Two battalions have been dispatched to guard the rich oil wells.These troops were sent by President Museveni.The force has also been beefed up by the tank division of the Presidential Guard Brigade.The new Oil defence force will be headed by Maj.Muhoozi Kainerugaba son to the President.More forces to beef up the security around the oil wells will follow after passing out at the PGB training ground in Kasenyi.

• FDC Demands arrest of Prisons Boss.

The opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC)party has asked Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki,to order the arrest of Luzira Prison's Boss J.Byabashaija,for defying court orders to release the 11 suspects of the Peoples Redemption Army.FDC maintains that the Chief Justice must order the arrest or resign.

• Nava now plans to remarry secretly.

The ruling party is set to start selling oil to boost its financial base to sustain itself in power beyond 2011.When the current term expires big weights in NRM have proposed that the party starts a company and engages in serious oil trading now that sufficient deposits have been discovered in Western Uganda.

• Sudhir Vs URA

Government may loose millions of shillings to property mogul  Sudhir Ruparelia in court costs and damages as a result of the lack of legal and administrative harmony between two government agencies;The Uganda Investment Authority(UIA) and Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).This is all due to a wrong tax liability imposed on Meera Investments by the Revenue Body.

+Cops refuse to arrest FDC fans,Furious Museveni is using them to break the law.
+Tear Gas men also angry -Fed on one biscuit and water during operations.

Sections of the Police are complaining that higher authorities give them unlawful orders which are complicating their work.They are complaining over non payment of field allowances.After Gov't refused to release the PRA suspects on Thursday as per high court order ,the officers were given instructions to block any relatives or sympathizers of the 19 suspects from going to the High court.The police were also instructed to stop and arrest if necessary any member of opposition who wanted to access the High Court.

The police has gone without allowances after foiling close to four rallies and in this way the morale is down.Nowonder they left Besigye to march in the outskirts of the city and no arrests were made."A police constable is entitled to shs 3000 for lunch but you can Imagine we have been given water and two biscuits as our lunch.We arrived here as early as 4am,that means that we left our homes by 2am to report to our division stations to be transported to town ,our Children are waiting for food now we have nothing to take home" A police constable from Kiira Road Police station lamented.More in the RP

• We are still around for more Years -M7
• Chameleon gets International Manager
• Nigerian Company fights for Ugandan Actors
    

This is how red pepper analyzed an ordinary week and how one only works for three days.On Monday there is no power thus no customers.If power is on Police is firing tear gas into the shops to disperse an opposition rally.When that is not the case the potholes are an obstacle for one to get to the city center in good time plus the traffic jams that make it a problem too.Having made very little money the price of essential commodities like sugar is sky rocketing.This is what we are celebrating today after 21 years of liberation.More in the Red Pepper.

•   Why Museveni won't free PRA Suspects

Political and Legal analysts say that if the suspects are released that government will be in a big dilemma that could easily lead to a constitutional crisis.Giving them bail might not be wise and Besigye himself was lucky to get it just because he was vying for the presidential seat.Now that the three suspects have been released under the amnesty arrangement and the others have not succumbed to the terms something Besigye is terming as illegal detention will translate into heavy financial and political costs for Museveni and his government because it proves political persecution and the non existence of constitutionalism in Uganda.

Security on Terror High Alert for CHOGM

Major Roads in and around Kampala will be closed during the Commonwealth summit due in November.The Entire stretch from Kampala to the Entebbe airport will be closed to traffic and the public.This will also apply to the access roads to major Hotels to host CHOGM delegates and activities which will be restricted to only those accredited and authorized by the CHOGM security team.The Hotels are Sheraton,Kampala Serena,Imperial Royal,Hotel Equatoria,Hotel Africana and Speke Resort Munyonyo.Since 1975 when Uganda hosted the OAU Conference CHOGM will be the second biggest to be hosted.During that period people lined up by the roadsides to have a glimpse of the huge motorcade of 40 African Presidents.This move is likely to be faced with huge criticism from the public that expected to line up and see the queen plus other leaders.But the increased threat of terrorism around the world has changed the conduct of diplomatic business and the handling of dignitaries.Meanwhile no arrangements have yet been made for the people who reside on Entebbe road and those who work there.

