Author: staff reporter

The Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Thembi Siweya, will lead a Gender-Based Violence and Food Parcel Donation Drive at Jabulani Old Age Home and Care Givers in Pretoria North, Gauteng Province on 04 August 2022. The drive  is part of commemorating Women’s Month.

South Africa commemorates Women’s Month in August as a tribute to the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women. The Government of South Africa declared August Women’s Month and 9 August is celebrated annually as Women’s Day. This year’s Women Month will be celebrated under the theme: “Generation Equality: Realising Women’s Rights for an Equal Future”.  The concept of Generation Equality is a global campaign and links South Africa to global efforts to achieve gender equality by 2030.

During the drive, Deputy Minster Siweya will engage with citizen on dialogue about Gender-Based Violence. Women’s Month allows us to measure how far we have come in transforming society, mainly the transformation of unequal power relations between women and men. While also focusing on and addressing gender oppression, patriarchy, sexism, racism, ageism, structural oppression, and creating a conducive environment which enables women to take control of their lives.

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Commission), through its Country Rapporteur for the Republic of Kenya Honourable Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso, and the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa Honourable Commissioner Janet Ramatoulie Sallah-Njie, are following human rights issues relating to the electoral process in the Republic of Kenya.

The African Commission commends the preparations that are under way towards ensuring that the national elections scheduled for 9 August 2022 are free, fair and credible, and also notes the enthusiasm of the electorate for exercising their sovereign right through participation in the electoral campaign process and balloting. 

The African Commission is however alarmed by reports of increasing political tension and risks and incidents of violence, hate speech and the production and circulation of content for inciting division and violence during the electoral campaign.   

We particularly underscore the urgency and need to prevent the incidence of acts of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) against women, to prevent the recurrence of such violence reported during earlier electoral disputes in the Republic of Kenya.

The perpetration of brutal acts of sexual violence and rape that is weaponized in the context of electoral disputes in Kenya involving in particular, law enforcement personnel constitute serious breaches of the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter), the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa (the Maputo Protocol), and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance which it has severally reiterated to Member States. These include the rights to dignity, personal security, bodily integrity, personal liberty, peace and security, the right to participate in political and decision-making processes, as well as freedom from discrimination, torture, and inhumane or degrading treatment

During the last 2007 and 2017 Presidential Elections in Kenya, the Commission received several reports about the perpetration of brutal acts of violence and rape, weaponized in the context of electoral disputes in Kenya, involving in particular, law enforcement personnel engaged in dispersing election protesters, with a very low record of accountability accorded in justice to the victims. The African Commission notes that such acts constitute a serious breach of the rights, and freedoms guaranteed by the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter), the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa (the Maputo Protocol), and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance which it has severally reiterated to Member States. These include the rights to dignity, personal security, bodily integrity, personal liberty, peace and security, the right to participate in political and decision-making processes, as well as freedom from discrimination, torture, and inhumane or degrading treatment.

The African Commission also notes that trust issues relating to the integrity of the electoral process, the electoral management institution and the judiciary can affect not only confidence in the electoral process but also, as previous experiences show, can create the conditions that precipitate violent contestations.

The East Africa Community (EAC) Regional Steering Committee (RSC) on the implementation of the AU Declaration on Land developed a road map for implementing the land agenda in their first meeting held on August 3. This meeting was a key recommendation of the Regional Technical Working Group (TWG) on the Terrestrial Ecosystem meeting on July 26 to 28, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where the RSC was established. The RSC aims to provide guidance to the EAC Secretariat as it coordinates the implementation of the AU agenda by EAC Partner States, namely the Governments of Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. The inaugural meeting, represented by senior officials from respective EAC Ministries, land-affiliated Ministries and the East Africa Community (EAC) Secretariat, with technical support of the African Land Policy Centre (ALPC), developed a Road Map with key actions that will be implemented over the coming year.

In her opening remarks, the Chair of the EAC Regional TWG and the RSC, Ms. Carine Hakizimana (Burundi) stressed the critical role of the RSC in enhancing cooperation and coordination of the AU land agenda in the region. Hakizimana appreciated the longstanding relationship and support of the ALPC to the EAC Secretariat which has culminated in the establishment of the RSC and Road Map to actualise the AU Declaration on Land Issues and Challenges.

ALPC Coordinator, Ms Joan Kagwanja, applauded the EAC secretariat and Partner States for the  inauguration of the RSC and emphasized the importance of an empowered RSC as key to enhancing land reforms to expedite regional integration in EAC Partner States. The ALPC has worked closely with EAC since 2015, developing a joint project to enhance the capacity of EAC, along with other Regonal Economic Communities (RECs) given their critical role in  implementing the AU Agenda on Land.  Since then, key Directives have been adopted by the EAC Council of Ministers of Environment. The establishment of  the RSC, is a key milestone and  Kagwanja expressed the commitment of ALPC to  support the RSC in implementing its Road Map, starting with the convening of  a  regional platform for Partner States to share experience, lessons and best practices

Supporting initiatives to enhance food safety across the continent was the focus of an African Food Safety Workshop jointly held by the IAEA, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA).

