When I heard the word VPN, it struck my mind straight away.WHATS VPN? A person may not really know what exactly it is.

VPN is Virtual Private Network and it’s the latest free to access  service that opens or decrypts blocked applications, sites, links and urls without any subscription, it keeps your service and enables users to unblock all web sites with just a tap.

VPN is now the talk and walk all over the streets of Kampala and the country at large, if you dont have VPN enabled Phone then you are not trending. HOW IT CAME TO EXISTANCE? VPN came to be the talk and walk in Uganda as soon as the tax policy of paying 200sh was out in that every Ugandan had to first pay tax before accessing the social media platforms.

The taxes were of the President’s directive and that sparked off the slogan of OTT

The taxes were a president’s directive that sparked off the slogan OTT (over the top media services). This simply means that without VPN, OTT is nowhere.

Most of the youths and other people in the country were not ready to pay the 200sh daily for the tax imposed on social media platforms say whatsapp, Facebook, twitter and many others.

So VPN was the talk in order to dodge the taxes. It can be used even if the OTT hasn’t been cleared and this apparently works out well for the youths and all people who cant do without Social Media.

How does VPN work? The first thing you need to do to use a VPN is find a VPN provider. Once you have signed up you will get access to some login information including your credentials (username/password) and a list of servers. The servers will be dotted around the world and you need to pick which servers to use, according to your needs or let the network select the best Automically.

How it can be used? VPN is just a click away on your smart phone or any other gadget. The app is found on Google play store and there are varieties of VPN, commonly VPN free is almost every one’s choice since it requires little space to be installed.

What are the sort comings of VPN? VPNs are a great solution to the privacy issues I have outlined, however VPNs aren’t a perfect solution, there are a few negative aspects. First of all speed. Since you are intentionally sending your data half-way around the world before it even gets a chance to head off toward the right server then VPN connection speeds will be slower than your normal, non-VPN connection. Also your VPN provider will only have a certain amount of resources. If the VPN server is overloaded, because there are too many clients and not enough servers, then connections speeds will drop. The same is true for server bandwidth.

Secondly, VPN connections can drop unexpectedly since your gadget is searching for the best and fast it will keeping jumping from one server to the other, and if you dont notice that the VPN is no longer active you might keep using the Internet thinking your privacy is safe, but it isn’t.

Thirdly, the use of VPNs is outlawed in some countries, precisely because they offer anonymity, privacy, and encryption.

Lastly, some online services have a system to detect the use of VPNs and if they think someone is connecting via a VPN they can block access. For example, Netflix has made a lot of noise about blocking VPN users.

VPN requires data before you use it, one should have data bundles and according to the current situation on the social media tax, VPN gives you access to all the media sites without any OTT ported with.

As the talk goes on, many people believe that VPN has helped not to be ‘robbed’ of their money and they believe that OTT is basically for the top government officials to earn from it.

VPN unlike OTT gives a chance to be on social media without any doubt whether your data bundles aren’t functioning.

It has been on research that the OTT functions up to midnight then one has to port 200sh for another subscription. This is not fair to people and  they end up using VPN since it gives them the time and go beyond midnight since most of them prefer being online all the night more so the youths.

The more Ugandans use VPN service, it’s a disservice to the Uganda Revenue Authority and the country at large as billions of money were expected to be collected the tax but the expected amount is not realized.

For that factor the government ordered the telecommunication company to block VPN of which this is impossible since it’s used to dodge the tax and government’s collection as estimated are not yielded to the maximum.

VPN remains the talk of the Ugandans who are using internet and the ball is in your hands to either port with 200sh daily or to port with VPN.

To my side I have the answer right within myself. For the good of our country I port with the 200sh but for the good of my income I port with VPN. Long live VPN, Long live OTT.

The post VPN in Uganda a curse and a blessing in disguise first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

URA enforcement officers load impounded smuggled motorcycles onto a pick-up truck in Arua recently. Photo Daily Monitor

Members of parliament hailing from West Nile  have expressed their disappointment over Uganda Revenue Authority enforcement officers   methods of collecting tax . The  MPs accuse the officers of subjecting people to ‘inhuman methods’ of collecting tax in the West Nile sub region and the entire country.

This follows last week’s incident were  UPDF officers attached to Uganda Revenue Authority shot two people and injured others  in Yumbe town in an operation that was aimed at impounding motorcycles without license plates.

Speaking to journalists at parliament today, the Woman Member of Parliament for Yumbe District. Zaitun Driwaru, Maracha District Woman MP,  Rose Atima Ayaka, and Aringa County  MP, Ashraf Olega, said that the methods URA use  to collect tax are ‘cruel and rough’ against suspected defaulting tax payers.

The MPs reported that one of the victims of this operation  whose name was not revealed  lost his testicles which is  denying him his reproductive right.

Visibly angry MPs asked URA boss, Doris Akol, to apologize to the people of West Nile whose daughters and sons were mistreated by URA officers during the collection of tax.

They demand that URA pays the medical bills of the persons injured during this operation and be compensated.

