International Women's Day
Hello,
This is a reminder that you can now publish a page on www.internationalwomensday.com to explain what initiatives you or your organization have in place to support women's advancement and to promote your support for International Women's Day.
On internationalwomensday.com you can:
- publish a page (e.g. internationalwomensday.com/YOURNAME )
- promote traffic to your page using the internationalwomensday.com icon
- publish your IWD events
- publish IWD and women’s advancement related articles
- publish art items
- publish stories
- publish press releases
Join and follow IWD conversations:
- follow IWD on twitter – www.twitter.com/womensday
- tweet #womensday discussions
- join our IWD LinkedIn discussion group
- join our IWD facebook group
- submit images to IWD on flickr, videos on youtube and much more
Take a look at www.internationalwomensday.com/freestyle.asp to see just some of the IWD pages to give you a few ideas. You can add to and edit your page as much as you like throughout 2012.
Kindest regards,
Glenda Stone
2012 IWD Team
www.internationalwomensday.com
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
WORLD BANK PRESIDENT TO STEP DOWN JUNE 30
World Bank President Zoellick to Step Down June 30th
Zoellick Says World Bank Strong, Healthy and Well Positioned for New Challenges
WASHINGTON, February 15, 2012 – World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick announced today he would step down at the end of a five-year term in which a transformed Bank played an historic role during the global economic crisis, using record replenishments to provide more than $247 billion to help developing countries boost growth and overcome poverty.
“I’m honored to have led such a world class institution with so many talented and exceptional people. Together we have focused on supporting developing countries to navigate crises and adjust to global economic shifts. The Bank has recognized that we live in a world of multiple poles of growth where traditional concepts of the "Third World" are now outdated and where developing countries have a key role to play as growth drivers and responsible stakeholders. At the same time, we've scaled up our support to poor people, countries, and communities and shown that the Bank can be an indispensable innovator, catalyst, and driver of a modernized multilateralism," said Zoellick.
“I’m very pleased that when the world needed the Bank to step up, our shareholders responded with expanded resources and support for key reforms that made us quicker, more effective and more open,” Zoellick added. “The Bank is now strong, healthy and well positioned for new challenges, and so it is a natural time for me to move on and support new leadership.”
Among some of the areas of Bank leadership during Zoellick’s tenure:
Nimble/Activist Crises Initiatives
· Provided a record $247 billion of support in the key areas of infrastructure, the private sector, agriculture, trade finance, social safety nets, education, health, and the environment;
· The first general capital increase for the Bank in over 20 years, with over half the new capital from developing countries; and a record $90 billion raised for IDA, the World Bank’s fund for the poorest, against a very challenging backdrop of donor austerity;
· Putting Food First: Alerted the world to the forthcoming food crisis, and helped marshal new resources and tools to address it. World Bank agriculture lending increased to $6 billion per year.
· Created a new IFC (private sector) Asset Management Company to channel sovereign wealth funds and pension resources (to date $3 billion) to the private sector in Africa and other emerging markets.
Modernized World Bank
· Opened up the World Bank – landmark Access to Information policy, and Open Data Initiative throwing open the doors on Bank processes, projects, and data; to boost transparency and accountability all Bank projects have been geo mapped with clearly defined results-measurement. Last year, the Bank was ranked #1 for aid transparency by Publish What You Fund.
· Increased the Bank's results focus and launched the Bank’s third-ever lending instrument – Program for Results, which disburses money after verifiable results have been achieved.
· Advanced the Bank’s anti-corruption focus with a new sanctions policy, new preventative unit, new cross debarment agreement with other multilateral development banks, new Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) initiative, and the launch of an International Corruption Hunters Alliance.
· Blended innovation and practicality with new programs such as the Climate Investment Funds ($7.1 billion of contributions leveraged nearly $50 billion of investment spanning 46 countries).
· Transformed the Bank’s leadership: Half of senior officers are now women; almost half are from developing countries, including the Bank's first Chief Economist from a developing country - Justin Lin from China;
· and, maintained a flat real budget over 5 years, along with the Bank’s AAA rating.
Modernized Multilateralism
· Led the Bank’s efforts with the G-20, helping secure progress on development, agriculture, food security, infrastructure, and other issues.
· New ventures: Nairobi Center focusing on security, conflict and development; “Gender Equality as Smart Economics”; Singapore Hub on Urban and Infrastructure development; Arab World Initiative.
· Expanded voice of developing countries at the World Bank, particularly with an additional board seat for Sub Saharan Africa. Launched a new Partnership for Social Accountability to bring citizen voices into the development mainstream.
Zoellick said that through June 30 he will stay 100% focused on being Bank President and will continue to drive policy and programs at a heightened tempo. For example, in late February, he will help unveil a joint groundbreaking World Bank-China study on the future structure of China’s growth model, drawing lessons for other middle-income countries.
Zoellick informed the Bank’s Board this morning of his decision. In April 2011, the World Bank’s Board approved a Presidential selection process.
