Cabinet lists recommendations to prevent future fires at Makerere ahead of official investigation report release.

BY IRENE ABALO OTTO

Cabinet sitting at Entebbe on Monday last week ‘noted’ a number of recommendations from a police investigation report on how the fire that gutted Makerere University’s ‘Ivory Tower’ building last year can be prevented in future. The report has not yet been officially released. 

Makerere was first established in 1922 as a technical institute but grew to become one of the best Universities in Africa.

The January 25, 2021 cabinet decisions listed ten recommendations from an investigation report into the September 19, 2020 midnight fire that gutted the iconic main administration building, whose copy Daily Monitor could not obtain by press time.

But Vice Chancellor Prof Barnabas Nawangwe yesterday tweeted; “We have received inquiries from several stakeholders of Makerere University about fundraising for restoration of our iconic main building. The fundraising drive awaits release of the @PoliceUg report on investigations on the cause of the fire which destroyed the building. We will inform all stakeholders immediately the report is released, which we expect will be very soon.”

But cabinet seem to have had some insights on the report and the meeting noted the recommendations from the report including; revamping electrical installations in old Buildings of Makerere University with an increase in annual maintenance budget of the Estates and Works Department to enable the department carry out preventive maintenance on buildings in the University.

“Two electricians with at least an Ordinary Diploma in Electrical Engineering and installations permits should be recruited. A registered Electrical Engineer should be recruited for the Estates and Works Department, at management level. The University should ensure that all Closed Current Television (CCTV) in the buildings are fully functional and monitored in a central surveillance room at all times,” reads part of the recommendation in the cabinet decision.

The Cabinet decision further noted that the Fire Brigade should beef up its capacity to effectively and efficiently respond to fire and have a fire fighting truck permanently stationed at Makerere University.

Makerere University and other Government Institutions are to ensure installation of fire hydrant points for use by the fire brigade and the university should put in place a proper health and safety system as per the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2006.

The Act was also designed to ensure that fires can be prevented before they cause damage.

Section 63 (1) of the Act indicates that; “efficient devices or appliances shall be provided and maintained in every room or place where work is carried on, by which power can promptly be cut off from the transmission machinery in that room or place, where there is eminent danger.”

The Act in section 84 stipulates that; “All electrical apparatus, fittings and conductors shall be sufficient in size and power for the work they are meant for and shall be constructed, installed, protected, worked and maintained to prevent danger, as far as is reasonably practicable.”

Away from the University, the cabinet hinted on approved plans, without giving details, to enhance the capacity of the National Building Review Board to monitor buildings across the country for timely detection of deterioration.

The National Building Review Board is a body corporate established by the Building Control Act, 2013.  Politically, the body reports to and is guided by the Minister of Works and Transport.

 NBRB is mandated to Monitor building developments, ensure that the design and construction of buildings and utilities to which the public is to have access, caters for Persons with Disabilities (PWDS) to ensure that PWDS are able to comfortably make their way into and maneuver within buildings with dignity, independence and safety on an equal basis with others who have no disability; Oversee, inspect and monitor the operations of Building Committees; Hear and determine appeals from persons dissatisfied with the decisions of a Building Committee; and determine the fees to be charged by urban and district Building Committees for approval of plans, issue of building permits and occupation permits.

WHEN MUMMY DOES ALL SHE CAN FOR ME TO HAVE AN EDUCATION.

These are the hands that feed and raise the great men and women of today. They are single mothers battling with school fees, rent, food and all the necessities that their children need. They had no hope in having the fathers of their children take responsibility. For the love of their own blood, they are bracing the scotching sun to have their children join the rest in school on Monday as the new term two begins. How i wish these children knew how hard their mothers work to get them a decent life in future! If you were raised by a single mother and doing well today, remember more than ever that she loved you and sacrificed her whole life to give you the best she could ever give a child. What are we paying them with today?

Apaa parents want better schools for their children

By

Abalo Irene Otto

Communities in Apaa parish in Pabo sub county Amuru district are concerned by the manner in which their area is being neglected in issues of development.

According to the parents in Apaa, ther children have big dreams to attain education but cannot due to the nature of the schoold that exist in the area.

Grace Anek, a mother of three from Coro village in Apaa Parish told Radio Rupiny that they are living in peace in the community. However, her children are not attending the best schooling because the only community school in her area stops in Primary three and she has to transfer her children to town to study with relatives which is inconveniencing to them.

Anek says that her son wants to become a doctor but she worries for the conditions under which her son studies, sitting on bricks in a grass thatched classroom about 5 kilometers from home. She appeals to district officials to construct schools in Apaa where their children can get good education.

“I also want my children to excel in their education but when i look at the distance they have to travel and the classrooms they sit in i get worried. My son seats on bricks and in a grass thatched class with inadequate teachers to guide him.” She says.” How will he then become the doctor he wants to be? The district should put at least some structures and improve on the conditions of these community schools so that our children can study well,” adds Anek.

Okot Atanasio from Goro B is the chairman of the business community in Apaa. He says the people of Apaa, want development of social amenities from the government because they want to forget the past conflicts and move on in peace.

