Kampala City

The Local Government Minister, Hon. Adolf Mwesigye confirmed that cabinet is expected to approve 5 new cities in the country in a couple of weeks from now following, a thorough check for all the guidelines needed for a place to be elevated to the level of a city.

According to the Minister, over 15 municipalities applied calling for elevation to city level but only Mbarara, Arua, Gulu, Jinja, Mbale and Fort portal qualified for the status and if passed then the country will have six cities. The minister also defended the move by government to create new counties and districts saying they are only aimed at extending services to the communities as well as good leadership though he did not rule out government to have in place regional governments in future.

The Minister said this at a press conference to announce the coming African day on decentralization and local governments slated for 10^th this month with the main celebrations to be held in Mbarara district.

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The NRM Secretary General Kasule Lumumba revealed that the party is in the final stages of compiling its voter’s register to be used in the party’s internal elections. Lumumba says they have eight data entry points where data documented during the party’s registration is being retrieved from the yellow books into the party’s computerized system.

The entry points are located at Makerere University in Kampala, Mbale, Moroto, Gulu, Mbarara, Fortportal, Jinja and Karamoja.

Addressing journalists after touring and assessing work at the Makerere University NRM data entry point Lumumba said after the data entry, a draft register will be produced to the party’s top organ, the Central Executive Committee, then they will display the register in villages for verification and update of voter’s information before a final register is out.

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Wandegeya Market constructed under MATIP Phase 1

Parliament has approved a loan, authorizing Government to borrow USD 84.2million from the African Development Bank to finance Phase 2 of the Market and Agriculture Trade Improvement Programme (MATIP 2). The programme aims at tackling market infrastructure development, value addition and trade facilitation. It will be implemented over a five year period in nine municipalities of Entebbe, Masaka, Mbarara, Arua, Moroto, Soroti, Tororo, Kasese, Busia; as well as in two town councils of Kitgum and Lugazi.

The Committee on National Economy, which considered the loan request, recommended having standard designs, quality work and evaluating the infrastructure. MATIP 2 is aimed at constructing 11 of the remaining 17 markets. The overall programme is expected to cost USD 93.7million, with a government contribution of USD 9.5million.

During the debate on Committee Report, legislators supported the loan request arguing that modern markets were a sign of development. Parliament Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga asked Government to be impartial in the implementation of the programme. “I need assurance from the Government that the rest of the regions without markets will also be considered,” the Speaker said.

The Minister of Local Government, Hon. Adolf Mwesige promised that the programme would be spread out to all parts of the country. “The first phase took four years, from 2010, to implement; we hope the second phase will be better, faster and more efficient with the purpose of stretching out to all regions of the country,” Hon. Mwesige said. He added that they would be able to iron out the defects in the completed markets and work around the recommendations of the Committee on National Economy for a successful Phase 2.

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The crowd built up to see FDC president Dr Kiiza Besigye who was heading for a funeral in Kabale.

The Regional Police Commander South Western Martin Abilu attributes the fracas to Dr Kiiza Besigye who he accuses of stopping at a fuel station attracting crowds.

Abilu says that police swung into action after the group started throwing stones and other suspected dangerous materials to police.

Abilu said failure by Dr. Besigye to proceed with the journey caused confusion and suspicion from the public thinking that he was blocked by police.

The scuffle that lasted for about two hours ended after the intervention of the military police.

The incident left high way street littered with stones, broken glasses, and sticks.

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These were intercepted at Buwama Mpigi on their way to Mbarara with 20,000 and 50,000 counterfeit notes

The police spokesman equator region, Phillip Mukasa says they acted after receiving intelligence information that the suspects were heading to Mbarara town.

They then staged road blocks along the way.

The 5 were driving in an Ipsum car Reg. number UAP 761F

Mukasa says that the suspects are held at Buwama police and will be charged with being in possession of counterfeit money.

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The arrested are supporters of FDC who were carrying black flags and allegedly mourning as the country marks her golden jubilee.

The group had paraded at different spots in Mbarara town
Among the arrested is the FDC District Chairperson Stanley Katembeya and Mobilizer Timbyetaho John.

Police says that investigations are complete and the suspects will be charged with inciting violence and assaulting an officer on duty.

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MbararaRegionalReferralHospitalis set to recruit people to offer it consultancy services and to help it to purchase a vehicle.

 The Hospital management has now invited bids from eligible bidders for the supply and delivery of a motor vehicle and provision of consultancy services.

The press release the hospital management has issued today indicates that the bidding will be conducted in accordance with the open domestic bidding procedures contained in the Government of Uganda’s Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act, 2003, and is open to all eligible bidders across the country.

The news statement shows that interested bidders may obtain further information fromMbararaRegionalReferralHospital.

It further says that a complete set of Bidding Documents in English will be purchased by interested bidders on the submission of a written application.

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