BUS CRASHES AND ENDS UP BURNING 30 TO DEATH

The bus belonging to Horizon company burnt and killed as many as 30 according to the morning reports. The bus caught fire at Malongo near Kyazanga as it rove from Mbarara today morning. Something MUST be done about the transport of people on Uganda roads. People leave their homes going to fend for their families and due to the carelessness of some people so many end up perishing! It is sad, but something has to be done. We have for a long time wondered why the speed governors could not be enforced, the opportunity cost is the lives we shall keep losing! Every day, a new set of dependents comes up, and it is Government to blame. We have talked and talked, but goodness, we have to stop somewhere. Uganda is a sad country simply because of its leaders who leave the right things and instead promote the wrong ones. God bless them. William Kituuka

MENGO SENIOR SCHOOL IS THE ONLY SENIOR SCHOL IN UGANDA BECAUSE IT WAS THE FIRST

Posted Monday, September 10 2012 at 15:43 In Summary This year Mengo SS marks 117 years, having been founded in 1895. However, the contest over supremacy in which school is older still rages with Namilyango College which claims to be older by one year As you ascend into Mengo Senior School your attention will be caught by a monument of two students, an older one holding the hands of a younger one. In this fairly towering monument is an imbedded communiqué, the school’s motto - Akwana Akira Ayomba, loosely meaning that it is better to make friends than enemies. Mr John Fred Kazibwe, Mengo SS’ headmaster, says the motto translated into the culture this school instills in its students. This has been for more than a century. Mengo stands tall as Uganda’s oldest school that grew from humble beginnings of a mere elementary school that educated boys at a junior level to a secondary school. Struggle for supremacy This year Mengo SS marks 117 years, having been founded in 1895. However, the contest over supremacy in which school is older still rages with Namilyango College which claims to be older. The argument Namilyango presents is that Mengo SS was not began as a purely secondary school but first as a primary school that later became a secondary school. Namilyango College was established by the Mill Hill Missionaries on March 23, 1902 whereas Mengo SS became a secondary school the following year. The controversies aside, when the CMS, and Miss Chadwick to be exact, began Mengo SS, the idea was to promote teaching reading, writing and arithmetic and the first student body was to be formed of chiefs’ sons and cadres as an appeasement to the kingdoms’ leadership. In fact Mengo’s first name was Kayanja, a name adopted from one of the pioneer teachers and also because it was near the Kabaka’s lake. It took on a few other names before it finally adopted its current name identity, Mengo. Kazibwe reads from the school’s history that before the school started officially in 1895, Miss Chadwick would invite a number of young men into her house every afternoon for prayers and other subjects, emphasising the religious aspect as a strong pillar upon which the school was founded. “These were mostly houseboys of missionaries on Namirembe Hill. Share This Story Chadwick then requested them to visit the chiefs and ask them to send their (chiefs’) children to school. Due to the nature of their work, the young men came to be known as basizi (sowers). She continued to teach the basizi who in turn taught the new comers, the sons of chiefs,” the school’s history reads in part. This was clearly in tandem with the school motto. Today, Mengo SS continues to shine in the sports