The Funeral Rites for the Late J C Kiwanuka due, Saturday, 13th August 2011 at Kawuku - Entebbe Highway.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
LATE J. C. KIWANUKA FUNERAL RITES DUE SATURDAY, 13TH AUGUST 2011
The Funeral Rites for the Late J C Kiwanuka due, Saturday, 13th August 2011 at Kawuku - Entebbe Highway.
Friday, July 1, 2011
IT IS NOT A NATIONAL DIALOGUE THAT WILL SORT OUT UGANDA ECONOMIC PROBLEMS, BUT
Dr Kasekende brings more than 30 years’ experience of central banking, macroeconomic management and international finance to the post.
Dr. kasekende calls for National Dialogue, to sort out the problems of Uganda's economy, however, the problems should be sorted by Government. The speculation by the business community about the future of the country is a governance problem as a result of President Museveni's wish to be in life indefinitely, hence the opposition fighting him, and the way he is using the forces to ensure that he remains in control. 2nd, the Government expenditures which call for release of funds to fund whatever the NRM Government wants to be in place for political survival including meeting Presidential pledges.
The Government of Uganda has professionals who are capable of arresting the situation if only President Museveni can let them do the work professionally.
William Kituuka Kiwanuka
KASEKENDE CALLS FOR NATIONAL DIALOGUE
Written by Sulaiman Kakaire
Wednesday, 29 June 2011 19:19
Dr Louis Kasekende, the deputy governor of Bank of Uganda, has requested parliament to convene a special national seminar to discuss the economic problems haunting the nation.
“They [parliament] should call all the various stakeholders and policy makers to discuss among other things what will improve productivity and provide solutions to the current economic trends,” said Kasekende.
Uganda reported annual headline inflation of 16% in May this year, up from 14.1% in April, while core inflation was 11.3% in May and 9.7% in April. According to a report compiled by Uganda Bureau Of Statistics(UBOS) for the year 2010/2011, manufacturers are registering high increases in the prices of their products as a result of the rise in the prices of raw materials used in the production of commodities.
Kasekende believes that a national conference to discuss the economic situations in Uganda will help in bringing up some solid solutions.
skakaire@observer.ug
THE LONG ROAD TO RECOVERING STOLEN ASSETS
By Kevin Stephenson on Thu, 2011-06-23 10:25
The recent upheavals in the Middle East, North Africa and elsewhere have put asset recovery in the spotlight. Indeed, as the citizens of these countries look towards the future, recovering wealth that former public officials are alleged to have acquired illegally remains a main concern.
But as their asset recovery practitioners will soon find out, it is by no means a straightforward process. Corruption, which is estimated to cost the world’s poorest people as much as $40 billion per year, is often a difficult offense to prove. Jurisdictions where these funds are deposited require proof of an offense or a nexus to criminal activity before the assets can be returned to the jurisdiction from which they were stolen.
To help explain why it can be so difficult to recover money that has been lost through corruption, my colleagues and I at the StAR Initiative – a partnership of the World Bank Group and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime – consulted with over 50 international asset recovery practitioners to identify the Barriers to Asset Recovery. We found several key obstacles that make it difficult to trace, freeze, recover and return assets lost to corruption and other related offenses:
• Asset recovery is a complex process. The legal tools and procedures used by jurisdictions are not all the same. Law enforcement, prosecutors and investigating magistrates have to know how to navigate the laws of other countries and be prepared for a lengthy campaign.
• Not all available tools are used to their full potential. Many practitioners simply do not have the specialized training, skills and experience that would permit them to use asset recovery tools effectively, or to choose the appropriate strategy. Informal assistance – or simply talking to colleagues in another jurisdiction directly without formal mutual legal assistance procedures – is rarely utilized to its full potential. The tools in the United Nations Convention against Corruption, signed by 140 states, are also under used.
• Trust is essential, but hard to establish. These are often sensitive, high profile cases, so practitioners need to be able to trust their counterparts and believe that they won’t make inappropriate public statements or inhibit the case for political reasons. Trust, however, takes time to build, especially when one isworking with people from different cultures and legal systems, which are halfway across the world. The reality is that often these cases require urgent action to freeze assets before they can be moved.
• Preventative measures often fail. Anti-money laundering measures that should intercept stolen assets are not fully or effectively implemented. If corrupt leaders and officials never had the chance to deposit stolen assets into a foreign financial system in the first place, there would be no need for recovery!
The obstacles may sound daunting, but we must not lose hope. In recent years, some countries have made asset recovery more of a priority and taken important steps towards overcoming the barriers. To help guide their efforts, our study offers many workable recommendations – many of which are not cost prohibitive – that can be tailored to each jurisdiction’s particular weaknesses.
To start, it is important to give practitioners the tools they need for asset recovery - pass laws that make asset recovery and international cooperation easier, give specialized agencies dedicated resources, and ensure that practitioners and judges get sufficient training. Countries can also use mentoring, networking and other methods of improving communication to create trust, share knowledge and build expertise. To ensure that assets are not dispersed before the asset recovery process can run its course, jurisdictions need to allow assets to be frozen quickly. And governments also need to take steps to ensure that banks fully implement preventive anti-money laundering measures that can intercept stolen assets.
There is clearly room to improve the stolen asset recovery process, which is important as nations rebuild and pursue a course of transparency and economic growth. When jurisdictions work together to overcome the obstacles, stolen assets can be returned to the citizens to whom they rightfully belong.
The recent upheavals in the Middle East, North Africa and elsewhere have put asset recovery in the spotlight. Indeed, as the citizens of these countries look towards the future, recovering wealth that former public officials are alleged to have acquired illegally remains a main concern.
But as their asset recovery practitioners will soon find out, it is by no means a straightforward process. Corruption, which is estimated to cost the world’s poorest people as much as $40 billion per year, is often a difficult offense to prove. Jurisdictions where these funds are deposited require proof of an offense or a nexus to criminal activity before the assets can be returned to the jurisdiction from which they were stolen.
