investigative reporting: 1st place- farahani mukisa, nelson wesonga and frederic musisi, daily...

8/18/2019 Investigative reporting: 1st place- Farahani Mukisa, Nelson Wesonga and Frederic Musisi, daily Monitor

1/9

AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE FRAUDULENT SALE

OF NAMULONGE INSTITUTE LAND

MOST OF UGANDA’S AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

INSTITUTES’ LAND IS UNDER THREAT. LARGE

CHUNK OF IT HAS BEEN SECRETLY

GIVEN TO ‘INVESTORS’.

THE INVESTIGATION EXPOSED THE FRAUDULENT

GIVEAWAY OF NAMULONGE INSTITUTE’S LAND,

FORCING PRESIDENT MUSEVENI TO DIRECT

GOVERNMENT TO CANCEL THE LAND TITLE GIVEN

TO THE ‘INVESTOR’.

THE STORY WAS PUBLISHED IN THE DAILY

MONITOR NEWSPAPER.

BY FARAHANI MUKISA


2/9

DAILY MONITOWWW.MONITOR.C

4 TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2015

national Daily Monitowww.monitor.co

REACTIONS

“It is unfortunate for thecountry that those in authocan’t see the importance ofsuch (agricultural researchinstitutions.”

ROBERT KASULE, KYADDONDO NORTH MP

“This is a training institutethat is serving nationalinterests. How then can it bgiven to an investor and yetwe are fighting to save theremaining public land. ”

HUDA OLERU, VICE CHAIRPERSON OF THE

PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON AGRICUL

A potato garden at National Crops Resources Research Institute in Namulonge, Wakiso District. PHOTO BY DOMINIC BUKENYA

Namulonge institute

land given to Sudhir

BY FARAHANI MUKISA

[email protected]

KAMPALA. President Museveni has

directed the ministry of Lands tohand over a large chunk of the Na-tional Crops Resources Research In-stitute (NaCRRI) land at Namulonge,in Wakiso District, to an investor forflower growing.

In a March 12, letter to Lands min-ister Daudi Migereko, the Presidentsaid he was giving away part of theinstitute’s land because the investorhas expressed willingness to workwith the local community.

Mr Museveni said he was ap-proached by Premier Roses Ltd, acompany owned by businessman Su-dhir Ruparelia, for large scale flowergrowing.

“I am, therefore, directing that yourministry allocates reasonable landto these investors to cater for theirflower growing and fruit processingactivities,” Mr Museveni wrote.

The President, however, said hewas initially hesitant to grant the landto the investor because flower farm-ing “is an elite activity” compared tothe benefits the research institutewas giving the peasant farmers in thecommunity.

“Now the investors have indicatedthat in addition to flower growing,they will carry out fruit growing andprocessing that can benefit the localcommunity,” the President’s letterexplains.

More than 80 per cent of thepopulation draw its livelihood fromagriculture. Despite that, agriculturecontributes less than 25 per cent toGDP (total value of goods and ser-vices produced in the country), which

stands at $21 billion (about Shs76trillion).

The limited contribution is due tolack of value addition and the sub-sistence nature of agriculture. Pro-duction has primarily been for con-sumption rather than for commercialpurpose. As part of modernisation ofagriculture, government initiated theNaads programme to provide exten-sion services and hybrid inputs.

Its hoped that under the pro-gramme, dubbed Operation WealthCreation and implemented by thearmy, each household will earn atleast Shs20 million annually.

According the Ruparelia Groupwebsite, Premier Roses is listed asone of the companies of the propertymogul. A brief about the firm shows

Controversy. Lands minister insiststhe giveaway is in good faith andis aimed at helping the researchinstitute meet some of its prospects.

Ministry to cancel titles over wetlands, forestsBY EPHRAIM KASOZI

[email protected]

KAMPALA. The ministry of Landshas issued cancellation notices topersons who own more than 50 landtitles in wetlands and central forestreserves.

The move is in response to thevarious testimonies before the Com-mission of Inquiry into alleged mis-management of the Uganda NationalRoads Authority (UNRA) affairs.

Appearing before the commissionchaired by Justice Catherine Bam-ugemerire, the commissioner landregistration, Ms Sarah Kulata, saidthe ministry has issued cancellation

notices to individuals because “the

titles were issued in error”.She said the titles to be cancelled

include those obtained for ownershipof land in Kyewaga, Gunda and Kaj-

jansi on Kampala-Entebbe Express-way as well as Nonve Central ForestReserves in Wakiso District.

She added that the ministry hasnot issued cancellation notices tothose owning titles in the Lubigi/Busega wetland because of a pend-ing case between UNRA and ExcellentAssorted Manufacturers Ltd.

The firm owned by businessman

Ephraim Ntaganda sued UNRA seek-

ing for compensation of more thanShs18 billion for interfering with hisfuture business.

“The department of land registra-tion has perused and issued noticesto cancel all land titles issued in error.I cannot answer for those officers butwhat they did to register land own-ership in reserve areas was irregu-lar and illegal,” said Ms Kulata whoapologised for exonerating registrarsof titles.

She had earlier told the commis-sion that the registrars of titles are

recorders at the tail end of the land

registration process.Ms Kulata was answering queries

in regard to multiple registration andownership of land on the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway that led to pay-ment of Shs5.2 billion to MadhivaniGroup of companies for a piece ofland under dispute in courts of law.

The commission heard that someland on the Spur (Munyonyo section)had multiple registration but Ms Ku-lata blamed the anomalies on the landofficers, boards and the surveyor say-ing they have knowledge about the

land in their respective areas.

Documents presented to thmission indicate that the famthe late Muwanga Omuwesi hmailo title measuring 306 acsued in 1915 but UNRA paid tdhivani Group of companies on Freehold title issued in 192

Ms Kulata was also quizzecontradictory documents regthe cancellation of title in naOmuwesi but without date andture but she insisted the admtors of the Estate of Omuweson wrong information to claim

ership of the land.

that Premier Roses is based in En-tebbe and exports “exclusive roses”.

The company claims it focuses onmeeting the high standards of GoodAgricultural Produce (GAP), andplaces importance on economic, so-cial and environmental sustainabil-ity.

Documents seen by Daily Monitorshow that President Museveni sug-gested a lease where strict covenantsare made to compel the investor, not

to flout agreed positions.Subsequently, on June 1, Premier

Roses Ltd was granted a 99-yearlease at an annual premium of Shs22million, revisable after the first fiveyears.

Although the President hinted thatthe leases are normally 49 years, it is

not clear how, the Lands minister andWakiso District Land Board officialsgave Premier Roses Ltd, a lease of 99years.

The investor was given block 158plot 651, which measures 357.779hectares, at a cost of Shs440 million.The lease also permits the investorto use the land to erect commercialbuildings and use it for educationpurposes.

Lands minister said the directive

was in good faith and aimed at help-ing the research institute meet someof its prospects since some of its landhas been idle due to resource defi-ciencies.

“I hope people don’t look at the di-rective with a bad attitude. As a lineminister, my role now is to ensure

that the interests of all parties arecatered for without conflict of inter-est,” Mr Migereko said in telephoneinterview.

He added that he had had severalmeetings with officials from NaCRRI,ministry of Agriculture, his Perma-nent Secretary and Premier RosesLtd, to ensure that “no developmentpurpose is lost”.

“I have of recent received a letterfrom NaCRRI officials and I’m yet to

hold other meetings with all partiesso that several issues are aligned sothat government does not get a rawdeal,” Mr Migereko added withoutgiving details.

Kyaddondo North MP Robert Ka-sule said the minister assured localleaders that there was no such a dealto giveaway the NaCRRI land to aninvestor.

“Unless Mr Migereko was foolingus or himself, because as area lead-ers, we met with him and also metwith Mr Baguma Isoke (Uganda LandCommission chairman) and both de-nied any deal to giveaway that land,”Mr Kasule said yesterday.

