by Bunyoro on the Oil revenues, government should as well be mindful that we (Buganda) have also been cheated for decades. As they sought out Bunyoro, they should know that we are also on the doorway knocking for our share,” he noted, amid heavy clapping from his audience.

    “Just like oil, coffee is also viable foreign exchange earner the only difference is in market prices,” he added.

    Last year, Buganda kingdom launched ‘emwanyi terimba’ campaign through Buganda Cultural and Development Foundation-BUCADEF rallying the subjects to embark on coffee farming.

    According to Mr Herman Sseremba kasekende the Buganda agriculture minister noted that since the launch of the campaign, they have given out close to 7 million coffee seedlings to farmer in 9 counties of the kingdom.

    “Out of these, a percent of 65 successfully grew and the rest never due to a number of factors including among others drought,” Mr Sseremba said.

    He noted that in this year, they are targeting to give out 8 million seedlings only to committed farmers who will be spotted by the foundation.

    On the contentious issue of land ownership and management, Katikiro Mayiga rallied the kingdom subjects to put all their lands to good use such that they can defend it from possible grabbing.

    He challenged people to stop fantasizing a utopia life and get back to their gardens were there forefather’s got wealth from.

    “Nowadays youth want to live a comfortable life just as they watch from movies. Real life and movie life are parallel for somebody who wants to get anything must work for it,” he said.

  • Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo Apologizes to Kabaka Mutebi

    Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo Apologizes to Kabaka Mutebi

    The Chief Justice of Uganda Alphonse Owiny-Dollo has written an apology to the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi, for statements he said earlier about his travel to Germany where he flown last year for treatment.

    Owiny-Dollo claimed that Kabaka had been flown in a Presidential jet, and that no one had complained yet when it came to Jacob Oulanyah, some people he called, Baganda, protested in America where Oulanyah had been flown to receive treatment. According to the Katikiro of Buganda, Owek. Peter Mayiga, the Kabaka had been flown out about KLM, and not the Presidential jet as claimed.

    Dollo’s statements have been heavily criticized and described as being tribalistic. He says he is sorry for the words he said.

    “I hereby unequivocally, unreservedly, and of my free volition, wholly retract that reference; and also hereby tender my apology to His Majesty, the Kabaka,” he said in the statement.

    “I will immediately hereafter communicate to the Katikkiro of Buganda in writing, registering this apology.”

    The Chief Justice, however, says he stands by his “castigation of those who mercilessly tormented Jacob Oulanyah at the time he needed compassion most; and, who continue to inexplicably dance on his grave.”

    “I reiterate that this contravenes our much- cherished African culture and it must be condemned by all people of good will. I also reiterate the statement I made about my admiration of, and long-standing association with, the people of Buganda among whom I have lived for the greater part of my life.”

  • Buganda Kingdom, Airtel unveil 2021 Kabaka Birthday Run kit

    Buganda Kingdom, Airtel unveil 2021 Kabaka Birthday Run kit

    Airtel Uganda in partnership with the Buganda Kingdom have today unveiled the 2021 virtual Kabaka Birthday Run kit at a press conference that was held Bulange-Mengo, Buganda Kingdom Headquarters.

    For the past 7years, Airtel Uganda has sponsored the Kabaka Birthday run, an annual event to mark Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II birthday celebrations. Having created awareness towards Fistula and Sickle Cells over the past years, this year’s run just like last year will be held under the theme “Men for Good Health and Ending AIDS by 2030”

    Speaking during the press briefing, Airtel Uganda MD Manoj Murali said, “Airtel is privileged to be part of the Kabaka Birthday Run. This year marks 8years of continued commitment towards Buganda kingdom, a partnership we are proud of because of the positive impact it creates in the communities where we operate. Beyond the run, we have participated in various initiatives like the annual Masaza Football tournament, the Kabaka’s coronation, not forgetting Eid El Fitri all organized by the Kingdom.”

    “On behalf of Airtel Uganda, I would like to pledge our future commitment and support to the Buganda Kingdom as we strive to change the lives of Ugandan’s through such programs,” he added.

    The kit unveiling event was graced by the Katikiro of Buganda Kingdom Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga, who said that the campaign against HIV requires behavioral change and sharing of key information noting that, “The biggest weapon we need in this fight is information, information based on research that will uphold the UNAIDS mission to eliminate the virus spread by 2030, and to achieve this we must embark on sensitization drives like what we do through initiatives like the Kabaka Birthday Run.”

