IS THE COMPUTER MISUSE LAW MEANT TO GIVE AUTHORITIES THE RIGHT TO INTERFERE WITH OUR EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS?

IS THE COMPUTER MISUSE LAW MEANT TO GIVE AUTHORITIES THE RIGHT TO INTERFERE WITH OUR EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS?




Uganda is one country where one dies 100 times a day. It defeats understanding where some people get to use and misuse this law and hence end up interfering with our communication. You send out emails and someone is at liberty to block them. You get people communicating to you and some fool is at liberty cutting off this communication. If Uganda pays people to do such work it is indeed headed for hell. It is absurd. Sometime ago I made a number of communications to responsible people only to get my emails cut off. They don't reach. What happens tomorrow when UMEME fails to rectify a problem because some fool blocked my communication. I am sorry about the language but if you get say 20 people killed because the power cable passing underground has not been attended to who to blame. I am one person fed up.
William Kituuka Kiwanuka


UGANDA PARLIAMENT PASSES COMPUTER MISUSE BILL
SOURCE: http://legalift.wordpress.com/2010/09/06/uganda-parliament-passes-computer-misuse-bill/
Posted on 6 September, 2010 by Mathias Vermeulen
On August 4, 2010, the 332-member unicameral Ugandan Parliament passed the Computer Misuse Bill (No. 23 of 2008), which, among other things, seeks to ensure the security of and prevent unlawful access to computers and information systems.

The bill will be sent to the President for his assent before it can be enacted. The bill criminalizes “computer misuse,” which includes unlawfully accessing computers and network systems, corrupting data, disrupting networks or systems, introducing viruses, creating and forwarding defamatory material, and copyright infringement. For instance, intentionally accessing or intercepting any data without proper authorization is an offense punishable on conviction by a fine of up to UGX240,000 (about US$109) and/or a maximum of six months’ imprisonment.

COMPUTER ABUSERS AND MIS - USERS FACE STIFF PRISON SENTENCES
SOURCE: http://www.i-network.or.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=248:computer-abusers-and-mis-users-face-stiff-&catid=146:newsletter-q2-2009&Itemid=185
Wednesday, 01 July 2009 10:19



By David Musoke

Abusers and mis-users of information systems including computers in Uganda will soon face stiff prison sentences and fines when three important bills under consideration by Parliament are enacted into laws. The Computer Misuse Bill 2008, the Electronic Transactions Bill 2008 and the Electronic Signatures Bill 2008 have been tabled before the legislature to be debated before they can be passed into law.
According to a memorandum of the Computer Misuse Bill written by the former Minister of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), now Presidential Adviser on ICT, Dr. Ham Mukasa Mulira, the objective of the bill is to make provision for the safety and security of electronic transactions and information systems.
It is also aimed at preventing unlawful access, abuse or misuse of information systems including computers and to make provision for securing the conduct of electronic environment and to provide for other related matters.
Mulira said that it had been realized that Uganda needed to optimally exploit the great resource of ICTs by ensuring that the Ugandan communities, businesses and institutions have access to these new technologies.
To achieve this, he added, Uganda needs to create a conducive and enabling environment for all users and beneficiaries of ICT to avoid abuse and misuse. This is also necessary to build trust and ensure security of users of ICT, he said.
The Computer Misuse Bill 2008:Computer misuse is unauthorized access to private computers and network systems.
It takes the form of
- Deliberate corruption
- Destruction of other people’s information
- Disrupting networks or systems
- Introduction of viruses or disrupting other people’s work.
- Creation and forwarding of defamatory material
- Infringement of copyright
- Transmission of unsolicited advertising or other material to outside organizations.
- Downloading, displaying, viewing, and manipulation of offensive or obscene material (includes the act of downloading or displaying indecent photographs to children).
- It proposes a fine of Ush240, 000 or imprisonment of six months or both for unauthorized access to any particular programme or data.
- A fine of Ush2, 400,000 or imprisonment of five years or both for unauthorized modification of computer material.
- A fine of Ush1, 440,000 or imprisonment of three years or both for unauthorized disclosure of information and unauthorized disclosure of access code.
- A fine of Ush3, 200,000 or imprisonment of seven years or both for electronic fraud.
- A fine of Ush4, 800,000 or imprisonment of ten years or both for unlawfully accesses to “protected computer” whose programme or data is used directly in connection with the security, defense or international relations of Uganda.
- A fine Ush2, 400,000 or imprisonment of five years or both for producing child pornography for the purpose of its distribution through a computer system.
The Electronic Signatures Bill 2008, shall regulate the use of electronic signatures, criminalization of unauthorized access and modification of electronic signatures.
At the moment, there is no law in Uganda that regulates the use of electronic signatures despite the fact that Uganda adopted the National ICT policy as early as 2003 and ICT has now become a vehicle for consumer purchases, mass marketing, financial transactions and government services.
The Electronic Signatures Bill is therefore being promoted to fill the existing vacuum in the laws of Uganda. It provides for a penalty of a fine of Ush1, 440,000 or imprisonment of three years or both and in case of the perpetrator continuing to commit the offence, a daily fine of Ush200, 000 each day the offence is committed.
The object of the Electronic Transaction Bill is to make provision for the use, security, communications and transactions; to encourage the use of e-government service and to provide for related matters.
Electronic transaction refers to the sale or purchase of goods and services whether between businesses, individuals or governments and other public or private organizations whether the payment or delivery of goods and services is made on or offline.
The Bill creates facilitation of electronic transactions, e-Government services and the extent of liability of service providers.
If you would like to read these bills in detail, download them from the I-Network website at http://www.i-network.or.ug/component/option,com_docman/Itemid,140/task,cat_view/gid,139/
To provide input to parliament of Uganda on the 3 bills above, please send official feedback to the ICT committee of Parliament chairman – Hon. Edward Baliddawa.
You can also forward this feedback to I-Network at newsletter@i-network.or.ugThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