• NRM in Cash Crisis,Mobilisers say Party can't win 2011 polls

The NRM party is indebted to the tune of 100bn.Most of the debts were incurred during the last elections and its estimated that 150bn was used.This was also confirmed by the party treasurer Ndawula Kaweesi that true the party is indebted but he did not have the actual figures. Of the people demanding their money is city Tycoon Hassan Basajjabalaba who loaned the party 4bn during the run up to elections and he needs it badly.The party is so broke that it has even failed to pay the workers manning the party offices on plot 10 Kyadondo road.To avert the impending bankruptcy President Yoweri Museveni has summoned a National Executive Meeting at Speke Resort Munyonyo this Saturday

• Fox Odoi Kwanjula's
• Ezra to Unleash Lamborghini Car
• Ex-Service men await Queen for their pay

Hundreds of ex-service men who were in the colonial government are eagerly waiting for the queen of England to demand for their retirement benefits.This is after efforts to be paid by the government of Uganda have fallen flat over the long years.

The man who gunned down Dr.Kayiira was a muganda army officer who was in turn shot dead at Kibuye three years later by soldier colleagues.He was shot from Kibuye round about and was later burried in his home village at Lubowa on Entebbe Road.The killer Lt. Kyeyune was gunned down by fellow Baganda officers who felt he was becoming dangerous,reporting them to the authorities and giving away their secrets..More in the Red Pepper.

• Police grills scribes over Kayiira stories

Six journalists from the Monitor were grilled yesterday by Police detectives at the CID headquarters over the series of the stories on Lutakome Kayiira.

• Shiru Lands Volts Deal

Dj Shiru has landed himself a deal with Volts UK.This will require him to travel every Saturday of the month to Edmonton to spin discs.The Club opens officially on 14 Feb which will be the Valentines day.

• Jomayi acquires Latest Land Cruiser.

Jomayi has unleashed the latest Toyota Land Cruiser model 2007 which is estimated at a cool Ugx 150,000,000/-.It has customized plates with Letter J and on parking at Ssisa Arcade where the Jomayi offices are located it caused a stampede as everyone was wondering who the loaded tycoon was. 

The Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) have moved the command base to Gulu as the LRA leadership backslides from Juba Peace talks.Lt.Gen Katumba Wamala and Geoffrey Muheesi are to relocate to Gulu.Troops backed by heavy armour and aircraft will be based in Gulu for quick deployment.Rebel Leader Joseph Kony and his deputy have demanded that the venue for the peace talks be shifted to South Africa or Kenya accusing the mediator Riek Machar of being biased.More in the Red Pepper..

• Mega Dee outs Tear Gas Song
• Hussein sues Pike

Club Volts Boss Hussein Bahaiti Shukery is suing Capital Fm Boss William Pike together with his employee Hakim,former employee of volts for defamtion.While on Air Hakim made some allegations about Club Volts and its managers something that did not go down well with Hussein.He called the station shortly after the show and the radio station reacted by sending Hakim on forced leave.Hakim is now back but Hussein says for him to pull out of the matter Capital Fm was to play an apology that was to run for sometime to clear the allegations something that was not done ,thus the suit.

• Mitch Crosses to Capital FM

Former Kfm Presenter Ronnie Egwang has landed himself a job as Station Manager with Capital Fm Juba.Capital Fm Juba is not affiliated to Capital Fm Kampala owned by William Pike.While at the station Mitch will be in charge of programming as well.

Cpl.Eddie Sande, the man who has confessed to having participated in the murder  of Dr.Andrew Kayiira is reported to have tried to assassinate the President in 2005.Sande and two others were arrested by Presidential Guard Brigade  at the International Conference Centre with loaded pistols.It was noted that these were identified as NRA Kadogo's.However a clique of Kadogo's,who were recruited in the early 1980's when the guerilla bush war was taking place in Luweero Triangle are now desperate and want Museveni rather dead because of the misery and desperate lifestyle they have lived since 1986.On various occasions there have been attempts to end the President's life but plans have been foiled.