Over 280 experts and researchers from 43 countries’ food safety regulators, food testing laboratories, food manufacturers, and governmental and non-governmental organizations, shared experiences on vital topics, such as preventing food fraud, monitoring of radionuclides, use of radio receptor assays and stable isotopic techniques for veterinary drug and pesticides residues, as well as mycotoxins, toxic metals and biotoxins. Participants also addressed responding to food borne illnesses and disease outbreaks, setting maximum residue limits, and implementing effective food monitoring and surveillance programmes.

“This workshop showed the commitment of the African continent not just to increase food safety and trade nationally and in the region, but to support achieving several Sustainable Development Goals, including good health and well-being, industry, innovation and infrastructure as well as ending poverty and hunger,” said Shaukat Abdulrazak, Director of the IAEA’s Technical Cooperation Division for Africa. “African Union leadership and various stakeholders across the continent discussed cross-cutting food safety issues and had a common voice on strategies for supporting the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, addressing food trade rejections, and ensuring consumer protection and food security.”

During the five-day event held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 27 June to 1 July 2022, participants discussed the benefits of ISO accreditation for food safety and international trade; ways of collecting scientifically reliable data on levels of food hazards, such as mycotoxins, drug and pesticide residues, persistent pollutants, toxic metals and microplastics; and how to develop regionally-tailored laboratory testing and reference material, which could enable countries to provide better analytical services.

“We need to build institutional excellence, which would lead to more ISO accreditation for laboratory services,” said Ndwakhulu Mukhufhi, Chief Executive Officer at NMISA. “This can be achieved by sharing relevant reference material and conducting training programmes. Institutions such as NMISA are here to support.”

 Legislators have applauded President Yoweri Museveni for putting emphasis on value addition of agricultural products saying it will transform the agricultural sector.

This was during the debate on the President’s State of Nation Address which he delivered to Parliament on Tuesday, 07 June 2022.

Namayingo District Woman Representative, Hon. Margaret Makhoha said that the Parish Development Model (PDM) is a timely intervention but she called for increased budgeting for irrigation.
“It is not good for us to have drought and yet we have lakes. Like in Namayingo, we have lakes around us but we are not seeing water,” she said.

Hon. Peter Okeyoh (NRM, Bukooli Island County) advised the President to put emphasis on fish farming saying that the sector has potential to become one of the biggest revenue earners.
“The fishing community should be enabled and supported. Ministry of Agriculture should give adequate funding to boost the fishing sector,” he said.

Hon. Jane Pacuto Avur (NRM, Pakwach District) said that while value addition is a welcome intervention, attention should be put to ensure sufficient electricity supply countrywide.
“Unless electricity is supplied to all rural areas, it will be very difficult for our people to achieve value addition. West Nile is in a blackout and for us to partake of that, then supply of electricity to all areas should be fast-tracked,” she said.

National MP for Older Persons, Hon. Peggy Joy Wako said that the Parish Development Model will go a long way in improving the quality of life of older persons.
“As you are aware, most of our older persons are in rural areas. I also agree with the Leader of the Opposition’s response on protection of older persons,” she said.

he Prime Minister and Leader of Government Business, Robinah Nabbanja has said that government has the fuel reserves to run the country in case of a crisis.

Nabbanja made the assurance while responding to a matter of national importance raised by Hoima City Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Asinansi Nyakato during the sitting of the House on 04 August 2022.

Nyakato expressed worry about government’s preparedness in case of a fuel crisis stemming from the forthcoming Kenyan elections.

Nyakato said that next week Kenya will have its presidential elections, and there is a need to know if Uganda is prepared in case there is a fuel crisis and post-election violence looking at the past experiences

Members of Parliament on the Ad hoc Committee on Bujagali Hydropower Project have discovered what they described as inconsistencies in the ownership and registration of Bujagali Electricity Company Limited.

The legislators established that the company won a multi-billion contract before it was even registered. The committee also found out that the original owners of the projects forfeited their shares when the company was incorporated.

Officials from Bujagali where on Thursday, 04 August 2022 appeared before the Adhoc committee investigating the operations of Bujagali.

The committee seeks to ascertain the Government of Uganda equity contribution on Bujagali, return on investments and the cost benefit and value for money for the income tax exemption overtime among others.

Sheema Municipality Member of Parliament, Hon. Dickson Kateshumbwa was left wondering after Josephine Ossiya, the Chief Finance Officer at Bujagali Electricity Limited said that the company was incorporated in August 2005 after they learnt that it was contracted in 2004 by government.

