Watchdog Uganda
The certification comes a week after the airline concluded a demonstration flight on the type on a service to Johannesburg, at the tail-end of the five-stage certification process.
A source confirmed reports that the type certificate was handed over to the airline by the CAA this evening.
“It is true. The Airbus is now endorsed as a type in our Air Operators Certificate,†the official who requested not to be named because they are not authorised to speak on the matter told 256BN.
The development brings to an end the protracted certification process that saw the carrier’s pair of A330’s grounded on the tarmac in Entebbe, for nearly eight months. It also gives the airline the flexibility to switch between the CRJ-900 and the higher capacity A330, on services, depending passenger and cargo demand.
Although the jets were delivered in December 2020 and February 2021 respectively, they could not be inducted into the fleet until Uganda Airlines has updated its operations manual to include procedures for operating the type. The CAA then had to examine the manual and the airlines internal procedures before signing off the certificate.
The A330’s will be used on services to London, Dubai, Mumbai and Guangzhou once Uganda gets off the red list in destination countries. The continuing restrictions on travel from Uganda have seen the planned service to Dubai slip by a month to October while that to London has now been moved to early 2022.
London, Mumbai and Guangzhou are among the top unserved point-to-point routes from Entebbe according to statistics from 2019. The Entebbe-London route had 84,000 round-trip passengers during the year, followed by Mumbai at 42,000 and Guangzhou at 29,000. That would represent a daily load of 230 passengers between Entebbe and London, 115 to Mumbai and 79 to Guangzhou.
Dubai was another robust route with 282 passenger departures daily but with five airlines serving the destination, the competition profile is steep. Johannesburg which was abandoned by South African Airways last year, is another high demand route from Entebbe with 106,000 passengers during 2019.
Combined with transit traffic, Uganda Airlines is likely to get decent loads on its flights although according to analysts it will be running on thin margins especially on the service to Dubai and Guangzhou. The one-way fare to Dubai is below USD150. Mumbai is about USD170 one-way and Guangzhou around USD 195.
Analysts see Guangzhou as a low-yielding route although still important for Uganda Airlines if it is to build a hub and have play in the China-Africa market.
London where Uganda Airlines will be landing at Heathrow ticks all the boxes of point-to-point, connecting demand, and fare performance. At just over 6000 kilometres from Entebbe, the one-way fare to London was USD235. That compares with Guangzhou which is more than 9000 kilometres away but with a fare of just USD190.
Credit: 256businessnews.com
]]> UPDF to recruit more LDU personnel starting next week https://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210819/119599/updf-to-recruit-more-ldu-personnel-starting-next-week.html Thu, 19 Aug 2021 19:17:43 +0000 https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=119599 The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) shall conduct a nationwide general recruitment exercise for Local Defence Unit (LDU) personnel starting next week.The army Spokesperson Brig Flavia Byekwaso says the recruitment that shall be conducted in observance of Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) wil commence on 23 August and end on 16th September, 2021.
“Handwritten applications to be submitted to the office of the RDC strictly between 23-27 August, 2021. Must indicate nationality, age, marital status, education and accompanied with national identity cards and academic credentials,†Brig Byelwaso said in a statement on Thursday.
†Shortlists of successful candidates will be published and pinned at district headquarters between 2-16 September 2021 and dates of reporting to recruitment centres shall be announced.â€
Brig Byekwaso added that applicants must be Ugandan citizens aged 18-29 years, medically, physically fit and must hold UCE certificate or artisan certificate with good conduct and no criminal record.
†Letter of recommendation from LC1 or GISO is a must.â€
In September 2018, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni ordered for the recruitment of 24, 000 LDUs following the rampant gun violence, kidnap and robbery crimes.
The order came after former Buyende District police commander, Muhammad Kirumira, had been gunned down in his home area in Bulenga, Wakiso District along Kampala-Mityana highway.