Ngora County MP, David Abala, said that the URA law enforcement officer should further undergo training in human rights so as they respect the rights of people while carrying out operations.

WATCH: Two shot in Yumbe as URA clashes with boda-boda riders

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The former SC Villa who won the league in 2006 and the Uganda Cup in 2005 with Uganda Revenue Authority replaces Ibrahim Kirya as the new head coach.

The CAF B license holder signed a two-year contract with a promise of bringing the glories days back to SC Villa.

Club President Eng. Immanuel Ben Misagga explained the reason behind replacing Kirya who guided Villa to a fourth place finish last season and the Uganda Cup triumph in 2015.

“The main reason for replacing Kirya is lack of qualification and thus had to make a cost effective decision,” he said.

Misagga added: “Unlike the rest, sserwadda won the league with Uganda Revenue Authority and also the Uganda cup and we want to win trophies.”

Sserwada stated how he was pleased to be back and assured fans of doing the job well.

“First of all, am glad to be back home,” he stated. “I thank the executive for trusting me with this job and I assure you, am going to do the job wholeheartedly and with the backing of all stakeholders, am confident of doing the job”, Sserwada added.

Sserwadda  who used to play left back and featured greatly during SC Villa’s dominant period of 1998-2004 becomes the club’s sixth coach in three years since Misagga took charge.

He has  been coaching First Division side Police Mobile and Kyambogo University and will be assisted by Shafik Bisaso and Christopher Robo

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However the commissioner internal audit and compliance at URA Protazio Begumisa has dismissed the allegations, saying that CSOs have specific taxes they pay, but many simply avoid them.

The post CSOs call for transparency in taxation first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

KCC came into the game with a draw enough if title challengers Vipers SC could not get maximum points against Uganda Revenue Authority at Buikwe stadium.

The Yellow brigade fans were in full capacity at the Mutessa II stadium chanting from the first to the last whistle cheering up their team.

KCC suffered a dent in their hopes of winning the title when they fell behind with Express FC taking a first-half lead through Vincent Kayizzi’s expertly taken penalty.

The pressure was on the visitors to get the equalizer in the second half of the game with a title at stake.

Mutessa II stadium being a fortress of Express, KCC head coach Mike Mutebi was tasked with a huge onus on his shoulders.

It’s rare for big teams to walk away with maximum points on the home ground of Express and KCC had a tough call. The fans of both teams were on tension with the game heating up in the second half.

Luckily for KCC they were able to fight back into the game with their efforts paying off through Muzamiru Mutyaba’s equalizer forcing a one all draw.

KCC head coach Mike Mutebi has won the League for the first time going into the history books.

According to Daily monitor, He is relieved at shaking off the ‘nearly man’ tag. The publications states that he has twice literally walked away from possible honours with KCCA. The first instance was when
Mutebi replaced club legend Phillip Omondi as coach at the then KCC in 1996, where he was joined by Sam Ssimbwa as assistant. But he quit with a handful of games to the end of the 1997 season after disagreements with the club. KCCA legend Tom Lwanga and Ssimbwa carried the team over the line to the title.
The second being when he returned in 2003 as technical director before taking over head coaching reins again, leading KCCA to the 2004 Kakungulu Cup final.

But he quit again on eve of the final over unpaid wages and reported interference from management. Robert Kabuye oversaw the final and won it in Mutebi’s absenture though it’s believed he made the line-up for that game.

“I (always) leave with five matches to go and others come and win the title, so I’m happy that is gone,” said the 46-year-old Uefa diploma A holder from Germany.
“The most pleasing thing is that this is a young team. Most of these boys, it’s their first experience to play for a big team, so to do that, it’s a good thing; and to groom that team and it is winning, it is pleasing.”

Elsewhere, Vipers SC who were the major challengers to KCCA FC for the title drew 1-1 with Uganda Revenue Authority at Buikwe stadium.

The result means, KCCA FC now has 56 points, with a four point advantage over Vipers coming into the final match day on Friday.

According to fufa.com, a guard of hounor by Sadolin Paints FC awaits KCCA FC on Friday at Nakivubostadium when they will be handed the AUPL title.

Samba, SCVU and Maroons were the relegated teams.

UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE
KCCA 29 16 8 5 38 20 56
Vipers 29 14 10 5 36 21 52
Express 29 14 8 7 36 26 50
SC Villa 29 12 11 6 32 22 47
Soana 29 12 9 8 43 39 45
URA 29 11 11 7 41 30 44
Police 29 11 11 7 29 25 44
Bul 29 13 5 11 30 27 44
Sadolin Paints 29 12 6 11 21 24 42
JMC Hippos 29 10 8 11 25 21 38
The Saints 29 10 6 13 29 27 36
Bright Stars 29 8 10 11 18 22 34
Lweza 29 9 7 13 25 38 34
Simba 29 6 11 12 25 26 29
SCVU 29 5 4 20 16 54 19
Maroons 29 3 7 19 14 36 16

Top scorers
Robert Ssentongo 16 (URA)
Erisa Ssekisambu 15 (Vipers SC)
Caesar Okhuti 11 (KCCA)
Tony Odur 9 (Express)
Musa Esenu 8 (Soana)
Geoffrey Sserunkuma 7 (Lweza)
Patrick Kaddu 7 (Maroons)

Full Match day 29 Results:

Vipers 1-1 URA

Express 1-1 KCCA

Simba 2-0 The Saints

SC VU 1-2 Lweza

BUL 2-0 Maroons

Sports Club Villa 3-0 Bright Stars

Soana 2-3 Police

Sadolin Paints 2-1 Jinja Municipal Council Hippos

The post KCCA FC wins Azam Uganda Super League Title first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

The tortoises that had been concealed in sacks  were displayed by URA officials at the media conference in Kampala.