and academic arena but unlike your average school there is more to this secondary school. More than just classroom lesions Besides the conventional syllabus subjects Mengo SS promotes the practical or vocational studies too, from wood works, food and nutrition, and metal work fabrication studies. This, the headmaster says, has made Mengo’s alumni find their feet easily as they are taught to become job creators than job seekers; so to say self-employment. Pointing to old boys like James Mulwana who has honestly and seriously built a good profile with businesses including Uganda Batteries, Jesa Farm and Nice House of Plastics, Mr Kazibwe says that many of the old students from Mengo have started out as entrepreneur in metal fabrication, carpentry, art and crafts among other fields. But the success story had its other face like a few student demonstrations particularly during the 1980s which left the school’s property destroyed and the otherwise good name tainted. However, the then incoming head teacher, Samuel Busulwa, himself an old student, was not to let Mengo go to the dogs. He came in determined to revive the glory of this day school and surely embarked on setting Mengo back on track immediately he appointed head teacher in 1986. The school was set on a steady recovery and sanity returned to Mengo SS where he emphasised discipline as a fundamental in realisation of good grades and sports excellence. The school’s population today is one of the highest in the country with a high 3,315 which has meant appointment of four deputy head teachers: in charge of personnel, academics and two for welfare. Dedicated individuals And the school’s literature shows that Mengo has had a few dedicated individuals at its helm. Mr Chadwick, served between 1895-1901. He was succeeded by Charles William Hattersley (1901-1912). Rev. F.B. Luboyera was the first African head teacher of the school. During his time, 1913 - 1929, Mengo Central School was shifted to the catechists’ house, the Kiwitoko Building, the current Sempa Block. Huts were built around it to accommodate the boys. Then followed the longest serving head, Rev. Y.B. Sempa, 1929 – 1965, under whom Intermediate A was divided into two parts: elementary vernacular (EV) and the middle school. The lower school was upgraded from four to six classes while the middle school had three classes, namely, junior 1-3. In 1960, J3 was removed leaving J2 the highest level of education in middle level. Girls were readmitted to the school. Under Rev. B.A. Armitage, 1966 – 1972, the school was named Mengo Senior School and the number of girls increased tremendously. Double-session introduced Under Vergise George, 1972 – 1985, GTE subjects were introduced, the HSC section was formed and the school adopted a double session: S.1 - S.2 studying in the afternoon and S.3 - S.6 in the morning. Samuel Busuulwa, 1986 – 1989, reverted the school to a single session of both morning and afternoon classes. Stephen Bunjo Musisi, 1989 – 1993, oversaw the purchase of the first school lorry, the first pickup and two farms at Nsosolo in Mityana and Nyanja in Mpigi. He decentralised the administration into the current three units. Ms Joy Male, 1994 – 1998, is remembered for introducing computers, Saturday tests and beginning of term exams. Mr Joseph Wakatama Ganatusanga, 1998 – 2001, introduced wireless internet, weekly staff briefings and construction of new gates, the drive way, assembly grounds and a bicycle shed. Ms Sarah K. Birungi, 2001 – 2004, oversaw the construction of the dining hall annex, purchase of school bus, construction of a parking yard and extension of the Art room and Wood workshop.