“It is unfortunate for the countrythat those in authority can’t see theimportance of such (agricultural re-

search) institutions.”The NaCRRI director, Dr G

Asea, declined to comment abcontroversial deal, describimatter as “sensitive”.

However, a researcher at stitute, who preferred anonyspeak freely, said documentsinstitute’s possession indica

the giveaway was suspect.“It is shocking how an invesa title for the institute’s land win 2013 and then goes to the Prin 2015 to seek endorsement project,” the researcher said.

The vice chairperson of thementary Committee on AgricMs Huda Oleru, expressed shthe development saying it’s “unbelievable”.

“This is a training instituteserving national interests. Hocan it be given to an investor awe are fighting to save the rempublic land. We shall fight to tto save the institute,” Ms Oleyesterday.

WHY NACRRI IS IMPORTANT

NaCRRI, is one of the six nationalagricultural research institutes, that areunder the co-ordination of the NationalAgricultural Research Organisation (NARO).NaCRRI is mandated to conduct researchand knowledge generation for; legumes,cassava, cereals like maize, rice, horticultureand oil palm, and sweet potatoes. NaCRRIemploys both directly and indirectly

more than 2,000 people. The centre alsobenefits at least 10,000 local farmers inthe nearby communities, in addition to itbeing a major seedling supplier. It is also acentre for agriculture students’ research atboth local and international level. German,United Kingdom and Japan are among thecountries funding practical research atNaCRRI.


3/9

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015

Daily Monitor www.monitor.co.ugnational Daily Monitor www.monitor.co.ug

BY NELSON WESONGA

[email protected]

KAMPALA. Property mogul Sudhiruparelia has said three ministerspproved’ one of his companies’quest to lease government land

elonging to Namulonge Nationalrops Resources Research Institute

NaCCRI), 30km northeast of Kam-ala.Responding to Daily Monitor ’s

ugust 25 story that President Mu-veni directed that a large chunk ofe NaCCRI be given to an investor,r Ruparelia said state ministersAgriculture and Investment, and

e minister for Lands raised “a nobjection” to his company, Premieroses’ proposal to lease 900 acres.In a four-page document to Daily

Monitor , the businessman also de-nded the Namulonge deal, sayinge planned investment would in-ease Uganda’s flower acreage frome current 170 hectares to morean 500 hectares, thus increasinge country’s export earnings from

n average $30m to $120m annuallyfour years.According to Mr Ruparelia, thisould create more 7,000 jobs, upom the current 12,000.“The Agriculture state minister

ave a “no objection” and wrote toe Minister of State for Investmentthe ministry of Finance, seeking

s intervention. Satisfied with ourroposal, the state Finance minister,

a mid-October [2013] “no objec-on” letter wrote to the Lands min-ter, recommending that our appli-

ation be considered, purely on itswn merits,” he wrote.“It is important to note that on topthe “no objection” from the three

inisters (Agriculture, Lands andvestment) as well as the Uganda

and Commission, NARO, which is

the user institution, has also given agreen light to the project,” he added.

Daily Monitor could not get a com-ment from Uganda Land Commis-sion (ULC) chairman Baguma Isokeas repeated calls to his known tele-phone numbers went unanswered.

‘Media got it wrong’

Mr Ruparelia said the media had“not fully” delved into the processleading to the approval of his compa-ny’s application, and chose to focuson the presidential directive.

According to documents seen bythis newspaper, President Musevenion March 12 directed Lands ministerDaudi Migereko to allocate reason-able land to the investors for theirflower and fruit processing activi-ties.

Mr Ruparelia said the Lands min-

ister “as is the procedure, wrote tothe chairman Uganda Land Commis-sion, asking them to evaluate andconsider our proposal”.

Though Mr Ruparelia did not namethe ministers, in 2013, Prof Zeruba-bel Nyiira was the Agriculture stateminister whereas Mr Gabriel AjedraAridru was state minister for Invest-ment.

Prof Nyiira and Mr Ajedra’s knowncell phones were off by the time we

went to press. When contacted, Fi-nance ministry permanent secretaryKeith Muhakanizi said he did not re-member “seeing that” letter, givingthe no objection.

Mr Aston Kajara, whom Mr Ajedrasucceeded, said the Investment min-istry is not in the habit of giving outland. In March 2014, Mr Ajedra told

journalists that the Uganda Invest-ment Authority had developed landallocation criteria, which would beused to allocate land to all deservinginvestors in industrial parks.

One criterion was that the inves-tors who would have been allocatedfree land would have to provide abank or insurance bond equivalentto 10 per cent of the value of theleased land.

Another was that within 18months from the date of allocation,

the investor should have started de-veloping the land. Should he or shefail, the lease would elapse.

There would be no change ofshareholder for the three years andno transfer of land. By press time, MrMigereko had not yet responded toour request for an explanation of hisside of the story.

According to documents seen bythis newspaper, whereas PresidentMuseveni had directed that Mr Ru-parelia’s company be given a 49–year lease, the period was altered to99 years. It is not clear who exactlymade the alteration and for whatreason.

However, according to some ac-counts, there is neither a Memoran-dum of Understanding nor a PublicPrivate Partnership agreement be-tween NaCCRI and Mr Ruparelia’s

company.On Wednesday, current state min-

ister for Agriculture Vincent Ssem-pijja defended the decision to leasethe land to Premier Roses.

“We need horticulture to earn for-eign exchange. Whether it is Sudhir,Ssempijja or Mukasa who cultivatesthe flowers, it doesn’t matter. Theywould all aim at providing peoplewith jobs,” he told journalists atParliament.

Ministers gave me govt land - Sudhir

Former UNRA bosses quizzed over fuel frau

Halt sciencepolicy, govt

advisedBY PATIENCE [email protected]. The Uganda Joint Ch

tian Council (UJCC) has asked gernment to halt the science policysecondary schools until it is prepato provide science teachers aequipment in all institutions.

Rev Fr John Byamukama, the UJeducation programme officer, mathe remarks following a report by Directorate of Education Standa(DES) indicating that many schocontinued to perform poorly in science subjects because they lequipment, laboratories and scieteachers.

Fr Byamukama added that the picy instead was widening the gap tween the rich and poor. He explaithat children from rich families wgo to schools with science equipmand teachers post better results in tional examinations that enable thto pursue science courses, while poor continue to be disadvantage

“The policy should be stopped fomoment until we are ready to impment the science policy,” Fr Byamkama said at the 12th Education stor review early this week.

But Mr Huzaifa Mutazindwa, director DES, said stopping the polwill be ‘suicidal’.

“To stop implementing the sciepolicy until we have enough mois not realistic. That will be suicidIf we wait, we can never be ablestart. We realised we have issues

the way we chose to take but we wsort them as we proceed,” Mr Mtazindwa explained.

Education minister Jessica Alualso insisted the science policy shobe promoted to encourage more cdidates for economic developmen

She explained that the more sdents pursue science courses, more government will be pressuto invest in higher institutionslearning which have limited space

y story. The businessman saysate ministers for Agriculture andvestment, and the minister for

ands raised “a no objection” to hismpany’s proposal to lease 900res.

L-R: State ministers Zerubabel Nyiira (Agriculture), Gabriel Ajedra (Investment) and minister Daudi Migereko (Lands) were in officeat the time businessman Sudhir Ruparelia was given the Namulonge land for development. FILE PHOTOS

BY EPHRAIM KASOZI

[email protected]

KAMPALA. Three former officials of theUganda National Roads Authority (UNRA)were yesterday quizzed over their role in thealleged fraudulent fuel procurements.

Interdicted UNRA director of finance andadministration Joe Ssemugooma, former ad-ministration manager Patrick Muhumuza andformer transport manager John Ssejjembaseparately appeared before the commissionof inquiry investigating the alleged misman-agement of UNRA affairs to answer queriesthat they procured fuel without followingproper procedures.

The former UNRA officials denied wrong-doing and Mr Ssemugooma apportionedblame to his juniors (Mr Muhumuza and MrSsejjemba) whom he accused of approvinginvoices for payment.