Contacts:
David Theis: (202) 458-8626
Broadcast – Natalia Cieslik (202) 458-9369
For more information on World Bank activities, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org
Visit us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WorldBank
Be updated via Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/worldbank
For our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/worldbank
News Release
2012/277/EXC
http://go.worldbank.org/MLDHJ8YQT0
Zoellick Says World Bank Strong, Healthy and Well Positioned for New Challenges
WASHINGTON, February 15, 2012 – World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick announced today he would step down at the end of a five-year term in which a transformed Bank played an historic role during the global economic crisis, using record replenishments to provide more than $247 billion to help developing countries boost growth and overcome poverty.
“I’m honored to have led such a world class institution with so many talented and exceptional people. Together we have focused on supporting developing countries to navigate crises and adjust to global economic shifts. The Bank has recognized that we live in a world of multiple poles of growth where traditional concepts of the "Third World" are now outdated and where developing countries have a key role to play as growth drivers and responsible stakeholders. At the same time, we've scaled up our support to poor people, countries, and communities and shown that the Bank can be an indispensable innovator, catalyst, and driver of a modernized multilateralism," said Zoellick.
“I’m very pleased that when the world needed the Bank to step up, our shareholders responded with expanded resources and support for key reforms that made us quicker, more effective and more open,” Zoellick added. “The Bank is now strong, healthy and well positioned for new challenges, and so it is a natural time for me to move on and support new leadership.”
Among some of the areas of Bank leadership during Zoellick’s tenure:
Nimble/Activist Crises Initiatives
· Provided a record $247 billion of support in the key areas of infrastructure, the private sector, agriculture, trade finance, social safety nets, education, health, and the environment;
· The first general capital increase for the Bank in over 20 years, with over half the new capital from developing countries; and a record $90 billion raised for IDA, the World Bank’s fund for the poorest, against a very challenging backdrop of donor austerity;
· Putting Food First: Alerted the world to the forthcoming food crisis, and helped marshal new resources and tools to address it. World Bank agriculture lending increased to $6 billion per year.
· Created a new IFC (private sector) Asset Management Company to channel sovereign wealth funds and pension resources (to date $3 billion) to the private sector in Africa and other emerging markets.
Modernized World Bank
· Opened up the World Bank – landmark Access to Information policy, and Open Data Initiative throwing open the doors on Bank processes, projects, and data; to boost transparency and accountability all Bank projects have been geo mapped with clearly defined results-measurement. Last year, the Bank was ranked #1 for aid transparency by Publish What You Fund.
· Increased the Bank's results focus and launched the Bank’s third-ever lending instrument – Program for Results, which disburses money after verifiable results have been achieved.
· Advanced the Bank’s anti-corruption focus with a new sanctions policy, new preventative unit, new cross debarment agreement with other multilateral development banks, new Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) initiative, and the launch of an International Corruption Hunters Alliance.
· Blended innovation and practicality with new programs such as the Climate Investment Funds ($7.1 billion of contributions leveraged nearly $50 billion of investment spanning 46 countries).
· Transformed the Bank’s leadership: Half of senior officers are now women; almost half are from developing countries, including the Bank's first Chief Economist from a developing country - Justin Lin from China;
· and, maintained a flat real budget over 5 years, along with the Bank’s AAA rating.
Modernized Multilateralism
· Led the Bank’s efforts with the G-20, helping secure progress on development, agriculture, food security, infrastructure, and other issues.
· New ventures: Nairobi Center focusing on security, conflict and development; “Gender Equality as Smart Economics”; Singapore Hub on Urban and Infrastructure development; Arab World Initiative.
· Expanded voice of developing countries at the World Bank, particularly with an additional board seat for Sub Saharan Africa. Launched a new Partnership for Social Accountability to bring citizen voices into the development mainstream.
Zoellick said that through June 30 he will stay 100% focused on being Bank President and will continue to drive policy and programs at a heightened tempo. For example, in late February, he will help unveil a joint groundbreaking World Bank-China study on the future structure of China’s growth model, drawing lessons for other middle-income countries.
Zoellick informed the Bank’s Board this morning of his decision. In April 2011, the World Bank’s Board approved a Presidential selection process.
Contacts:
David Theis: (202) 458-8626
Broadcast – Natalia Cieslik (202) 458-9369
For more information on World Bank activities, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org
Visit us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WorldBank
Be updated via Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/worldbank
For our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/worldbank
News Release
2012/277/EXC
http://go.worldbank.org/MLDHJ8YQT0
CRISIS MEETINGS WILL NOT HELP UGANDA WHEN THE PRESIDENT IS THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEMS
The best President Museveni can do for Uganda is to come up with a strategy to see him out of office. The long stay has greatly contributed to the decay in public administration and it is becoming a daily scandal as those serving in various positions in his Government end up party to scandals which many of them attribute to pressure from State House.