ST. PETER'S CHURCH OF UGANDA SSISA CALENDAR 2011

PRIVATIZED ENTERPRISES IN UGANDA AS AT 30th JUNE 1999

PRIVATIZED ENTERPRISES IN UGANDA AS AT 30th JUNE 1999
STATUS OF DIVESTED ENTERPRISES
The total number of enterprises divested by Government by the end of the financial year under review: 30th June 1999 was 76. Of the divested companies, 52 enterprises were Privatized, 4 were Repossessed by former owners, 11 were stuck off the register while 9 were put under receivership. Included in the privatized enterprises was Nile Hotel Complex which had been sold under a Joint Venture Arrangement but the sale was cancelled after the buyers failed to fulfill their obligations under the agreement. The Hotel was being prepared for resale by the time of the report.





It was noted that some options under the Sale Agreements were not exercised by the Enterprises Development Project thus exposing the project to the possibility of significant and unnecessary losses. Specific examples include the following:-
1) African textile Mills Ltd:-
The agreed sale price for the Government’s share holding in the company was US $ 1.4 million equivalent to shs 1.7 billion. The buyer was required to pay a deposit of 10% of the sale price upon acceptance of the offer and the balance in three installments within 24 months. The sale agreement expressly stated that if the buyer failed to pay the second installment of Us $ 4,450,855 within 6 months (September, 1996), he was to fore go his pre – emptive rights and the property would be sold through open tender system, the proceeds, net of liabilities being shared on a pro rata basis. By the time of this report, only Shs 100 million had been received from the buyer. The special conditions under the sale agreement had not been exercised and no tangible efforts to collect the outstanding dues were verified during the audit.

2) Nyanza Textile Industries Ltd:-
The agreed sale price for Nyanza Textiles Industries Ltd was US $ 10 million. The buyer was required to pay US $ 100,000 deposit before signing the contract US $ 2 million on signing the contract dated 20th March 1996; US $ 2.9 million, 6 months after signing the contract; US $ million, 12 months later and US $ 4 million 24 months after the date of the contract. On signing the contract, the seller (Government) was to provide the purchaser with duplicate certificates of titles and sign transfer forms transferring land to the purchaser. By the time of this report, only shs 2.1 billion had been collected leaving a balance of Shs 4,868,000,000.

3) Uganda Fisheries Enterprises Ltd (UFEL):-
Title documents were transferred to the buyer, Nordic – African Fisheries Ltd after receipt of only Shs 105,600,000 out of Shs 1.1 billion sale price. The buyer used the title documents to secure a loan from East African Development Bank (EADB), but was unable to service the facility. UFEL was subsequently put under receivership by the EADB. The Enterprises Development project (EDP) was not sure of recovering the outstanding balance.

WHY DON'T WE GET A VALUE FOR MONEY AUDIT BEFORE PARLIAMENT PASSES VOTES?

WHY DON'T WE GET A VALUE FOR MONEY AUDIT BEFORE PARLIAMENT PASSES VOTES?