Atanasio asked government to consider the people of Apaa who also want development like other parts of the country, Uganda.

” We no longer want conflict, we want the government of Uganda to know that the people of Apaa also exist and they need development in terms of social amenities to improve our lives.”

Apaa Parish in Amuru district has 24 community schools without any government aided institution of learning.

No cameras, movements allowed at Gulu University 12th Graduation this Saturday.

By

Abalo Irene Otto

Gulu University has given out its strict guidelines on public conduct ahead of their 12^th graduation ceremony on the 14^th January, this Saturday for the smooth running of programs.

In the new guideline, no camera persons are allowed to move and take pictures during the event accept from where one is seated. Only the media are granted permission to move and take pictures.

Mahamud Khalid, the Spokesperson Gulu University says that only three people that is the graduands, and two others will be allowed to access the university with invitation cards since the university is too small to accommodate all those who would wish to be a part of the function.

He warned against violating the guidelines, intoxication and alcohol consumption at the venue saying such people will be handled accordingly.

Cue in…………..Gulu University PRO on guidelines…………..

A total of 1372 graduands are expected to be passed out with various fields of education. 40.7 Percent are females while 57.3 percent are males.

Cue in ………………PRO Gulu university on graduands……………………

More than 3,500 people are expected to attend the graduation ceremony at Gulu University this Saturday.

Transferred police officers advised on delays in executing orders.

By

Abalo Irene Otto

Gulu Police have advised their officers who have been transferred to other duty stations to leave to their new transfers because the transfers took immediate effect on the day it was announced on the 9^th Jan 2017.

About 130 police officers have been transferred to Aswa region while 115 were taken away from the region from other ranks that is Inspectors of police and police Constables.

Aswa region Police Spokesperson Patrick Jimmy Okema Confirmed receiving the massive list of transfers for other ranks saying that it is a normal transfer in the police force and it has come timely before children report back to school next month when the new term for the year opens on the 6^th February.

He urged the transferred police officers to shift to their new postings so that they can prepare to look for schools for their children and avoid delays in their routine work and life.

Cue in ………….Okema on Transfer of police officers……………..

Okema adds that any police officer with a genuine complaint, it can only be handled through the new officer in charge at their new postings.

30 man pressure group formed in Gulu

By

Irene Abalo Otto

Gulu

Civil Society Organizations have formed a 30 man task pressure group
to sensitize and advocate for a change in Gender Based Violence and
Land Wrangles in Gulu district. The Group comprises of NGOs already
working in Gulu district like Gulu Women Economic Development and
Globalisation, GWED-G, Action Aid, representatives from the district,
teachers, health workers among others.

Noreen Nampewo, the program coordinator at Centre for Women In
Governance an NGO advocating for peace and security of Women in the
five districts of Gulu, Dokolo, Bushenyi, Lira and Kasese said the
pressure group is to advocate and localize the national action Plan on
Gender based violence and sensitize the community on the peaceful
mitigation of land conflicts.

Centre for Women in Governance is an advocacy network that is
localizing the 1325 UN resolution on women’s rights to peace and
security that the Uganda ascribes to and has a coalition of 35 Members
including Gulu.

While talking to our reporter from the Gulu district council hall
today, Nampewo says the 30 form the Gulu cluster that is tasked with
reaching the community to advocate on peace and security of women and
link them to the policy makers.

“The silence of the guns in Northern Uganda does not mean that there
is peace. We believe that there are already documents that can be
localized to create peace in our communities that are suffering from
the post war drama and many other issues among them.” Says the CEWIGO
Coordinator.

Olyel Olanya Christine, the newly elected chairperson of the pressure
group said under CEWIGO, their work will be to sensitize the community
and advocate for implementations of policies that address the needs of
the people on the community especially on Gender Based Violence and
Land Wrangles.

“There are organizations already doing this but we want to focus on
specific activities with the community to track progress. We want to
handle Gender based violence from the aspect of school drop outs and
Land wrangles from the aspect of access to and ownership of land.”
Says the chairperson elect.

She says the district has the GBV ordinance that is still before the
attorney General for scrutiny but when the document comes out for
public use, it will be helpful in advocacy.

Betty Joyce Omony, the Chairperson Laroo Local Council Court says that
the formation of the Pressure group will help to reduce cases
conflicts in access and ownership of land and GBV among the community.

In 2000, the United Nations Security Council formally acknowledged
through the creation of Resolution 1325 the changing nature of
warfare, in which civilians are increasingly targeted, and women
continue to be excluded from participation in peace processes. UNSCR
1325 addresses not only the inordinate impact of war on women, but
also the pivotal role women should and do play in conflict management,
conflict resolution, and sustainable peace.

Finance, a hinderance for Gulu district sports team

Gulu district sports office has given two days to schools within the district to remit their annual co curricular funds to support the district team to travel to Rukingirir to participate in the national games.

Aldo Otto, the district sports officer said the games have a budget of 12million shillings to transport and keep the participants during the game.