The questioning of the trio was based onan internal audit report which revealed that

Shs1.4 billion was paid by UNRA for fuel which

was never consumed and/ or supplied.Asked whether the procurement of fuel a

lubricants was in accordance with the law,Ssemugooma declined to respond, insistthat he needed his lawyer to help interpthe procurement law.

Documents presented before the commsion indicate that Mr Ssemugooma commitUNRA to spend billions of shillings throusigning agreements without authority of executive director.

“My Lord, the funds were released bason documents approved by the transportficer and the administration manager. Eaunit had a way of doing their work. To mewas a question of responsible people to prove and money was paid,” said Mr Ssemgooma.

This prompted the judge to ask; “Would ybelieve it?” to which he did not reply.

Meanwhile, the commission has summonstation managers and engineers to explhow fuel for their respective stations w

drawn from different places.

ABOUT INSTITUTE

NaCCRI is one of the six nationalagricultural research institutes that areunder the coordination of the NationalAgricultural Research Organisation.NaCCRI is mandated to conduct researchon legumes, cassava, cereals likemaize,rice,horticulture,and palm oil andsweet potatoes.


4/9

AUGUST 30, 2015

national Sunday Monitorwww.monitor.co.u

BY ANTHONY WESAKA

[email protected]

KAMPALA. A city lawyer has beencquitted of fraud charges broughtgainst him by his former boss in aw firm.Mr Arthur Murangira had been

ccused of embezzling Shs138m be-nging to his former employer and allow lawyer, Andrew Kasirye.Mr Kasirye, one of the partners ofe law firm, had told court that Mrurangira privately received moneyom a client that was meant for the

ompany.The prosecution had stated that

etween March 11, 2011 and Novem-

er 2012, while being employed by

Namulonge land given away before

Cabinet decision, says MigerekoBY FARAHANI MUKISA

[email protected]

KAMPALA. Cabinet had halted theveaway of Namulonge National

rop Resource Research InstituteNaCRRI) land, which was handed toroperty mogul Sudhir Ruparelia forower farming, Sunday Monitor hastablished.On March 18, 2014, the Minister of

ands, Mr Daudi Migereko, wrote toe Uganda Land Commission (ULC)

hairman, Mr Baguma Isoke, express-g shock that the Namulonge land

ad been approved for transfer to Mrudhir, yet Cabinet had stayed theveaway.Mr Migereko said he had discussede matter with the ministers of Agri-

ulture, Investment and the Nationalgricultural Research Organsiation

NARO) and Mr Isoke, to suspend anyecision on Namulonge land to allowroper consultations.“I guided during that meeting that

o decision be taken on this matterntil consultations had taken place in-olving NARO,” Mr Migereko wrote.

igereko surprised

“I was taken by surprise when myolleague [Ms Aidah Nantaba] re-orted in Cabinet that this land has

ready been allocated without aedback from the user department

NARO], let alone without any fur-er discussions on this matter withher key stakeholders,” Mr Migereko

dded in his letter to Mr Isoke.In the letter, Mr Migereko requestedr Isoke to update him on the currentatus of Namulonge land, cautioningm against defying the Cabinet reso-tion.“Your constitutional powers overnd notwithstanding, Cabinet alsorected that land allocation be stayed

ntil further guidance is provided,”r Migereko told Isoke.However, on September 5, 2014, re-rring to President Museveni’s previ-

us letter of August 5, 2014, Mr Mig-eko wrote to Mr Isoke telling him to

ot aware. The minister said he wasrprised when his colleague reportedCabinet that the land had already

een allocated to Mr Sudhir.

City lawyer acquitted of fraud

Balunywarushes to

summonsBY ANTHONY WES

[email protected].

KAMPALA. The Principal of Merere University Business Sch(MUBS), Prof Waswa Balunywa,Thursday rushed to court followwitness summons issued agaihim to appear and defend himsagainst a petition challenging appointment to the job.

Prof Balunywa appeared befJustice Benjamin Kabiito of tHigh Court on Thursday, althouhis lawyers did not cross- examthe petitioner, Dr James Akammuza who is challenging his pointment.

“You are summoned to appearthe hearing of this suit fixed for 28th day of August, 2015, at 9aYour attendance is required to gevidence” read in part the cosummons to Prof Balunywa.

During Thursday’s session, Akampumuza, a lecturer at the sainstitution, concluded submissof his evidence against his boss garding allegations of abuse of fice, corruption and serving illegaas MUBS principal.

Justice Kabiito set Septemberand 30 for Prof Balunywa to defehimself against the petition.

Dr Akampumuza alleges that PBalunywa irregularly used an officletterhead of the office of the prinpal on a non-working day (Sundto write an application for renewof his contract. He claims that trenewal of Prof Balunywa’s contrwas irregular because the job wnot advertised for other applicaand that there is no legal prosion for renewal of his contract.further alleges that Prof Balunylacks the requisite qualifications the job.

Prof Balunywa is jointly sued wMUBS, Attorney General, EducatService Commission and formMakerere University vice chanclor, Prof Venansius Baryamureechairman of the MUBS board.

implement the presidential directiveand brief him on the progress in twoweeks.

In the August 5 letter, Mr Mu-seveni had rejected Mr Migereko’sproposal to give away the land for

flower growing. Museveni arguedthat a similar proposal by a previousinvestor, who wanted the land for to-mato growing, had been rejected bythe Uganda Land Commission.

“I do not approve of giving Na-mulonge land to a flower growerbecause flowers do not have backand forward linkages like tomatoprocessing or using that land for itsoriginal purpose of cotton research,”

Mr Museveni told Migereko in theAugust 5 letter.

However, in March, Mr Musevenichanged his earlier position and rec-ommended that the land be givenaway for flower growing.

On March 12, Mr Museveni wroteto Mr Migereko telling him he hadchanged his earlier position on theland transfer.

He recommended that PremierRoses be given the land on a 49-yearlease. However, the company hassince been given the land on a 99-year lease effective from June 1.

Premier Roses is part of the Ru-parelia Group, owned by Mr Sudhir.

While defending the Namulongeland deal in Daily Monitor on Friday,Mr Sudhir said he was given the landby three ministers, including Stateminister for Agriculture, Lands andminister for Investment, as well asNARO, who gave letters of “no ob-

jection.”Documents this newspaper has

seen show that NARO council chair-person was opposed to the land give-away and often expressed discom-fort over the deal.

Mr Isoke, however, on Friday saidhe is not aware of what the ministers

were referring to that was passed bythe Cabinet. “There was no such aCabinet decision regarding Namu-longe land giveaway. Let them pro-duce the Cabinet paper where it isfiled. At least I am not aware of it,”he said by telephone.

NARO director general, Dr AmbroseAgona, declined to comment on thematter. However, a source challengedMr Sudhir to produce evidence thatNARO agreed to the deal.

“NARO is the rightful owner of theNamulonge land and any final ap-proval must be from its governingcouncil and the Parliament and notfrom any ministers or the UgandaLand Commission,” said the sourcewho preferred to remain anony-mous.

THE LAW

The National Agricultural Research Act2015, a law that establishes NARO,mandates that any land managed byNARO is under the guidance of the body’sGoverning Council and the Director.

A man rides through the gates of National Crops Resources Research Institute in Namulonge, whose land was given tobusinessman Sudhir Ruparelia, for a flower growing project. PHOTO BY DOMINIC BUKENYA

Prof Waswa Balunywa.

Kasirye, Byaruhanga Co Advocates,Mr Murangira stole Shs63 million,which he received or took to hispossession for or on account of hisemployer.

In count two, the prosecutionstated that Mr Murangira betweenMarch 18, 2012 and October 2012,stole $30,000 (about Shs100m) hereceived on the account of his em-ployer but took into his personalpossession.

Murangira denied the allegations

and insisted he had received the

money for legal services he had per-sonally rendered to the client.