UPDF sent the recruits to Oliver Tambo Military School in Kaweweta in Nakaseke District where they underwent a four-month basic military training. Museveni passed out the recruits in March 2019 but over 200 had escaped from training.
]]> Ugandan national shot dead in Rwanda https://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210819/119595/ugandan-national-shot-dead-in-rwanda.html Thu, 19 Aug 2021 17:39:39 +0000 https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=119595 A Ugandan national has been shot dead in Rwanda,in yet another provocation against Uganda.Justus Kadogo Kabagambe,25,is a resident of Rutare Village,Bigaga Parish in Butanda subcounty Kabale district.
He was allegedly shot dead half a kilometre in Rwanda while smuggling Waragi and and movit cosmetics.
The deceased has crossed into Rwanda through a porous border point in Butanda subcounty.
Rwandan authorities in Burera district accuse the deceased of worst reactions while attempting to arrest him leading to his shooting.
According to the Kigezi regional police spokesperson Elly Maate, authorities in Uganda are coordinating with Rwandans to get the deceased back home.
]]> Deputy Speaker Among adjourns plenary sitting over absence of ministers https://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210819/119591/deputy-speaker-among-adjourns-plenary-sitting-over-absence-of-ministers.html Thu, 19 Aug 2021 15:52:08 +0000 https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=119591 The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among adjourned the plenary sitting of the House prematurely due to the absence of ministers to respond to matters of national importance raised by Members of Parliament.This followed expression of displeasure by MPs who said that the continued absence of ministers was hindering the progress of parliamentary business.
The Bukomansimbi Woman District MP, Hon Veronica Nanyondo had raised a matter of machete wielding gangs terrorizing the district. However, there was no minister responsible for internal affairs or security to respond to the matter.
Attempts by the Government Chief Whip, Hon Thomas Tayebwa to promise that the ministers would respond at a later date did not go down well with the rest of the legislators.
Busia Municipality MP,, Hon Godfrey Macho said the dismal attendance of ministers in spite of Uganda being one of the countries with the biggest cabinets in the sub-Saharan region is uncalled for.
“Are we proceeding well as a House considering that the newly appointed ministers in various dockets have left their duty of responding to issues to the Government Chief Whip?†he asked.
MPs prepare to leave the House as the Deputy Speaker exits the Chambers
Hon. Joseph Ssewungu (NUP, Kalungu West) said the ministers have police escort cars to clear their way to wherever they have to go but they are still a no-show when it comes to attend parliamentary sittings.
“I understand that police escort cars were given to them as an extra privilege to make ease of their movement aware of the important government work they have to attend to like parliament sittings,†he added.
Hon Solomon Silwany (NRM, Bukooli Central) said that he had seen the ministers within the precincts of Parliament but was surprised that they were not in the House.
“We have important issues being raised like security threats and nobody is taking record; the Speaker may need to devise means to recording absenteeism of ministers,†Silwany said.
The Deputy Speaker, Anita Among added that when the Ministers were being vetted, the Appointments Committee of Parliament cautioned them against absenteeism.
“Each ministry has more than one minister. How can we have five out of the 82 Ministers attending sittings and be expected to run this country?†the Deputy Speaker probed.
The Deputy Speaker then adjourned the House to Tuesday, 24 August 2021.
]]> University student drowns in Lake Bunyonyi as she dares to learn swimming in Uganda’s deepest waterbody https://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210819/119586/university-student-drowns-in-lake-bunyonyi-as-she-dares-to-learn-swimming-in-ugandas-deepest-waterbody.html Thu, 19 Aug 2021 13:46:11 +0000 https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=119586 Police in Kabale has registered a death by drowning incident of an 18 years old female,who was a student at Bishop Barham College in the district.The victim, Elizabeth Twebaze has been a resident of Kabale town but had visited her maternal grandmother at Kagasha village Kitoma parish Rubaya subcounty in Kabale district.