William Kituuka Kiwanuka
MUSEVENI SUMMONS CABINET CRISIS MEET
“Mr Mutebile must leave office. The judgment didn’t spare him and there was no mercy. It was very clear that he needs to go.” Fr. Simon Lokodo, Ethics minister
By Emmanuel Gyezaho
Posted Monday, February 20 2012 at 00:00
In Summary
Focus on exits. NRM parliamentary caucus also summoned to discuss resignations of key ministers and plot way forward.
President Museveni has summoned his Cabinet for an impromptu meeting this morning to discuss the precarious situation his administration finds itself in following the resignation last week of two senior ministers over corruption allegations.
The meeting kicks off at 11am in the Cabinet Library at the President’s Office on Parliamentary building, this newspaper has been told.
Daily Monitor has also learnt that the President has summoned ruling NRM party lawmakers to meet him this evening at State House, Entebbe, a few hours after his Cabinet discussions.
“The secretary to Cabinet [John Mitala] sent out invitations inviting us for a special Cabinet meeting tomorrow morning [today],” said a source in Cabinet speaking on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorisation to speak on behalf of the Cabinet.
While the agenda of Mr Museveni’s meeting with the NRM Caucus in Entebbe is unclear, the source said Cabinet is expected to discuss the report tabled last week by Parliament’s watchdog committee on public accounts into the questionable approval of compensation to businessmen Hassan Bassajabalaba and retired Col. John Mugyenyi.
Ministers Syda Bbumba (Gender) and Khiddu Makubuya (General Duties) resigned after the Public Accounts Committee held them culpable of causing financial loss to the taxpayer and abuse of office for their role in approving reported inflated compensation claims in excess of Shs150 billion. IGG investigates Bbumba, Makubuya
Did Museveni fire the two ministers?
The duo’s resignation brought to seven the number of vacant cabinet posts, a development that may dent the running of government.
“There is a lot of fire on the desk of the President,” said the source, “there are as many as 10 unfilled cabinet posts out of a total of 72. It is quite obvious this matter will be there for discussion.”
With talk rife of an imminent Cabinet reshuffle, it is not clear if or how soon Mr Museveni will move to fill the vacant positions.
Bank of Uganda Governor Tumusiime Mutebile, who was indicted on similar charges as Ms Bbumba and Mr Makubuya by PAC, remains in office even though calls remain apparent for him to resign.
On Friday, Ethics minister Simon Lokodo said Cabinet is in agreement that Mr Mutebile should vacate office for his role in the deals. He said the same fate awaits former Solicitor General Billy Kainamura and his successor Ms Harriet Lwabi.
“Mr Mutebile must leave office. The judgment didn’t spare him and there was no mercy. It was very clear that he needs to go but it is his absence which has spared him,” he said of Mr Mutebile, who was reported out of the country last week.
egyezaho@ug.nationmedia.com
William Kituuka Kiwanuka
MUSEVENI SUMMONS CABINET CRISIS MEET
“Mr Mutebile must leave office. The judgment didn’t spare him and there was no mercy. It was very clear that he needs to go.” Fr. Simon Lokodo, Ethics minister
By Emmanuel Gyezaho
Posted Monday, February 20 2012 at 00:00
In Summary
Focus on exits. NRM parliamentary caucus also summoned to discuss resignations of key ministers and plot way forward.
President Museveni has summoned his Cabinet for an impromptu meeting this morning to discuss the precarious situation his administration finds itself in following the resignation last week of two senior ministers over corruption allegations.
The meeting kicks off at 11am in the Cabinet Library at the President’s Office on Parliamentary building, this newspaper has been told.
Daily Monitor has also learnt that the President has summoned ruling NRM party lawmakers to meet him this evening at State House, Entebbe, a few hours after his Cabinet discussions.
“The secretary to Cabinet [John Mitala] sent out invitations inviting us for a special Cabinet meeting tomorrow morning [today],” said a source in Cabinet speaking on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorisation to speak on behalf of the Cabinet.
While the agenda of Mr Museveni’s meeting with the NRM Caucus in Entebbe is unclear, the source said Cabinet is expected to discuss the report tabled last week by Parliament’s watchdog committee on public accounts into the questionable approval of compensation to businessmen Hassan Bassajabalaba and retired Col. John Mugyenyi.
Ministers Syda Bbumba (Gender) and Khiddu Makubuya (General Duties) resigned after the Public Accounts Committee held them culpable of causing financial loss to the taxpayer and abuse of office for their role in approving reported inflated compensation claims in excess of Shs150 billion. IGG investigates Bbumba, Makubuya
Did Museveni fire the two ministers?
The duo’s resignation brought to seven the number of vacant cabinet posts, a development that may dent the running of government.
“There is a lot of fire on the desk of the President,” said the source, “there are as many as 10 unfilled cabinet posts out of a total of 72. It is quite obvious this matter will be there for discussion.”
With talk rife of an imminent Cabinet reshuffle, it is not clear if or how soon Mr Museveni will move to fill the vacant positions.