To help explain why it can be so difficult to recover money that has been lost through corruption, my colleagues and I at the StAR Initiative – a partnership of the World Bank Group and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime – consulted with over 50 international asset recovery practitioners to identify the Barriers to Asset Recovery. We found several key obstacles that make it difficult to trace, freeze, recover and return assets lost to corruption and other related offenses:
• Asset recovery is a complex process. The legal tools and procedures used by jurisdictions are not all the same. Law enforcement, prosecutors and investigating magistrates have to know how to navigate the laws of other countries and be prepared for a lengthy campaign.
• Not all available tools are used to their full potential. Many practitioners simply do not have the specialized training, skills and experience that would permit them to use asset recovery tools effectively, or to choose the appropriate strategy. Informal assistance – or simply talking to colleagues in another jurisdiction directly without formal mutual legal assistance procedures – is rarely utilized to its full potential. The tools in the United Nations Convention against Corruption, signed by 140 states, are also under used.
• Trust is essential, but hard to establish. These are often sensitive, high profile cases, so practitioners need to be able to trust their counterparts and believe that they won’t make inappropriate public statements or inhibit the case for political reasons. Trust, however, takes time to build, especially when one isworking with people from different cultures and legal systems, which are halfway across the world. The reality is that often these cases require urgent action to freeze assets before they can be moved.
• Preventative measures often fail. Anti-money laundering measures that should intercept stolen assets are not fully or effectively implemented. If corrupt leaders and officials never had the chance to deposit stolen assets into a foreign financial system in the first place, there would be no need for recovery!
The obstacles may sound daunting, but we must not lose hope. In recent years, some countries have made asset recovery more of a priority and taken important steps towards overcoming the barriers. To help guide their efforts, our study offers many workable recommendations – many of which are not cost prohibitive – that can be tailored to each jurisdiction’s particular weaknesses.
To start, it is important to give practitioners the tools they need for asset recovery - pass laws that make asset recovery and international cooperation easier, give specialized agencies dedicated resources, and ensure that practitioners and judges get sufficient training. Countries can also use mentoring, networking and other methods of improving communication to create trust, share knowledge and build expertise. To ensure that assets are not dispersed before the asset recovery process can run its course, jurisdictions need to allow assets to be frozen quickly. And governments also need to take steps to ensure that banks fully implement preventive anti-money laundering measures that can intercept stolen assets.
There is clearly room to improve the stolen asset recovery process, which is important as nations rebuild and pursue a course of transparency and economic growth. When jurisdictions work together to overcome the obstacles, stolen assets can be returned to the citizens to whom they rightfully belong.
THE UGANDA GOVERNMENT IS WRONG ON BANNING IMPORTATION OF USED COMPUTERS
I never thought that the Government of Uganda was serious on banning used computers. If they thought that this was the way to promote the local market of computers in a poverty striken country, it is unfortunate. It is true the computer monitors are environmentally unhealthy and there are disposable problems, but it is also true that there are many computers that can be procured with flat screens. There is need to have at least one computer in each of our schools and one way to have that is by importing used computers.
The policy is ill advised and does not help the country so poor the way Uganda is.
William Kituuka Kiwanuka
UGANDA'S TOTAL BAN ON USED COMPUTERS
Yes, you've read that correctly. The Ugandan government has completely banned all imports of used computers into the country.
This is ostensibly to curb the accumulation of e-waste, which is admittedly a major problem in many parts of the world, and the government does not want to become a dumping ground for discarded electronics. This is a valid point, and there are certainly many accounts of electronics being brought to developing nations to be sold second-hand, and then discovered to be nonfunctional and dumped.
The dumping and accumulation of e-waste can have disastrous environmental and health consequences, given the high concentrations of toxic (and often valuable) chemicals, encouraging the very poor to (e.g.) burn electronic components to extract valuable metals at the expense of extremely toxic emissions into the air, soil, water, and themselves.
This is a known and serious problem, and one it is reasonable for a state to wish to avoid.
BUT...
New computers are also very, very expensive. Used ones are perfectly capable for basic administrative and internet use, and they are much cheaper. Furthermore, if a well-maintained used computer can last as long (or even nearly as long) as a similar new one, then at the ends of their respective lives, the contribution to e-waste will be essentially identical.
That's the problem with this ban–it's total. It prevents all importers of used computers from doing business. This includes responsible organizations that take very good care to make sure their machines are working, immediately useful, and long-lived. Some go as far as to provide open source software, training, and guaranteed responsible recycling at end-of-life as part of the (low) cost of the machines.
This hardly sounds like the type of dumping the government is trying to prevent, and it needs to realize that a comprehensive ban like this can't help but hurt the country's small but growing IT sector.
In addition to charitable organizations, I can't believe that all of the computer shops on Bombo road, with their shiny, million-shilling laptops and desktops, aren't also engaging in a thriving trade in used machines. And I've never been to an internet cafe that looks like its machines were bought new here.
Therefore, since this is a (little-read) personal blog, is unaffiliated with any organization, and reflects no one's views but my own, I will say what (understandably) no one closer to this can or should, if they happened to feel that way as well: this policy is absurd and will hurt ICT in Uganda.
The policy is ill advised and does not help the country so poor the way Uganda is.
William Kituuka Kiwanuka
UGANDA'S TOTAL BAN ON USED COMPUTERS
Yes, you've read that correctly. The Ugandan government has completely banned all imports of used computers into the country.
This is ostensibly to curb the accumulation of e-waste, which is admittedly a major problem in many parts of the world, and the government does not want to become a dumping ground for discarded electronics. This is a valid point, and there are certainly many accounts of electronics being brought to developing nations to be sold second-hand, and then discovered to be nonfunctional and dumped.