THOSE WHO SAY HEALTH MATTERS NOT A PRIORITY NOW ARE THE ONES WHO USE UP OVER 300BN IN PERSONAL HEALTH TREATMENT ABROAD!

The hypocrisy of our leaders is unfortunate. Uganda is able to waster tax payer monies on foreign missions defending other countries meanwhile Ugandans die in thousands over ailments that are treatable but the NRM Government has simply ignored its priorities. The best Museveni can do for the good of the country is to park up and go. Surely, his missions have cost the country a lot of money and poverty is the order of the day. I always feel sorry for Uganda. William Kituuka Kiwanuka ------------------------------------------------------------------- MUSEVENI TURNS NRM MPs AROUND ON HEALTH BUDGET By Sheila Naturinda Posted Tuesday, September 18 2012 at 11:05 Ruling party members of Parliament last night made a u-turn, and agreed with President Museveni that health matters aren’t a priority now. Members who attended a party caucus held between 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. reveal to this newspaper that President Museveni first stormed out of the meeting in protest because members had denied him a chance to defend his stand on no more money for health. “When he stormed out he looked very annoyed and all of us were in shock not knowing what to do next, as we discussed leaving, he returned and asked that we now hold sober discussions,” an MP who attended the meeting said. The meeting later had concluded that Health Committee chairman Dr Sam Lyomoki, together with Chief Whip Justine Lumumba and Premier Amama Mbabazi should write a paper on national health concerns which would be considered during the drafting of next year’s budget. Debate returns to the whole House today afternoon, and it’s not clear what reaction the Opposition will have when they learn of their colleagues’ betrayal. Last week, the House was so unanimous that Shs260 billion be found for the health sector or else they will withhold approval of the budget. Scores of NRM MPs yesterday told this newspaper as they travelled to State House that they would defy whatever reasons the head of state would give them to deny the population better health services. “How do you provide security to trees and animals when all the people have died? We shall not accept and we expect government to provide that money as soon as possible,” said Yumbe woman MP Aleru Huda, who is also chair of the Parliamentary Forum on Immunisation. Others questioned the priorities of this government because of the number of deaths registered across the country due to the desperately poor national health services. Sources said President Museveni said he couldn’t sacrifice the defence budget for anything. Debate over the state of healthcare took centre stage yesterday as Parliament continued discussions on the 2012/13 budget amid disagreements with the Executive over budget cuts to raise Shs260 billion needed to recruit and motivate health workers. Mr Mbabazi has until now steadfastly rejected the House Budget Committee proposal to cut Shs15 billion from the defence budget and divert it to the health sector. He also opposed a plan to cut Shs3 billion from the Electoral Commission and Uganda Bureau of Statistics, arguing that the two agencies are statutory institutions with constitutional duties. Civil society organisations are meanwhile expected today afternoon to gather in the House and try to and pile more pressure on government and Parliament to reach a deal on the Shs260 billion. Whichever way the debate will take, given the NRM numerical strength, it’s unlikely that the health budget will get a single increment. snaturinda@ug.nationmedia.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GOVERNMENT SPENDS SHS 380BILLION ON OFFICIALS' TREATMENT ABROAD By ISMAIL MUSA LADU Posted Tuesday, April 24 2012 at 00:00 Every year government spends at least $150 million (about Shs377 billion) on treatment of mostly top government officials abroad, a cost President Museveni wants brought down by restricting the privilege to a few selected severe cases. A leaked report from last December’s ministerial retreat which was convened to assess the government’s performance in the previous year reveals a renewed attempt by the country’s leader to sort out Uganda’s severely stressed health sector. “The President stressed the need to curb the high numbers of patients seeking specialised health treatment abroad which was costing the country about $150 million annually,” the report compiled by the Office of the Prime Minister said. That figure is almost equal to the Shs397.31 billion donors contribute towards the country’s Shs985.5 billion health budget. Mr Museveni is quoted as having also directed that “pay for scientists including medical doctors should not just be prioritised but increased.” Ministry of Health permanent secretary Asuman Lukwago agreed that the expenditure on treatment abroad, which he referred to as “estimation”, was not necessary although it is up to a patient to decide where to be treated. “The question is: do we have the ability to treat most of these cases here? Yes we do,” said the PS, before adding that “the challenge is to convince government officials that they do not need to travel abroad because we can do it here”. According to the PS, with the ongoing efforts to rejuvenate health facilities, including upgrading all referral hospitals, the Shs377 billion spent on treatment abroad could be reduced. Efforts to get a comment from the country’s Medical Board, which is charged with the responsibility of recommending individuals for State-sponsored treatment abroad, were futile. The fact that treatment abroad costs nearly half of the entire budgets of two key ministries—health and education – exposes the government in terms of its priorities, according to observers. “That amount of money is just enough to have the necessary facilities needed to attend to all these treated abroad,” Makerere University economics lecturer Augustus Nuwagaba, said in an interview yesterday. He said: “That amount of money can help in better health delivery and at the same time stop capital outflow, something that largely contributes in weakening our Shilling.” Prof. Nuwagaba argued that the country’s problem is not lack of medical practitioners but poor pay. “Almost half of the 40,000 Ugandan professionals in North America are health personnel, this means our problem is not the human resource,” he said. Daily Monitor’s efforts to corroborate the suggestion that Shs377 billion would be enough to appropriately upgrade local health infrastructure so as to stop the preference for treatment outside was, however, not immediately possible. Dr Byarugaba Baterana, the executive director at the National Referral Hospital Mulago and Dr Tom Mwambu, the deputy director at the Uganda Heart Institute, said they could not make an offhand estimation when reached for comment. The meeting of the top government officials also discussed supplementary requests, emphasising its negative impact on budget execution and performance. But instead of curbing it they proposed the creation of a contingency Fund from which government would draw anytime.

THOSE WHO SAY HEALTH MATTERS NOT A PRIORITY NOW ARE THE ONES WHO USE UP OVER 300BN IN PERSONAL HEALTH TREATMENT ABROAD!

