Tag: GreatLakesNews

{The resurgence of “negative elements” in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), among them the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels, poses a “danger” to Uganda’s security, the army has warned.}

Gen David Muhoozi, the new Chief of Defence Forces, said: “ADF and some other negative forces are still alive in DRC and are an issue of concern”.

“They are potentially dangerous to the security of Uganda which [the new UPDF 2nd Division Commander Brig Paul Lokech] knows very well that [he] will need to solve, most especially [the] many negative forces still at large in DRC,” he added.

Gen Muhoozi made the comments at the weekend as the new UPDF Land Forces Commander Maj Gen Peter Elwelu handed over his former office, as UPDF 2nd Division commander, to Brig Lokech.

Gen Muhoozi did not provide specifics of the threat posed by the ADF whose capacity the Ugandan military said had been degraded after the Congolese army three years ago overran the rebels’ headquarters.

In February 2014, DRC leader Joseph Kabila telephoned President Museveni to convey news of the expulsion of ADF upon which, according to a State House statement issued at the time, Mr Museveni “thanked and praised” the successful operation.

There has, until now, been no mention by Uganda’s security of ADF re-grouping in eastern DRC after Tanzania in April 2015 arrested its leader Jamil Mukulu who was extradited and is now facing prosecution in Uganda on multiple murder and terrorism charges. The DRC convicted him in absentia of similar charges and sentenced him to death in late 2014; three years after the United Nations placed him on its sanctions list.

The latest Uganda army warnings about renewed ADF activity come in the wake of diplomatic friction between Kinshasa and Kampala. Kinshasa accuses Kampala of aiding M23 rebels, whose military commander Sultan Makenga, mysteriously vanished from a round-the-clock UPDF watch in Uganda.

Before a UN-backed regional offensive involving the South African army pounded the M23 out of eastern Congo, where they had captured the important Goma city, Kabila’s government had accused Uganda and Rwanda of providing financial and logistical support to the rebels. The two countries denied the allegations.

In an interview yesterday, Uganda’s Defence and Military spokesman Brig Richard Karemire said the “fluid security situation” in eastern DRC is a concern to the region. As such, he said, a Joint Follow-up Mechanism has been mooted under the aegis of the 12-member International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) to enable sharing of intelligence and logistics in ending instability with cross-border ramification.

“Uganda will provide the leadership and host it in Kasese District …the launch will be on Saturday,” he said.

Gen Muhoozi, in apparent reference to Kinshasa’s allegations, had at the weekend said Uganda would never support belligerent forces to destabilise a neighbouring country.He tasked Brig Lokech to ensure the soldiers under him keep western Uganda, which has hundreds of kilometres straddling the vast DRC border, safe for uninterrupted commerce.

{{The rebels}}

Hundreds of the defeated M23 rebels were taken in by Uganda, as a temporary measure, pending their repatriation to DRC upon Kabila’s government fulfilling terms of the Nairobi pact. That plan stalled and M23 military commander Makenga disappeared mid last month before the UPDF, days later, announced that it had intercepted truckloads of the insurgents in Mbarara District headed to their former lairs in eastern DRC.

Source:Daily Monitor

{A former footballer on a police list of most wanted terrorists was among Al-Shabaab fighters killed in battle with Kenyan troops in Somalia last month.}

Anwar Yogan Mwok, who played for Mathare United, was killed as he rode in a truck laden with explosives at the Kulbiyow Kenya Defence Forces camp on January 27.

Two other Kenyans – Ramadhan Kufungwa and Erick Achayo Ogada – also took part in the raid and it is believed they were injured in the fighting.

Security agencies have warned that the two may be sneaked back to Kenya for treatment.

Police had last year offered Sh2 million to anyone with information that would help in their arrest.

{{‘Terrorist fugitives’}}

A dispatch shared among security agencies and seen by the Nation said: “Information from Kulbiyow Somali has revealed the direct involvement of Kenyan terrorist fugitives some of [on] whom the government has placed a bounty of Ksh 2 million.

“They included Anwar Yogan Mwok, Anwar Yogan was in one of the lead Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device VBIED that targeted the KDF camp. He was killed by the heavy artillery fired by the KDF and died instantly.

“Ramadhan Kungwa and Erick Achayo who were among the Al Shabaab infantry suffered serious injuries and reliable sources have indicated that their Kenyan associates and family members are trying to sneak them into the country for medical care.”

Mwok, 36, was born in Siaya County.