Bank of Uganda Governor Tumusiime Mutebile, who was indicted on similar charges as Ms Bbumba and Mr Makubuya by PAC, remains in office even though calls remain apparent for him to resign.
On Friday, Ethics minister Simon Lokodo said Cabinet is in agreement that Mr Mutebile should vacate office for his role in the deals. He said the same fate awaits former Solicitor General Billy Kainamura and his successor Ms Harriet Lwabi.
“Mr Mutebile must leave office. The judgment didn’t spare him and there was no mercy. It was very clear that he needs to go but it is his absence which has spared him,” he said of Mr Mutebile, who was reported out of the country last week.
egyezaho@ug.nationmedia.com
WHAT BECOMES PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE WHEN MUSEVENI LEAVES POWER WILL PROVE WHETHER RULING FOR LONG IS GOOD
Whether ruling for long is good or bad, in the case of Museveni,the world will get to know how he was able to be so long in power, and when such facts become public knowledge it will be the right time to judge whther ruling for long is good.
William kituuka Kiwanuka
RULING FOR LONG IS GOOD, MUSEVENI
Mr Museveni (C) and Kenya’s Prime Minister Raila Odinga (L) are shown paintings by an artist outside Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Museum in Bondo in Kenya on Saturday. Photo by Jacob Owiti
By Tabu Butagira
Posted Monday, February 20 2012 at 00:00
In Summary
The President on Saturday swallowed his 1986 words of despising long-serving leaders, saying the experience offers mastery in governance.
President Museveni has, in an about-face, told Kenyans that it is beneficial for one person to rule a country for a lengthier period, citing his own 26-year tenure that he said has helped him morph into an “expert on governance”.
A State House
statement issued yesterday quoted Mr Museveni, who was chief guest at the inauguration of Great Lakes Universities’ Education Trust Fund in Kisumu, to have said: “African problems are a result of lack of proper research and wrong advice from outsiders.”
The statement emailed to this newspaper by Deputy Presidential Press Secretary, Ms Lindah Nabusayi, read: “President Museveni has defended his long stay in power, saying that it has helped him to learn many things, and he is now an expert in governance.”
Details of Mr Museveni’s speech, but one omitted in the official summary, offer a glimpse into reasons underpinning his reluctance to relinquish power even after being at the helm for slightly over a quarter of a century. He is also one of the longest-serving African leaders, having captured power in 1986 after a five-year guerrilla war.
“Some people think that being in the government for a long time is a bad thing,” this newspaper’s sister publication, Sunday Nation, quoted Mr Museveni as having said. “But the more you stay, the more you learn. I am now an expert in governance.”
Itching word
This is the second time in less than a year that Mr Museveni has publicly hinted about his motivation to cling to power and how that has enhanced his ability to lead more effectively.
At the height of the walk-to-work demonstrations in April last year, he told a press conference at his country home that he has “been around for some time”, helping him understand how to deal with Western powers. Some members of the international community had at the time been cited in intelligence dossiers as responsible for instigating the demonstrations as a blind to effect a regime change.
Mr Nandala Mafabi, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, last evening criticised the President’s U-turn, saying it manifested his “greed for power”.
“He is now greedy for power and becoming a dictator worse than Idi Amin,” he said. Mr Nandala said the unchecked theft of the nation’s wealth by bureaucrats, collapse in social services coupled with worsening brain drain due to topsy-turvy remuneration in public service expose Mr Museveni’s “self-centredness”.
Looked another way, Saturday’s declaration shows the President, whose present term ends in 2016, is not about to give up power and worse reflects that he is a betrayer of his former reformist self. When Mr Museveni allegedly engineered removal of the constitutional provision on two-term limit, each of five years, for an incumbent president before it was even tested, critics accused him of plotting to rule for life.
Contradiction
Yet in what now smacks of self-contradiction, Mr Museveni, then a younger revolutionary, had in his widely-quoted 1986 victory speech, said: “The problem of Africa in general and Uganda in particular is not the people but leaders who want to overstay in power.”
Juxtaposing this statement with the President’s weekend pronouncement raises questions about how much politicians should be trusted on their words.
Mr Museveni has often dodged debate on his succession, leaving the country in suspense over the future.
tbutagira@ug.nationmedia.com
William kituuka Kiwanuka
RULING FOR LONG IS GOOD, MUSEVENI
Mr Museveni (C) and Kenya’s Prime Minister Raila Odinga (L) are shown paintings by an artist outside Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Museum in Bondo in Kenya on Saturday. Photo by Jacob Owiti
By Tabu Butagira
Posted Monday, February 20 2012 at 00:00
In Summary
The President on Saturday swallowed his 1986 words of despising long-serving leaders, saying the experience offers mastery in governance.
President Museveni has, in an about-face, told Kenyans that it is beneficial for one person to rule a country for a lengthier period, citing his own 26-year tenure that he said has helped him morph into an “expert on governance”.