The dumping and accumulation of e-waste can have disastrous environmental and health consequences, given the high concentrations of toxic (and often valuable) chemicals, encouraging the very poor to (e.g.) burn electronic components to extract valuable metals at the expense of extremely toxic emissions into the air, soil, water, and themselves.
This is a known and serious problem, and one it is reasonable for a state to wish to avoid.
BUT...
New computers are also very, very expensive. Used ones are perfectly capable for basic administrative and internet use, and they are much cheaper. Furthermore, if a well-maintained used computer can last as long (or even nearly as long) as a similar new one, then at the ends of their respective lives, the contribution to e-waste will be essentially identical.
That's the problem with this ban–it's total. It prevents all importers of used computers from doing business. This includes responsible organizations that take very good care to make sure their machines are working, immediately useful, and long-lived. Some go as far as to provide open source software, training, and guaranteed responsible recycling at end-of-life as part of the (low) cost of the machines.
This hardly sounds like the type of dumping the government is trying to prevent, and it needs to realize that a comprehensive ban like this can't help but hurt the country's small but growing IT sector.
In addition to charitable organizations, I can't believe that all of the computer shops on Bombo road, with their shiny, million-shilling laptops and desktops, aren't also engaging in a thriving trade in used machines. And I've never been to an internet cafe that looks like its machines were bought new here.
Therefore, since this is a (little-read) personal blog, is unaffiliated with any organization, and reflects no one's views but my own, I will say what (understandably) no one closer to this can or should, if they happened to feel that way as well: this policy is absurd and will hurt ICT in Uganda.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
BIG FIGURES FROM ST. MARY'S COLLEGE KISUBI S6 CLASS 1966
Starting from the back, left to right
Row 1 (i) J.B. Walusimbi (Katikiro), (ii) John Nazareth (me), (iii)
..........., (iv) .........., (v) Anthony Carvalho, (vi) George Kkolokolo,
(vii) [Dr.] Joe Galiwango
Row 2 (i) ........., (ii) ........., (iii) .........., (iv) J.B. Kifa, (v)
......., (vi) Dominic Miranda, (vii) ........, (viii) ........, (ix) [Dr]
Edward Katongole Mbidde
Row 3 (i) Okello Oculi (Author/Poet) (ii) ....... (iii) Olul, (iv) Brother
Cosmas Kafeero (later Headmaster of St. Mary's), (v) ......., (vi) ........
(vii) Katabula (viii) ........, (ix) ........., (x) Kaliisa
Row 4 (Front) (i) Kakande (ii) ........, (iii) ....... (iv) Awad Tombe (v)
David Lubega (vi) ......., (vii) ......., (viii) .....
Courtesy of John Nazareth
HOW FAR WILL SSEBAGALA GO?
Ssebagala needs to get to his senses and do things the right way. He is a laughing stock. He has the money, but fails to get right legal advice.
Kituuka
SSEBAGALA FORCEFULLY EVICTED FROM TOWN CLERK HOUSE
News | June 24, 2011 at 4:54 pm |
by Online Team
Former Kampala Mayor Nasser Ssebagala has been evicted from the residence of the Town Clerk along Ssezibwa Road amidst tight security. He has been claiming that he acquired the house with the blessings of President Museveni, and many pundits believed that Museveni had given the house to the former mayor as a “gift” after “seeing the political light.” Shortly before the recently concluded elections, Sebagala abandoned the opposition and “gave his behind” to Museveni. He moved around the country with the President campaigning for the ruling NRM.
Ssebagala’s eviction follows court orders after the Kampala City Council Authority Executive Director Jennifer Musis asked the former Mayor to vacate the premises on grounds that he acquired the house illegally.
Ssebagala who was locked up in an over a one hour meeting with Kampala Metropolitan Police Chief Grace Turyagumanawe argued that Kampala City Council resolution allowed him to buy the house.
However after the meeting he was convinced to leave the premises leaving behind his sons to negotiate with the Court Bailiffs amidst confusion as some of his supporters threatened to beat journalists that were covering the eviction.
During the second last council which Ssebagala chaired as Mayor, the councillors passed a unanimous resolution giving the house to Ssebagala which the current city administration refused, insisting that he took over the house illegally.
Part of his property has been transported on a truck reg. No. LG 0330-01 after he was driven away in a Black Toyota UAM 594J amidst tight security.
Anti-riot Police reamined heavily deployed at the premises.
SSEBAGALA FINALLY EVICTED
A combined force of police and the Kampala City law enforcement officers have today Monday used force to break into the town clerk’s residence to evict former mayor, Nasser Ssebagala.
According to police, over 50 supporters of Ssebagala gathered at the residence armed with nails, hammers, stones and three 5-litre jerricans of petrol. The angry supporters were reportedly threatening to attack whoever tried to evict Ssebagala. On Friday, Police deployed heavily at the house located on Plot 1 Ssezibwa as Ssebagala was being evicted.
Kampala executive director, Jennifer Semakula Musisi later told the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) council that the former mayor had indeed been evicted and the keys to the house were with Grace Turyagumanawe, the Kampala Metropolitan police commander.
But it turned out that Turyagumanawe was given old keys as Ssebagala had already replaced all the doors and padlocks in the house, as part of renovations.
Turyagumanawe, who led the eviction exercise this morning, told reporters that police disarmed Ssebagala’s supporters before locking the former mayor in a garage with instructions not to communicate with anyone outside.
At around 11:30am the KCCA law enforcement officers led by Vincent Katungi began to carry files, computers and other office items out of the house into the compound in the middle of a heavy downpour. The items were later transported to City Hall.
George Agaba, the deputy director of physical planning at KCCA, says the furniture from the house will be taken to the city stores until new directives are given.
Ssebagala insists he is the rightful owner of the property at the heart of conflict between him and the new KCCA leadership.