He lived in Umoja Estate with his family until 2013, when he left for Somalia to join Al-Shabaab.

In Somalia, he joined Jaysh Ayman, a group of largely Kenyan Al-Shabaab fighters who plan and execute attacks against innocent Kenyans within the country.

Mwok owns a “significant amount of properties within Umoja area in Nairobi, proceeds from which Police has indicated has been financing his terror activities targeting Kenya,” the document adds.

He also linked to the recruitment of young people into Al-Shabaab.

{{Mpeketoni attack link }}

Mwok was linked to the Mpeketoni terrorist attack in June 2014 and the raid at Baure military camp, Lamu, in June 2015.

The other suspect, Kufungwa, 50, was born in the Kibundani area of Ukunda, Kwale County.

He attended Bongwe Primary School before enrolling for religious studies at Ijtihaad Madrassa and Maganyakulo Madrasatul Tawheed Islaamiya.

“In 2011 he is believed to have travelled to Somalia where he stayed for four months. He returned to Kenya and was among students of slain clerics Aboud Rogo and Abubakar Shariff aka Makaburi,” the report says.

It added: “Before going back to Somalia in 2013, Ramadhan Kafungwa used to conduct radical teachings at Musa and Sakina mosques in Mombasa. Together with Abdifatah Abubakar Ahmed and Ahmed Iman Ali are the leading individuals in Al-Shabaab responsible for continued disappearance of Kenyan Youth who end up in the frontline of the Al Shabaab attacks on Kenyan interests and facilities.”

Source:Daily Nation

{East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Speaker, Mr Daniel Kidega, has commended President John Magufuli for his sterling development- oriented leadership.}

According to a media statement from the Directorate of Presidential Communications, Mr Kidega has called on Tanzanians and other people in the East African region to support the president whose leadership style remains exemplary.

The regional assembly speaker made the remarks in Dar es Salaam yesterday shortly after holding talks with the head of state on various issues including cementing relationship among countries in the bloc.

“Tanzanians and people in East Africa are lucky to get such a powerful and exemplary leader. Magufuli leads us in a way that we are on the right track to achieve rapid development and record reforms, I urge all Tanzanians and other people in the region to support him,” he noted.

In another development, President Magufuli yesterday met British High Commissioner to Tanzania, Ms Sarah Cooke. The two leaders discussed how their countries can strengthen cooperation in investment, aviation sector, revenue collections and war against narcotics.

Dr Magufuli thanked the diplomat and assured her of continued cooperation. He showed gratitude to the UK government for increasing funding for various development projects in the country.

Meanwhile, President Magufuli yesterday met International Monetary Fund (IMF) Resident Representative in Tanzania, Mr Bhaswar Mukhopadhyay. They held talks on a range of development activities being implemented in the country between the government and the global monetary organisation.

Mr Mukhopadhyay commended president Magufuli for efforts he has so far taken to improve country’s economy. Dr Magufuli also met East African Community (EAC) Secretary- General Liberat Mfumukeko and held talks on various issues.

Source:Daily News

{Deal confirms Swiss company is back on acquisition trail after cutting debts.}

Glencore on Monday announced a $960m deal to buy Israeli billionaire Dan Gertler out of two of the mining-cum-trading company’s copper and cobalt operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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The deal is another sign that Ivan Glasenberg, Glencore chief executive, is back on the acquisition trail after two years spent strengthening the company’s balance sheet during the commodity slump.

Glencore will buy Mr Gertler’s 31 per cent stake in Mutanda Mining and his 10 per cent shareholding in Katanga Mining, both of which are held through his Fleurette group.

Mr Gertler’s stake in Mutanda is valued at $922m, while his shareholding in Katanga is worth $38m, according to a statement by Fleurette. Glencore is set to pay $534m to Fleurette in cash for the equity, after deducting debts owed by Mr Gertler’s group and its affiliates to the Swiss company.

After the deal, Glencore will have a 100 per cent interest in Mutanda, and 86 per cent of Katanga.

Mr Gertler said on Monday that his investments in the Mutanda and Katanga mines had “generated $3bn in tax revenues since our investment — a significant contribution to the DRC economy”.

“With [Mutanda] now operating at full capacity, we feel now is the right time to exit our investment and to reinvest in further brown and greenfield opportunities,” he added.

Analysts said that Glencore’s move to buy out Mr Gertler from the two DRC mines would lead to only a marginal increase in its net debt, which would remain below 2 times earnings — the company’s self imposed target.

Glencore has invested heavily to transform Mutanda into a large copper producing mine.