A State House
statement issued yesterday quoted Mr Museveni, who was chief guest at the inauguration of Great Lakes Universities’ Education Trust Fund in Kisumu, to have said: “African problems are a result of lack of proper research and wrong advice from outsiders.”
The statement emailed to this newspaper by Deputy Presidential Press Secretary, Ms Lindah Nabusayi, read: “President Museveni has defended his long stay in power, saying that it has helped him to learn many things, and he is now an expert in governance.”
Details of Mr Museveni’s speech, but one omitted in the official summary, offer a glimpse into reasons underpinning his reluctance to relinquish power even after being at the helm for slightly over a quarter of a century. He is also one of the longest-serving African leaders, having captured power in 1986 after a five-year guerrilla war.
“Some people think that being in the government for a long time is a bad thing,” this newspaper’s sister publication, Sunday Nation, quoted Mr Museveni as having said. “But the more you stay, the more you learn. I am now an expert in governance.”
Itching word
This is the second time in less than a year that Mr Museveni has publicly hinted about his motivation to cling to power and how that has enhanced his ability to lead more effectively.
At the height of the walk-to-work demonstrations in April last year, he told a press conference at his country home that he has “been around for some time”, helping him understand how to deal with Western powers. Some members of the international community had at the time been cited in intelligence dossiers as responsible for instigating the demonstrations as a blind to effect a regime change.
Mr Nandala Mafabi, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, last evening criticised the President’s U-turn, saying it manifested his “greed for power”.
“He is now greedy for power and becoming a dictator worse than Idi Amin,” he said. Mr Nandala said the unchecked theft of the nation’s wealth by bureaucrats, collapse in social services coupled with worsening brain drain due to topsy-turvy remuneration in public service expose Mr Museveni’s “self-centredness”.
Looked another way, Saturday’s declaration shows the President, whose present term ends in 2016, is not about to give up power and worse reflects that he is a betrayer of his former reformist self. When Mr Museveni allegedly engineered removal of the constitutional provision on two-term limit, each of five years, for an incumbent president before it was even tested, critics accused him of plotting to rule for life.
Contradiction
Yet in what now smacks of self-contradiction, Mr Museveni, then a younger revolutionary, had in his widely-quoted 1986 victory speech, said: “The problem of Africa in general and Uganda in particular is not the people but leaders who want to overstay in power.”
Juxtaposing this statement with the President’s weekend pronouncement raises questions about how much politicians should be trusted on their words.
Mr Museveni has often dodged debate on his succession, leaving the country in suspense over the future.
tbutagira@ug.nationmedia.com
WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH VALUE JUDGMENT
We have a problem of judgment. Recently i was in an early morning taxi from Kajjansi to Kampala. The lousy driver was carelessly overtaking about 10 vehicles in a queue. I abused the fool, told him to stop and I get of the taxi. There are many similar instances where vehicle drivers though in command of many people's lives drive carelessly. in such instances, it is the people in the vehicle to put sense in such a driver or else, all can perish. Sorry for all those who have died due to mistakes that should have bee avoided.
William Kituuka Kiwanuka
EIGHT DEAD AS RAIN POUNDS KAMPALA
Cars wade through a pool of water after a heavy downpour on Jinja Road near the Electoral Commission offices. Already some lives have been lost and several outdoor activities cancelled as heavy rain pounded Kampala for the second day yesterday. Meteorologists say the rains will become heavier towards the end of this month. Photo by Stephen Otage
By Robert Mwanje, Johnson Mayamba, Andrew Bagala and Flavia Lanyero
Posted Monday, February 20 2012 at 00:00
At least eight people were killed and nine others injured in three different incidents in Kampala Metropolitan and Lira this weekend following heavy rains.
Five people died on the spot and nine sustained serious injuries in a motor accident at Mbalala Trading Centre on the Jinja-Kampala highway in Mukono on Saturday night—an incident the police and
survivors largely blamed on poor visibility during a stormy downpour.
According to police, a commuter taxi heading to Kampala had a head-on collision with a truck, killing three people on the spot while two others died on the way to P. 5 Mulago Referral Hospital.
The dead were identified as Charles Lwanga, the conductor, Mike Wasswa, Ibra Wambuzi, Godfrey Deyawo and Harriet Kirunda.
Their bodies were taken to Mulago and Kawolo hospitals for post-mortem while the injured were admitted to Mukono Hospital.
Mukono District Traffic officer Annet Nakibuuka said it was too early to tell what caused the accident although early indicators point to fatigue on the taxi driver’s side.
William Kituuka Kiwanuka
EIGHT DEAD AS RAIN POUNDS KAMPALA
Cars wade through a pool of water after a heavy downpour on Jinja Road near the Electoral Commission offices. Already some lives have been lost and several outdoor activities cancelled as heavy rain pounded Kampala for the second day yesterday. Meteorologists say the rains will become heavier towards the end of this month. Photo by Stephen Otage
By Robert Mwanje, Johnson Mayamba, Andrew Bagala and Flavia Lanyero
Posted Monday, February 20 2012 at 00:00
At least eight people were killed and nine others injured in three different incidents in Kampala Metropolitan and Lira this weekend following heavy rains.