He says he has spent up to 175 million shillings on renovations and that this money has accumulated to over 400 million shillings. The former mayor says the house was valued at 4.6 billion shillings by Kampala City Council officials and that he paid cash deposit of 30 million shillings.
Police Surrounds Ssebagala’s Home As KCCA Moves To Evict Him!
By Our Online Team.
Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) law enforcement officers have moved-in to evict the former Kampala mayor from the property.
Ssebaggala has been living in the house located on Plot One Ssezibwa Road in Nakasero, which was the official residence for the town clerk of Kampala. The property has been at the centre of a dispute between Kampala Capital City Authority and Ssebaggala.
Kampala Metropolitan Police chiefs, Grace Turyagumanawe and Moses Kafeero are reportedly locked up in a meeting with Ssebagala inside the house.
Some supporters of Ssebagala are also camped at the house with some saying that the former mayor should not be evicted from “his property.”
Ssebagala says between April 2008 and January 2010 he wrote to local government minister Adolf Mwesige and his predecessor, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire and that the two ministers gave him a go ahead to possess the property.
He adds that on August 20th 2010 he wrote to President Yoweri Museveni over the issue and that the president responded in the same month authorizing him to take over the house.
While Ssebagala admits that Museveni raised concerns about the illegal sale of KCCA property, the president reportedly said the Sezibwa house was an exception.
Ssebagala early this month handed over office to his successor Erias Lukwago but refused to surrender Ssezibiwa house saying that he legally acquired it when KCC decided to dispose off some of its properties.
This didn’t go down well with Lukwago who asked Ssebagala to surrender Ssezibwa house and make a fresh application expressing his interest to buy the house.
Jennifer Musisi, the KCCA Executive director said that Ssebagala does not qualify to be a sitting tenant of Ssezibwa house because he was receiving a monthly housing allowances of shillings 2.5 million from KCC.
Kituuka
SSEBAGALA FORCEFULLY EVICTED FROM TOWN CLERK HOUSE
News | June 24, 2011 at 4:54 pm |
by Online Team
Former Kampala Mayor Nasser Ssebagala has been evicted from the residence of the Town Clerk along Ssezibwa Road amidst tight security. He has been claiming that he acquired the house with the blessings of President Museveni, and many pundits believed that Museveni had given the house to the former mayor as a “gift” after “seeing the political light.” Shortly before the recently concluded elections, Sebagala abandoned the opposition and “gave his behind” to Museveni. He moved around the country with the President campaigning for the ruling NRM.
Ssebagala’s eviction follows court orders after the Kampala City Council Authority Executive Director Jennifer Musis asked the former Mayor to vacate the premises on grounds that he acquired the house illegally.
Ssebagala who was locked up in an over a one hour meeting with Kampala Metropolitan Police Chief Grace Turyagumanawe argued that Kampala City Council resolution allowed him to buy the house.
However after the meeting he was convinced to leave the premises leaving behind his sons to negotiate with the Court Bailiffs amidst confusion as some of his supporters threatened to beat journalists that were covering the eviction.
During the second last council which Ssebagala chaired as Mayor, the councillors passed a unanimous resolution giving the house to Ssebagala which the current city administration refused, insisting that he took over the house illegally.
Part of his property has been transported on a truck reg. No. LG 0330-01 after he was driven away in a Black Toyota UAM 594J amidst tight security.
Anti-riot Police reamined heavily deployed at the premises.
SSEBAGALA FINALLY EVICTED
A combined force of police and the Kampala City law enforcement officers have today Monday used force to break into the town clerk’s residence to evict former mayor, Nasser Ssebagala.
According to police, over 50 supporters of Ssebagala gathered at the residence armed with nails, hammers, stones and three 5-litre jerricans of petrol. The angry supporters were reportedly threatening to attack whoever tried to evict Ssebagala. On Friday, Police deployed heavily at the house located on Plot 1 Ssezibwa as Ssebagala was being evicted.
Kampala executive director, Jennifer Semakula Musisi later told the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) council that the former mayor had indeed been evicted and the keys to the house were with Grace Turyagumanawe, the Kampala Metropolitan police commander.
But it turned out that Turyagumanawe was given old keys as Ssebagala had already replaced all the doors and padlocks in the house, as part of renovations.
Turyagumanawe, who led the eviction exercise this morning, told reporters that police disarmed Ssebagala’s supporters before locking the former mayor in a garage with instructions not to communicate with anyone outside.
At around 11:30am the KCCA law enforcement officers led by Vincent Katungi began to carry files, computers and other office items out of the house into the compound in the middle of a heavy downpour. The items were later transported to City Hall.
George Agaba, the deputy director of physical planning at KCCA, says the furniture from the house will be taken to the city stores until new directives are given.
Ssebagala insists he is the rightful owner of the property at the heart of conflict between him and the new KCCA leadership.
He says he has spent up to 175 million shillings on renovations and that this money has accumulated to over 400 million shillings. The former mayor says the house was valued at 4.6 billion shillings by Kampala City Council officials and that he paid cash deposit of 30 million shillings.
Police Surrounds Ssebagala’s Home As KCCA Moves To Evict Him!
By Our Online Team.
Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) law enforcement officers have moved-in to evict the former Kampala mayor from the property.
Ssebaggala has been living in the house located on Plot One Ssezibwa Road in Nakasero, which was the official residence for the town clerk of Kampala. The property has been at the centre of a dispute between Kampala Capital City Authority and Ssebaggala.
Kampala Metropolitan Police chiefs, Grace Turyagumanawe and Moses Kafeero are reportedly locked up in a meeting with Ssebagala inside the house.
Some supporters of Ssebagala are also camped at the house with some saying that the former mayor should not be evicted from “his property.”
Ssebagala says between April 2008 and January 2010 he wrote to local government minister Adolf Mwesige and his predecessor, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire and that the two ministers gave him a go ahead to possess the property.