“We want to know; from 2004 up to the time the company was incorporated, how did you respond to the request of the bid proposal before the company was incorporated?” asked Kateshumbwa.

AUDIO Kateshumbwa

Ossiya said that when the bid notice was put out, there was a special purpose vehicle that was formed to participate in the bid put out by government.

Alaister McDougall, the General Manager informed the committee that the current team is new and has little information about how the company was formed.

This prompted Otuke County MP, Hon. Paul Omara to question how a general manager does not  have such information.

The committee was also shocked to learn that when Bujagali Electricity Limited was incorporated, it was formed with two individuals Ebert Isaiah Byenkya and Innocent Kihika each injecting in Shs1 million and the duo later forfeited their shares, after the company was incorporated.

The revelation attracted questions from MPs on how a Shs2 million company came to win a multi-billion tender contract and what government based on to invest US$20 million

During an August 4 visit, U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield announced that the United States is providing $20 million, subject to congressional approval, in new additional resources for Uganda through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The assistance will be channeled through international and national partners and civil society organizations to enhance local efforts in Uganda, an existing Feed the Future partner country, to directly mitigate the impacts of growing food insecurity, which have been exacerbated by Russia’s unprovoked aggression in Ukraine. 

A confluence of crises has pushed many Ugandans, particularly those in the Karamoja Sub-Region and the northern parts of the country, into hunger. Food and fertilizer prices, already high because of the COVID-19 pandemic, have soared even higher due to Russia’s war against Ukraine, putting families at risk. 

The new funding will help smallholder farmers adopt improved agricultural practices that increase productivity, reduce postharvest losses, and add value to their products. It will also boost agricultural production by expanding financing for fertilizer and improving its efficient use. This assistance will build on existing agriculture and value chain investments to support farmers, agro-businesses, and consumers mitigate the impact of the global food crisis. 

Feed the Future’s intensified efforts in Uganda to mitigate this crisis and alleviate food insecurity and malnutrition are part of Congress’ bipartisan emergency supplemental bill signed by President Biden in May. This includes $2.76 billion in supplemental U.S. government resources, announced by President Joe Biden on June 27, 2022, to protect the world’s most vulnerable populations from the escalating global food security crisis exacerbated by Russia’s war against Ukraine and the severe drought in the Horn of Africa region.

President Cyril Ramaphosa led succesful talks with His Excellency President Mokgweetsi Masisi at the South Africa – Botswana Business Roundtable at the Gaborone International Convention Centre in the Republic of Botswana. 

The South Africa – Botswana Business Round Table was on 03 August 2022, preceded  by the Business Forum which enhanced linkages, trade and investment and prospective joint venture partnerships between the two countries. 

Celebrating 28 years of diplomatic, cultural and  economic relations under theme ” Tirisanyo Mmogo ” at the two day business engagement, President Ramaphosa welcomed the 9 FDI projects from Botswana to South Africa worth R 3,9 billion over the last decade. 

The High Level South Africa – Botswana Business Roundtable happens at the backdrop of the fifth session of the South Africa-Botswana Bi-National Commission (BNC) which took place on 22 April 2022 in Tshwane.

“Even as our bilateral relations have grown stronger over the years, we want to see far greater levels of trade and investment between our two countries.  

The Committee for Section 194 Enquiry into the Public Protector’s (PP), Ad Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office heard that the former Head of the State Security Agency (SSA) Mr Arthur Fraser informed the former head of security in the Office of the PP, Mr Baldwin Neshunzhi, that he was not providing the support he was employed to provide to the Office of the PP.

According to Mr Neshunzhi evidence, Mr Fraser indicated that Adv Mkhwebane complained about the lack of support. Mr Neshunzhi said Adv Mkhwebane made this complaint at the end of 2019. “At the time I did not know how precisely I failed in my job as that was not said to me by the Public Protector. I did not know how I failed to support the Public Protector. As far as I was aware, there was no security issues and when the Public Protector went on roadshows, I ensured that all the arrangements were made and I fulfilled my responsibilities,” said Mr Neshunzhi.

Committee Chairperson Mr Qubudile Dyantyi sought clarity from Mr Neshunzi as Mr Fraser was not with SSA in 2019, but a Commissioner of Correctional Services. The witness said he will have to check the date.

Mr Neshunzi told the committee that there was an expectation that he would be the eyes and the ears of the Office, and he was letting the PP down. Mr Neshunzi said he was informed by Adv Mkhwebane that there was an atmosphere of resistance against her in the Office and he was asked to see how to overcome it. He said he told Adv Mkhwebane that perhaps she was not adequately accessible to the people and suggested that she must spend one afternoon going around in the Office mingling and greeting people.

The committee also heard that in 2018 Mr Neshunzi was tasked to investigate whether there was something wrong with the Office’s leave system. But nothing wrong with the leave system was found after the investigation. He said he was informed that there was a training workshop that was arranged for him at the SSA.