Museveni takes over oil: Energy Minister Hilary Onek will no longer endorse oil and mining deals on behalf of the government without the president's written approval. This follows a directive by President Museveni in a July 19 letter, which was copied to the vice president, the prime minister, the minister of finance and the minister in charge of presidency. Reports say that the president's decision cites excitement for what he calls easy money and quick profits through hurried approvals by government officials, which might lead to mistakes. The letter was written less than two weeks before the conclusion of a $1.5 billion (Shs3.3 trillion) deal between Tullow Oil and Heritage earlier in July.
Mbabazi attacks Ssekikubo: The NRM disciplinary committee has summoned Lwemiyaga MP Theodore Ssekikubo over fresh allegations of election malpractices. The NRM Disciplinary Committee Secretary Amama Mbabazi, said that Ssekikubo has up to Tuesday next week to defend himself. Reports indicate that the new charges are contained in a new petition from 309 voters in Ssembabule district.
The MP is also accused of campaigning against the official NRM flag-bearers and supporting other candidates both in Ssembabule and country-wide. The fresh allegations include incidents in the recent Ssembabule grassroots elections where the MP is accused of intolerable and violent conduct. Ssekikubo, however, denies the allegations and maintains that Kutesa and Kawooya both MPs from Sembabule are equally culpable, and any action should equally apply to them. 

Media protest ban on bombs coverage : Media houses are unhappy with an order issued by the Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court barring them from reporting about the July 11 twin bombings in Kampala. The injunction was issued on Monday by Nakawa Chief Magistrate, Deo Sejjimba, in the presence of Principal State Attorney Charles Richard Kaamuli after Mr Sejjimba had heard submissions supported by affidavits. Reports indicate that media houses are questioning the legality of the injunction and that others have vowed not to respect it. The injunction against media houses is the second action the government has taken against the media since bomb attacks. On August 3, police arrested and interrogated journalist Timothy Kalyegira over reports that cast doubt on whether it was al Shabaab that had carried out the attacks. Kalyegira's phone, laptop and modem were confiscated and he was also asked to reveal his e-mail passwords.
Why Otunnu abandoned Col.Besigye: Reports indicate that UPC’s last minute withdrawal from the nominations for a joint opposition presidential candidate was due to a disagreement on whether the opposition should boycott the 2011 general elections or not . According to reports, Dr Olara Otuunu, the UPC president, had earlier urged the IPC to boycott the forthcoming elections but the proposal that was rejected. Despite UPC's withdrawal from the nominations on Tuesday, the cooperation went ahead and nominated potential candidates, one of whom will become its presidential candidate in the elections. The nominees include; CP’s Prof James Kikongo, FDC's Dr Kizza Besigye, JEEMA’s Hussein Kyanjo and l Michael Mabikke of the SDP.
China to expose investments of corrupt Ugandans: In a deal with the Inspectorate of Government to train Ugandans in how to handle corruption, the Chinese government has pledged to help expose assets of corrupt Ugandans invested in China. The deal was signed at Fang Fang Restaurant on Tuesday. The IGG, Raphael Baku revealed that the inspectorate will be getting opportunities for staff to study in Chinese institutions that deal with corruption investigations. A 2008 report by Transparency International ranks China 72 out of 179 most corrupt countries. Baku is hopeful that the new development will improve the way corruption is handled in Uganda, which loses over Shs 500 billion annually to corruption.
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written by Jacobs, October 09, 2010
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