• Karimojong Warriors disguise as Women

Karimojong cattle rustlers are disguising themselves as women in a n attempt to evade the ongoing disarmament exercise says the Uganda People's Defence Force,(UPDF).Every time a condone -and-search operation is conducted its only women and children who are found forcing the soldiers to withdraw.On taking a closer look  on the masculine women it was discovered these were men and in the process 30 illegal guns and 40 heads of cattle were recovered.

• US Award to Rival Pam Awards

Isaac Mulindwa Chief organizer of the PAM Awards is faced with yet another competitor on the music awards platform.The latest is US Awards and these are for upcoming artistes that have never been nominated for any awards.Registration is underway at Martin Road near Metro FM.They claim the current awards are money making schemes for the organizers and have no interest in rewarding and nurturing the musicians.Launches for the US Awards kick off next month.

Sex,Money & Power struggles threaten to bring down Museveni's backyard

A fresh wave of fierce fighting within State House and President's office senior staff is threatening the efficiency of the two offices and in some cases may pose a danger to the lives of some members of staff.The infighting in these offices takes the form of witchcraft,sorcery,betrayal,favoritism,influence pedaling  which is not good for these institutions More in the Red Pepper

• CID Summon Ssebaana,Lukwago over DP Kayiira report

Erias Lukwago the DP Party Lawyer and the DP President have been summoned by CID for claiming that government fanatics murdered UFM  Leader Andrew Kayiira.They are to appear on Monday next week.

• Sex Breaks up top Music groups in Uganda
• Wandegeya Traffic Lights Disconnected -Unpaid Bills
• Juliana Back

Juliana Kanyomozi aka Jalia Kanyomozi is back after a two months holiday in Florida,USA where she was staying with her boxer lover,Kassim Ouma.She is about to release her new Kassim Ouma Video which was shot in Miami during the X-mas break.She is also looking for a new car which will bear her customized plates.

Details emerge on why President is transferring power to Loyalists.

A woman claiming to be a seer called the Red Pepper saying that Museveni is likely to hand over power in April 2008.In the coming months Museveni is going to cede more control to his designated successor the same way Nelson Mandela ceded key duties to his eventual successor Thabo Mbeki.The Ugandan seer predicting Museveni's early departure is a Munyakole woman in her late 50's who lives in Kampala.So many people have been to her and before she tells you the future she will begin by telling you your past which in most cases is accurate.

The same lady hinted to this journalist in July 2006 about Rwanda's President Paul Kagame would be in trouble which indeed occurred in November 2006,out of the blue,the French judge Jean-Louis Bruguiere issued arrest warrants for Kagame and nine other top officials for allegedly shooting down the plane carrying the late Juvenile Habyarimana in 1994.

• Rwandese Ladies of Vice Invade Kampala

There is an influx of Rwandese babes in town who have been positively identified as ladies of the night.Rock Gardens,Rhino Pub and Kabalagala areas are their hanging out places.They rent various hostels in Kabalagala and Makindye suburbs.They speak broken English and garbled French.An Asian tycoon is behind them and rumor has it they are flocking the city due to the forthcoming CHOGM.

President sheds off key duties
+ Aronda takes full control of Army welfare & Efficiency
+ Mbabazi takes over NRM  Politics and Cabinet affairs

Barely a year in the third term, Uganda's President has started ceding many responsibilities to trusted men and officers.Most of the important Presidential duties have been  assigned to security Minister Amama Mbabazi fuelling speculation that the President might not seek another term in office.Observers believe Museveni is set to retire after this term.

Amama Mbabazi has taken over most of the diplomatic functions that the President could ordinarily perform.He travels abroad on presidential missions,meets diplomats.President Museveni has groomed Mbabazi by testing him in key ministries and positions.

Mbabazi has handled various issues successfully like the scandle of the involvement of Ugandans in the looting of Congo,an issue that came up in the United Nations and the International Court of Justice (ICJ)

Much of the work in the Diplomacy has been given to foreign affairs Minister,Sam Kuteesa who is also charged with most of the work to do with CHOGM.In the armed forces Museveni has tasked General Aronda Nyakairima who is now busy in Northern Uganda and Karamoja.Ivan Koreta and Brigadier Rusoke will oversee issues of money whereas Lt.Gen.Katumba Wamala and Maj.Gen Geoffrey Muheesi are charged with command of land forces. More in the Red Pepper.