Five people died on the spot and nine sustained serious injuries in a motor accident at Mbalala Trading Centre on the Jinja-Kampala highway in Mukono on Saturday night—an incident the police and
survivors largely blamed on poor visibility during a stormy downpour.
According to police, a commuter taxi heading to Kampala had a head-on collision with a truck, killing three people on the spot while two others died on the way to P. 5 Mulago Referral Hospital.
The dead were identified as Charles Lwanga, the conductor, Mike Wasswa, Ibra Wambuzi, Godfrey Deyawo and Harriet Kirunda.
Their bodies were taken to Mulago and Kawolo hospitals for post-mortem while the injured were admitted to Mukono Hospital.
Mukono District Traffic officer Annet Nakibuuka said it was too early to tell what caused the accident although early indicators point to fatigue on the taxi driver’s side.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
NRM WILL REMAIN A SAD STORY FOR UGANDA: SHS 2BN PAID FOR CLEANING IMAGE
Whoever be witched Uganda. The country is so poor, and as incompetent decision mkes who cannot even save the country's resources. It is sad. Only God will rescue the country one day.
William Kituuka Kiwanuka
Govt pays Irish PR firm Shs2b to clean image dented by walk-to-work
Dr Besigye (in blue cap, trouser) flees from security operatives as his aides are roughed last year. Photo by Isaac Kasamani
By Andrew Bagala
Posted Saturday, February 18 2012 at 00:00
In Summary
Image crisis. The firm is expected to improve govt’s public image after blunders committed by the police.
An Irish PR company, Glenevin Operational Risk and Security Consultancy, said to have been hired through the Office of the Prime Minister is reportedly going to be paid more than $1 million (Shs2.3 billion) to clean up the government’s image dented by police’s brutal crack-down on peaceful demonstrations.
The firm is currently working behind-the-scenes in an environment where the police force continues to face criticism for using excessive force to stop the opposition from exercising the constitutional right to freedom of expression, assembly and to hold demonstrations.
Some individuals believed to be associated with the firm have already been seen in the company of the commander of the police’s Field Force Unit, Christopher Kasalawo, at several Activists for Change (A4C) rallies guiding security officers.
The government remains tight-lipped on whether the company was sourced in line with public procurement regulations and from what vote its fees will be paid.
A4C singled out
A4C, a pressure group whose coordinated joint opposition civil action against poor regime policies, widespread corruption in government, inadequate public service delivery, and protests at failure of the NRM government to improve the economic fortunes of millions of Ugandans stuck in poverty, is said to have been singled out for attention by Glenevin.
The government initially struck back at A4C through Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura’s police units that broke up rallies by indiscriminately firing volleys of live ammunition, tear gas and water canon at unarmed civilians, resulting in the death of tens of people and injury of scores of others.
Several people were arrested although the courts have continued to dismiss charges preferred against opposition politicians who participated in the campaign.
Leading opposition figures were flogged, manhandled and either thrown into police cells or prevented from leaving their homes under archaic colonial laws.
However, the high-handedness of the security apparatus has caused government pressure as human rights activists and Western countries shocked by the ruthless suppression of freedom of expression and assembly, warned that it posed a threat to the country’s democratic progress and called for respect for human rights.
On Tuesday, government Media Centre’s Executive Director Fred Opolot issued a press release acknowledging the hiring of a public relations company he did not name.
“Our collaboration with this team will realign our provision of services to government and the media. It is greatly important that the management of Uganda’s international reputation becomes more streamlined and purposeful,” he said.
Available information shows that Glenevin provides a wide range of consultancy and management services it says enables individuals and organisations perform to their optimum within cost-effective and efficient security structures.
It is not clear whether government followed the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act that, among others, requires competitive bidding for contracts of this magnitude and cost.
Mr Opolot declined to comment when pressed, saying he will avail details later.
Firm causing ripples
Mr Pius Bigirimaana, the permanent secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, on Wednesday said he is not aware of the Irish PR firm although sources say his ministry had something to do with their entry into the country.
A government publicist, who has been dealing with the firm but did not want to be named for fear of reprisal, told Saturday Monitor that whereas the firm was welcomed by spokespersons, its methods are now being quietly criticised.
William Kituuka Kiwanuka
Govt pays Irish PR firm Shs2b to clean image dented by walk-to-work
Dr Besigye (in blue cap, trouser) flees from security operatives as his aides are roughed last year. Photo by Isaac Kasamani
By Andrew Bagala
Posted Saturday, February 18 2012 at 00:00
In Summary
Image crisis. The firm is expected to improve govt’s public image after blunders committed by the police.