Justice Lawrence Gidudu of theAnti-Corruption Court observedthat the law firm where Mr Muran-gira worked, did not adduce evi-dence regarding any invoices thatwere to be paid to it.

The ruling

The judge observed that this kindof dispute of an employee using thecompany’s facilities to do private

work would have been resolved un-

der a civil case against Mr Muran-gira and not a criminal trial.

He observed that in absence ofthe evidence of Mr Sanjay Patel, theclient who engaged Mr Murangirafor his private work, renders thecharges against the accused merespeculation.

“The law firm’s remedy lies inthe civil action and not the criminalprosecution. I therefore find that theaccused is not guilty of embezzle-ment on both counts and I acquit

him,” the judge held.


5/9

Daily Monitor www.monitor.co.ug

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 , 2015

national Daily Monitor www.monitor.co.ug

BY ANDREW BAGALA

[email protected]

KAMPALA. Kampala Capital Cityuthority (KCCA) has ordered all

uses to vacate Qualicel Bus Park inwo months’ time following endlessoperty wrangles between two busi-

essmen running the park.Mr Charles Muhangi of Horizon

oaches Company and Mr Drakeubega have been battling in courtver ownership of plot 43 to 47 onakivubo Road on which the buildingnd the bus park, formerly known asaganda Bus Park, are situated. Theuthority said it is aimed at giving

time to the duo to sort out their dif-ferences without hindering the cityrevenue collections.

The duo has been running the buspark interchangeably depending on

different government institutions.In a letter written by KCCA to theTransport Licencing Board (TLB), theauthority said bus operators shouldnot be given licences to operate at thebus park.

Mr John Mutenda, the chairmanof Transport Licensing Board, ac-knowledged receiving the letter andsaid they were complying with thedirective.

“They have given you three months

to organise yourself and get alterna-tives. We are not going to renew routecharts for buses operating within theQualicel Bus Park,” Mr Mutenda toldbus owners in Kampala yesterday.

However, Mr Lubega said KCCAhad no right to intervene in civil mat-ters and there was no way they affecttheir work.

“If I have a problem with some-one, is it KCCA work to stop my cli-ents from operating in an area? Theywrote to the Attorney General and hetold them that they have no right to

intervene in civil matters,” he said.The wrangle stems back in 1993after Mr Muhangi and his colleaguespaid Shs1b to the then Kampala CityCouncil to manage the bus park.

Mr Mutenda said KCCA had givenalternative parks in Bwaise and Na-teete for the bus owners.

The TLB secretary, Mr WinstoneKatushabe, said KCCA also informedthem that illegal bus parks such asArua Park had been closed.

NARO denierole in Sudh

land dealBY FREDERIC [email protected]

KAMPALA. The National Agcultural Research Organisat(NARO) has dismissed reports tbusinessman Sudhir Rupareliset to take over part of its landflower growing.

“The land is fully utilised athere is no undeveloped buspart, the press statement seenthis newspaper reads in part.

“NARO management repsented by the director genewho is the organisation’s accouing officer, has never formallyinformally given green light ono objection to the reallocatand sub-titling of the said landreported.”

According to media reports lweek, and directives from Predent Museveni, the 1,000 acresland in Namulonge, Wakiso Dtrict, were leased out to PremRoses, Mr Ruparelia’s company

The director general, Dr Abrose Agona, told Daily Monithat the statement and its ctents reflects the position of NAmanagement.

In the statement, “NARO halawfully registered interest in land and as the rightful user of land never interacted with PremRoses, its directors, agents or eployees in this regard nor enteinto any Memorandum of Und

standing (MoU) for the land.”

Cabinet hand

Later developments, howevindicated Cabinet had halted giveaway of the said land, but cording to the businessman, thministers approved his companrequest for the land.

In an article circulated to mdia, Mr Ruparelia said the UganLand Commission and ministapproved a five-year lease terextendable to full form. “This won condition that we enter intMoU with NARO on how to stainably develop the project the mutual benefit of both institions,” he wrote.

He further expressed optimito closing this process and devoping this project in line with laws of Uganda and in the mutinterest of NARO.

ARIASAKLEDSIR YB

[email protected]

KAMPALA. The Chief of Defenceorces, Gen Katumba Wamala, yes-rday flew to Mogadishu to meetPDF commanders, a day after So-ali insurgents attacked a Ugandanmy base, killing unspecified num-

er of soldiers.Lt Gen Charles Angina, his deputy,id Gen Katumba arrived in Mogadi-

hu yesterday morning. “He (is there)assess the security situation and

ill be coming back as soon as pos-ble,” Lt Gen Angina said.The Ministry of Defence and the

frican Union were still tightlippedn the number of soldiers killed, butarious reports in international me-a give different death figures.Quoting Western sources, CNN

esterday reported that 45 soldiers,cluding Somalis, were killed in

ghting to repulse the attackers onuesday morning.

The insurgents claimed on Tuesdaythey had killed at least 50 soldiers inJanaale, the area under Uganda BattleGroup 14.

Lt Gen Angina said they were stillworking with African Union Missionin Somalia before they release thenumber of the dead and their identi-ties.

The deputy army spokesperson,Maj Henry Obbo, described both thefigures as propaganda by al-Sha-baab.

Propaganda

“That’s al-Shabaab’s method of

work. They exaggerate figures in thebattlefield to create a false situation.They are just doing propaganda,” MajObbo said.

Military sources in Kampala saynine were killed and five injured.

Sources in Somalia say the attack-ers could be part of the jihadists flee-ing Ethiopian troops in Gedo regionand are now moving towards areascontrolled by Ugandan forces in thesouth of Mogadishu.

Al-Shabaab has stepped up hit-and-run raids as a tactic to fight Amisom.

Chief of Defence Forces Katumba Wamala addresses the UPDF soldiers early thisyear. PHOTO BY DOMINIC BUKENYA

Gen Katumba

rushes to Somalia

ce over membershipBY YASIIN MUGERWA

[email protected]

KAMPALA. As nomination deadliner returning forms by NRM party as-rants approaches, the four expelled

arty MPs are losing patience aftere party’s top organ advised them toek President Museveni interventionorder to formalise their return.Lawmakers Theodore Ssekikubowemiyaga), Wilfred Niwagaba

Ndorwa East), Muhammad NserekoKampala Central) and Barnabas Tin-asiimire (Buyaga East) resolved toorm the party headquarters at Plot, Kyadondo Road today to presenteir credentials for nomination.“The litmus test for NRM is mem-

ership and we are fully registered

embers in the yellow book and we

have party cards. The rest is meresemantics shrouded in insincerityof some members of CEC [CentralExecutive Committee] who want tocontest in 2016 elections,” Mr Sseki-kubo said.

Sources told Daily Monitor that theMonday CEC meeting resolved thatthe MPs return to the President tofinalise their return ahead of the Fri-day deadline for the nominations.

This decision was verbally commu-nicated to them by the party secre-tary general, Ms Justine Lumumba.

Other sources told this newspaperthat two CEC members [Mr DennisNamara, who is eyeing Mr BarnabasTinkasiimire’s seat and Mr FrancisBabu who wants Mr MuhammadNsereko’s constituency] protested

their return.

When contacted, Mr Babu, the NRMchairman for Kampala, confirmedthat CEC discussed the fate of rebelMPs but denied blocking their returnto the party, citing blackmail.

Without delving into the detailssince CEC proceedings are held be-hind closed doors, Mr Babu said whenthe President tabled the matter be-

fore CEC, members resolved that the

process be followed and the partychairman promised to meet the fourexpelled MPs.

“CEC has 25 people, how can Babuand Namara block their return to theparty?” Mr Babu asked.

“It’s just that there are certain pro-cedures that must be followed and Ihave not been to their negotiationswith the party chairman. Namara andall other members of CEC spoke. ThePresident said they should return butwe resolved that the process must befollowed.”

