Gen. Tumwine makes a statement in Parliament assuring Ugandans about their safety

MPs security
Kadaga said the Parliamentary Commission would soon meet to consider the President’s letter on providing security to MPs.
In a letter to Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, Museveni directed the purchase of a fleet of double cabin pick up trucks with ‘carrier beds’ to carry army sharp shooters to protect MPs.
Hon. Thomas Tayebwa (NRM, Ruhinda North) objected to the plan and instead proposed that individual MPs in need of such security arrangements should register with the Clerk to Parliament.
He was widely applauded.
In a special Parliament sitting, Museveni issued a 12-point master plan to combat rising killings, kidnaps and high profile assassinations.

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Nursery worker tends tree seedlings to plant in the Nile Basin Reforestation Project. Photo courtesy National Forestry Authority

 Members of Parliament have tasked officials from National Forestry Authority (NFA) to explain the circumstances leading to the reduced forest cover and rampant deforestation in the country.
Officials from the NFA led by the acting Executive Director Paul Musamali were meeting MPs on the Natural Resources Committee now considering the Ministerial Policy Statement for financial year 2018/2019.
MPs expressed concern over the restoration of degraded natural forests which NFA officials attributed to the unexpected dry spell in 2017.
Hon. Thomas Tayebwa (NRM, Ruhinda North County) raised queries on the way decisions to remove boundaries from forest land were taken noting that some investors were taking advantage of this to set up structures in forest reserves.
Tayebwa encouraged the NFA officials to help locals in their constituencies to set up nursery beds given that distribution of tree seedlings had not made much progress.
Aswa County MP Hon. Reagan Okumu advised the NFA officials to take on corporate social responsibility in a bid to improve their image with the public especially those living near forests.
“NFA makes money, so you should consider supporting locals with bee-keeping projects because they can co-exist with forests,” Okumu said.
Paul Musamali assured members that the Forestry Authority was engaging Ministry of Finance to support the setting up of a Tree Fund that would help increase the forest cover countrywide.
“We will also deliver tree seedlings to youth and women groups around the country so as to promote afforestation,” said Muasmali.
He added that it was upon Government and Parliament to decide on whether or not to degazette forests noting that public engagement and education was key for efficient management of forests.

MPs also tasked the NFA officials to work hand in hand with Uganda Wildlife Authority to check on wild animals that roam from forests into gardens and destroy crops.

The NFA officials also presented a list of unfunded and underfunded projects for the financial year 2018/2019. The items include management of central forest reserves, raising and supply of seeds and seedlings, human resource services as well as plantation management among others.

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One of the UTL painted commercial buildings.

The select committee investigating asset stripping and financial fraud in Uganda Telecom Ltd has directed the UTL board to produce an updated asset inventory and explain disparities in salary payment for top management.

The board chairman, Stephen Kaboyo, who led the delegation before the parliamentary probe committee chaired by Phillip Okin Ojara, Chua West MP was also questioned why the company that has a number of arrears including tax obligations pays local staff in US dollars whereas top company officials also take home huge salaries.

Ruhindi North MP, Thomas Tayebwa, noted that the board approved the liquidation of certain properties such as the one at Nsambya road which he said was sold at a lower price of US 1.5million in 2014 yet one bidder Guma and Co Advocates had offered to buy the same property at US $36 Million in 2011.

The corporation secretary, David Nambaale, says the process was not completed in 2011 because the board members from Libya did not sign the agreement following UN sanctions that year and that Guma did not submit a fresh bid in 2014.

He adds that the Nsambya property was sold at the right price considering that siting tenant had a lease of 15.

Ojara also asked the board to respond to allegations of insider dealings, decision of the board in relation to payment of management, asset stripping, issuance of a blank cheque by management and the no government audits into UTL.

Stephen Kabayo the board chairman UTL

Kaboyo however asked the committee to allow him submit in camera and his request was granted.

Late last year, Speaker of parliament, Hon. Rebecca Kadaga appointed Phillip Okin Ojara, Chua West MP, Bu­songora North MP, William Nzo­hgu, Mbarara Mu­nic­i­pal­ity MP, Michael Tusi­ime, Ruhinda North MP, Thomas Tayebwa, Luwero Woman MP, Lil­lian Nakate, Busiki County MP, Paul Akamba and Rubabo County MP, Paula Tu­ryahikayo to sit on the com­mit­tee.

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