He adds that the challenge is that they have secured less than half of the money which requires the teachers of schools within the district and well wishers to contribute for the team that is already training from Gulu High School to set off on the 10th July.

The national competitions are slated for 10th till the 17th July in Rukingiri district.

Emmanuel Olara Yagos, the district team manager said they are sending 43 students who are already training at the camp.

Emmanel is optimistic that team will perform well since they are training successfully and the players are of good discipline.

Amuru LCV tips parents on raising children

Micheal Lakony the chairman LCV of Amuru District has called upon parent to raise their children in the fear of God to tame hooliganism and improper behavior in the community.

Lakony was addressing students and the general community who had gathered to witness the graduation of 246 students of the Leadership training institute after finishing a two months training in evangelism from Amuru Centre.

He said for the society to minimize on the injustices around them, children should grow up with a mindset that differentiates between what is right or wrong before God so that the fear of God can discipline them to act responsibly while dealing with others in the community.

The Amuru LCV says that if parents teach their children the right way to go through Christ, leaders would have more time to plan development instead of handling and mitigating issues like land wrangles, domestic violence or theft.

According to Michael Lakony, the Spiritual Food is the beginning of wealth which does not get consumed if properly utilized.

Lucy Akello, Amuru district woman Member of Parliament said the burden of raising a child should not rest on the mothers alone but both parents should show love and care to their children so that they are able to experience good examples from home.

She says as a mother, she understands the demand of parenthood but for the future to have responsible adults; parents should chose training their children to love God and obey what his word says.

Hon. Akello adds that parents should balance between working to make ends meet and spending time with the children so that they have quality time to study their children and be a leaning shoulder where they need support.

The two legislators promised to support activities of faith based organizations like Favor Of God ministries in building the capacity of the locals through training in the way they should go to raise better future leaders both in the church and in the community.

Ugandans need value and attitude to say motto says UNESCO Secretary General.

By
Abalo Irene Otto
Gulu
Uganda Commission for UNESCO in partnership with ministry of Education, Science Technology and Sports and National Environment Management Authority held a dialogue in Gulu recently on development of the Uganda national policy on Education for Sustainable Development, ESD to engage in discussions and generate consensus on the key issues that will inform and guide the national ESD policy.

The dialogue that was held at Pearl Afrique Hotel in Gulu town was in response to the need to establishing the post 2014 agenda for Sustainable Development Goals after the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs.

According to Grace Amito, the programme Coordinator at Uganda Commission for UNESCO, the dialogue was the third in a series of consultative meetings with stake holders to tap into what the people of Uganda want in the national ESD policy and also assess what has been done in decade of MDGs to transform into the SDGs.

Amito says it is important for every Ugandan to contribute to policy making such that implementation is easy because sustainability is about our daily lives that tackle community behavior and cultural values.

Augustine Omare Okurut, the outgoing Secretary General Uganda Commission for UNESCO however say Uganda has to bring an end to making good policies and not implementing them.

“Saying that Ugandans are good at paper work only should stop. Each one of us is accountable to himself or herself. If we are not organized, history is going to judge us correctly.” Commented Omare Okurut.

Omare adds that the Education for Sustainable Development Programme has been with people already although sustainability should start at individual levels to be able to apply what is taught at school in real life situations.

He says Ugandans need to change their attitudes and behavior so that sustainability that includes the environment benefits the future generation.
“Ugandans need value and attitude to say For God and My Country and begin to love our environment while applying what we learn in schools so that the future generation benefits from our being responsible,” the outgoing Secretary General said.

According to Omare, the people of Gulu experienced water shortage early this month because of lack of responsibility to conserve the environment which led to the dry up of Oitino dam from which National Water pumps and supplies the district which is a question of sustainability.

The team is moving across the country to chat a way forward on what should be included in the national ESD policy formulation before it becomes a working document in the country.

ATTIAK TECHNICAL STUDENTS PLEAD GUILTY BEFORE AMURU COURT.

Amuru Resident State Attorney, Ponsiano Okello has postponed the trial of the two students of Attiak Technical School that was supposed to take place today at Amuru Chief Magistrates’ Court for mild damage and assault during a strike that ensued at the institution on the 21st March that forced the school to temporarily shut down their operation.

Labongo Milly, 18 years, the head girl of Atiak Technical School and resident of Gunya Village Okidi Parish in Amuru district together with Ojok Robert a resident of Locor trading Centre Bardege Division, Gulu Municipality and others still at large willfully and unlawfully destroyed property belonging to the institution.

The headmaster of the institution, Mudambo Benson Jackson 53 years also reported being unlawfully assaulted thereby occasioning him actual bodily harm.

The students however pleaded not guilty to charges of assault but guilty to malicious damage.
They are to appear before Amuru Chief Magistrates Court on the 7th April to answer to the charges of damaging school property including; two printers, a laptop, typewriter, windows, office tables, a television set among others.

The students could face up to five years in jail if found guilty since Malicious Damage is contrary to section 335 (1) of the Penal Code Act.

“Any person who wilfully and unlawfully destroys or damages any property commits an offence and is liable, if no other punishment is provided, to imprisonment for five years.”