• VOA's Shaka here over Kayiira

Renowned 'Straight Talk Africa' Host on Voice of America (VOA) is in town to interview members of the Democratic Party (DP) on the 1987 Kayiira murder.

 

 

The man who Sunday Monitor yesterday said had confessed to taking part in the March 6,1987 murder of Dr.Andrew Kayiira was Wafula Oguttu's shamba boy.Wafula Oguttu is the spokesman of the main opposition party the FDC who was also the founding editor in chief of the Monitor and headed the paper until 2004 only to quit and join politics.Wafula says Corporal Eddie Sande whom  Sunday Monitor quoted widely as confessing to taking part in the mysterious murder was his boy whom he helped with school fees in S.6 and S.5 more in the red pepper..

• Ugandans arrested for witchcraft in South Africa

Four Ugandans have been apprehended for having conned South African residents of thousands of rands with promises of instant monetary rewards from the ancestors.One of the victims ,a hair saloon operator lost 10,000 rands a new wristwatch and a fire arm to a man who claimed to be a Ugandan Traditional Doctor..Another Victim Thozamile lost his entire bonus as well as the 36,000 rands he had secured through a loan to buy a new car.Following street protests by residents the suspects were found hiding in Kwanobuhle suburb.The four men admitted they were from Uganda and claimed their ''clients'' had not been patient enough and that money would materialize if they had more time.

• Rats nibble baby to death

A three day old kid was on Friday chewed to death by rats in Kumi town.The baby belonged to one Economy Okwalinga and his wife,Aisha.After the lady delivering the baby she left it in the home to go and look for food as the father had left the home without any help.On returning she found the rats in action and the child already dead.Police is looking for Okwalinga for child neglect.

A row is erupting amongst the National Resistance Leadership over the succession when President Yoweri Museveni considers retiring in 2011.This row is among the party top executive leadership plus the NRM Historicals.It all starts after the President told the Party's Secretary General ,Patrick Amama Mbabazi to make his campaign master plan for 2011 that will enable him to take over from Museveni.Initially Museveni hjad thought of Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kuteesa but turned down the offer and proposed the first lady,Janet Kataaha Museveni MP Ruhaama County citing her increased NRM popularity countrywide.Museveni instead opted for Mbabazi not to make the presidency appear to be hereditary.

This has left the party divided into three groups i.e.those in favor of Janet,Those for Amama Mbabazi plus those who do not favor any of the two.More in the Red Pepper..

DP Rubishes murder report published in the New Vision ,Says it has a different one

The Democratic Party has rubished the 'official' Scotland Yard Kayiira Murder report.The government owned daily,The New Vision published what it termed as the Original Kayiira report yesterday.The DP has reacted angrily and saying "That so called report is fake and simplistic,we are launching the genuine one on Saturday in Masaka" 

• Court Orders Release of all 22 PRA Suspects

The constitutional court ordered the release of all the People's Redemption Army (PRA)suspects and declared that their trial by the General Court Martial (GCM)was in contravention of the constitution and the judiciary.

-"Cars are a bribe for MPs to amend constitution in 2008"
-"Presidential term limits to be changed from 5 to 10 years"

Initially it was 60Mn to MPs and that has been scrapped only to be replaced with buying them luxurious cars of Shs 100 Mn each, pay MP's drivers let alone servicing the cars.These vehicles will bear government number plates implying that there won't be any other taxes to incur on them.

As you may recall in 2005 when Government wanted to amend the constitution to pave way for the Kisanja NRM MPs were given 5m each.The amendment exercise went on smoothly.Now analysts say the decision to give MPs more than they had demanded on the cars is to soothe their pockets to pave way for the earthmoving constitutional amendments by 2008.Some NRM MPs are already proposing that the term of the President should be changed from 5 to 10 years and the winner of the presidential election should not be required to have a 50+ majority but by a reasonable lead.For example if one candidate gets 20% and the other 15% there will be no re run but instead the one of 20% is declared the winner in that case.

This is how it is in Kenya.According to analysts for such amendments to go through MPs need more than just 5 Million.

 

The murder of Dr.Andrew Kayiira that took place in March 1987 was planned more than three years before it was executed.Several officers within UFM,NRA and DP told the Red Pepper several officers had made various attempts to murder Kayiira in the bush days as he was considered more of an enemy than the then President Milton Obote.