He adds that on August 20th 2010 he wrote to President Yoweri Museveni over the issue and that the president responded in the same month authorizing him to take over the house.
While Ssebagala admits that Museveni raised concerns about the illegal sale of KCCA property, the president reportedly said the Sezibwa house was an exception.
Ssebagala early this month handed over office to his successor Erias Lukwago but refused to surrender Ssezibiwa house saying that he legally acquired it when KCC decided to dispose off some of its properties.
This didn’t go down well with Lukwago who asked Ssebagala to surrender Ssezibwa house and make a fresh application expressing his interest to buy the house.
Jennifer Musisi, the KCCA Executive director said that Ssebagala does not qualify to be a sitting tenant of Ssezibwa house because he was receiving a monthly housing allowances of shillings 2.5 million from KCC.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
WHO WILL TAKE UGANDA TO THE PROMISED LAND?
When President Museveni's NRM/A took power in 1986 by force of arms, many people in Uganda thought that at last a 'saviour' had come on to the scene. 25 years down the road many with eyes and ears are sure that Museveni was not meant to take country to the Promised Land but had managed to take many on his bandwagon and a good number are regretting. This makes us reflect on the children of Israel who took a whole 40 years to get to the Promised Land. May be God is still taking Ugandans through hardships and those who endure will surely get there. It is so sad that to some people the situation in Uganda is comparable to when Daniel was thrown into the Lion's Den - the infrastructure by the NRM Government is almost like the Lion's Den, there are some people who are 'eating' Ugandans like Lion's would. It is just trust in God that He can take us through.
William Kituuka Kiwanuka
JOSHUA 5:6
New International Version (©1984)
The Israelites had moved about in the desert forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the LORD. For the LORD had sworn to them that they would not see the land that he had solemnly promised their fathers to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey.
DANIEL IN THE LION'S DEN (6:1 - 28)
INTRODUCTION
1. The faith of Daniel has been an inspiration to many young people...
a. Due to his faith as a young man, when only 15-17 years old
b. In which he purposed in his heart not to defile himself - Dan 1:8
2. Daniel should also be an inspiration to elderly people...
a. As an example of service and commitment in our "golden years"
b. For we can also read of his faith as old man, perhaps in his
mid-eighties
[The account of elder Daniel's faith is found in Dan 6:1-28, involving
an incident commonly referred to as "Daniel In The Lion's Den". The
story is certainly worthy of our careful consideration, and so we begin
our study by reading verse one...]
I. THE TRAP IS SET (1-9)
A. DANIEL IS SUCCESSFUL...
1. He is appointed one of three governors over the kingdom - Dan
6:1-2
a. The kingdom may be Babylon (Chaldea), recently conquered by
the Medo-Persian empire - Dan 5:30-31
b. The identity of Darius the Mede is uncertain, possibly a
man known as Gubara appointed by Cyrus of Persia to rule
Chaldea
2. Daniel "distinguished" himself above the others - Dan 6:3
a. His success was due to his "excellent spirit", not cunning
or political maneuvering
b. Proving one can be successful in business and politics
without compromising character
c. Darius contemplates setting Daniel over the whole realm
B. DANIEL IS ENVIED...
1. His success leads to envy by others - Dan 6:4
a. Even the most godly men can have their enemies (e.g.,
David, Christ)
b. Enemies by virtue of jealousy
2. His noble character is attested to by his enemies - Dan 6:4
a. They could make no charge against him, finding no fault or
error in him
b. Because he was "faithful" (i.e., trustworthy, dependable)
3. His enemies determine there is only one way to defeat him
- Dan 6:5
a. To find some conflict between the law of God and that of
the land
b. Which they then set out to do
C. DANIEL IS TARGETED...
1. The king is approached by Daniel's enemies - Dan 6:6
2. They propose a royal statute, a firm decree - Dan 6:7
a. That no petition can be made of any god or man for thirty
days, except the king
b. Under punishment of being cast into the den of lions
3. The king is encouraged to establish the decree - Dan 6:8-9
a. Which according to the law of the Medes and Persians,
cannot be altered
b. King Darius signs the decree
[Daniel's faith in God brought him success up to this point. But now
the exercise of his faith could cause him to lose it all! What would
we have done in his place? As we continue to read, we see what Daniel
did...]
II. THE TRAP IS SPRUNG (10-17)
A. DANIEL CONTINUES TO PRAY...
1. Knowing full well that the decree had been signed - Dan 6:10
2. Practicing a custom common among the Jews - Dan 6:10
a. Praying three times a day - cf. Ps 55:17
b. Praying toward Jerusalem - cf. 1Ki 8:27-30
c. Praying on his knees (a common posture for prayer) - cf.
1Ki 8:54
d. Praying with thankfulness to God, even in times of trouble
- cf. Php 4:6
3. His own custom since "early days" - Dan 6:10
a. Though great and powerful, fervent prayer was not beneath
him
b. Though aged, he had not grown weary of prayer
B. DANIEL IS CAUGHT...
1. His enemies catch Daniel praying - Dan 6:11
2. His enemies report Daniel to the king - Dan 6:12-13
a. Reminding Darius of the unalterable decree
b. Accusing Daniel of disregarding the king and his decree
3. The king is forced to abide by his own decree - Dan 6:14-15
a. Displeased with himself, the king tries to deliver Daniel
b. Daniel's enemies pressure the king to abide by his decree
C. DANIEL IS THROWN INTO THE LIONS' DEN...
1. Yet the king is hopeful - Dan 6:16
a. That Daniel's God will deliver him
b. Whom Daniel had served "continually"
-- Would he have had such hope if Daniel was sporadic in his
service to God?
2. The den is closed with a stone and sealed - Dan 6:17
a. Sealed with the signet ring of the king and his lords
b. Ensuring that the purpose concerning Daniel would not be
changed
[It appears Daniel's enemies have won. He is in the lions' den and it
is sealed. Yet could any "seal" by man ever keep God from accomplishing
His plans (don't forget the "sealed" tomb! - cf. Mt 27:62-66)? And so
we read how...]