The standoff came after Ms Lu-mumba on August 20 wrote to theNRM branch chairpersons in thefour constituencies informing themabout the decision of the party to al-low the four expelled MPs to rejoin

the party.

The same land is be-ing claimed by theChurch of Uganda andthe administrators ofthe Mbazira Kitamirikeestate, who say they onlyleased out the land tothe then British colonialgovernment for 99 years.Makerere veterinary col-lege also claims the landwas leased to it by gov-ernment in 2007.

OTHER CLAIMANTS

ecurity. Chief of Defence Forcesthere to assess the situation aer-Shabaab attacked a UPDF base.

KCCA orders buses to vacate disputed Qualicel park

BUS OWNERS IN A FIX

Bus owners said the alternative parkssuggested by KCCA will affect theirbusinesses since there are no people whocan walk up to the suggested parks awayfrom the city centre.

“We met the President and resolvedour differences and the secretarygeneral wrote to us. There is noneed of meeting the President againbecause as a party chairman, he cantake any action for the good of theparty,”

BARNABAS TINKASIIMIRE, BUYAGA EAST MP


6/9

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 20

Daily Monitor www.monitor.co.ugnational Daily Monitor www.monitor.co.ug

BY FARAHANI MUKISA

[email protected]

KAMPALA. Government gave oute Namulonge agricultural re-arch institute land it leased to

roperty mogul Sudhir RupareliaMakerere University’s College

Veterinary Medicine, Animal Re-urces and Bio-Security in 2007,

aily Monitor has established.Documents seen by this news-

aper show that President Musev-ni on July 25, 2007, directed thenducation minister Namirembetamazire to allocate Plot 9, Block8, in Nakyesasa, Namulonge, toe college for upgrading into a re-onal veterinary college.Daily Monitor last week brokestory where the President, in aarch 12 letter, directed Landsinister Daudi Migereko to give

000 acres of the land to Mr Ru-arelia’s company, Premier Roses,r flower growing and fruit pro-ssing.But the same piece of land be-ngs to the National Crops Re-urces Research Institute (NaC-

RI), Namulonge, with the Nationalgricultural Research Organisa-on (NARO) as the custodian.

useveni letter

In the July 25, 2007 letter thatanded over Namulonge to Mak-ere, President Museveni said he

ad had several discussions withe university management andat the latter suggested that theyould upgrade the then FacultyVeterinary Medicine into a re-

onal veterinary college.“Furthermore, the issue of Na-

yesasa Farm to be allocated toe Faculty of Veterinary Medicineas discussed and I agreed that it

hould be allocated to them foraching purpose and research,”

Mr Museveni’s letter read in part.“You should, therefore, liaise

with the Ministry of Agriculture,Animal Industry and Fisheries toeffect this transfer unless there arestrong reasons why that should notbe so,” the letter added.

The college dean, Dr David Ka-basa, when contacted, said he wastravelling and could not comment,referring this reporter to NARO di-rector general Ambrose Agona.

Dr Agona said the land belongsto NARO although it is hostingMakerere projects as per the Presi-dent’s directive.

He said after the transfer of theNakyesasa land to Makerere Uni-versity, a presidential initiative -SPEDA-AFRISA - was establishedin order to establish a regional col-lege of veterinary excellence.

“Currently, we are hosting sev-eral projects managed by the vet-erinary faculty and a number ofprojects aimed at improving qual-ity of animal production,” said DrAgona. Asked what could have

caused the President’s change ofheart to give the same land to MrRuparelia, Minister for PresidencyFrank Tumwebaze said the Presi-dent is not against any develop-ment or research.

Minister speaks out

“President Museveni is a pro-moter of science. His directives arepurely deliberate and policy strate-gic decisions to woo and motivateinvestors, no other motives,” MrTumwebaze said on Monday.

“We have many instances wheresuch directives have yielded good

results; a good example is GardenCity. The President directs min-isters to act within the law and ifthere are local administrative is-sues [misinforming of the Presi-

dent], then those concerned min-isters should sit and harmonisethese matters,” he added.

Education minister Jessica Al-upo declined to comment on thematter, saying she did not have anyinformation.

Meanwhile, the family of thelate Mbaziira Katamirike, whichleased the NaCRRI land to the Brit-ish government in 1945, has saidMr Ruparelia has no business overthe land unless the current lease isterminated or expires, and he ap-plies for it from their family. Therunning lease expires in 2045.

“If government gave Sudhir thisland, then he was given air. This isour land, part of which measur-ing 2,200 acres, was leased to theBritish government for cotton re-search,” Mr Michael Kitamirike, afamily member, said in an inter-view yesterday.

Mr Kitamirike said they wouldseek court redress should govern-ment proceed and lease the land toMr Ruparelia.

Makerere claims Namulonge land Govt askedto name DRClooters

WHAT THEY WANT

Daily Monitor reported last week that talksbetween Uganda and DRC about the disputedreparations for plunder and atrocities committeby top Ugandan government and militaryofficials collapsed aer the two sides failed toovercome hurdles to a final agreement. SolicitoGeneral Francis Atoke told the Public AccountsCommittee last week that talks hit a snag aerthe DRC government demanded $23.5b (abouShs82.8 trillion) for the plunder of its resourcesand compensation for atrocities committed yetUganda had offered $25m (about Shs88.12b) reparations. .

BY YASIIN MUGER

[email protected]

PARLIAMENT. Government was yesterasked to name the perpetrators of atroties and the plunder of natural resourcethe DR Congo, which has now led to a Shstrillion war reparations demand from neighbouring country.

MPs also voiced fears that Uganda cobe “mortgaged” for failure to pay repations for crimes committed in the DR Conby Ugandan troops and other officials.

Rubaga South MP Ken Lukyamuzi aother lawmakers, quoting an August

Daily Monitor story, demanded to knwho was behind the plunder of DRC.

“We would like to know the people wcommitted these atrocities in DRC and hwe are going to pay DRC before our counis mortgaged,” Mr Lukyamuzi said.

He added: “Our country is about tomortgaged and none of us can afford to pShs82.8 trillion because we are one of poorest nations.”

Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah thasked acting Leader of Government Buness Ruth Nankabirwa to explain DR$23.5 billion claim.

“Uganda as a sovereign country hasystem of facing challenges like the oHon Lukyamuzi put on table. This counwill not be mortgaged. We have altertive dispute resolution mechanisms to dwith these matters,” Ms Nankabirwa tthe House.

ontested. Documents show thate same land leased to Sudhir

uparelia was also leased to the

niversity’s college of veterinaryedicine.

A potato garden on the contested National Crops Resources Research Institute land in Namulonge, Wakiso District.PHOTO BY DOMINIC BUKENYA

BACKGROUND

Mr Ruparelia last week told Daily Monitorthat three ministers approved one of hiscompanies’ request to lease the land.


7/9

BY FREDERIC MUSISI

[email protected]

KAMPALA. The Ministry of Landshas moved to cancel the land titlefor 900 acres of Namulonge National

Crops Resources Research Institute,which had been given to city prop-erty mogul Sudhir Ruparelia forflower growing.

The land is part of the 3,300acres owned by the National CropsResources Research Institute, Na-mulonge, an affiliate of the NationalAgricultural Research Organisation(Naro). The statement issued by theministry spokesperson Dennis Obbo,said while President Museveni haddirected them to “consider allocat-ing some of the land” to Mr Sudhir’scompany Premier Roses Limited,the giveaway was expedited by theUganda Land Commission (ULC)without involving other stakehold-ers.

“The allocation to Premier RosesLimited of all the available land atNamulonge field station was in di-rect contradiction to the directive ofthe President, which had clearly laidout three beneficiaries of the land,”the ministry said in the statement.

“There were no negotiations withthe concerned government institu-tions as was guided by the respon-sible minister. There was, therefore,no specific and direct consent to theallocation by either Naro or its par-ent, the Ministry of Agriculture,” theministry further states.

