Don Moen the gospel superstar doing his thing

Re-known American Gospel Singer, Don Moen, has come out to refute claims that he had died of stomach pains by tweeting about him and his family in a presumed countryside.

News of his purported death had on Wednesday been awash on social media before Moen finally debunked it with a photo with his family members.

“Am American singer-songwriter, pastor evangelist, Don Moen has died after a short battle with stomach pain. His family confirmed that he died early this morning at the General Acute Care (GAC) Hospital in Carlifornia shortly after being rushed to the hospital,” the false message read in part sending most of his gospel music lovers in a frenzy mood who turned to social media platforms Facebook and Twitter asking questions.

The false death news of the “God Will Make Away” hitmaker who has been in Uganda and other African countries on several occasions for concerts and projects had hit his music lovers so hard with many doubting the source of the news. One supporter on Facebook posted; “No this cant be true.He has been an inspiration to me.Please some one give me an answer quickly,” she said in a desperate tone, before later coming back to say,” It’s good the news was afterall a hoax.We love you Don, may God protect you for many years to come”.

However, in a response tweet later in the day to prove he was still alive, the singer had uploaded a family photo of himself, his father, his own son and two of his grandchildren presumably in a country side home.

The gospel singer super-star visited Uganda in June 2014 where he held a three-day concert at Serena hotel dubbed: Don Moen “God Will Make A Way,” live concert which attracted thousands of people from all walks of life.

It is not yet known were the false news originated from but however, social media has become a source of false news especially of prominent people with Uganda being no exception.

It is most common nowadays with those who fall sick and are rushed to hospital.

Don Moen poses for a photo with the First Lady, Janet Museveni and members of her family.

Police has in the past warned people against such posts but the practice seems to be continuing with a recent case being that of Ssebana Kizito who was admitted to Nakasero hospital for suffering a stroke although he died 2 weeks later.

Popular names of Ugandans announced dead in recent times include; Third Deputy Prime Minister, Moses Ali, former Works Minister, John Nasasira, former Church of Uganda Bishop, Mpalanyi Nkonoyo, Mukono Municipality MP, Betty Namboze among others.

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Betty Nambooze the Mukono Municipality MP.

The implementation of the Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill 2016 hangs in balance again following claims by the Mukono Municipality MP, Betty Nambooze Bakirekke, that the minister of health, Ruth Aceng, is avoiding discussions with the legislator on the way forward.

The Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill 2016 was tabled last year in Parliament as a private members’ bill fronted by Nambooze who has also claimed that she has been denied leave by Parliament and who instead sent the promoters of the bill to first make consultations that they say will harmonize issues which could face resistance during mentions on the house’s floor.

Nambooze however, says Health Minister, Aceng is unwilling to meet them and make adjustments where necessary.

While speaking to journalists recently at parliament, Nambooze told the media that her bill has much support from the public especially religious institutions and local council authorities but that it’s now being frustrated by the ministers of health and trade.

She also alleged that the minister of trade, Amelia Kyambadde, wants to snatch the bill from the ministry of health so that it’s frustrated in favor of the alcohol manufacturers and sellers.

Nambooze revealed that when parliament resumes, they will plead to the house to grant her leave (permission) and move to another stage of justifying why this bill is needed to be passed in law to regulate the alcohol use.

Jane Ruth Aceng the minister of health

The bill provides regulations to among other issues restrict the sale of alcohol to persons under the age of 18 and will be an offense for a person to purchase an alcoholic drink for another person if he or she knows or has reason to believe is below 18 years of age or to allow an underage person to access premises where alcoholic beverages are stored, sold or consumed.

It proposes a punishment to offenders of 10 years in prison or 20 million shillings.

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President Yoweri Museveni.

President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni last week appealed to the Parliamentary Commission to consider extending the payment of pensions and gratuities to include all the former MPs not just those of the 9th and 10th Parliament.

Museveni said this recently during the Golden Award Ceremony of 1162 MPs who served the country right from the 1st to the 9th Parliament when Uganda celebrated its golden Jubilee.

The President says the government cannot fail to look after 1,000 people who in the last 50 years made a contribution to the development of this country.

The appeal was made when one of the Golden Jubilee Medalists asked that as former legislators, Parliament considers also accompanying their awards with some token of appreciation in form of money.

Mathias Nsubuga, the former Bukoto South MP expressed the need for a resource envelop that can cater for families of former MPs most of whom cannot cater for themselves.

Another MP, Gilbert Oulanya, the Kilak County Member of Parliament did not also differ much saying that government needed to do more for these families either by either schooling their children than giving simply empty medals.

Meanwhile former Rubaga South MP, John Ken Lukyamuzi does not support attaching monetary value to the medal. Lukyamuzi was however, among the few opposition politicians who turned up to receive the medals.
He said boycotting the ceremony is meaningless and he received a medal not for President, Yoweri Museveni but for his own contribution to Uganda’s democratic struggle.

Some of the prominent opposition politicians including Dr. Kizza Besigye, wife Winnie Byanyima, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Party President Mugisha Muntu, Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Winfred Kiiza  did not show up  for the Golden Jubilee medal awarding ceremony.