CLASH OF INTERESTS: Minister Mbabazi and Mr Godi after a heated debate in Parliament over supplementary budgets. PHOTO BY NELSON WESONGA

It is clear that the current arrangement of approval for funds by the Parliament does not help the tax payer. Two years' today, the Auditor General will come up with a report informing Government how colossal sums of money were wrongly used or benefited corruption. This situation should be arrested. Parliament should approve funds after the Auditor Generals Office has done the necessary auditing so that the vultures are not left to reap where they did not sow. In essence, the way Parliament approves funds is less useful to the tax payer as those with the capacity to establish the various valuations are not part of the exercise instead they come to give us the bad news of substantial sums having been lost as was CHOGM. If our leaders have our country at heart and are not interested in taking advantage of the status quo, they should change the procedure.
William Kituuka Kiwanuka.

STATE HOUSE BUDGET SHOTS TO SHS 160
Reported by the Monitor

The ruling party yesterday used its numerical strength in Parliament to force through the approval of more than Shs600 billion in “emergency” spending even as the opposition accused President Museveni of using public funds for campaigns....

MP's PASS Shs 600 Bn ADDITIONAL BUDGET
The New Vision
By Mary Karugaba
and Catherine Bekunda

PARLIAMENT yesterday passed a supplementary budget of sh600b despite objection from opposition members.
Led by opposition leader Prof. Ogenga Latigo, the MPs demanded to know the emergencies that had come up in ministries within six months after the main budget had been passed and needed urgent funding.
They mainly objected to over sh79b requested for State House, which they suspected would be used to fund campaigns.
The claims were, however, denied by the NRM secretary, General Amama Mbabazi, saying the party had sufficient resources to fund its campaigns.
MPs Cecilia Ogwal, Francis Epetait, Peter Mutuluza, and Odonga Otto asked the finance minister, Fred Omach, to give details of the expenditures rather than generalising them.
The budget committee in their report to Parliament presented by MP Rose Okol had also raised concern over requests by State House for a supplementary budget and recommended that the finance ministry revises the issue.
“What disaster has befallen State House in such a short time that Parliament had to be called to approve the expenditure?” Epetait asked.
Six months ago, the Government approved a budget of sh8trillion yet it has spent sh8.6 trillion so far.
According to the law, the Government is allowed to seek approval of additional funds to cater for emergency expenditures that were not foreseen during the budgeting process.
The House, however, rejected a request for sh3b by the finance ministry to capitalise Phenix logistics and sh850m requested by the ministry to cater for general supplies and other items for Hoima Hospital.
The MPs said no money should be given to Phenix until the ministry accounts for the money it has advanced to the company so far.
They also demanded that a forensic audit be carried out to ascertain whether the money was being properly used.
According to the report, the defence ministry is requesting for the biggest share of sh89b. Of this, sh14b is to be used to wind up the UPDF war in Congo, sh9.8b is for preparation activities to beef up the Police during and after the general elections and sh50b is to match the “challenges ahead”.
The Electoral Commission received sh83b as additional funds to cater for new expenditures for the elections as a result of increased number of districts and candidates.
The Inspectorate of Government was given sh891m as additional funds to cater for investigations and prosecution of individuals involved in the misuse of CHOGM and NAADS funds.
The House also approved sh5b for the resettlement of 10,000 survivors of the Bududa landslide.

THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH PARTIES PUTTING UP TALLY CENTRES FOR RESULTS FORTHE OUTCOME IN THE GENERAL ELECTIONS

THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH PARTIES PUTTING UP TALLY CENTRES FOR RESULTS FORTHE OUTCOME IN THE GENERAL ELECTIONS
We are aware that the NRM leadership does not want to leave office though Ugandans who understand what is going on see that the regime has outlived its usefulness and now survives on scheming which schemes are putting the country off the development line and in actual fact a peaceful future can no longer be guaranteed by the regime. It is common knowledge that the NRM has had a tainted record in the previous elections where according to the courts of law, a number of anomalies have been reported including manipulation of results. Given that background, it is reasonable for Political parties to set up own tally centres, that way any discrepancies can be challenged where they arise. While Kiggundu says that the opposition or any other organisation could only announce preliminary results; it is true that in some instances, preliminary results have been changed and the would be loser emerged a winner. We should accept that the final results are a summation of preliminary results, in which case even if the opposition came up with a total tally as per the signed returns at the various polling stations, there should be no discrepancy hence the Electoral Commission worries are not justified. We know that it is the mandate of the Electoral Commission to announce the final winner; however, the results will be more credible when the Commission is not given avenue to alter results as other interests will be checking it.
William Kituuka Kiwanuka