The statement mentions that thePresident had also directed the min-istry to consider giving some landat Namulonge to a Mrs Bagalaliwo,for tomato farming and processing,but to ensure adequate land is leftfor Namulonge institute to continue

with its research programmes.

The ministry said President Mu-seveni’s directives were that all theconsidered allocations should be onlease basis not exceeding 49 yearsto avoid permanently depriving gov-ernment of its land.

“The leases were to be accom-panied by strict covenants, whichwould compel the investors to fulfiltheir part of the agreement, failureof which would lead to the loss of the

leases.Accordingly, the commissioner

Land Registration has given noticeto Premier Roses of the Registry’sintention to have the title issuedover LRV 4542 Folio 4 on KyadondoBlock 158 Plot 651 at Namulongecancelled,” the ministry said in thestatement.

According to media reports, ULCon June 22 this year gave the said

land to Sudhir’s Premier Roses on alease of five years to be extended to99 years, contrary to the President’sdirective.

Mr Obbo said an inter-ministerialcommittee of the stakeholder gov-ernment institutions has been set upto re-negotiate the terms and con-siderations with Naro to enable al-

location to the proposed investoWhile defending the Namulon

land deal in Daily Monitor last weMr Sudhir said he was given the laby three ministers, including Stminister for Agriculture, Lands aminister for Investment, as wellNaro, who gave letters of “no objtion” to the venture.

The Naro director general, Dr Abrose Agona, told this newspaper

Wednesday that they were not volved in the process of allocatthe land to Premier Roses. He saidthe said land at Namulonge is unuse. Naro’s senior management sin a statement that the land allegto be idle hosts several crop reseaprojects supported by World BaMelinda and Gates Foundation athe Japanese Government OversDevelopment Agency.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2015

national Saturday Monitor www.monitor.co.ug

Sudhir loses Namulonge landBY FARAHANI MUKISA

[email protected]

KAMPALA. The Kampala Capitality Authority (KCCA) executiverector has appointed a commit-e to investigate staff for allegedaudulent sale of Nakivubo Settle-

ent Primary School property.Ms Jennifer Musisi set the probe

fter a tip-off from a whistleblowerhat the school had lost most of itsuildings and a large chunk of landt the hands of the unscrupulousenior KCCA staff.

“The KCCA management set upn investigation team to inquireto the management conflicts atakivubo Settlement P/S. In order

o fulfil its [committee’s] mandate,he investigations team seeks to in-

rface with principal actors in thechool to understand the currenthallenges at the school and makeecommendations to KCCA man-gement for appropriate action,”

Ms Musisi wrote to the school man-gement on August 7.

The KCCA spokesperson, Mr Pe-r Kaujju, said the probe followed

everal allegations of fraudulentale of the school’s property.

“There’s an ongoing investigationto mismanagement of schools [inampala] including properties of

he Nakivubo Settlement Primarychool,” Mr Kaujju said yesterday.He, however, declined to give de-

ails about the investigations say-g they were waiting for the probeam to do its work and give its

ndings.

BY RISDEL KASASIRA

[email protected]

KAMPALA. The UPDF Chief of Defenceorces, Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, onhursday flew from Mogadishu to Nairobi

visit Ugandan soldiers wounded in the-Shabaab attack.A statement issued by the Uganda Peo-e’s Defence Forces yesterday said Gen

atumba visited 10 wounded soldiers ataren Hospital where they were admittedith serious injuries.“UPDF is humbled by the brotherly

nd professional care the governmentnd people of Kenya have given to ouroops who get injured in combat sincee started operating under Amison,” theatement quotes Gen Wamala as saying.

Three soldiers are said to be in criticalcondition but others are recuperating.“The injured are in a steady condition

although some are quite critical,” thestatement said.

The al-Shabaab attack on the UPDF basein Janaale, south of Mogadishu on Tues-day, has revived debate on the need to usemilitary helicopters to bolster Amisomoperations against al-Shabaab militants.

“It would be much easier if we had thehelicopters because they are a force multi-plier. We would be performing much bet-ter in terms of surveillance and engagingthe enemy from source,” said Maj HenryObbo, the deputy spokesperson.

Last month, the UPDF spokesperson,Lt Col Paddy Ankunda, said the army wasplanning to deploy attack helicopters inthe Somalia operations.

Public land. Ministry of Lands saysthere was no direct consent to alloca-tion of Namulonge land by Naro orministry of Agriculture.

Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, visits wounded UPDF soldiers at Karen Hospital, NairobKenya on Thursday. PHOTO BY MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

Mr Sudhir Ruparelia.PHOTO BY JOSEPH KIGGUNDU

Katumba visits woundedUPDF soldiers in hospital

KCCA probesstaff overschool land sale

BACKGROUND

rliament recently released a report intole of KCCA schools and recommendedat the Inspector General of Governmentobes KCCA for alleged role in the sale of

abagereka Primary School.


8/9

DAILY MONITOR WWW.MONITOR.CO.UG

UESDAY,SEPTEMBER82015

feature Daily Monitor www.monitor.co.ug

BYFARAHANI MUKISA

[email protected]

bout25kmfrom KampalaistheNational Crop Resource Re-searchInstitute(NaCRRI),Na-nge, that hasbeeninthe newspartofits landbeing leasedtoestor.

mulongeis describedas “Ugan-oodcrop nucleus,”in theagri-ral scientists’circles.

centre, according to the Na-principal research officer, DrAlicaiis“a placewheremostofedsthatUgandanfarmersplantirgardenscomefrom.”Alicai observes that for everynmentagric ultural programmened to benefitfarmersnation-lltheseedvarietiesdeliveredtorsaredevelopedandmultiplied

CRRI.xtypercentoffarmersinUgandaseedsgeneratedandimprovedCRRI,”saysDr Alicai. “Entities

peration WealthCreationand

National Crop Resourceearch Institute isonsible for generatingmproving seeds that are by farmers nationwideetter crop yields. Weed the centre that is innews over part of its landg given to an investorsess its significance toulture in the country.

WorkersinoneofthetrialgardensattheNationalCropResourceResearchInstitute,

Namulonge.PHOTOBY DOMINIC

BUKENYA

Namulonge: The food crop nucleus

thedefunctNaadsscheme,allgettheseedsthattheydistributefromhere.Itis whywecall itthecountry’sfoodcropnucleus,”heelaborates.

Historyof theresearchinstitute

Establishedin1947undertheBrit-ish Protectorate government, theinstitute wasuntil 1972conductingresearch on cotton for the colonialmaster’s empire, benefitting coun-triesinAfricaandIndia.

However,DrAlicaisayswhenPres-identIdiAmin’sregimetookovertheinstitute,theprincipalroleof cottonresearchshiftedto includeresearchinandproductionofanimalpasture.

Sittingon 2,200acresof land,Na-CRRI was among the best pastureproducingcentresbetween1973and1980. However, when the NationalAgriculturalResearch(NAR)Actwaspassedin2005,thecentre’sresearchtaskscompletelychanged.

BetterQualitycrops

According to Dr GadiGumisiriza,the chairmanof NaCRRI’sadvisorycommittee,Uganda beinga predomi-nantlyagriculturalcountry,theinsti-tutehadtoshiftfocustowhathecalls“foodcropsofstrategicimportance”becauseof theirkey roles forfood,employmentandhouseholdincomesinUganda.

“Currently,the institute hascen-tred on research in crops that arepredominantlygrownby themajor-ityof Ugandan farmers. Wemodifysuchseeds toensurethere isvalueadditionfor higheryieldsand betterquality,”observesDr Gumisiriza.

DrAlicaiexplainsthatthese“cropsof strategic importance” includ-ingroottuberssuchas cassavaand

sweetpotatoes,addingthattheyaresoonintroducinga yamresearchpro-grammeduetoitsvalueandrichnessinvitamins.

After developing the seeds, DrAlicai says crops are grown withinthecentretotesttheirviabilitiesbe-forebeingdistributedtofarmers.Henotesthatwith theclimatechangeworldwide, the centre has alreadystarteddevelopingdroughtand dis-easeresistantfoodcrops.