It has been hailed by analysts as one of the Glencore’s most attractive copper assets even though it is in the DRC, where there have been anti-government demonstrations in recent months.

Analysts and fund managers said they were not surprised that Glencore was severing ties with Mr Gertler in the DRC, given impending political change.

President Joseph Kabila, who has close ties with Mr Gertler, said last year that he would step down in 2017.

“Glencore doesn’t want to be too closely associated with the old regime, so is moving to distance itself,” said one fund manager.

Many of the world’s biggest mining companies are keen to increase their exposure to copper because supply shortages are expected to emerge before the end of the decade.

The metal hit a two-year high above $6,200 this month.

Source:Financial Times

{Two media outlets operating in Burundi are facing enormous financial challenges. Radio Rema and Isanganiro, which were destroyed in 2015 during the coup attempt, are experiencing serious technical and financial difficulties, according to the Minister of Information.}

On 10 February, Minister of Information Nestor Bankumukunzi paid a visit to six Burundi media outlets, including the Iwacu Press Group, National Radio and Television, Ubumwe and Renouveau Newspapers, Radio Isanganiro and Rema.

The objective of this visit was to look at current media situation: the facilities and the difficulties they encounter.

Bankumukunzi says that the media working in Burundi are facing enormous financial difficulties in general, but that Radio Isanganiro and Rema, which were attacked during the coup attempt of 13 May 2015, are experiencing serious technical difficulties. Both media resumed broadcasting on 19 February 2016.

The director of Radio Rema FM Claude Nkurunziza says that after the attackof the radio, they could not get back their destroyed equipment. «We are now forced to only cover political events in the capital Bujumbura only because of the lack of financial and technical means,” Ndayishimiye says.

Since the reopening of the radio, they have not imported any hardware. “We are using equipment purchased on the local market that is not suitable for broadcasting.

We have had to bring a transmitter that was installed in the country in order to be able to transmit from Bujumbura,” he says. So, there is a part of the population that cannot have access to information.

We have problems with both high and low frequencies as well as with the computer, he says. He asks the partners that worked with the media to support them.

“They have resumed broadcasting, but they still have difficulty reaching the level at which they were in 2015,” said Minister of Information.

A day after the failed coup attempt of 13th May 2015, four radio stations, namely Radio Publique Africaine (RPA), Radio Sans Frontere Bonesha (RSF), Radio Isanganiro, and one most widely watched private television channel Renaissance TV were destroyed, reportedly by policemen and military loyal to president Pierre Nkurunziza. They were accused of supporting the protests against President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid to run for a third term in office. Rema FM which was known to be pro-ruling party was also destroyed.

Source:Iwacu

{Players in the agricultural implements, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and engineering services sectors should tap into the rich Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) market to boost their sales in the face of a contracting economy, the country’s export promotions body has said.}

Many companies in Zimbabwe are reeling from severe effects of the prevailing liquidity crunch and failing to break even.

However, ZimTrade said there was huge opportunity for companies in the country to boost their sales by tapping into the DRC market.

The body conducted a market survey in the DRC last year in October and identified opportunities for Zimbabwean businesses in the agricultural implements and inputs, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and engineering services sectors.

To help local companies access the market, ZimTrade said it will disseminate findings on the DRC market survey on February 23 to 24, 2017 in Harare and Bulawayo, respectively.

The market survey gathered information on possible export products and services to consider specifically for the Lubumbashi market in the DRC, it said.

“In addition, the survey established other market related intelligence, which will enhance opportunities for Zimbabwean products and services to penetrate the Lubumbashi market,” ZimTrade said.

“There is, therefore, huge potential for Zimbabwe to tap into this lucrative market and subsequently increase its export market”.

Lubumbashi, the second largest city in the DRC, serves as a key commercial and national industrial centre, as well as the mining capital of the DRC. Lubumbashi’s proximity to Zimbabwe makes it easier and cheaper for local businesses to export goods and transport them either via air or road, the body noted.

In 2015, DRC’s import bill stood at $5,7 billion, with Zimbabwe contributing only $3,7 million (0,06%). Trade map revealed that 99,8% of Zimbabwe’s exports to the DRC consisted mainly of mineral oils and fuels, with the remaining going towards fish and crustaceans, hence the need to diversify the export product range.

China, the largest supplier, accounts for 25% of the total import bill, while South Africa is the second largest exporter, with a 16% market share.

Between 2010 and 2015, the DRC recorded an annual average economic growth rate of 7,7%, which exceeds the sub-Saharan Africa average.

