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Uganda: 2016 year-ender review

SEPTEMBER: THE CRANES QUALIFY FOR AFCON

Sept.01: UNAA Convention paralyses parliament

Business at Parliament flops as several dozen MPs travel to the US to attend the annual Uganda North American Association (UNAA) conventions in Boston, Massachusetts and Los Angeles, California. Close to 10 parliamentary committees that had lined up meetings suspend them. Only two [Committee on Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) and the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee] are not affected. Both the Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah and the Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga felt compelled to fly out and attend the UNAA conventions.

Sept.04: Pope Francis declares Mother Theresa Saint

Pope Francis declares Mother Theresa a saint during a canonization mass at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. The elevation of one of the icons of 20th Century Christianity comes just a day before the 19th anniversary of her death in the eastern city of Calcutta [Kolkata] where Theresa spent almost 40 years working with the destitute. The nun is elevated to Catholicism’s celestial pantheon at a canonization mass presided over by Francis. About 100,000 Catholic faithful witness the canonization. “For the honour of the Blessed Trinity, we declare and define Blessed Theresa of Calcutta a saint and we enroll her among the saints decreeing that she is to be venerated as such by the whole Church,” the Pontiff read a statement in Latin.

Sept. 05: The Cranes qualify for Nations Cup after 38 years

Excitement, almost bordering on mayhem overcomes tens of thousands of fans at the Nelson Mandela National Stadium as Uganda finally qualifies to play in the African Nations Cup finals for the first time since 1978—a whopping 38 years. Youthful striker, Farouk Miya scores the all-important goal against the Indian Ocean island of Comoros in the 35th minute to send over 50,000 fans crammed into the 40,202 capacity Nelson Mandela National Stadium. The historical match is watched by Janet Museveni, the First Lady who also doubles as the Education and Sports Minister.

OCTOBER: Good news: `Queen of Katwe’ premiers, Bad news: `BoU takes over Crane Bank

October 1: Queen of Katwe, a film about a Ugandan teenage chess player Phiona Mutesi premieres in Kampala. Starring 14-year-old Madina Nalwanga and Hollywood stars Lupita Ny’ongo and David Oyelowo, the film receives rave reviews for its portrayal of Mutesi’s life and slum life in Katwe where the story is based. The Walt Disney production director by Mira Nair had earlier on Sept.20 premiered in Hollywood, California amidst pomp and glamour.

October 3: Opposition leader Kizza Besigye is arrested at Entebbe Airport as he returns to the country from a month long trip to the US and UK. As soon as he landed, Besigye was whisked away by security officials wearing Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) uniform and driven to his home in Kasangati. CAA was criticised by the public for being involved in the politician’s arrest.

October 19: Minister for Kampala Beti Kamya orders KCCA to evict vendors from city streets. Kamya said the street vendors had led to confusion, congestion and noise pollution which also led to insecurity and violence in the city. President Museveni had said after the election that KCCA’s handing of vendors had cost NRM votes in Kampala.

Crane Bank headquarters in Kampala.

October 20: Bank of Uganda (BOU) takes over management of Crane Bank. BOU said it took the decision because the bank was significantly undercapitalised and posed a risk to the stability of the financial system. Weeks before, Crane Bank’s majority shareholder, property tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia, had announced he was selling his stake in the bank.

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