    Owek. Mayiga added that, “We appreciate Airtel’s support over the years to the Kingdom and the entire country. We believe the contribution towards the run will greatly support in the fight against HIV/AIDS.”

    Kits can be purchased at select Airtel Shops including; Airtel Shop New Park Kyaggwe Road, Shoprite building Ben Kiwanuka and Thobani Centre. Alternatively, one can use Airtel Money by dialing *185#, select payments, enter the amount plus their PIN to confirm the payment and then pick their Kit at the mentioned points.

    The run scheduled to take place on Sunday, 28th November 2021 will be held virtually and flagged off by Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II. The public is encouraged to participate from their homes and communities to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 while keeping in line with the Standard Operating Procedures that have been set out by the Ministry of Health.

    “Additional to the Corporate Social Responsibilities and contributions we have made to the community, we continue to improve our product and service range, this includes commissioning over 21,000 plus 3G & 4G masts across Uganda, for Ugandans to ably and reliably access the Airtel Network. This can only be utilized by a healthy nation.” Manoj concluded.

  • Buddu County Chief Urges Masaka People to Embrace Economic Development as MTN sensitizes the Public on IPO

    Buddu County Chief Urges Masaka People to Embrace Economic Development as MTN sensitizes the Public on IPO

    The Buddu County (Pokino) has urged the people of Masaka to embrace economic development as MTN spreads awareness about how Ugandans can participate in the on-going MTN Initial Public Offering (IPO).

    Levis Sempiira who was representing the Pokino of Buddu lauded MTN for its support and relationship with Buganda Kingdom, encouraging the people of Masaka to take up economic opportunities to financially liberate their families.

    “When economic development comes to town, we embrace and respect it. Thank you very much for canvassing the entire region sensitizing the people of Buddu and Masaka in general about the opportunity in the MTN IPO and how we can all participate,” he said.

    He was reiterated by Steven Asiimwe, the Resident City Commissioner who lauded MTN for giving the people of Uganda an opportunity to own shares in the company.

    “For 23 years, MTN has supported Uganda through tax collection, MTN is the biggest tax payer in the country, employing thousands of people and has supported the people of Uganda through its corporate social responsibility. I am grateful to them because these shares will enable Ugandans to develop financially. We have been complaining about profit repatriation and now this is a chance for ordinary Ugandans to also get a piece of that cake,” he urged.

    The gentlemen were speaking at a town hall gathering organized by MTN in Masaka to sensitise the public about the stock market and particularly the MTN Initial Public Offering (IPO) with the aim of encouraging them to participate and own a stake in one of the Uganda’s largest companies.

    The session which was facilitated by representatives from MTN Uganda and senior brokers from SBG Securities and Crested capital is one of many meetings that have taken place across the country.

    Similar engagements have been held in Jinja, Mityana, Lyantonde, Apac, Lugazi and Mukono, Gulu, Kamuli, Mbarara and FortPortal among others.

    The initiative to take the IPO closer to the people follows MTN’s announcement of the intention to list 20% (4.5 billion shares) of its ordinary shares and the subsequent opening of the offer on Monday 11 October 2021, after approvals by the Capital Markets Authority of Uganda. The offer will close on Monday 22 November 2021.

    MTN is offering shares at UGX 200 per share with a minimum order quantity of 500 shares which means Ugandans can become shareholders in MTN Uganda with an investment of as low as UGX 100,000. This affordable offer of shares by MTN coupled with the incentives is aimed at democratizing the capital market and making it as easy as possible to apply for shares through MTN MoMo.

    Addressing the people at the town hall session held at Brovad Hotel today, Joseph Bogera, the MTN Uganda General Manager Sales and Distribution thanked the people of Masaka for welcoming MTN into the region saying the on-going MTN IPO seeks to give every Ugandan the opportunity to become part owners of the country’s leading telecommunications and mobile money operator.

    “In this IPO, MTN is targeting Ugandan individuals, ‘omuntu wa bulijjo’ and that is why we have come here today; to ensure that everyone is sensitized about the stock market and the MTN IPO. This session aims to equip you with the required information to apply for shares in MTN Uganda, which has also been affordably priced at a cost of UGX100,000 to enable more Ugandans to participate in the IPO. In addition, through its efforts to democratize and bolster Uganda’s capital market, MTN has also made the process of applying for shares easy and affordable through MTN MoMo,” Bogera said explaining that applying for shares using MTN MoMo is free of any extra charges and applies to KYC compliant customers.