According to the World Bank report released in April 2016, the DRC economy is expected to continue growing at an estimated rate of 8%, owing to increased investment and growth in the extractive industries, as well as the contributions of public works and the tertiary sector.

Source:News Day

{Tanzanians arrested, prosecuted, imprisoned or condemned to death outside the country over drug dealings should never expect assistance from the government, President John Magufuli warned yesterday.}

“They deserve the sentences and my government will not in any way try to get them out… the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Co-operation and our envoys abroad should not deal with such people,” Dr Magufuli directed in Dar es Salaam.

He added; “If there are Tanzanians with life or capital sentences in foreign countries, they should be left to serve their sentences, the government will not in any way negotiate for their release.

” Dr Magufuli was speaking at the State House shortly after swearing-in the Commissioner General of Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) Rogers Sianga, Commissioner General of the Immigration Department Anna Makakala and three ambassadors.

The envoys include John Sokoine and Grace Mgavano who have been posted to Belgium and Uganda respectively as well as Omar Yussuf Mzee who has been assigned to Algeria.

“I am not fond of mincing words, criminals should be left to pay for their deeds…I appeal to the international community to support us in this war,” he remarked, hinting that currently there are over 1,000 Tanzanians languishing in prisons outside the country, charged with drug-related cases.

Last week, a 41-year old Tanzanian lady Pamela David Kiritta was among two people who were arrested in India with four kilogrammes of ‘fine quality Colombian cocaine,’ with a street value of 500,000 US dollars (about 11bn/-).

She was arrested by India’s Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) alongside a Zambian, Thelma Mkandawire (38) at a hotel in Mahipalpur. Reports further indicate that the NCB officials are still searching for a South African to whom the women were supposed to deliver the consignment.

Officials in India said the Tanzanian suspect told interrogators that she had been staying at an apartment in Vasant Kunj since January this year and was working on behalf of the South African.

She is said to have visited India nine times since 2006 as well countries like South Africa, Ecuador and Kenya. NCB officials say the Tanzanian woman was a conduit between the carrier and suppliers in New Delhi. She kept the cocaine in Delhi and supplied it as per the demand from local consumers.

Meanwhile, President Magufuli tasked the newly swornin Commissioner General of the Immigration Department, Dr Makakala, to overhaul the department to get rid of what he described as ‘rot’ within the sensitive institution.

The president ordered an immediate stoppage on the issuance of travelling documents to foreigners and at the same time ensuring that the department generates revenues to the state coffers.

President Magufuli referred to the Bohra community religious congregation in Dar es Salaam that attracted some 32,000 delegates from all over the world last year but revenues collected from the visitors have not been disclosed so far.

Source:Daily News

{The National Drug Authority (NDA) has threatened to close down pharmacies across the country, that are mainly operated by traders without full time pharmacists, to ensure safe and effective medication use. }

In his acceptance speech at the 6th NDA board inaugural ceremony, Dr Medard Bitekyerezo, the newly appointed NDA chairman, outlined professionalism in the drug industry, as one of the five important aspects that he hopes to put more emphasis on.
‘Promotion of licensing of competent pharmacies that are regularly physically supervised by qualified pharmacists but not mere traders,” DR Bitekyerezo told the newly appointed board members.

He added that: “Because traders have money, they have decided to use qualified pharmacists’ certificates to run their pharmacies without the pharmacists regularly and physically supervising the pharmacies.”

The other aspects, he said he would promote the importation of highly efficacious drugs, Strengthening NDA capacity to detect and minimize counterfeit drugs, vigilance in drug inspection and addressing the challenge of tick resistance in the veterinary section.

In close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Dr Bitekyerezo also promised to lobby the first tracking enactment of National Food and Medicine Authority Bill 2017 into law.

The former Mbarara Municipality Member of Parliament and chair of the health committee in the 9th parliament, takes over the mantle from Dr. Sam Zaramba who has been the authority board chairman.

Although NDA is mandated to inspect the quality of both Human and veterinary drugs imported into the country, the public has on many occasions complained about the fake drugs.

In October last year, the agency recalled six types of drugs and vaccines from the market after investigations indicated that they were not safe for public use.

The Health Minister, Dr Ruth Aceng who officiated the ceremony, pledged that the National Food and Medicine Authority Bill 2017 will by June this year have been put into law so as to regulate counterfeit drugs.