“Asa result,manypeople,and es-peciallyseed companies, come andbuytheseimprovedseeds,takethemformultiplicationand thechain ex-pands to theend farmer in thevil-lages.”

Among other research pro-grammes being housed at NaCRRIislegumes research thatentailsim-provingbeansandsoyaqualitiespluscerealresearchthatcatersformaizeandrice.

Citing an example, Dr Alicai ob-served that Nerica rice, which waspromoted countrywide by formervice president Gilbert Bukenya, isone of the improved rice varietiesthathavebeendevelopedat Namu-longe.

NacRRI has in the recent yearsstarteda programmein horticulturethatincludes exoticvegetablesandfruitssuchas mangoes andpalm oilresearch.

“This research basically aims ataddingvaluetolocalseedsby mar-ryinglocalwithexoticseedvarietiestogetthebest forourlocal farmers,”hesays.

When we visited, workers wereengrossedintheir duties,withsomepickingsoyabeansand otherscarry-ingouttestsin thelaboratories.

TRIAL FARMLANDS

A drive within the researchcentre,showslarge stretches ofresearchtrial farmlandsof man-goes, sweet potatoes, hay, cas-sava and bananas,among otherfoodcrops.

Whereasonecouldthinkthatpartof thecentre’svastexpanseof land is not utilised, RobertKiggundu,theNaCRRIfarmman-ager,explainsotherwise.

“Allthe greencoversthatlookidleactually are animalgrasses,some of which have been im-ported from as far as US andCanadasothatwe improvethemtomeet Uganda’sclimate condi-tions,”he says.

“We have over 500 acres oflandbeing usedfortrialsof theimprovednutrimental pasturere-search,”Mr Kiggunduexplains.

Accordingto CaptKigoziKaw-

eesa,a regularclientat NaCRRIwherehebuysanimalfeeds,whenthe centre started investing inexoticpasturesthattheyinitiallyimported fromKenya andothercountries,itwas arelieftotheirbusiness.

“Thebenefitswe getareobvi-ous. We now directly buy someof the previously expensive nu-tritiouspasturessuch as Lablabpurpureus, Chloris gayana andZeaMays(cornsilage)fromNa-CRRI,whichhassavedusthebur-den of importation,” Capt Kaw-eesasays.

Dr Gumisiriza observes thatthecentrealsogeneratesatleastShs5.9b annually from forageproduction fields. In addition,thereisa proposedhubthatwillprovidesuperiordairy heiferstofarmersata competitiveprice.

Thefarmmanager,MrKiggundu,saysthatwhereassomeofthelandmaylookabandoned,itis actuallybeingutilisedfor pasturetrialfields.

DAILY MWW

TUESDAY,SEP

feature Daily Mwww

of Uganda SUCCEEDINGBy Ethan MusoUtilise freesources ofinformatio

Typically, it’s true that you get wfor. Having said that, it’s also truefree things that are so valuable. Qmuch have you paid for oxygen lasame spirit, whereas typically valtion is for sale (I do sell informatiothere are also other free sources tvaluable. Utilise them.

When you do, you will be accesfor free. You will advance in life atcharge. And people will be watch

ment. What are some of the sourinformation for you to consider?

Coursera.org

This is an online hub that has ocourses from some of the best unthe world. From architecture, comence, mathematics to humanitiesfind it all here. Of course you will access, time and your dedicationhave never heard of the site befoaware of it and have never used ittime to utilise it.

Freeconferencesandworkshops

Literally everyday, there are woconferences taking place near youTake advantage. I know that somment but there are many that arearound. Once you attend, pay atteyou paid a fortune for the opportuing this because some people takfor granted.

YouTubeandGoogle

If you use the two online enginyou can find all sorts of valuable For example, if you are ever stuckcomputer related function or progis a 99.9 per cent chance that soalready recorded a video demonsstep on how to solve the same isslow along and you will be fine. Notechnical professional who will chless the challenge is too complex)

Workmates

One of the most underutilised feducation is learning from colleagLet’s suppose you are working wUsually, you will find they have disets. Information technology, fina

resource and the like. Instead of lthem as merely colleagues, also sabout them as teachers who havforms of specialisation. All you nehumble yourself and ask to be tau

What I usually advise professioin organisations is that if you joinskills, if you are smart, humble enhunger to learn, you can leave thesation with 10 skills. I hope that m

Alright there you have it. Onlineopportunities to learn and expandand skill sets. I’m sure there are vother sources of learning which aam not aware of. This is to triggethink differently. Oh, I have also relibraries and resource centres whquire payment. See, so many oppyou. Utilise them.

MAKING UGANDA A FOOD

BASKET IN THE REGION

WHY NAMULONGE IS IN THE NEWS

Withthe 2012Central IntelligenceAgency (CIA)sta-tisticsputtingUganda’sagriculturallandat71.2 percentandthearable land(activelyunderuse)at only34.3percent,thisisan imagethatscientistsat NaCRRIarefight-ingtoerase.UgandaNationalBureauofStatisticsblamesthislow utilisationof agricultural landon farmerswhoattachlowimportancetoagriculturebecauseofthepoorharvests.

FaroukMulindwa,a commercialfarmerinWakisoDis-trict,saysimprovedcropsvarietiesarehelpingin yield-ingbetterharvests,thanksto NaCRRI.

“Now with climate change hitting hard all over theworld,weare aimingatdevelopingdroughtanddiseaseresistantseedstobenefitourfarmerswhosufferthe endresultsofchangesinclimate,”notesDrAlicai.

With improvement of crop varieties like maize thatwereenhancedat NaCRRI,Ugandahas beenableto postsurplus maize harvests, leading to 60 per cent maizeexports toneighbouringcountriesand earning Uganda$50min 2013,accordingto the2014Bank ofUgandare-port.

Earlierin2012,aUgandaRevenueAuthorityreportin-dicatedthatdevelopmentandpromotionofnewadaptedricevarieties(releasedbytheNaCRRI),hasincreasedriceproduction.Thissignificantlyreducedrice importssav-ingthecountryapproximately$30m.

Othertangiblebenefits ofNaCRRIincludethe battlescientistslaunchedagainstcassavamosaicdiseasethatalmostwipedoutcassavain the1990s,yetthisroottuberisanimportantfoodsecuritycropinUganda.

Recently,DailyMonitor brokethestorythatPresident Musevenihad givenprop-ertymogulSudhirRupareliaalargechunkofland atthe NationalCrop ResourceRe-searchInstitute (NaCRRI),Namulonge, forflowergro wing.

Ina March12 letterto LandsministerDaudi Migereko, the President said hewas giving away part of the institute’slandbecause theinvestorhad expressedwillingness to work with the local com-munity,whichwould benefitthroughthebackwardandforwardlinkages.

MrSudhirleased900acresofthe land

fromgovernmentat a costof Shs440m.Thelease thatrunsfor 99years contraryto45 yearsdirectedby thePresident,alsopermits the investor to use the land toerectcommercialbuildings.

Inhis December 16,2013,letter toMrGabrielAjedra,the StateMinisterforIn-vestment,Mr Sudhirsaidhewouldestab-lisha multi-billionprojectat Namulonge.ItwillincludeaVictoriaUniversitybranchthatwillteachdegreesinhorticultureandfloriculture,in additionto creating 7000newjobs.

MrSudhir sayshe intends toestablish

10 diversifiedprojectsthat willinclude acommercial greenhouse flowerand veg-etableplantationsthatwillbe opentoNa-CRRIstaff.

Heindicatedthat inadditionto flowergrowing,he wouldalsoventureinto fruitgrowingandprocessing.

Heobservesthathisprojectswillfit inwithNaroobjectives.”

Theinvestor’sproposal also indicatesthata research data bankwillbe setupin additionto an internationalstandardprimaryschool forbothNaCRRIandhisplantationstaff.