III. THE TRAP IS SPOILED (18-28)
A. DARIUS IS WORRIED...
1. His night is restless - Dan 6:18
a. He spends the night fasting, and without musicians
b. He can't sleep
2. His concern for Daniel is evident - Dan 6:19-20
a. Rising early in the morning, going in haste to the den
b. Crying to Daniel with a lamenting voice
c. Wondering if God has delivered Daniel
1) A servant of the living God
2) Who serves God continually
B. DANIEL IS DELIVERED...
1. Daniel answers the king - Dan 6:21-22
a. With respect to the king ("O king, live forever!")
1) Despite what the king had done to him
2) An example of blessing those who persecute you
b. With word of God's great deliverance
1) Saved by an angel of God - cf. Dan 3:28
2) Who shut the lions' mouths
c. With affirmation of his innocence
1) Innocent before God
2) Guilty of no wrong before the king
2. Darius removes Daniel from the den - Dan 6:23
a. The king being exceedingly glad
b. Daniel with no injury found on him
-- Daniel is delivered from the lions, because he believed in His
God (i.e., saved by faith!)
C. THE CONSPIRATORS ARE EXECUTED...
1. Cast into the same trap intended for Daniel, along with their
families - Dan 6:24
2. As often happens, those who set the trap get caught in it!
a. Cf. Haman, hung on the gallows he built for Mordecai - Est
7:10
b. As contemplated by David, warned by Solomon - Ps 7:14-16;
Pr 1:10-19
D. GOD IS EXALTED...
1. Darius makes a decree that the God of Daniel be feared - Dan
6:25-27
a. He is the living God, and steadfast forever
b. His kingdom is indestructible, and His dominion everlasting
2. Another pagan king comes to realize Who is really in control!
a. As did Nebuchadnezzar - Dan 4:34-35
b. As did Belshazzar, only too late - Dan 5:26-28
E. DANIEL PROSPERS...
1. In the reign of Darius, who ruled Chaldea - Dan 6:28
2. In the reign of Cyrus of Persia (who also ruled over Darius)
- cf. Dan 1:21
CONCLUSION
1. What were the noble qualities of this aged saint? He was a man...
a. With an excellent spirit - Dan 6:3
b. Without fault in his business dealings - Dan 6:4
c. Faithful to those over him - Dan 6:4
d. Committed to prayer throughout his life - Dan 6:10
e. Willing to obey God rather than man - Dan 6:10
-- Putting it simply, he was a man who "believed in his God"! - Dan
6:23
2. "Daniel In The Lions' Den" is a story that has thrilled many
children...
a. But its lessons are not just for children
b. Daniel is a role model for adults as well
1) For politicians
2) For everyone involved in administrative affairs
3) For all Christians, especially older ones
May we all learn from the example of Daniel, who exemplified what it
means to seek first the will of God (cf. Mt 6:33), and to obey God
rather than men (cf. Ac 5:29)!
SOME OF UGANDA'S PROBLEMS OUTLINED (PATRONAGE HAS A ROLE)
Source: http://cozay.com/PROBLEMS-FACING-UGANDA.php
(NB The article was written before the current arrangement where Parliament numbers and districts as well as Ministers are much bigger)
69 Ministers, 327 Members of Parliament, 278 political appointees who include 80 resident District Commissioners and assistants, 75 presidential advisors and 43 private presidential secretaries and their deputies is just a picture of Uganda’s public administration. Pearl of Africa as commonly known is argued that not only is it a sleeping giant but an over governed and unproductive country.
It has many administrative units; 45,000 local councils, 5500 parishes, 1026 sub-counties, 151 counties, 18 municipalities and 80 districts. All these structures have executive 10 man executive officials. So, the total number of officials is 10 times the number of every administrative unit.
How does this nation manage its servants? Uganda’s expenditure is very enormous and abnormal. A presidential advisor and his deputy earns 908.5 million Ugandan shillings enough to pay 378 primary school teachers a salary of 200,000 Ugandan shillings a month. Private presidential secretary and his assistant earn 7.5 billion shillings enough to; support 2,077 primary schools with 800 pupils each, buy drugs for 890 health centers, construct 935 classrooms or pay 37,500 primary school teachers. Members of Parliament altogether earn 57 billion excluding the allowances, the 69 ministers have all sorts of allowances and only government expenditure on Ministers vehicles fuel, oil and maintenance in 2006/07 was 92 billion Ugandan shillings.
In 1986, the National Resistance Movement came to power, it collected 84 billion as revenue. Inflation was at 240 percent, it worked tirelessly and revived the economy reducing inflation to 0.3 percent. The present government collects 4 trillion as revenue but sectors like education and health and education which used to be vibrant are in shambles.
The nation has 31 million people, according to the ministry of health, there’s one doctor to every 300,000 people. Surprisingly, there’s one administrative leader to every 6 Ugandan. The nation has poor administrative structures, poor administration and provides poor services to its citizens. The government makes good policies but it’s very hard for them to be implemented leading all these deficiencies.
Policies like: decentralization policy to help distribute resources evenly; minimum health package which puts all health centers under a structured organization; Medium Term Expenditure Framework that makes the government budget and expenditure known after every 3 years. Such good and efficient policies have been made by the government but 600 billion Ugandan shillings is lost every year.
The main reason why such policies cannot be implemented is due to the government’s huge expenditure to its top leaders and poor wages paid to its civil servants. This has led to absenteeism, lack of morale as the public servants do other jobs beside their jobs to supplement their earnings.
It’s arguably that the nation has produced one of the brightest people in the East Africa region with the prestigious Makerere University but has the lowest productivity in the region. This is because Ugandans are juggling too many sources of income hence cannot specialize and put all their effort in one to enable them get sufficient income.