It’s alleged that on Wednesday afternoon, the victim plus three other sisters left their grandmother’s place to go and wash clothes at Lake Bunyonyi. After which, they decided to play by swimming in the water.
It’s further alleged that because she didn’t have knowledge about swimming, it resulted into her drowning.
Twebaze was immediately helped out by the sisters, but she was already dead.
Elly Maate,the Kigezi regional police spokesperson has confirmed the sad news.
“They informed others of the incident where the police marine was also notified and body was taken to grandmother’s home for burial.We still advise our people around the lakes that should always take water safety precautions very serious to avoid such incidents that claim lives of innocent citizens,â€Maate said.
Lake Bunyonyi is the second deepest lake in Africa after lake Tanganyika in Tanzania.
]]> Lumbuye is still in Turkey, Minister Oryem doesn’t know what he is talking about, NUP lawyer claims https://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210819/119579/lumbuye-is-still-in-turkey-minister-oryem-doesnt-know-what-he-is-talking-about-nup-lawyer-claims.html Thu, 19 Aug 2021 11:38:39 +0000 https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=119579 National Unity Platform (NUP) lawyer also Kyadondo East Member of Parliament Muwada Nkunyingi has claimed that blogger Fred Lumbuye is still in Turkey and was never deported to Uganda as State Minister for Foreign Affairs Henry Okello Oryem alleges.In his Facebook post on Thursday, Nkunyingi said he had a serious engagement with Mr Oryem together with his boss Gen Abubaker Jeje Odongo to substantiate their statements regarding the whereabouts of the Turkey based Ugandan blogger who was arrested over two weeks ago from the European country.
“Minister Okello Oryem denied all his earlier media statements and All Foreign Ministers Confirmed to me & to the Foreign Affairs Committee’ of Parliament that LUMBUYE IS STILL IN TURKEY . They claim negotiations are going on with Interpol and Turkey but have not succeed yet,†Nkunyingi who is also Uganda’s Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister in Parliament said.
†I have also raised many aspects concerning our Nationals Abroad including passport issue and will at later date share their full responses and our next strategy in pushing many of these issues forward,†he added.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday Minister Oryem in a veiled revelation confirmed that Lumbuye was being held by Ugandan security authorities.
The minister made the disclosure during an interview with NTV Uganda.
“As far as I know, people shouldn’t be worried about Lumbuye and the relevant authorities with the right time will be able to bring him in public and bring him into courts of law,†Oryem said.
“I don’t think Lumbuye should be made a matter or somebody who is so so important as a film star. His rights are being respected wherever he is I’m sure so. There’s nothing to worry about Lumbuye. People should go around trying to look for their survival, work hard, look after their families but not to worry about Lumbuye.†he added.
Over the weekend, it was reported that Lumbuye was being held at Gulu Airforce Base in Northern Uganda.
The Observer Newspaper said the arrested controversial blogger landed at Entebbe International Airport on 8 August, 2021 but the airport manifest for August 7-8 was allegedly confiscated by Special Forces Command (SFC).
According to security sources, Lumbuye arrived in the country aboard Turkish Airlines, which touched down at Entebbe International Airport on Saturday at around 3 am.
He was held at the police station in the passenger terminal for two hours where he was interrogated and whisked off to Kampala. Multiple security sources say that Lumbuye was escorted by Turkish security operatives who took him through immigration and the police station for clearance.
He was taken to the Turkish Embassy for further management until when he was handed over officially to the government.
“Fred Lumbuye is reportedly being held at Gulu Airforce base in northern Uganda as security continues to hunt for 11 of his alleged conspirators who ‘were feeding him with state secrets,†The Observer stated last Saturday.
]]> We have spent months without pay yet Pastor Senyonga is busy spoiling his son with luxuries- Angry Top media employees cry out https://www.watchdoguganda.com/entertainment/showbiz/20210819/119574/we-have-spent-months-without-pay-yet-pastor-senyonga-is-busy-spoiling-his-son-with-luxuries-angry-top-media-employees-cry-out.html Thu, 19 Aug 2021 11:15:46 +0000 https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=119574 Employees of Top media are angry at their boss Pastor Jackson Senyonga for refusing to pay their monthly salaries yet he has the money he uses to spoil his son Josh Senyonga with luxuries.Top media is made up of Top TV, Top Radio and other radio stations spread across the country.
