Dr Johnson Byabashaija, the Commissioner General of Prisons.

The officer in charge of Kalisizo Prison, Rakai District has been suspended over last month’s attack on journalists by prison wardens at the detention facility.

Dr Johnson Byabashaija the Commissioner General of Prisons, sent Principal Officer 1, Mr Tom Okello to forced leave and replaced him with Assistant Superintendent of Prison, Mr William Ochwo.

“These orders take immediate effect unless stated otherwise. All leave must strictly be taken outside the barracks,” Dr Byabasaija’s statement reads.

Mr Pascal Lutabi a reporter with WBS television and John Bosco Mulyowa, who reports for the government-owned Bukedde radio were allegedly assaulted by prison warders while covering news of the escape of over 10 inmates from the prison on 18 March, 2013.

The prisoners escaped from the government facility in broad day light when the wardens had gone on a drinking spree in the nearby village.

The journalists learnt of the escape and stormed the prison from where they were terribly beaten by the prison wardens who became furious when police learnt of it. Their cameras were also broken in the attack.

During the attack, the journalists’ cameras and voice recorders were destroyed.

The journalists asked the force to compensate the victims who lost their tools of trade and sustained injuries.

Days after the incident, Dr Byabashaija apologized to the journalists saying the attack was barbaric.

Newly elected Pope Francis at the Vatican on Wednesday, March 13. Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the first pontiff from Latin America and will lead the world’s 1.2 billion Catholic

The Vatican pushed back Friday against claims that Pope Francis failed to protect two fellow Jesuit priests who were kidnapped during Argentina’s military dictatorship.

The accusations have resurfaced since the Argentine cardinal’s unexpected election to the papacy two days ago.

A book by investigative reporter Horacio Verbitsky accuses Francis, who was then referred to as Jorge Mario Bergoglio and was head of the country’s Jesuit order but not yet a bishop, of deliberately failing to protect two Jesuit priests who were imprisoned by the government.

But the Rev. Federico Lombardi, a Vatican spokesman, dismissed the claims which date back to Argentina’s so-called Dirty War from 1976 to 1983 — as false and defamatory.

“This was never a concrete or credible accusation in his regard. He was questioned by an Argentinian court as someone aware of the situation but never as a defendant. He has, in documented form, denied any accusations,” said Lombardi.

“Instead, there have been many declarations demonstrating how much Bergoglio did to protect many persons at the time of the military dictatorship,” he said.

“Bergoglio’s role, once he became bishop, in promoting a request for forgiveness of the church in Argentina for not having done enough at the time of the dictatorship is also well-known.”

A fellow Vatican spokesman, the Rev Thomas Rosica, said the accusations “reveal left-wing elements, anti-clerical elements that are used to attack the church. They must be firmly and clearly denied.”

The Vatican has a lot of experience in dealing with negative publicity campaigns against individuals or the church, he said.

The claims have cast a shadow over what has otherwise been widely viewed as a positive start for the new pontiff, who has embraced humility and simplicity.

As pope, Francis will have other tough questions to deal with. He takes the helm of a Roman Catholic Church that has been rocked in recent years by sex abuse by priests, and claims of corruption and infighting among the church hierarchy.

After the pomp and activities surrounding his election as pontiff, Pope Francis is enjoying a quieter day Friday — meeting with all the Catholic cardinals, who wait to see what changes he will make.

Inaugural Mass

Come Tuesday, St. Peter’s Square will again bustle with the faithful, tourists and locals during the official Mass to inaugurate him as the bishop of Rome.

The choice of day to anoint Francis as the holy father of the Catholic Church carries a rich symbolism: It is the day that Catholics celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph to honor Jesus’ father on Earth, the carpenter Joseph. It also happens to be Father’s Day in Italy.

The square is expected to fill up again with as many as 100,000 onlookers.

Foreign dignitaries and heads of state are welcome to attend but by tradition don’t receive a specific invitation, Lombardi said.

On Saturday, Francis will give an audience to the media. He will probably hold Mass on Sunday, and then deliver the traditional Angelus, one of the most common Catholic prayers, the spokesman said.

Palm Sunday is just a week later, and the new pontiff will be busy, as it is the holiday that kicks off Holy Week, which culminates in Easter celebrations.

‘Put faith first’

Francis set the tone for his vision of the church’s future in his first Mass as pope Thursday, held in the Sistine Chapel with the cardinals who participated in the conclave.

With solemnity, he delivered a short, unscripted homily about moving the Catholic Church forward, saying its leaders must put faith at the heart of what they do — or risk it becoming nothing more than a charity.

“We can walk as much as we want, we can build many things, but if we do not profess Jesus Christ, things go wrong. We may become a charitable NGO, but not the church, the bride of the Lord,” he said.

“When we are not walking, we stop moving. When we are not building on the stones, what happens? The same thing that happens to children on the beach when they build sandcastles: Everything is swept away, there is no solidity.”