KIGGUNDU WARNS BESIGYE ON POLL RESULTS
By Barbara Among

THE Electoral Commission has warned the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president Kizza Besigye against declaring his own polls in the 2011 General elections. The commission chairman, Badru Kiggundu, said they had the monopoly to announce the results and that it was unconstitutional for Besigye to do so. Besigye, who is the Inter-Party Cooperation flag-bearer for the 2011 presidential election, announced to a gathering of Ugandans in the United Kingdom last week that his organisation would announce its own 2011 poll results. Besigye defended the decision, arguing that the Supreme Court in 2006 declared the Electoral Commission incompetent. Kiggundu, however, said the opposition or any other organisation could only announce preliminary results. He also noted that the commission would work with all stakeholders to ensure a free and fair election.

On the nomination for presidential candidates slated for October 25 and 26, the commission said October 18 was the deadline for aspirants to return the nomination forms.

The aspirants, with the exception of President Yoweri Museveni, shall be allowed a convoy of only two vehicles and 20 supporters to escort them for nomination.

Aspirants must have collected 7500 signatures of registered voters and paid a non-refundable fee of sh8m.

Besigye to announce own poll results
By Henry Mukasa and Paul Watala

OPPOSITION presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye (left) has said his campaign team will announce the results of the February 2011 elections even before the ElectoralCommission (EC) as part of their strategy to thwart rigging.

Campaigning in Bukedi, in Kibuku district, Besigye, the FDC leader, revealed that his team had set up a network of people that would monitor all polling stations across the country.

“When I said we shall announce the results, they trembled, arguing that I did not have the authority to do so. I want to repeat it today we shall announce the results.”Besigye said.

He added, “Results are announced at polling stations. My duty as a candidate is to tally my results. We shall announce what we would have compiled using the official election declaration forms as Eng. Badru Kiggundu fidgets with figures,” Besigye stated.

“We shall then wait for when he (Kiggundu) finally makes up his mind to announce the results.”

Answering a question from a voter who wondered whether the EC boss, who is perceived as partisan, would announce a Besigye triumph, should it happen, Besigye said that the eyes of the world would be on Uganda as citizens go to polls.
Besigye gave the example of the Ivory Coast, where the opposition leader, Alassane Ouattara, won the presidential poll but the incumbent Laurent Gbagbo attempted to cling on: “The international community has told him, ‘come on what you are doing is unacceptable! And he will go.”
In Kibuku town, residents alleged that the area MP, Saleh Kamba, was training a kiboko squad militia.
In response Besigye said overzealous people like the Kamba FDC district chairperson, Dr Patrick Wakida, told residents to tell the perpetrators to beware, because canes are not bought from shops but picked from the bush.
FDC vice-president Salaam Musumba asked party supporters to be firm and remember that “if a fellow man attacks you with a stick, pick one and defend yourself.”
Besigye said a cornered NRM would use bribery, intimidation, propaganda and divide-and-rule as a last resort, but citizens to be on the look out.

Elections Presidential candidates will not announce results- Electoral Commission
2011 General Elections, EC boss Badru Kiggundu has said. Officiating at the opening of a one-day workshop on Electoral democracy in Uganda on Friday, Mr Kiggundu said any results announced by the Presidential candidates will not be official.
He was responding to claims by IPC Presidential candidate Kizza Besigye that he will put up his own tally centre and announce his own results before the EC does so.
Dr Besigye in October said as a show of loss of confidence in the EC, the opposition will announce its own version of the 2011 election results and relay the results electronically to an IPC vote tally centre. But Mr Kiggundu said presidential candidates can set up tally centres as long as they tell the public that the results are provisional.