The country also has a culture of passing laws to solve problems, this has led to it having too many laws and continuing to pass others yet the ones present are neither effective nor implementable. For instance, it has failed to implement the traffic and productive law yet it has passed a law to gag the media, limiting public participation in governance and locking up journalists with dissenting views.
Pundits say that for the country to develop, it needs to reduce its administrative leaders, get more serious in enforcing its policies and laws. The administration is the main cause of the government’s huge expenditure, leading to lack of funds in other sectors and poverty. The country needs to be serious in economic transformation and development by getting its priorities right.
Civil society, donors, private sector experts and political analysts have raised numerous concerns over the governments expenditure on its administration but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. The country not only needs a budget discipline but get their priorities right.
William Kituuka Kiwanuka
JOSHUA 5:6
New International Version (©1984)
The Israelites had moved about in the desert forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the LORD. For the LORD had sworn to them that they would not see the land that he had solemnly promised their fathers to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey.
DANIEL IN THE LION'S DEN (6:1 - 28)
INTRODUCTION
1. The faith of Daniel has been an inspiration to many young people...
a. Due to his faith as a young man, when only 15-17 years old
b. In which he purposed in his heart not to defile himself - Dan 1:8
2. Daniel should also be an inspiration to elderly people...
a. As an example of service and commitment in our "golden years"
b. For we can also read of his faith as old man, perhaps in his
mid-eighties
[The account of elder Daniel's faith is found in Dan 6:1-28, involving
an incident commonly referred to as "Daniel In The Lion's Den". The
story is certainly worthy of our careful consideration, and so we begin
our study by reading verse one...]
I. THE TRAP IS SET (1-9)
A. DANIEL IS SUCCESSFUL...
1. He is appointed one of three governors over the kingdom - Dan
6:1-2
a. The kingdom may be Babylon (Chaldea), recently conquered by
the Medo-Persian empire - Dan 5:30-31
b. The identity of Darius the Mede is uncertain, possibly a
man known as Gubara appointed by Cyrus of Persia to rule
Chaldea
2. Daniel "distinguished" himself above the others - Dan 6:3
a. His success was due to his "excellent spirit", not cunning
or political maneuvering
b. Proving one can be successful in business and politics
without compromising character
c. Darius contemplates setting Daniel over the whole realm
B. DANIEL IS ENVIED...
1. His success leads to envy by others - Dan 6:4
a. Even the most godly men can have their enemies (e.g.,
David, Christ)
b. Enemies by virtue of jealousy
2. His noble character is attested to by his enemies - Dan 6:4
a. They could make no charge against him, finding no fault or
error in him
b. Because he was "faithful" (i.e., trustworthy, dependable)
3. His enemies determine there is only one way to defeat him
- Dan 6:5
a. To find some conflict between the law of God and that of
the land
b. Which they then set out to do
C. DANIEL IS TARGETED...
1. The king is approached by Daniel's enemies - Dan 6:6
2. They propose a royal statute, a firm decree - Dan 6:7
a. That no petition can be made of any god or man for thirty
days, except the king
b. Under punishment of being cast into the den of lions
3. The king is encouraged to establish the decree - Dan 6:8-9
a. Which according to the law of the Medes and Persians,
cannot be altered
b. King Darius signs the decree
[Daniel's faith in God brought him success up to this point. But now
the exercise of his faith could cause him to lose it all! What would
we have done in his place? As we continue to read, we see what Daniel
did...]
II. THE TRAP IS SPRUNG (10-17)
A. DANIEL CONTINUES TO PRAY...
1. Knowing full well that the decree had been signed - Dan 6:10
2. Practicing a custom common among the Jews - Dan 6:10
a. Praying three times a day - cf. Ps 55:17
b. Praying toward Jerusalem - cf. 1Ki 8:27-30
c. Praying on his knees (a common posture for prayer) - cf.
1Ki 8:54
d. Praying with thankfulness to God, even in times of trouble
- cf. Php 4:6
3. His own custom since "early days" - Dan 6:10
a. Though great and powerful, fervent prayer was not beneath
him
b. Though aged, he had not grown weary of prayer
B. DANIEL IS CAUGHT...
1. His enemies catch Daniel praying - Dan 6:11
2. His enemies report Daniel to the king - Dan 6:12-13
a. Reminding Darius of the unalterable decree
b. Accusing Daniel of disregarding the king and his decree
3. The king is forced to abide by his own decree - Dan 6:14-15
a. Displeased with himself, the king tries to deliver Daniel
b. Daniel's enemies pressure the king to abide by his decree
C. DANIEL IS THROWN INTO THE LIONS' DEN...
1. Yet the king is hopeful - Dan 6:16
a. That Daniel's God will deliver him
b. Whom Daniel had served "continually"
-- Would he have had such hope if Daniel was sporadic in his
service to God?
2. The den is closed with a stone and sealed - Dan 6:17
a. Sealed with the signet ring of the king and his lords
b. Ensuring that the purpose concerning Daniel would not be
changed
[It appears Daniel's enemies have won. He is in the lions' den and it
is sealed. Yet could any "seal" by man ever keep God from accomplishing
His plans (don't forget the "sealed" tomb! - cf. Mt 27:62-66)? And so
we read how...]
III. THE TRAP IS SPOILED (18-28)
A. DARIUS IS WORRIED...
1. His night is restless - Dan 6:18
a. He spends the night fasting, and without musicians
b. He can't sleep
2. His concern for Daniel is evident - Dan 6:19-20
a. Rising early in the morning, going in haste to the den
b. Crying to Daniel with a lamenting voice
c. Wondering if God has delivered Daniel
1) A servant of the living God
2) Who serves God continually
B. DANIEL IS DELIVERED...
1. Daniel answers the king - Dan 6:21-22
a. With respect to the king ("O king, live forever!")