    Bogera went on to explain “All Ugandan individuals applying for MTN Shares through MTN MoMo (via USSD or MyMTN app) will receive an incentive of 10 bonus shares for every 100 shares applied for. Individuals applying for shares using other methods like Uganda Securities Exchange (USE) portal https://scd.use.or.ug/ or paper applications will also get an incentive of 5 bonus shares for every 100 shares they apply. In case of over subscription of MTN IPO, Ugandan individuals will be considered first.”

    The MTN IPO is the first ever m-IPO in the region, allowing individual retail investors to apply for the shares through MTN MoMo. MTN customers can apply for shares at their convenience by dialing *165*65# on their phone, first to open their SCD accounts and then apply for the MTN shares. MTN customers with smartphones can also apply through the MyMTN app.

    Persons interested in applying for MTN shares can get further assistance from MTN Service Centres, Stanbic Bank branches, and the licensed brokers including SBG Securities, Crested Capital, and Dyer & Blair. More information about the MTN IPO can be found in the prospectus that is available at www.mtn.co.ug/investors.

  • URSB, Buganda Kingdom Partner to Strengthen Traditional Marriage Registration

    URSB, Buganda Kingdom Partner to Strengthen Traditional Marriage Registration

    The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), the body in charge of marriage registration in Uganda, together with the Buganda Kingdom have partnered to support traditional marriage registration and practices
    across communities. The two institutions are currently training a team of Buganda Kingdom Events Spokesmen (Aboogezi b’emikolo) on the different cultural and legal requirements of customary marriages.

    The practice has been that once a customary marriage is officiated, the couple received a Buganda Kingdom certificate and considers the marriage registered. Majority of Ugandans, even the elites are oblivious about customary marriage registration and related practices to secure their unions. The process of registration of a customary marriage can only be considered complete once the marriage is filed with the Sub County Chief and a copy of that marriage forwarded to the Registrar of Marriages at Uganda Registration Services Bureau.

    Customary marriage, termed locally as nyomkwaro among the Lango/Acholi, Kuhingira among the Bakiga/Banyankole and Kwanjula/kukyala among the Baganda, is one of the recognized marriages in Uganda. It is a type of marriage which is negotiated, celebrated and concluded according to specific culture and norms, celebrated according to the rites of an African community to which one is a member. By most standards, it is the basic standard of matrimonial institutionalization in Uganda. Customary Marriages are governed by the
    Customary Marriages (Registration) Act Cap 248 Laws of Uganda.

    Speaking at the event that was also graced by the Katikiro of Buganda, Owekitiibwa Charles Peter Mayiga, the Registrar General of URSB, Mercy Kainobwisho told the trainees the values of encouraging their clients to have their unions registered. She added that registration of customary marriages should be effected not later than 6 months after the date of completion of the ceremony although registration after the expiration of 6 months is allowed upon payment of the prescribed fee.

    “For any society and the Kingdom to develop, the basic unit of society, the family must be documented to support their progression. This is what marriage registration confers to the couples. I urge you all to support all traditional marriages to get registered. The benefits are immense,” Kainobwisho said.

    The Registrar General also interested the participants in the other related services provided by URSB such as recently established Security Interest in Movable Property registry which allows financial and non-financial institutions extend credit to borrowers using their movable property as collateral; intellectual property registry which protects and enforces intellectual property rights of creatives and is also an area of interest to the kingdom in protection of their traditional garb and related artifacts. URSB also formalizes businesses and handles insolvency related matters.

    According to the Act, traditional marriages can be registered at districts, sub-counties, town councils and municipalities where the customary function took place. Sub-County Chiefs and Town Clerks act as marriage registrars and have in their possession a customary marriage registration book, where they also record the necessary settlements agreed and completed by the parties. Within six months, the married couple is expected to go to the office of the sub-county chief or town clerk to register the details of their traditional matrimonial union.

    The couple must be accompanied by two witnesses who are either parents, brothers, sisters,
    uncles or aunts of either of the parties, chiefs, clan heads or other persons of standing. An additional prescribed fine is levied if the registration is sought six months after the date of the customary marriage ceremony.

    When the couple, their witnesses and the marriage registrar append their signatures on the prescribed certificate form, the registrar then issues a customary marriage certificate to the parties. The certificate acts as evidence of customary marriage for all legal purposes. In its entirety, this legislation is comprehensive blueprint for traditional marriages in Uganda.