MILLIONS LOST AS TRAIN DERAILS IN KENYA

MILLIONS LOST AS TRAIN DERAILS IN KENYA
Good God, where are we headed? All the time the country is making losses. It disturbs. Only God the creator can make things better for the Pearl of Africa.
William Kituuka Kiwanuka

The fuel tankers which derailed near Malaba in western Kenya, spilling over 200,000 litres of fuel destined for Kampala
By Reuben Olita

OVER 200,000 litres of fuel worth millions of shillings spilled on Saturday night when a train transporting fuel to Uganda from Mombasa derailed 10km to Malaba border in Kenya.
Five tankers overturned with only two remaining intact in the 8:00pm incident that occurred at Nauria village, Kapina sub-location in Nambale district.
Residents had a New Year feast as they siphoned fuel from the tankers throughout the night but were lucky there was no fire outbreak. Some 110 people perished when a petrol tanker caught fire on January 31, 2009 in Molo in Kenya.
Bukhayo North chief Moses Opiyo said the poor state of the rail could have caused the train to derail.
He added that the fuel spilled over 1km away to the nearby River Nauria and was threatening the lives of cattle and people, who rely on the water for survival.
Meanwhile, drama erupted when police officers censored the type of pictures being taken, and prevented journalists from taking photos of people siphoning fuel.
The tankers, which included one belonging to Mukwano oil, were severely damaged. Officials from Rift Valley Railways did not explain the cause of the derailment.
Bungoma Railway police boss Selina Limo was among the first to arrive at the scene at 9:30pm and prevented residents who had flooded the scene to siphon fuel.
Experts said the Nairobi-Malaba railway line needed upgrading.
“These lines are too small and old. We need to increase the railway caliber to accommodate new modern wagons which travel faster,” said logistics consultant in charge of Western Kenya, Joseph Spee.
Spee said Kenya and Uganda have World War II trains, adding that the region needed second generation trains before they acquire electric ones.
Residents complained of fuel spillage, saying it had spoilt their environment and appealed to the Rift Valley Railways to compensate them for the lost vegetation and polluted river water.
The engine was disengaged from the tankers and allowed to proceed to Malaba railway station.
Uganda relies on Mombasa port for imports and exports. The move to use the railway to transport oil is meant to make it safer and cheaper compared to roads.

IGG WANTS SHS 70BN FOR GRAFT WAR

IGG WANTS SHS 70BN FOR GRAFT WAR

ACTING IGG BBAKU

There should be a special account created in Bank of Uganda where credits from the recoveries by the Inspector General of Government’s office should be put. If this is done, it should be out of this account that the IGG’s operations are funded. This would be positive in showing the worth of the office. One of the main tasks of the IGG’s office is recovery of funds the tax payer is losing through the misuse of office by some people mostly in Government. The funds so recovered should be the basis for the IGG’s continued operations. With not less shs 500bn stolen in one year in Uganda, surely, funding should be supported by recoveries made. Once money is lost, it is not impossible to pin down those responsible; these should make good the loss. We should stop being a funny country. Who do you tell that money was stolen and it is impossible to recover? That is simply a big joke. People steal openly, they put up structures, and it is normal, Uganda; give me a break!
William Kituuka Kiwanuka

By Alfred Nyongesa Wandera
The Inspectorate of Government has launched its Development Plan for the next five years indicating the graft watchdog needs a Shs72.8 billion annual pack to up its fight against corruption. The money also includes Shs20 billion that is expected to be spent on purchasing the Inspectorate’s own premises by the end of the five years.
The 2010 - 2014 plan indicates that this financial year, Ministry of Finance allocated only Shs18.8 billion for its operations that included anti-graft fight, ombudsman and promotion of good leadership. “The government gives us money basing only on the vote of anti-corruption. They don’t provide us money for ombudsman function and implementation of Code of Leadership Act. But we want all our mandates to be recognised so that we can deliver our work effectively,” said Mr Raphael Baku, the Acting Inspector General of Government, at the launch of the plan in Kampala. He added: “We are soldiers and the President recognised that when he declared war on corruption. But soldiers need guns to fight.”
In its plan, the Inspectorate targets to complete 75 per cent of all cases received per year and 25 per cent in the following year. It puts the estimated number of cases to be handled in a year at 1,500.
Priority will be given to high profile cases and a target of six such cases is expected to be tackled in a year. Case backlog is projected to be cleared by 2013 at the disposal rate of 860 cases per year. The inspectorate’s consultant, Mr Shem Byakagaba, challenged the body to focus on training staff on how to collect and present electronic evidence in courts saying cyber crimes are now taking toll in the country and therefore the staff members need proper training in computer knowledge to counter them. However, Disaster Preparedness Minister Tarsis Kabwegyere, who presided over the function, said the fight against corruption should first address the root cause.
“We arrest people, prosecute and fill our prisons with the culprits but the problem shall still remain. Can the IGG develop a mechanism of detecting corruption? If detection is possible, then prevention is also possible,” said Prof. Kabwegyere.