Last weekend Police and DP had a serious fight at the constitutional square where DP wanted to make public the findings of the Scotland yard report into the murder of Kayiira who was gunned down in 1987.Kayiira was the first minister of Energy under the NRM government.More in the Red Pepper

• Maj.Okwir Rabwoni sneaks into the Country

The exiled former youth member of parliament was thrown out of the country at the peak of 2001 elections and at the time he was the youth campaign manager for the then Reform Agenda's Presidential Candidate Col.Kizza Besigye.He actually came in before Christmas holidays through Rwanda.The successful return was made possible by his brother ,Brig.Noble Mayombo who is the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence.

•  Fr.Anthony Musala behind the VIG Awards

The rival award music company,Victoria International Gospel Awards that focuses on gospel categories will also consider other Musicians like Bebe Cool,Jose Chameleon,Messach Ssemakula and others who have gospel tracks.These have been termed as Non Traditional artistes.Father Anthony Musala is the brainchild behind the awards.

 

 

If you think last year was competitive for musicians in Uganda then you need to fasten your seat belts this year.According to the Red Pepper musicians are very scarce due to the sleepless nights they are spending in studios to earn a living.Chameleon is through with his album and will soon embark on his Canadian and European tours to market his new releases.Bobi Wine has also come up with a new album entitled "Kikomando".Bebe Cool has also released one dubbed "Prison for No Reason" featuring his prison experience on assaulting a police woman.Iryn Namubiru,Juliana Kanyomozi ,Ngoni,Sweet Kid and Blu*3 have already finished their albums and waiting for the right time to launch..

Details in the Democratic Party's report on the death of Dr.Andrew Kayiira indicate that the party is blaming General David Tinyefuza and General Paul Kagame for failure to prevent the death of their bush hero. Gen Paul Kagame the current President of Rwanda was the head of Military Intelligence then and the report blames him for failing to detect and deter the murderers while Gen.Tinyefuza was the commander of the brigade ,so he did not prevent the soldiers for carrying out the murder.

The report further reveals that the late Marius Katungi was the man who pulled the trigger and that sniffer dogs led the investigators to the then central brigade headquarters in Lubiri barracks ,the place where Kayiira's assassins hid after their mission,Sebaana told the press.

• Juliana shoots Kassim Music Video in Miami

Despite the double loss of not getting any award in the just concluded PAM Awards and the thumping of Ouma Juliana still grows strong.Jalia Kanyomozi has made a tough come back by shooting her new video of distant love the song she composed after falling in love with Kassim.The shooting of the video took place at Miami Beach where Juliana had been for a holiday with Kassim.Had Ouma trounced Taylor then those clips would be appearing in the video too.Jalia jets in anytime from now.

• Pam Awards get Rival

A company called Victoria Gospel Awards with registrations for their first awards underway has opened.It purely focuses on gospel categories for the awards.This will see gospel artistes in the following categories winning awards i.e.Gospel Presenter of the year,Press Gospel writer,Dance Group of the year,Video of the year,Live single of the year ,reggae,gospel hip hop,Rap /Ragga,Male/Female,Eastern/Western artiste of the year,Gospel TV show of the year plus Gospel Artist.

Uganda Revenue Authority Staff and security officials are investigating the wife of a former health minister in connection with smuggled goods comprising of 2700 cartons of candles which were impounded at the former home to the Tri Star Apparels factory.The truck which every one is now disowning is being investigated on how it was allowed into the tightly guarded premises.Its to early to speculate says Patrick Mukiibi the Spokesman for URA.

• Capital FM staff's Pay Delayed

Workers of Beat FM and Capital threatened to strike due to salary arrears.William Pike who jets in next week is out of the country and yet he signs all the salary cheques.

• Iryn,Bobi Wine to miss on Volts UK Launch

Volts Discotheque is yet to open up its London based branch in UK come this valentines day.However the Ugandan Musicians invited to grace the occasion have not yet confirmed their participation.Bobi Wine forinstance says he cannot stand o the same stage with Chameleon more so in a foreign land.Juliana is still in the USA with Kassim Ouma but she cannot perform with Iryn on the same stage.