An Irish PR company, Glenevin Operational Risk and Security Consultancy, said to have been hired through the Office of the Prime Minister is reportedly going to be paid more than $1 million (Shs2.3 billion) to clean up the government’s image dented by police’s brutal crack-down on peaceful demonstrations.
The firm is currently working behind-the-scenes in an environment where the police force continues to face criticism for using excessive force to stop the opposition from exercising the constitutional right to freedom of expression, assembly and to hold demonstrations.
Some individuals believed to be associated with the firm have already been seen in the company of the commander of the police’s Field Force Unit, Christopher Kasalawo, at several Activists for Change (A4C) rallies guiding security officers.
The government remains tight-lipped on whether the company was sourced in line with public procurement regulations and from what vote its fees will be paid.
A4C singled out
A4C, a pressure group whose coordinated joint opposition civil action against poor regime policies, widespread corruption in government, inadequate public service delivery, and protests at failure of the NRM government to improve the economic fortunes of millions of Ugandans stuck in poverty, is said to have been singled out for attention by Glenevin.
The government initially struck back at A4C through Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura’s police units that broke up rallies by indiscriminately firing volleys of live ammunition, tear gas and water canon at unarmed civilians, resulting in the death of tens of people and injury of scores of others.
Several people were arrested although the courts have continued to dismiss charges preferred against opposition politicians who participated in the campaign.
Leading opposition figures were flogged, manhandled and either thrown into police cells or prevented from leaving their homes under archaic colonial laws.
However, the high-handedness of the security apparatus has caused government pressure as human rights activists and Western countries shocked by the ruthless suppression of freedom of expression and assembly, warned that it posed a threat to the country’s democratic progress and called for respect for human rights.
On Tuesday, government Media Centre’s Executive Director Fred Opolot issued a press release acknowledging the hiring of a public relations company he did not name.
“Our collaboration with this team will realign our provision of services to government and the media. It is greatly important that the management of Uganda’s international reputation becomes more streamlined and purposeful,” he said.
Available information shows that Glenevin provides a wide range of consultancy and management services it says enables individuals and organisations perform to their optimum within cost-effective and efficient security structures.
It is not clear whether government followed the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act that, among others, requires competitive bidding for contracts of this magnitude and cost.
Mr Opolot declined to comment when pressed, saying he will avail details later.
Firm causing ripples
Mr Pius Bigirimaana, the permanent secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, on Wednesday said he is not aware of the Irish PR firm although sources say his ministry had something to do with their entry into the country.
A government publicist, who has been dealing with the firm but did not want to be named for fear of reprisal, told Saturday Monitor that whereas the firm was welcomed by spokespersons, its methods are now being quietly criticised.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
TIME IS RIPE TO PHASE OUT SUPPLEMENTARY EXPENDITURES GIVEN MISS USE BY NRM GOVERNMENT
State House needs Shs92 billion in more funding
It is now clear that Supplementary Expenditures is greatly misused by the NRM Government and it is clear this is where a lot of funds leak leading to inflationary tendencies in the economy. Time is now to phase out the Supplementary Expenditures and instead have a small percentage of each Ministry Official Budget set a side for unforeseen contingencies. The people in Ministry of Finance and those under the Permanent Secretaries by now know how the financial aspects move and the level of unforeseen happenings which call for address. One reason why we are witnessing a depreciating currency is Government failure in monetary discipline which is regrettable given the technical staff in the Ministries. It will make a lot of sense if a law is made and passed outlawing the Supplementary Budget practice in Uganda.
William Kituuka Kiwanuka
STATE HOUSE ASKS FOR AN EXTRA SHS92BN
By Yasiin Mugerwa & Agatha Ayebazibwe
Posted Friday, February 17 2012 at 00:00
With the Ministry of Health struggling to find Shs7 billion to help thousands of children stricken by the nodding disease which has claimed hundreds of lives in northern Uganda, State House yesterday asked MPs to approve Shs92 billion in more funding for the Presidency.
Junior Finance Minister Fred Omach put in the supplementary budget request for Shs81.8 billion under its recurrent expenditure and another Shs10.1 billion for development activities— swelling its budget by 38 per cent.
Part of the money will be used to pay for special meals and drinks, welfare and entertainment.
Acholi Parliamentary Group chairman Reagan Okumu (Aswa) was aghast. He told Daily Monitor that while he was not surprised, Ugandans, and the people of northern Uganda, now know the kind of President they have.
“If it is true that Shs92 billion is going to State House when our people are suffering with nodding disease without any serious response, may God have mercy on us,” Mr Okumu said.
“To my colleagues in Parliament, if you approve this money the people of northern Uganda will never forgive you. It does not matter whether State House has already spent the money or not, this money shouldn’t be approved before getting money for the children who are suffering with the nodding disease,” he said.
Just five months ago, Parliament approved another additional Shs66.6 billion for State House. If approved, the State House budget will balloon to more than Shs158.6 billion— more than twice the 2011/12 Budget for Mulago National Referral Hospital. This money would meet the Shs75 billion required to answer teachers’ demands for a 100 per cent salary increment.
WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF UGANDA’S POST 2011 ELECTIONS INFLATION?
Even though Section 12 of the Budget Act 2001 stipulates that the total supplementary expenditure that requires additional resources over and above what is appropriated by Parliament shall not exceed 3% of the total approved budget, for that Financial Year without prior approval of Parliament, and that the same section provides that sources of supplementary funding to include suppression of expenditure on other votes (budget cuts), additional resources and re-allocation, it is a fact that the National Budget has both the Government’s contribution (taxes and non – tax revenue) and what is projected to be financed by the donor community. In the case of 2010/11 Financial Year, of the approved annual budget of Ushs 7,588.49 billion, it is most likely that not all the budgeted amount was realized, in which case, having a supplementary budget of Ushs 602.65 billion could have injected into the economy more than Ushs 602.65 billion as money created by the Central Bank which situation had obviously to create inflation. Secondly, as per the table below which shows the votes that had substantial expenditures for the financial years 2009/10 and 2010/11, it is clear from the addition of the total Supplementary for the Financial Year 2010/11 that it gets to Ushs 530,160,783,198, out of Ushs 602.65 billion the total supplementary for the same financial year. It is not clear how a whole Ushs 72.48 billion happens to miss in the figures for the year’s supplementary (How could the Budget Monitoring & Accountability Unit of the Ministry of Finance have overlooked the whole of this figure and not indicated through which Ministries it was spent?). Does that mean that the whole of that amount was not substantial?
It comes out clearly that we are experiencing inflation because of NRM’s indiscipline in expenditure to the extent that in an attempt to sort politics, it resorted to printing money and a lot of it is in circulation!
William Kituuka Kiwanuka
CONTINUOUS SUPPLEMENTARY EXPENDITURES UNDERMINING BUDGET CREDIBILITY
BMUA Briefing Paper (9/11) – April 2011
By Budget Monitoring & Accountability Unit (BMAU), Ministry of Finance & Economic Development
The Public Finance and Accountability (PFA) Act 2003 (16) allows that if the amount of funds appropriated by the Appropriations Act is insufficient, or that if a need has arisen for expenditure for a purpose for which no funds were appropriated by Parliament, a supplementary estimate, showing the amount required shall be laid before Parliament and that the expenditure votes shall be included in a Supplementary.
Appropriations Bill for Parliament to provide for their appropriation.
Section 12 of the Budget Act 2001 stipulates that the total supplementary expenditure that requires additional resources over and above what is appropriated by Parliament shall not exceed 3% of the total approved budget, for that Financial Year without prior approval of Parliament. The same section provides that sources of supplementary funding include suppression of expenditure on other votes (budget cuts), additional resources and re-allocation. The PFA Act 2003 (16) is in line with the provision of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda 1995 Article 156 (2) (a, b).
Supplementary Expenditure FY 2008/09; FY 2009/10 and FY 2010/11
In the FY 2010/11 Parliament appropriated a total supplementary expenditure of Ushs 602.65 billion for recurrent, development and statutory bodies expenditures inclusive of taxes, arrears and tax payments. Of the total supplementary expenditure, the recurrent component was 71% (Ushs 428.3 billion); development expenditure was 8% (50.6 billion) while statutory was 21% (Ushs 123.78 billion).
The supplementary budget of FY 2010/11 exceeded that of FY 2009/10 by 145 billion representing an increase of 32%. The supplementary budget for FY 2009/10 was shs 457.94 billion of which Ushs 145.95 billion was for recurrent expenditure representing 31.2% of the entire budget and Ushs 98.263 billion (21%) was for development. The statutory expenditure budget was 5% of the approved annual budget of Ushs 7,588.49 billion.
THE KEY ISSUES NOTED
1. The budget continues to experience allocative inefficiency in form of supplementary expenditures on activities that are recurrent in nature.
2. The supplementary expenditure has been increasing over the years FY 2008/09 – FY 2010/11.
3. The regular supplementary expenditures undermine budget credibility.
CONCLUSIONS
The supplementary budgets undermine the entire budget process when the targeted outputs at the time of approving the annual budgets are suppressed as a result of budget cuts. This further creates inconsistency in the budget implementation by affecting sector outputs already indicated in the work plans. This hinders the timely completion of planned activities and subsequent service delivery.
The regular unplanned supplementary appropriation to the approved budget undermines one of the most important functions of the budget of providing a detailed, comprehensive costing of all the policy proposals.
The budget has continued to experience allocative inefficiency in form of supplementary expenditures on activities that are recurrent in nature.
KEY POLICY RECOMMENDATION
Entities must identify activities susceptible to supplementary expenditures in time and appropriately budget for them within the available resources. Recurrent supplementary expenditures should be discouraged except in extreme cases of emergencies.
Some of my works can be accessed on the following links:
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