The hypocrisy of our leaders is unfortunate. Uganda is able to waster tax payer monies on foreign missions defending other countries meanwhile Ugandans die in thousands over ailments that are treatable but the NRM Government has simply ignored its priorities. The best Museveni can do for the good of the country is to park up and go. Surely, his missions have cost the country a lot of money and poverty is the order of the day. I always feel sorry for Uganda. William Kituuka Kiwanuka ------------------------------------------------------------------- MUSEVENI TURNS NRM MPs AROUND ON HEALTH BUDGET By Sheila Naturinda Posted Tuesday, September 18 2012 at 11:05 Ruling party members of Parliament last night made a u-turn, and agreed with President Museveni that health matters aren’t a priority now. Members who attended a party caucus held between 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. reveal to this newspaper that President Museveni first stormed out of the meeting in protest because members had denied him a chance to defend his stand on no more money for health. “When he stormed out he looked very annoyed and all of us were in shock not knowing what to do next, as we discussed leaving, he returned and asked that we now hold sober discussions,” an MP who attended the meeting said. The meeting later had concluded that Health Committee chairman Dr Sam Lyomoki, together with Chief Whip Justine Lumumba and Premier Amama Mbabazi should write a paper on national health concerns which would be considered during the drafting of next year’s budget. Debate returns to the whole House today afternoon, and it’s not clear what reaction the Opposition will have when they learn of their colleagues’ betrayal. Last week, the House was so unanimous that Shs260 billion be found for the health sector or else they will withhold approval of the budget. Scores of NRM MPs yesterday told this newspaper as they travelled to State House that they would defy whatever reasons the head of state would give them to deny the population better health services. “How do you provide security to trees and animals when all the people have died? We shall not accept and we expect government to provide that money as soon as possible,” said Yumbe woman MP Aleru Huda, who is also chair of the Parliamentary Forum on Immunisation. Others questioned the priorities of this government because of the number of deaths registered across the country due to the desperately poor national health services. Sources said President Museveni said he couldn’t sacrifice the defence budget for anything. Debate over the state of healthcare took centre stage yesterday as Parliament continued discussions on the 2012/13 budget amid disagreements with the Executive over budget cuts to raise Shs260 billion needed to recruit and motivate health workers. Mr Mbabazi has until now steadfastly rejected the House Budget Committee proposal to cut Shs15 billion from the defence budget and divert it to the health sector. He also opposed a plan to cut Shs3 billion from the Electoral Commission and Uganda Bureau of Statistics, arguing that the two agencies are statutory institutions with constitutional duties. Civil society organisations are meanwhile expected today afternoon to gather in the House and try to and pile more pressure on government and Parliament to reach a deal on the Shs260 billion. Whichever way the debate will take, given the NRM numerical strength, it’s unlikely that the health budget will get a single increment. snaturinda@ug.nationmedia.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GOVERNMENT SPENDS SHS 380BILLION ON OFFICIALS' TREATMENT ABROAD By ISMAIL MUSA LADU Posted Tuesday, April 24 2012 at 00:00 Every year government spends at least $150 million (about Shs377 billion) on treatment of mostly top government officials abroad, a cost President Museveni wants brought down by restricting the privilege to a few selected severe cases. A leaked report from last December’s ministerial retreat which was convened to assess the government’s performance in the previous year reveals a renewed attempt by the country’s leader to sort out Uganda’s severely stressed health sector. “The President stressed the need to curb the high numbers of patients seeking specialised health treatment abroad which was costing the country about $150 million annually,” the report compiled by the Office of the Prime Minister said. That figure is almost equal to the Shs397.31 billion donors contribute towards the country’s Shs985.5 billion health budget. Mr Museveni is quoted as having also directed that “pay for scientists including medical doctors should not just be prioritised but increased.” Ministry of Health permanent secretary Asuman Lukwago agreed that the expenditure on treatment abroad, which he referred to as “estimation”, was not necessary although it is up to a patient to decide where to be treated. “The question is: do we have the ability to treat most of these cases here? Yes we do,” said the PS, before adding that “the challenge is to convince government officials that they do not need to travel abroad because we can do it here”. According to the PS, with the ongoing efforts to rejuvenate health facilities, including upgrading all referral hospitals, the Shs377 billion spent on treatment abroad could be reduced. Efforts to get a comment from the country’s Medical Board, which is charged with the responsibility of recommending individuals for State-sponsored treatment abroad, were futile. The fact that treatment abroad costs nearly half of the entire budgets of two key ministries—health and education – exposes the government in terms of its priorities, according to observers. “That amount of money is just enough to have the necessary facilities needed to attend to all these treated abroad,” Makerere University economics lecturer Augustus Nuwagaba, said in an interview yesterday. He said: “That amount of money can help in better health delivery and at the same time stop capital outflow, something that largely contributes in weakening our Shilling.” Prof. Nuwagaba argued that the country’s problem is not lack of medical practitioners but poor pay. “Almost half of the 40,000 Ugandan professionals in North America are health personnel, this means our problem is not the human resource,” he said. Daily Monitor’s efforts to corroborate the suggestion that Shs377 billion would be enough to appropriately upgrade local health infrastructure so as to stop the preference for treatment outside was, however, not immediately possible. Dr Byarugaba Baterana, the executive director at the National Referral Hospital Mulago and Dr Tom Mwambu, the deputy director at the Uganda Heart Institute, said they could not make an offhand estimation when reached for comment. The meeting of the top government officials also discussed supplementary requests, emphasising its negative impact on budget execution and performance. But instead of curbing it they proposed the creation of a contingency Fund from which government would draw anytime.