In a social media message to blogger Kakensa Media, one of the media house employees claimed that they habe spent three months without pay yet Pastor Senyonga is busy preparing and injecting millions of shillings in his son’s wedding.
“Recently, he bought for him a brand new Subaru new model. Bro.. We are frustrated.. Working for all this time without pay in these Covid-19 times is not easy. We have families and alot to work on,â€the disgruntled employees said.
†Kindly help us expose this guy. We are tired, maybe he will do the needful after exposing him,â€he added.
]]> Kidandala accuses MP Ssegirinya of using top government officials to frustrate his election petition https://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210819/119558/kidandala-accuses-mp-ssegirinya-of-using-top-government-officials-to-frustrate-his-election-petition.html Thu, 19 Aug 2021 09:35:07 +0000 https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=119558 The High Court in Kampala has deferred the ruling for Kawempe North Member of Parliament Muhammad Ssegirinya’s election petition case to 2nd September after the Electoral Commission and Sulaiman Kidandala’s lawyers disagreed on whether the legislator had been served or not.Kidandala’s Lawyer Kenneth Paul Kakande told presiding Judge Henrietta Wolayo that Ssegirinya was indeed served through substituted service.
“The petition is still pinned at the High Court Civil Division Twed Towers in Kampala,†Kakande told the Judge.
Kakande further told Justice Wolayo that efforts to personally serve Ssegirinya at Kitalya prison were not successful because the defendant refused to receive the petition.
“The Deputy OC in charge of Kitalya prison also declined to acknowledge service on Ssegirinya’s behalf,†Kakande further told court.
The Electoral Commission lawyer, Edwin Tabaro also asked the Court to have the matter investigated.
“The electoral commission hopes that the court will pronounce itself on whether or not Ssegirinya was served as the Law requires.â€
On the otherhand, Kidandala accused Ssegirinya of conniving with some top government officials to frustrate his election petition against him.
“Everyday I interface with top government officials who ask me to let go of the case,†Kidandala told the media on Thursday after the Court hearing.
In March this year, Ssegirinya was sued along with EC by his political nemesis Kindandala for allegedly forging academic documents which facilitated his nomination and subsequent election as a legislator.
In his election petition, Kindandala seeks to nullify Ssegirinya’s election for lack of Ordinary and Advanced Level papers- the requisite minimum academic qualification for one to contest as an MP.
According to Uganda National Examination Board (UNEB), Ssegirinya submitted documents that belong to Sarah Nampiima at O-level while at A-level, he submitted documents that belong to Maureen Nabadda.
In a letter dated March 17, 2021, Peter Anywar, writing on behalf of the executive secretary UNEB Dan Odongo, noted: “We have checked in our records and our findings are as follows; Candidate U005/054(2017) is Nampiima Sarah who sat at Mengo secondary school, not Ssegirinya Richard sitting at Pimbas secondary school,†he noted.â€
However, in their response, the EC said Kidandala was not entitled to any of the reliefs sought because Ssegirinya’s nomination and election was conducted in compliance with the provisions and principles laid down in the Electoral Laws of Uganda.
According to the affidavit of Barbra Mulimira, the Returning Officer of Kampala Electoral District; at the time of nomination, Ssegirinya presented a duly filled nomination form accompanied by academic qualifications of UCE(Senior 4) and UACE ( Senior 6) both in the names of “Ssegirinya Richard†from Pimbas Secondary School and a Deed Poll for changing of names from “Ssegirinya Richard†to “Ssegirinya Muhammadâ€.