Others are Democratic Party (DP) president and former Gulu Municipality MP Norbert Mao, former Mbarara Woman MP Miria Matembe, former Kampala Central MP Erias Lukwago and others.

The awarding occasion is provided for under the National Honours Award Act, 2001.

The medalists were read out by, General Elly Tumwine who is the Chairperson of the Presidential Awards Committee.

Museveni was later invited to decorate the medalists who were recognised for work done in building Uganda’s democracy.

However, Gen.Tumwine cautioned those who received the medals to handle them with care and put them on with pride since they remain a property of the republic of Uganda.

About 300 Members of Parliament since 1962 to 2012 did not pick their Golden Jubilee award medals, though 600 million shillings was injected in for their procurement and preparations to about 1400 beneficiaries.

Reports from the officials who were giving out invitation cards and identification tags to the beneficiaries of the medals say that most of the Opposition MPs shunned the awarding ceremony and hence causing wastage of funds used for making   invitation cards, identification tags and booking eats they said.

The award is in recognition of the present and former MPs for their contribution to the democratization of the country and some of them missed the medals due to lack of transport facilitation especially to those who served in the first Parliaments.

The awarding ceremony held at Serena hotel on Monday and officiated by the President was attended by few opposition MPs because others did not want to associate with the President and prefer to pick them after without the President’s hand shake.

Among of those who boycotted the function include; the former  Democratic Party President, Dr.Paul Kawanga Ssemwogerere,John Sebana Kizito ,Mukono Municipality MP, Betty Nambooze Bakireke ,Leader of Opposition Winfred Kiiza ,Kampala Central MP, Mohammed Nsereko , Erias Lukwago ,Bugweri County MP, Abdul Katuntu ,Soroti Woman MP, Angelina Ossege ,Lubaga North MP, Moses Kasibante ,Busiro South MP,  Merdad Segona ,Masaka Municipality MP, Mathias Mpuga among others.

Others are the former FDC Leader, Dr.Kiiza Besigye’s wife Winnie Byanyima ,former Leader of Opposition, Wafula Oguttu  and Latigo Ogenga ,Democratic Party President, Norbert Mao ,former Mbarara district MP, Maria Matembe among others.

The few opposition MPs who attended the function include the Kilak North MP,  Gilbert Oulanya, Kasilo County MP, Elijah Okupa ,Lira district Woman MP, Joy Atim , Aswa County MP, Regan Okumu among others.

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In yesterday’s Parliament’s proceeding Chaired by the deputy speaker, Jacob Oulanyah, MPs while recognizing the late Awuzu who succumbed to diabetes at Arua Regional Referral Hospital on Thursday morning, asked government to  increase on programmes that care the older persons in the country.

The motion to pay tribute to the late minister was moved by the First Deputy Prime and Deputy Leader of government business, Gen. Moses Ali and which was also seconded by the Leader of Opposition, Winfred Kiiza and the County Member of Parliament Bernard Atiku.

First Deputy Prime and Deputy Leader of government business, Gen. Moses Ali moved motion to recognise the late Awuzu.

Moses Ali praised the late Awuzu for serving diligently both as a minister and in military service as well as an engineer in his private works.

The Obongi County MP, Hassan Fungaro Kaps, urged government to have a directive where by the hospitals are built in country  especially in rural areas for proper treatment and caring  for older persons since their specialized hospitals for children and women.

Mukono Municipality MP, Betty Nambooze Bakireke, said that the 20,000 shillings promised to older persons should be given out to cater for their few needs because they are still useful to the country.

The late Awuzu at the time of death left behind 18 children and 4 widows.

The post MPs pay tribute to late Minister of Works Andruale Awuzu for exemplary contribution. first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

The allegations were brought before the house on Thursday afternoon by 2 MPs who included; Hon.Agaba Abasi the Kitagwenda County MP and Florence Namayanja,the Bukoto East MP who said that many of wetlands are being  depleted while government is looking on. They said these unchecked practices from the said investors need to be protested because such activities were degrading the environment.

The MPs did not however, mention where the degradation was particularly taking place.

The Mukono Municipality MP, Betty Namboze.

Mukono Municipality MP, Betty Nambooze Bakireke, said that these investors came as water transport investors but only to get into sand mining. She also alleged that some of them were involved in exporting Uganda’s soil abroad.

However, Prime Minister, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda while responding to the allegations said that government is not aware of any body authorized to export soil.

This prompted the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, and asked the committee to investigate this matter and report to Parliament in October.

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Betty Nambooze

Nambooze has said early pregnancy, strictness at workplaces; inadequate modern facilities and abandonment of caring for pregnant mothers have led to death during birth.

She was addressing local government leaders at Collin Hotel, Mukono.

She has said over 342, 900 women die every year, due to Reproduction Health problems.

Nambooze has called upon leaders to put aside their political differences and work together to take care of pregnant women, ensure that qualified staff is recruitment, change attitude and advocate for reproductive health.

By Isaac Senabulya

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