KIKULUKUNYU HAS TESTIFIED THAT STATE HOUSE BRIBING OF VOTERS LED TO HIS LOSS IN THE BI-ELECTION

Thank God that during the time when President Museveni is still Head of State people belonging to the NRM camp are coming out openly to accuse him of have wrong doing as is in the case for Faisal Kikulukunyu who now blames State House' funds as the reason he lost the vote. Kikulukunyu is however wrong. People did not vote for him for two reasons, one they are fed up with Museveni administration. Whatever Museveni does now, there is nothing much he can do a part from leaving State House in peace. the rot in Uganda which makes the country to earn a Gold medal in corruption originates from State House. Instead of devoting funds to the development of the country, the people are impoverished on and those in power wait to give hand outs. Enough is enough. William Kituuka Kiwanuka ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NRM CAMP DIVIDED OVER PRESIDENT MUSEVENI'S VISIT TO BUTAMBALA Posted by Ssegendo Aloysious on September 7th, 2012 NRM camp in Butambala is divided over President Museveni’s visit to the County ahead of next week’s Parliamentary bi-elections in which NRM’s Faisal Kikulukunyu is battling DP’s Muwanga Kivumbi.Some NRM supporters have told radio Simba’s correspondent in Butambala Aloysius Ssegendo that President Museveni and officials from State House should back off Butambala County Parliamentary bi-elections if NRM’s candidate Faisal Kikulukunyu is to win.They say that in all bi-elections where President Museveni has campaigned for NRM candidates they have lost.However Faisal Kikulukunyu says that he needs the President in his campaign.

LET US HOPE FLAMINGO WILL NOT TAKE UGANDA TO COURT WHERE BILLIONS MAY BE PAID IN COMPENSATION

The move by the Hon. Sematiko to have drugs supplied by Flamingo banned from Uganda Market must be thoroughly examined as it has a high potential of getting the Uganda tax payer lose astronomical sums of money. It is not clear whether the measure was taken after involving the right stakeholders. This move can easily come about from a potential competitor wishing to take the market share of Flamingo. Or, it could even be conspiracy to make Government lose money under this measure. It can be remembered that when the Government made a ban on used computers, we advised against the move which looks to have been pushed by dealers in new computers, today, Government is on the way to reverse the wrong decision earlier made. William Kituuka Kiwanuka Hopefully, the right decision will be made. William Kituuka Kiwanuka

THE NEED TO CAUTION KAJJANSI POLICE STATION ABOUT FIREWOOD NEXT TO THE POWER CABLE

The photo clearly shows how the firewood used by Kajjansi Police Station has a great potential in damaging the Electric Power cable. The purpose of this communication is to appeal to UMEME to find a way of protecting the cable. May be, there is need to put some fencing around the cable so that the firewood does not get in direct touch with the power cable as chances as can be seen of getting it depreciate very fast very many. William Kituuka Kiwanuka