After the Mass, the seals were ceremonially removed from the doors of the papal apartment at the Vatican, although renovation work must be done before Francis moves in. The apartment was sealed after Benedict XVI’s departure two weeks ago.

Bishop Zac Niringiye at Wandegeya police station recently.

The Democratic Party has condemned the manner in which the retired former assistant Bishop of Kampala Archdiocese Dr. Zac Niringiye and eight other activists were arrested by Police.

The 9 activists were arrested and detained at Wandegeya police station yesterday as they tried to give out flyers containing anti-corruption messages at Makerere University but were later released on bond pending investigations.

DPs Spokesperson Kenneth Kakande says that the action of police proved that government is not prepared to fight corruption in Uganda.

Police in Kampala on Monday arrested the Bishop Zack Niringiye and other activists in connection with the Anti-Corruption crusade held every Monday dubbed, Black Monday where activists dress up in black to mourn the current state of the nation.

Bishop Zac was arrested as he participated in distributing Black Monday Newspaper and fliers at Makerere University.

Black Monday is a movement aimed at helping in the fight against corruption. The movement requires that Black Monday activists put on black every Monday. At first, the movement was supposed to release names of the corrupt officials in the country.

The black Monday campaign launched recently by civil society organizations is meant to pile pressure on government to take a tough stance on the corruption.

First son Brigadier Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

First son Brigadier Muhoozi Kainerugaba has been awarded the Golden Jubilee Medal at the Tarehe Sita celebrations underway in Arua district.

General Tinyefuza Alias Ssejusa has received the same award which has also been awarded posthumously to the late James Kazini.

Other people who have received awards today include General Aronda Nyakairima, General JJ Odongo, Major General Jim Muhwezi, Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura, Gen. Elly Tumwine, and Lieutenant General Ivan Koreta among others.

These have been awarded in recognition of their contribution to this country since independence.

At the celebrations being presided over by President Museveni at Arua Hill Primary School, General Elly Tumwine on the award giving committee has advised the recipients to wear their medals to events in order to be given first priority in instances where all seats are taken

The 32nd official Tarehe Sita celebrations under the theme, “The Vanguard of National Transformation & in Solidarity for Regional Peace & Integration” mark the day back in 1981 when 41 young men armed with just 27 rifles launched the guerrilla war that later brought Museveni to power.

The day is marked with cleaning campaigns, immunisation drives and parades.

Meanwhile, one of the people who were part of the group that took part in that attack, Kizza Besigye is asking the UPDF return to the original plan of protecting citizens and their property rather than work to fulfill desires of some individuals.

Col. Besigye joins other opposition members that have boycotted the events on reasons that the army has unleashed lethal force and brutalised peaceful demonstrators; detained, tortured and or killed opposition activists over the past years.

The minister in charge of Kampala capital city authority Frank Tumwebaze.

The minister for presidency and in charge of Kampala capital city authority Frank Tumwebaze says he is writing to the attorney general  to seek legal advice on whether the Deputy Lord Mayor Sulaiman Kidandala  should be paid a salary or not.

He told the committee of public service and local government chaired by Florence Kintu that the explanation he got from the Executive   Director Jeniffer Musisi, was that he is not legal in this office because there is no minute showing his approval.

Tumwebaze told MPs that the Deputy Mayor will be paid his salary as soon as he is advised by attorney general’s office.

Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Aronda Nyakairima.

Nakawa Magistrates Court has dismissed a suit filed by Luwero Woman MP Democratic Party’s (DP) Brenda Nabukenya seeking orders against the army commander General Aronda Nyakayirima over remarks of a possible army takeover of government.

Ms. Nabukenya, through her lawyers Alaka and Company Advocates, had filed the complaint on oath to have Gen. Nyakairima tried by way of private prosecution over statements he allegedly made warning that the army could be forced to take over power if politicians do not change course.

The Army Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) made the alleged comments on the 23rd Day of January 2013, during a press conference, at Mbuya General Military Headquarters.

The Democratic Party filed the suit demanding criminal summons for the army chief to defend his position.

The DP pressed five cases against Nyakayirima among them being treason, inciting mutiny among intimidating the parliament and threatening the public.

The Chief Magistrate however dismissed the suit on grounds that it was filed in the wrong court saying General Nyakayirima is a resident of Buziga which is under the Jurisdiction of Makindye Court.

She also said DP documents lacked letters from the local council authorities as required by the Magistrates Court’s Act which renders their documents and application incompetent.

In a related event, DPs spokesperson Paul Kenneth Kakande says they have concluded investigations   into statements about a coup d’tat made by Defense Minister Crispus Kiyonga.

Hon. Kiyonga was the first government official to claim that the Army can take over the role of the legislator if parliament continued to disagree with the executive.

However, Kakande says that after investigations, they now have a ground to sue the Defense Minister because his utterances tantamount to treason.