The assistant commissioner enforcement at URA Agnes Nabwire said that there are laws that protect the movement of wildlife.

“If the people had proper documentation, why did they have to conceal them in sacks?”she said as she handed the tortoises back to UWA officials.

The suspects claimed that the tortoises were being transported to a local sanctuary in Mbale for breeding.

“We suspect that they were being transported to the black market either in Kampala or be exported. They are highly valuable in Asian and Chinese communities for food and the shells can be crushed into powder for medicinal purposes,” UWA public relations manager Jossy Muhangi said.

He added that there are currently no permits to export tortoises.

The tortoises are to be returned to Nakapiripirit.

According to UWA officials, during the rainy season the tortoises often roam around on flat lands like Karamoja, which makes it easy for them to be picked.

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Uganda’s Kakira Sugar

The private sector and business community have tasked  the East African legislative Assembly  to engage the two heads of state from Kenya and Uganda to resolve on the issue of exporting Ugandan sugar to Kenya. The private sector and business community represented by the members of the Uganda Manufacturer Association, Uganda Bureau of standards and Uganda Revenue Authority in a meeting with East African Legislative Assembly representatives at parliament said that they have pressed Kenya to allow Uganda sugar to enter Kenya market but the Kenyan authorities refused.
The Business community say that though they went ahead to allow Kenya to verify the Ugandan sugar industries  and all the sugar production system, they are not satisfied saying that Uganda sugar could not be imported doubting Uganda capacity to produce much sugar.
The policy Analyst officer with the Uganda Manufacturers Association Godfrey SSali said that Uganda being a sugar surplus  economy, other East African countries should have imported sugar from Uganda and Uganda imports goods which it does not  have from the same East African countries to further the East African economic integration. The Ugandan representative at the East African Legislative Assembly Margaret Ziwa said the matter regarding Uganda sugar being refused at Kenyan market will be reported officially to Kenyan authorizes and seek a solution over it .
Reports show that the country exported 40,188 tonnes of sugar to Kenya last year while its recorded surplus was 26,034 and this was attributed to poor yields in the Kenya sugar producing factories and out growers.

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URA issued a statement instructing that aspiring individuals need to obtain a Tax Clearance Certificate addressed to the Electoral Commission. The authority said that to obtain a Tax Clearance Certificate one will need to ensure that he/she files all the returns  and any tax due is paid.

Minister Father Simon Lokodo said that this is a good initiative to avoid political leaders being compromised because of debts.

The post Tax clearance certificates for election candidates a great idea – Lokodo first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

Uganda Revenue Authority has revealed that there has been a huge decline in cigarette smuggling in the year 2014/15 compared to 2013/14. The Supervisor Customs Enforcement- URA, Armstrong Turyakira, says since 2013 to date a total of 7.1 million sticks were impounded compared to 12.6 seized in 2008/09.

Turyakira attributes the reduction to the war in South Sudan and opening of new factory there, operation vigilance, and strategic cooperation at the regional level among others. He says the major smuggling routes are Southern Sudan, DRC and Kenya.

In addition, he noted that URA is putting in place efforts to fight the illicit trade and these include developing flexible anti-smuggling teams, enhance detection of any concealment of smuggled goods and attaching electronic deals on trucks with high value goods.

He said this during the World No Tobacco day held at the Ministry of Health headquarters

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The report implicates the former finance minister Gerald Sendaula, the Board Chairman Ivan Kyayonka, Deputy Executive Director NSSF Geraldine Sali, and Former Minister of Finance Maria Mutagamba among others in the mismanagement of the fund.

The Committee recommended that former Finance minister be held responsible for loss of UGX500M spent on recruitment in NSSF whose results were largely ignored.

The report also recommended that NSSF MD Richard Byarugaba, Board chairman Ivan Kyayonka be compelled to refund the loss incurred of 56 Million Shillings of Namirembe Land purchased below cost price.

The report was presented on the floor of parliament by Kiboga Woman MP Anna Maria Nankabirwa a member of the committee.

NSSF currently has a membership of about 1,319,345 although out the total membership, only 578,000 are active.

Every month NSSF receives between UGX 50 and 60 Billions in form of contributions from the members. AS of June 2014, NSSF was worth 4.34 Trillion.

Parliament will discuss report during the week that starts on Sunday 22^nd March 2015.

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