Juliana,Chameleon,Iryn and Bobi Wine were to be flown to UK by Club Volts Proprietor Hussein for the opening of the former Saisai Club located in Edmonton ,North London

M7 Advisors insist Ethics Minister Committed serious crimes

The Casualty list in the anticipated mini-cabinet reshuffle is starting to take shape and the first casualty will be Dr.James Nsaba Buturo the Minister of Ethics and Integrity.According to the Red Pepper he will be replaced by Jacob Oulanya who moved the motion in Parliament to amend the constitution  and remove presidential term limits.Meanwhile Dr.James Buturo has just refunded the Shs 20Million to Gulu Based Mega FM after the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee ordered him to do so or get him arrested.

• M7 Quits Buziga returns to State House

After spending sometime at the Private residence in Buziga,the President has returned to the State lodge in Nakasero.Meanwhile the Buziga House is purely a private arrangement and the 720Million was not out of budgetary allocations.

• MP Mabikke tells DP not to Release Kayiira Death Report

Makindye East MP Michael Mabikke has urged his party DP,not to release the Andrew Kyiira Death Report.Kayiira was murdered in Kampala in 1986 and Scotland Yard of UK carried out the investigations into the killing of Kayiira at the request of Government of Uganda.Their findings were handed over to government in 1987,since then government has never published the report.

Democratic Party intends to release the report on 06/Jan/2007 at the constitutional square in Kampala.However Mabikke said"DP is not in government and therefore has no powers to release such a sensitive report".

DP President Ssebana Kizito and DP Lawyer Elias Lukwago have sworn to release the report on Saturday with or without the consent of the state.

 

A gentleman by the name of Mohammed  has scooped Shs 720m from State House in a major buy-out. He was ordered to abandon a shell house he had hurriedly put up in order not to compromise the President’s security.Officials say the move was to allow plumbing repair work in State House, Nakasero.

The developer had bought this very piece of land at 60m after it was hiked from 45m on knowing that state house had interests in it.About Ugx 140 million  had been spent on construction works only to be stopped for state house acquisition.The buy out is aimed at ensuring the safety of the President together with his family.

• Besigye Calls fro Crisis Meeting over Garuga

All is not well in the Forum for Democratic Change following the resignation of the party's chief financier,Garuga Musinguzi.Garuga announced over the weekend that he was quitting the party he co-founded and he has been supporting since 2001,to do private business.

The latest is that the FDC boss ,Col.Kizza Besigye, has instructed the party's secretary General Alice Alaso  to summon a special National Executive Meeting (NEC) to discuss Garuga's departure from the party to private business.The meeting will also look at a possible successor to Garuga

• Chameleon celebrates New Year in Tanzania ,snubs local shows

President Yoweri Museveni who is now in Rwakitura where he spent X-mas and New Year's day without his wife Janet.State house aides do not remember any Christmas the President has ever celebrated without his wife.The President did not also attend the Christmas service at Rushere nor did he attend the new year's day prayers.He instead stayed at his home.

Meanwhile Buziga suffered intermittent load shedding during Christmas affecting Janet's residence too where she was during the festive season.The generator had mechanical problems leaving the first lady in darkness.

The President stayed alone in his house during Christmas and of all members of his family it was his son Maj.Muhoozi Kainerugaba who joined him on Dec,26.

• Besigye shifts to his Multi Million Kasangati Mansion
• Kony wants Peace in 2007
• Juliana to quit singing

Boxing ace Kassim Ouma has vowed to wed songtress Juliana Kanyomozi despite protests from some family circles.Kassim wants Juliana to retire from singing ,marry him and live happily.Meanwhile Juliana's young sister Laura Kahunde is stepping into her elder sister's shoes in singing and recording is underway..

Details have emerged regarding the resignation from FDC of James Garuga Musinguzi,hitherto the Party's Chief local financier and landlord.Garuga was one of the Chief financiers of the Bush war that brought Museveni to power in 1986.Having been a very successful businessman in Kampala,Garuga had money to pass on to his friends in the bush.He was one of the historical members of the UPM where he was no.4 after Museveni,Kategaya and Bidandi in that order.He went to Reform Agenda which later became FDC.

• Museveni to fire rebel  MPs from NRM over car loans