1) Despite what the king had done to him
2) An example of blessing those who persecute you
b. With word of God's great deliverance
1) Saved by an angel of God - cf. Dan 3:28
2) Who shut the lions' mouths
c. With affirmation of his innocence
1) Innocent before God
2) Guilty of no wrong before the king
2. Darius removes Daniel from the den - Dan 6:23
a. The king being exceedingly glad
b. Daniel with no injury found on him
-- Daniel is delivered from the lions, because he believed in His
God (i.e., saved by faith!)
C. THE CONSPIRATORS ARE EXECUTED...
1. Cast into the same trap intended for Daniel, along with their
families - Dan 6:24
2. As often happens, those who set the trap get caught in it!
a. Cf. Haman, hung on the gallows he built for Mordecai - Est
7:10
b. As contemplated by David, warned by Solomon - Ps 7:14-16;
Pr 1:10-19
D. GOD IS EXALTED...
1. Darius makes a decree that the God of Daniel be feared - Dan
6:25-27
a. He is the living God, and steadfast forever
b. His kingdom is indestructible, and His dominion everlasting
2. Another pagan king comes to realize Who is really in control!
a. As did Nebuchadnezzar - Dan 4:34-35
b. As did Belshazzar, only too late - Dan 5:26-28
E. DANIEL PROSPERS...
1. In the reign of Darius, who ruled Chaldea - Dan 6:28
2. In the reign of Cyrus of Persia (who also ruled over Darius)
- cf. Dan 1:21
CONCLUSION
1. What were the noble qualities of this aged saint? He was a man...
a. With an excellent spirit - Dan 6:3
b. Without fault in his business dealings - Dan 6:4
c. Faithful to those over him - Dan 6:4
d. Committed to prayer throughout his life - Dan 6:10
e. Willing to obey God rather than man - Dan 6:10
-- Putting it simply, he was a man who "believed in his God"! - Dan
6:23
2. "Daniel In The Lions' Den" is a story that has thrilled many
children...
a. But its lessons are not just for children
b. Daniel is a role model for adults as well
1) For politicians
2) For everyone involved in administrative affairs
3) For all Christians, especially older ones
May we all learn from the example of Daniel, who exemplified what it
means to seek first the will of God (cf. Mt 6:33), and to obey God
rather than men (cf. Ac 5:29)!
SOME OF UGANDA'S PROBLEMS OUTLINED (PATRONAGE HAS A ROLE)
Source: http://cozay.com/PROBLEMS-FACING-UGANDA.php
(NB The article was written before the current arrangement where Parliament numbers and districts as well as Ministers are much bigger)
69 Ministers, 327 Members of Parliament, 278 political appointees who include 80 resident District Commissioners and assistants, 75 presidential advisors and 43 private presidential secretaries and their deputies is just a picture of Uganda’s public administration. Pearl of Africa as commonly known is argued that not only is it a sleeping giant but an over governed and unproductive country.
It has many administrative units; 45,000 local councils, 5500 parishes, 1026 sub-counties, 151 counties, 18 municipalities and 80 districts. All these structures have executive 10 man executive officials. So, the total number of officials is 10 times the number of every administrative unit.
How does this nation manage its servants? Uganda’s expenditure is very enormous and abnormal. A presidential advisor and his deputy earns 908.5 million Ugandan shillings enough to pay 378 primary school teachers a salary of 200,000 Ugandan shillings a month. Private presidential secretary and his assistant earn 7.5 billion shillings enough to; support 2,077 primary schools with 800 pupils each, buy drugs for 890 health centers, construct 935 classrooms or pay 37,500 primary school teachers. Members of Parliament altogether earn 57 billion excluding the allowances, the 69 ministers have all sorts of allowances and only government expenditure on Ministers vehicles fuel, oil and maintenance in 2006/07 was 92 billion Ugandan shillings.
In 1986, the National Resistance Movement came to power, it collected 84 billion as revenue. Inflation was at 240 percent, it worked tirelessly and revived the economy reducing inflation to 0.3 percent. The present government collects 4 trillion as revenue but sectors like education and health and education which used to be vibrant are in shambles.
The nation has 31 million people, according to the ministry of health, there’s one doctor to every 300,000 people. Surprisingly, there’s one administrative leader to every 6 Ugandan. The nation has poor administrative structures, poor administration and provides poor services to its citizens. The government makes good policies but it’s very hard for them to be implemented leading all these deficiencies.
Policies like: decentralization policy to help distribute resources evenly; minimum health package which puts all health centers under a structured organization; Medium Term Expenditure Framework that makes the government budget and expenditure known after every 3 years. Such good and efficient policies have been made by the government but 600 billion Ugandan shillings is lost every year.
The main reason why such policies cannot be implemented is due to the government’s huge expenditure to its top leaders and poor wages paid to its civil servants. This has led to absenteeism, lack of morale as the public servants do other jobs beside their jobs to supplement their earnings.
It’s arguably that the nation has produced one of the brightest people in the East Africa region with the prestigious Makerere University but has the lowest productivity in the region. This is because Ugandans are juggling too many sources of income hence cannot specialize and put all their effort in one to enable them get sufficient income.
The country also has a culture of passing laws to solve problems, this has led to it having too many laws and continuing to pass others yet the ones present are neither effective nor implementable. For instance, it has failed to implement the traffic and productive law yet it has passed a law to gag the media, limiting public participation in governance and locking up journalists with dissenting views.
Pundits say that for the country to develop, it needs to reduce its administrative leaders, get more serious in enforcing its policies and laws. The administration is the main cause of the government’s huge expenditure, leading to lack of funds in other sectors and poverty. The country needs to be serious in economic transformation and development by getting its priorities right.
Civil society, donors, private sector experts and political analysts have raised numerous concerns over the governments expenditure on its administration but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. The country not only needs a budget discipline but get their priorities right.
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