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Uganda's government is in a legal tussle with 112 landowners who are set to be displaced by the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (Eacop) as low-value payment, absentee landlords and a complex landownership system in some parts of the country delay compensation, causing a headache to the project developers.

Because of this, a Ugandan court will on September 16, 2024, hear a case in which the government has sued 80 people, seeking to evict them from their land in three districts within the Greater Masaka region on the route of the Eacop, whose developers are racing against time to meet the timelines set for the country's first oil exports next year.

This week, two similar cases were also heard featuring landowners in Hoima and Kyankwanzi districts, which are part of the 296km Eacop stretch in Uganda, where at least 32 absentee landowners and others who rejected low-value compensation pose significant delays.

Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa, while addressing the media in Kampala last month, acknowledged the 112 cases 'under consideration for compulsory land acquisition due to issues such as untraceable individuals, landowner disputes, refusal of compensation offers, and lack of legal title.'

Eacop officials told The EastAfrican that the project is entering a critical stage to start laying the pipeline, with early civil works almost complete.

Works on the 12 main camp persons yards (MCPYs) and six pump stations are ongoing, while the coating plant in Tanzania was commissioned in March, and 700km of line pipe has already delivered in Tanzania.

'Early civil works are ongoing in both Uganda and Tanzania,' Ms Nankabirwa said.

'In Uganda, work has been completed at three of the five MCPYs located in Hoima, Kakumiro, and Sembabule districts, while work continues at the MCPYs in Mubende and Kyotera districts.'

Stella Amony, communication lead at Eacop Ltd, the special purpose vehicle that is managing operations of the $5 billion project, said the first consignment of coated pipe 'is to arrive in Uganda this month.'

But the pace of clearing the 1,443km Eacop route has been slower and dispute-ridden on the Uganda side, which is the shorter strict of the corridor, with only 96 percent of project-affected persons (PAPs) in the country having received compensation, compared with 99 percent in Tanzania.

The pipeline corridor spans 2,740 acres across 296km in Uganda, with 3,660 PAPs, while in Tanzania, it covers 10,081 acres across a distance of 1,147km, with 9904 persons eligible for compensation.

As the hearing of these lawsuits seeking to evict the landowners kicks off, some of the affected people who were sued for lacking a legal standing or a representative to process their families' compensation have blamed their woes on NewPlan, the firm that was hired to implement the Eacop resettlement action plan.

Sarah Namatovu, for instance, says her family was sued for lacking a legal representative or letters of administration to the estate after the rightful landowner died, and this required processing of a death certificate, which the resettlement action plan contractor promised to pursue.

'NewPlan came to our home in 2018 and informed us that the death certificate we have was not fit for purpose. This is because the certificate was not issued by the National Identification and Registration Authority,' she explained.

'NewPlan promised to support us to acquire the right death certificate so that we could process letters of administration and get compensation, but they never did. The next thing we heard is that we had been sued because we rejected compensation, yet we did not.'

Activists say the majority of the landowners are women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, who could become homeless if the courts grant the government's prayers to evict the PAPs, with the government to blame for their failure to receive compensation arising from a complex land tenure system in parts of Uganda.

For instance, Peter Arinaitwe, a lawyer who represents some of the affected people in court, explained that government years ago directed the Administrator-General to stop issuing certificates of no objection and letters of administration for estates under Buganda Kingdom.

'The affected estates are those under the Succession Register in Buganda Kingdom. Matters relating to those estates are supposed to be administered by the kingdom,' he said, adding that because of that directive, it has been difficult for some people in Buganda to obtain certificates of no objection from the office of the Administrator-General to process letters of administration.

According to minister Nankabirwa, the government proposes to deposit the landowners' compensation in court, pending the processing of legal documents that would facilitate access to their money.

It is understood that most of the people affected by the Eacop lawsuits fall under this category, and their lawyer argues that even if their compensation is deposited with the court, the families will not access it without letters of administration.

'If affected people cannot access their compensation, yet the Uganda Constitution of 1995 says that government cannot take possession of citizens' property before compensation, then the government will legally and morally have no right to use the land taken from the families without compensation,' said Dickens Kamugisha, CEO of the Africa Institute for Energy Governance.

The post Uganda sues to evict landowners standing in way of regional pipeline appeared first on The Custom Reports.

Source : https://thecustomreports.com/uganda-sues-to-evict-landowners-standing-in-way-of-regional-pipeline/

The Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), the party led by President Félix Tshisekedi, has been in power in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), but it now faces internal turmoil.

The bone of contention threatening to distract the President in efforts to stabilise the ship is the person of secretary-general Augustin Kabuya, whom some cadres and activists want to step down to pave the way for others to 'reorganise the party.'

A political crisis has been brewing for months and has now come to light.

It began in January 2019, when Tshisekedi, the party's chairman at the time, was required to hand over the reins when he became President of the country. Jean-Marc Kabund and Kabuya were mandated to occupy, on an interim basis, the posts of chairman and secretary-general respectively.

Over time, Kabund became an opponent of the Tshisekedi region and was imprisoned, while Kabuya remained on board, with deference only to the President, who can no longer make official decisions of the party.

But Kabuya, the de facto boss, is more often than not deflecting attacks by some of his comrades, who have chosen Deogratias Bizibu to replace him.

The party 'rebels' accuse him of nepotism and mismanagement, and now the two camps are battling for control of the party.