{{The 6th 19 member board includes;}}

1. Dr. Bitekyerezo K. Medard – Chairman
2. Brig. (Dr) Ambrose K. Musinguzi – Chief of Medical Services, Ministry of Defense
3. Mr. Agaba Raymond – Commissioner Internal Trade, Min. of Trade, Industry & Cooperatives

4. Dr. Mbabali Muhammad – Uganda Dental Association
5. Dr. Sekagya Yahaya Hills – Uganda Herbalists
6. Dr. Pakoyo Kamba Fadhiru – School of Pharmacy
7. Dr. Namaala Hanifa Sengendo – Public Representative
8. Mr. Kimbowa Sembatya Yusuf – Public Representative
9. Dr. Christine Ondoa – Uganda AIDS Commission
10. Dr. Bildard Baguma – Joint Medical Store
11. Dr. Sylvia Baluka Angubua – Uganda Veterinary Association
12. Dr. Edward Kasirye Bainda – Uganda Medical Association
13. Mr. Kamabare Moses – National Medical Stores
14. Dr. Baterana B. Byarugaba – Mulago National Referral Hospital
15. Prof. Anthony Kabanza Mbonye – Director General Health Services, Ministry of Health
16. Mr. Morris Seru – Commissioner Health Services (Pharmacy) Ministry of Health
17. Dr. Grace Nambatya Kyeyune – Natural Chemotherapeutic Research Laboratory
18. Ms. Grace Akullo – Criminal Investigation Department
19. Dr. Rose Ademun Okurut – Commissioner of Veterinary Services, MAAIF

Source:Daily Monitor

{Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) Secretary General Francis Atwoli wants President Uhuru Kenyatta to reign on Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu and Principal Secretary Nicholas Muraguri to end the ongoing doctors’ strike.}

On Sunday, Mr Atwoli admitted that had been unable to end the doctors’ strike, signalling a continuation of the protracted industrial action that is in its third month.

He blamed the prolonged industrial action on antagonism between the two high-ranking government officials.

He said: “During the talks, we discovered that there is infighting at the Ministry of Health that involves the Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu and the Principal Secretary Nicholas Muraguri. This affected our negotiations with the doctors’ union.”

He blamed Dr Muraguri whom he said was working with a section of the union officials to frustrate talks towards ending the strike.

“Dr Muraguri is not committed to ending the strike but instead seems determined to use the strike to settle an apparent score with Dr Mailu,” he said.

{{Deliver results }}

“I appeal to President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene and separate the two high-ranking ministry officials for the strike to come to an end,” added Atwoli who spoke at Mukuyuni Catholic Church in Kaiti Constituency, Makueni County where he attended Sunday service and presided over a funds drive.

The seasoned trade unionist waded into the doctors’ strike a week ago and promised to deliver results in a weeks time.

The court allowed him and a team of Kenya National Human Rights Commission to help resolve the impasse between the State and officials of Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU).

The ad hoc team that had volunteered to intervene between the State and the doctors, said that his team had done all it could but had been defeated to persuade the doctors to return to work.

“Through our intervention, the government had offered to increase the basic pay and the allowances for doctors significantly,” said Mr Atwoli.

After the proposed pay hike, he said, the least paid doctor would take home Sh 196, 244 from the current Sh 140, 244 per month.

The highest paid doctor would have earned Sh588,980 up from Sh518, 580 that they had been drawing per month, he said.

The greatest achievement that the Atwoli’s team celebrated, however, was a Sh10,000 increase in risk allowance available to all doctors.

{{Hardline stance }}

Doctors would now take home Sh20,000 a month regardless of whether they are on emergency call. However, KPMDU officials refused to accept the proposed offer in total, Mr Atwoli added.

He said: “I told the union officials to accept the offer first as we continue with the talks as has been the tradition in trade dispute resolution but they would hear none of this.”

He blamed infighting at the Ministry of Health for the hardline stance by the KMPDU officials.

At the same time, Mr Atwoli said that talks to end the strike had also been hampered by senior doctors and those running private clinics whom he said were misguiding young striking doctors to make unrealistic demands.

He hit out at the Senate Health Committee that has ruled that the doctors’ strike is invalid since the contested 2013 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the government and the doctors is illegal.

“I disagree with senators because in making such a ruling, the senators must have wanted to incite the doctors against the State,” he said.

Atwoli, who was accompanied by National Social Security Fund board Chairman Gideon Ndambuki and former Kibwezi MP Kalembe Ndile, appealed to striking doctors to accept the offer proposed by the government as talks to end the impasse continue.

Source:Daily Nation