Uganda President Yoweri Museveni, on land rover, inspecting some of the UPDF soldiers recently. Th army today commemorates 27 years since the first attack on February 6, 1981 that launched President Yoweri Museveni’s guerrilla war.

Official Tarehe Sita celebrations are underway in Arua district with President Museveni presiding over the events which are being reflected in many parts of the country.

Tarehe Sita Day is in remembrance of the first attack on February 6, 1981 that launched President Yoweri Museveni’s guerrilla war.

The theme for the celebrations is: “The Vanguard of National Transformation & in Solidarity for Regional Peace & Integration”. It marks the 32nd anniversary of the founding of The Uganda Peoples’ Defense forces (UPDF).

The day is marked with cleaning campaigns, immunisation drives and parades.

Meanwhile, one of the people who were part of the group that took part in that attack, Rtd. Col Dr. Kizza Besigye is asking the UPDF return to the original plan of protecting citizens and their property rather than work to fulfill desires of some individuals.

Col. Besigye joins other opposition members that have boycotted the events on reasons that the army has unleashed lethal force and brutalised peaceful demonstrators; detained, tortured and or killed opposition activists over the past years.

Deputy Inspector General of Police, John Martins Okoth-Ochola chaired the meeting.

Police Tuesday held a meeting with the leaders of Black Monday Movement at Police headquarters and agreed on a number of issues that the activists need to put in place before they can resume their activities.

The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, John Martins Okoth-Ochola, attended by the Commandant Kampala Metropolitan Police, Andrew Flex Kaweesi, Police PRO, CP Judith Nabakooba, Ag. Commissioner of Police in charge Media and Political Crime, Fred Mirundo and other Senior Police Officers. The Black Monday was led by Ronald Sewakinga, others were Jackie Assimwe (Fida Uganda), Kagaba Cisy (Anti-Corruption Coalition), Larok Arthur (Action International Uganda), James Mukasa (URA), Rwagabma Justus, Ndifuna Muhamed (ULnet), Ronald Okello (PUIU), and Kitamirike Emmanuel (Uganda Youth Netwotk).

The meeting which Mr. Okoth-Ochola described as “fruitful deliberations” agreed on the following issues that the activists have to address:

1. They agreed that the newsletter be legalized before it’s circulated i.e. it should be registered with the General Post Office, and to follow the ethics and professional standard of Journalism.

2. The activists should repackage the content of the newsletter and to avoid using language which might incite the public into violence.

3. Police and the activists to establish a code of conduct on how the black Monday movement should operate.

4. A forum of all stakeholders that are involved in the fight against corruption should be established i.e. the ministry of Ethics, IGG, Auditor General, Police and other civil society to be brought on board.

5. The Black Monday Movement to disassociate itself from any Political organization/party and to shun politicians who have ill motives and want to join them.

6. Both parties to develop mechanism of checking/blocking politicians who might hijack their activities and turn it into political.

7. The people leading the Black Monday Movement should be persons of high integrity without any allegations of corruption leveled against them.

8. Liaison Officers that will coordinate activities between Police and Black Monday Movement were named. Police will be represented by Judith Nabakooba and the Movement will be represented by Richard Sewakinga.

9. These resolutions will be reviewed every fortnight.

On the issue of Bishop Dr. Zac Niringiye who was arrested on Monday and later released on Police bond, Okoth-Ochola said that according to the Constitution Police does not have powers to drop the case but the Director of Public Prosecution.

He said that they will take his files to DPP for legal advice on whether to proceed with the case or to drop it.

Speaker Kadaga says MPs should abide by the guidelines while declaring their wealth.

Members of parliament have up to the 1st of March this year to declare their wealth.

The speaker of parliament Hon Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga said MPs can pick the declaration forms from her office.

Ms. Kadaga made the remarks while opening parliament that has just returned from a five weeks recess.

Kadaga has asked MPs to abide by the guidelines while declaring their wealth.

Members of parliament are required by law to declare their wealth every year. Details to come…

Adam Kalungi (White shirt) and his co-accused in the dock.

Five out of the six suspects accused of causing the death of Butaleja District Woman MP, Cerinah Nebanda, have this afternoon been returned to Luzira prison after they failed to fulfill all the bail conditions.

They had been released on a cash bail of Shs10 million each.

The five are Mr. Abid Rashid Butt, Mr. Noor  Abubakar, Mr. Khan Babu Abdul, Mr. Ali Omar Almuzahim and Ms. Fatuma Babu.

They had been released by Makindye Chief Magistrate, Esther Nambayo who also ordered the suspects to deposit their passports at the court registry.

Their sureties were each asked to deposit in court a land title registered in their names.

Meanwhile, key suspect, Mr. Adam Suleiman Kalungi, was not released on bail since he had not applied for it.

It was not clear why Mr. Kalungi declined to apply to be released on bail. He was returned to Luzira prison where he has been since January 7, when he was formally charged.

Case has been adjourned until March 5.