  • Buganda Endorses This Year’s Rotary Cancer Run

    Buganda Kingdom has endorsed the upcoming 10th edition of the Annual Rotary Cancer Run today at Bulange Mengo.

    The Rotary Cancer Run has attracted over 50,000 participants annually from Uganda, and the diaspora who have supported either through direct donations, charity drives, and attending the run to raise funds to set up facilities for cancer treatment in Uganda.

    Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga, the Prime Minister (Katikkiro) of Buganda urged Ugandans to participate in the virtual run which aims to fight against cancer.

    “The Buganda Kingdom can never tire of commending the Rotary fraternity for their interest in the wellbeing of humanity. The best way to express love towards fellow human beings is to care for their health because everything we intend to achieve depends on the state of our health and mental wellbeing. Cancer has affected almost every family in Uganda and therefore I applaud Rotary and its partners for spearheading the fight against cancer in our country.” Owek. Mayiga said.

    “Our vision as the Buganda Kingdom is to position the kingdom at her rightful place where every individual should enjoy reasonable economic and social amenities. That vision calls upon everyone to work hard to realize the community dreams, however unless we ensure a healthy population, our dreams will never come to fruition. So, let us join Rotary in this fight against cancer by participating in the cancer run come Sunday 29th August 2021.” He added.

    Past District Governor Stephen Mwanje also expressed his gratitude towards the Buganda kingdom for always encouraging the people to take part in the cancer run.

    “The rotary fraternity is proud to have partners like the Buganda kingdom, and Centenary bank who are always at the fore front of supporting our cause. Therefore, this endorsement goes a long way to bring in contributions that will enable the construction of the two bunkers in the cancer treatment center at Nsambya Hospital.” Mwanje said.

    The Managing Director of Centenary Bank Mr Fabian Kasi said that, “Over the past 30 years, Centenary Bank has put Buganda at the very heart of its operations because of its importance in the prosperity of Our Bank. It is this very reason that has compelled us to consistently get involved in the activities of the kingdom such as the Masaza Tournament, “Kyapa Mungalo”, “Buganda Bumu” among others.”

    “Today we are here again rallying all people in Buganda and beyond to participate in the Rotary Cancer Run. The health of our people is very important in achieving the economic transformation of our country,” he said.

    He further revealed that the Bank designated about 50 million Uganda shillings as commitment towards the 2021 virtual Rotary Cancer Run.

    The bank staff from their 77 branches shall be participating in their localities virtually, and urged Ugandans to purchase the kits at the selected bank branches across the country.

    Over UGX 2.5 billion has been raised and many other forms of support in kind rendered to facilitate the fight against cancer in Uganda.

    The 10th annual Rotary Cancer Run will be held virtually and running kits are available at only UGX 25,000 through Cente Agents and the bank branches country wide or one can use the Centemobile platform to make payments directly to the Cancer Run account using *211# USSD code.

  • Kabaka Vows to Defend Buganda Land During 28th coronation

    While speaking at his 28th coronation anniversary ceremony held at Nkoni Palace in Lwengo District on Saturday, Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II revealed that Buganda Kingdom will not relent on advocating for what belongs to its people.

    The Kabaka wondered why it is only Buganda being targeted by different people yet other areas of the country have land too.

    “We condemn those who deliberately create a situation to derail us from reminding government on what belongs to us. We have heard many people discuss about land in Buganda and many have said it is curtailing Uganda’s development. This is not true. Those who say this want to weaken the kingdom of Buganda,” Kabaka said.

    “Such things bring sorrow to our hearts and make us question why land in other parts of the country is not mentioned ( as it is with Buganda). Buganda does not or has never wished to split from Uganda, neither has it and will never kick other citizens out(of Buganda).Why is the Buganda spirit of welcoming everyone being misinterpreted as a weakness?” Kabaka asked.

    Many Ugandans have interpreted Kabaka’s speech as an indirect response to President Museveni about Mailo land. It should be recalled that earlier this year, President Museveni termed the Mailo land system as a bad land policy.

    “For the last 28 years, we have been at the forefront of demanding for justice, federal, land and our buildings. These and other things, we call themEbyaffe,” Kabaka Mutebi said.

    “I want to emphasize that we shall not relent in our quest forEbyaffethrough negotiations as we have done in the past. It has been 28 years while emphasizing this issue and we know it will be concluded in peace and love.”

    The Mailo land tenure system is one that includes an inconstant taxation fee on land ownership and presumed squatters and has been practiced in Buganda for over a century.