“The nomination, Election and gazetting of Ssegirinya by the Electoral Commission as MP Kawempe North Constituency in Kampala was done in accordance with the law having found him possessing the minimum qualification of Advanced Level and duly registered as a voter and fulfilment of other nomination requirements,â€the returning officer noted.
Mulimira contended that Segirinya was lawfully and validly nominated, elected, declared and gazetted as winner of the said Election having been found dully academically qualified and obtaining the highest number of votes cast.
]]> Kabalagala: Security guard gets angry, shoots dead his Congolese boss, girlfriend https://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210819/119556/kabalagala-security-guard-gets-angry-shoots-dead-his-congolese-boss-girlfriend.html Thu, 19 Aug 2021 09:06:33 +0000 https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=119556 Police at Kabalagala are investigating a double murder by shooting of Katembo Siviwe, 33 , a Congolese national and his yet to be identified girlfriend.who is currently not yet identified and the attempted murder of his care taker who is currently admitted at IHK Hospital.
The shooting took place today 19th August at around 1am in the morning at Katembo’s residence in Bukasa, Makindye Division, Kampala.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigire says Raphael Okwanga, a security guard of D-GAP, guarding the victims’ home, allegedly got annoyed over yet to be known reason before killing his boss and girlfriend.
“He then shot dead Katembo and his girlfriend and later injured the care taker.The police were informed about the incident and they responded,†Owoyesigyire said in a statement on Thursday.
He added that the suspect, Okwanga, was arrested and is currently detained at Kabalagala Police Station on allegations of murder.
†All the bodies of the deceased persons have been conveyed to the city mortuary at Mulago for a post mortem. Killer weapon and catridgdes have been recovered.
†The crime scene has been secured for further analysis.Some of the exhibits have been submitted for analysis at our Forensic Services laboratory.The case file will be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecution for advice,†Owoyesigyire noted.
]]> REVEALED: Why FDC’s Salaamu Musumba lost interest in her election petition against Kadaga https://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20210819/119551/revealed-why-fdcs-salaamu-musumba-lost-interest-in-her-election-petition-against-kadaga.html Thu, 19 Aug 2021 08:48:39 +0000 https://www.watchdoguganda.com/?p=119551 In the 2021 general elections, the First Deputy Prime Minister and former Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga won the Kamuli District Woman Parliamentary seat with 92,388 votes, beating her closest rival from Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Proscovia Salaamu Musumba who garnered 26,851 votes.However, the FDC vice President Eastern region was dissatisfied with the outcome thus filing a petition against Kadaga. Musumba alleged that her votes had been rigged the January 14 polls. Musumba also sued the Electoral Commission (EC) for allegedly failing to conduct a free and fair election.
In the petition, her prayers were that court nullifies Kadaga’s victory and order for fresh elections for the Parliamentary seat.
On Wednesday 18th August, 2021, Jinja High Court presided by Justice Isa Sserunkuma kicked off the election petition hearing. However, Court was surprised when Musumba revealed that she was no longer interested in the case.
Nevertheless, sources revealed to this website that since Kadaga is no longer as powerful as she was and was humiliated by her boss, the elders in the Busoga region felt sympathy and could have told Musumba to cool down her temper and settle the matter with the former Speaker of Parliament amicably if possible.
The elders also told the FDC strong woman to desist from using Court to fight Kadaga and count the election as a loss since she has always done so.
Other sources within the FDC party informed this website that Musumba expected nothing new at the end since the trust in the current judicial system is totally not in place.
“We don’t see anything new from today’s courts. Also if you look at the way the Supreme Court handled Kyagulanyi’s petition against President Museveni’s victory was too unethical and I think to a sensible politician like Musumba you just have to withdraw the case and don’t waste your time and money.â€
The judiciary kicked off the hearing of parliamentary election petitions on Monday, August 16, 2021. This was after the principal judge Dr. Flavian Zeija assigned 32 judges to expedite the handling of 155 parliamentary and local council election petitions in the different high court circuits across the country.
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