RESEARCH HUBTheNamulongeinstituteis one

of the six National AgriculturalResearchInstitutes(NARIs)thataremanagedbytheNationalAg-riculturalResearch Organisation(Naro).

Dr Ambrose Agona, the direc-torgeneralNaro,saysthatseveralinternational organisations suchasEuropeanUnion,USAID,JICA,Bill and Melinda Gates Founda-tion have set up projects worthseveralbillions inNaCRRIto aidresearch.

For instance, he notes, thatJICA,aJapanesebasednon-profitorganisationhasestablishedsev-eralresearchprojectsin riceforbothuplandandlowlandareas.

“When Tororo research cen-trewasgivenawayto investors,itsworkwastransferredhere.Itisthereasonyouseethatwearenow constructing (thanks to do-norfunds)as onewayof puttingin moreinvestmentsin livestocknutritionresearchprogrammes,”heobserves.

MrKiggundu,revealedthattheTurkish Corporation and Coor-dinationAgencyhad alreadyap-

proved funding worth $400,000(aboutShs1.4b)fortheabove pur-pose.The projectis beinghostedasa “TurnKey”thatwill seethearea installed with an irrigationfacilitywitha capacityto irrigate500 acres of land under forageproduction.

Headdsthata laboratoryworth$100,000 (aboutShs360m)isbe-ingconstructedto hoststate-of-the-art equipment for livestockhealthand breedinganalysis oper-ations,whichwillcarryoutsemenevaluationandanalysistodevelophighqualitysemenforfarmers.

According to Dr Godfrey Asea,theNaCRRIdirector,theinstitutehostsat least100 studentsdoingresearch for their PhD and Mas-ter’s programmes from both in-ternationaland localuniversitiesannually.

DrGumisirizahintsthatwhereasin 1909 Sir Winston ChurchillcalledUganda“thePearlofAfrica”indecades tocome,Ugandawillalsobecome Africa’s agriculturalresearch hub if only the currentresearch developments are notsubverted.Aworker peelscassavaat Namulonge.Thecentre employsabout

2,000peopledirectlyand indirectly.

A GermanprofessordoingfieldresearchwithoneofhisstudentsatNamulonge.Thecentre supportsagriculturaleducation.


9/9

NOVEMBER 21,

national Saturday Monitwww.monitor.c

BY FARAHANI MUKISA [email protected]

KAMPALA. President Museveni is seek-ing to clear his name of any wrongdoing inthe botched giveaway of the National Ag-ricultural Research Institute, Namulongeland to city tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia.

On September 3, President Museveniasked his personal assistant and privatesecretary, Maj Edith Nakalema to clear hisname by publishing his March 12 letterwhere he endorsed the giveaway of Na-mulonge land but under clear conditionswhich were manipulated by the ministryofficials and portrayed him in bad light.

President Museveni also directed theMinister of Lands Daudi Migereko and theInspector General of Government to pros-ecute the officials involved in the dubiousgiveaway of Namulonge land to Sudhir.He said his instructions in his March 12letter were manipulated by the Lands of-ficials to grant a 99-year lease contrary tohis recommendation for a 49-year lease.

Maj Nakalema said the President’s di-rective was abused by the officials whostrayed from his instructions.

“The President’s directive was misused.It emphasized a 49-year lease but the in-vestor dubiously got 99 years, which wasvery wrong. Besides, the land had beengiven away before the President gave a

directive,” Ms Nakalema told SaturdayMonitor by a telephone on Wednesday.

“Even after the President’s directive,the line officials did everything wrongly,casting the President’s name in a badlight. They gave away a larger chunk ofland than what the President had sug-gested,” she added.

The 900 acres of the Namulonge landwere leased to Sudhir early this year onMr Museveni’s recommendation but itwas later discovered that the Lands of-ficials had manipulated the president’sdirectives to alter lease period in favourof the Premier Roses, a company ownedSudhir under his Ruparelia Group of Com-panies.

Subsequent to the public protest andthe discovery that the land had been du-biously given away, the Lands ministry onSeptember 4 issued a statement cancel-ling the title deeds that had already beengiven to Mr Sudhir’s company.

“I am happy to hear that you werenot involved in those mistakes. My letter

should be followed strictly. Thosshould be cancelled and recast accto my directive,” Mr Museveni wMigereko on September 3.

“Besides, those officials invshould be held accountable. The Itor General of Government (IGG) act on them in addition to your o

ministrative actions,” the Presidether ordered.The IGG spokesperson, Ms Ali M

on Wednesday confirmed receivPresident’s directive and added is being taken as directed.”

Mr Migereko on Wednesday saidalready instructed the ministry’s Pnent Secretary to take appropriateagainst the implicated officials.

“However, I will need to check tto provide the exact number and nathe officials that were affected,” Mereko said in a telephone interview

The minister added that other aofficials work with the ULC. The ULretary Mr Justine Bwogi also conreceiving instructions from his btake action.

“A number of administrative ahave been taken but I can’t discusin the newspapers,” Mr Bwogi sclining to divulge details.

According to Mr Sudhir’s earliement to this newspaper, the stateters of Agriculture and Investmethe Minister for Lands raised “a

jection” to his company Premierproposal to lease 900 acres of thfor National Crops Resources Reinstitute Namulonge (NaCRRI).

IZOSAKMIARHPE YB

[email protected]

KAMPALA. The UgandaNational Roads Authority(UNRA) overpaid a construc-tion company SBI HoldingsShs881m for the Kabale-Kisororoad project, a witness toldthe Commission of Inquiry onThursday.

Documents at the commis-sion of inquiry into allegedmismanagement of UNRA in-dicate that the over paymentresulted from use of prices forcement that was never used.

However, appearing be-fore the probe on Thursday,the managing director of SBIInternational Holdings AGUganda, Mr Yaron Dunsky,said UNRA was trying to im-

pose new indices for cement

and local labour and relocatethe variation of price to re-cover Shs881m.

Asked about the 650 daysin prolonged contract periodduring the road project, MrDunsky testified that 115 days,were for late possession of thesite caused by UNRA whilethe 535 days resulted from in-creased earth works.

According to Mr Dunsky,the contract price for Kabale-Kisoro road increased fromShs147 billion to Shs195 bil-lion because of price variationand escalation of cost causedby additional works.

Mr Dunsky, a civil engineer,was quizzed over several roadprojects, which the companyfailed to execute in variousparts of the country.

The probe chaired by Jus-

tice Catherine Bamugemereireis investigating the legal andcorporate governance struc-tures as well as financial man-agement systems of UNRA.

The commission alsoquizzed the MD of Energo Pro-

jekt, Mr Vladimir Milovanovićover the quality of works onthe Kawempe- Kafu road andKafu – Kiryandongo projects.He insisted the works were ofthe right quality.

Mr Milovanović had beenearlier quizzed for overstay-ing on the road site withoutapproval from the SolicitorGeneral and over the qualityof the road works. He insteadcountered that UNRA hadnot paid his company for theworks done. He did not namethe amount but said it was in

billions.

UNRA probe quizzes contractorover Shs800m excess payment

Mr Yaron Dunsky(R), the managingdirector SBIinternationalholdings sharesa light momentwith his lawyerRaymondNdyagambaki (C)and Mr AndrewKasirye (L), theUNRA probe leadcounsel yesterdayat Imperial RoyaleHotel where hewas quizzed.PHOTO BY

MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI

ABOUT NACRRI

The National

Research AgriculturalInstitute, Namulonge(NaCRRI) is oneof the six nationalagricultural researchinstitutes the NationalAgricultural ResearchOrganisation (Naro).It is mandated toconduct research onlegumes, cassava,

cereals like maize,

rice, horticulture, andpalm oil and sweetpotatoes as well asgenerate knowledgeabout the same crops.

The institute employsmore than 2,000people directly andindirectly.

Museveni wants his name

cleared in Sudhir land sagaThe claim. ThePresident’s privatesecretary says hisdirective was misused.