It was Eteni Longondo, a party executive and member of parliament, who took the lead in demanding a congress to reorganise the party.

 

he war in the party is so vicious that even President Tshisekedi is struggling to bring calm. In public, the head of State hails it as 'democratic vitality of the party,' but in private, he has tried — so far in vain — to calm the opposing sides.

But he has vowed to retain Kabuya, the man he trusts. Observers say Kabuya owes his retention in office solely to this backing of the President.

The President's mother, Marthe Kasalu, has had to step in to push for a truce as Bizibu's camp planned to forcibly take possession of the party headquarters.

Since the death of the President's father Etienne Tshisekedi on February 1, 2017, the matriarch has become the most respected figure in the party. The highly influential 'Maman Marthe' and the President have succeeded in temporarily keeping the party from imploding.

UDPS was founded in 1982 and is emblematic of the fight against the dreaded former president Mobutu Sese Seko and the Kabilas, Laurent-Désiré and Joseph.

2028 elections

Maman Marthe has persuaded the two factions' leaders to make peace, the common objective being to retain power.

Mr Kabuya has also addressed his opponents as 'my brothers.'

'Let's keep power first,' Mr Kabuya said.

The heirs of Etienne, a former opposition chief, fear the possibility of losing power in 2028, when the next general election is expected.

The electoral battle in four years' time will be a major issue. Behind the scenes, preparations for the 2028 elections are already underway.

Under the constitution, President Tshisekedi should not stand again. He is serving his second and last term. But the UDPS wants to keep power.

'I want the party to work as it should so that in 2028, we elect more than 300 MPs (a comfortable parliamentary majority). I say to all the fighters (UDPS members) that we must carry out reforms, otherwise we'll be crying in 2028 if things go on like this,' said Eteni Longondo, a former Health minister.

While no one in the UDPS dares to talk about the presidential election and Tshisekedi's succession, everyone is thinking about it.

President Tshisekedi himself has made statements that have hinted a possible review of the constitution. In May this year, while in Paris, the head of State was questioned by the public on the subject.

'Don't make me out to be a dictator,' he replied. 'This is not a matter for me alone, but rather for the people through their representatives in the National Assembly.'

Two days later, while in Brussels addressing Congolese diaspora, the President broached the subject and went further to state that he was going to launch a law review.

'I will set up a commission to think calmly about how to give ourselves a constitution worthy of our country,' he said.

The post The war in DRC President Felix Tshisekedi's party appeared first on The Custom Reports.

Source : https://thecustomreports.com/the-war-in-drc-president-felix-tshisekedis-party/

Source : https://en.igihe.com/business/article/unhcr-announces-upcoming-business-forum

Source : https://en.igihe.com/politics-48/article/kagame-calls-for-collective-effort-as-nsengimana-takes-office-as-education

Amb. Nduhungirehe made these remarks during the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China, held at Kigali Convention Centre on September 12, 2024. The event, organized by the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda, drew diplomats, government officials, members of the Chinese community in Rwanda, and friends of China.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1971, Rwanda and China have forged a strong relationship grounded in mutual respect and a shared vision for development. In recent years, this bond has grown through increased partnerships and political understanding.

Rwanda firmly upholds the One-China principle, while China has consistently supported Rwanda’s national unity and efforts to combat Genocide denial and hate speech.

China’s investments in Rwanda, which exceed $1.2 billion since 2019, span critical sectors like manufacturing, construction, real estate, and mining.

Notably, the upgrade of Masaka District Hospital to an 837-bed facility, which will form part of the Kigali University Teaching Hospital (CHUK), is one of many infrastructure projects demonstrating China’s significant contributions. The two nations also saw a bilateral trade volume of $550 million in 2023, with China’s imports from Rwanda increasing by 86.2% from last year.

Rwanda’s cooperation with China is further strengthened through platforms like the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and the Joint Economic, Technical, and Trade Committee (JETTCO).

China is also engaged in key sectors such as agriculture, education, ICT, and infrastructure, significantly contributing to Rwanda’s social and economic transformation. A prime example is the Juncao mushroom cultivation program, which has benefitted 35,000 Rwandan farmers.

In light of this, Amb. Nduhungirehe expressed Rwanda’s deep appreciation for China’s contributions, stating, “Rwanda views China as an important and reliable partner that has significantly contributed to our socio-economic development. This collaboration has been particularly impactful in priority sectors such as infrastructure, health, energy, and education, aligning with our shared vision of mutual growth and prosperity.”

Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda, Wang Xuekun welcomed growing relations between both countries underscoring that this year holds great significance.

He was referring to recent engagements where President Paul Kagame attended the 2024 Beijing Summit of Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), and co-chaired the high-level meeting on state governance.

Kagame met with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping and elevated bilateral relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, an important milestone in bilateral relations.

Besides, more close friendship ties have been cemented. Notably, this year, the City of Jinhua of Zhejiang Province, and the District of Musanze, became sister cities, the first ever pair of sister cities between the two countries.

'China-Rwanda relations are now at the best in history. Let’s work together to implement the important consensus reached by leaders of the two countries,' he stated.

Amb. Xuekun emphasized the need to work together to advance cooperation in various fields, and inject new momentum into the comprehensive strategic partnership to create more benefits for the two peoples.

China’s development: A model of growth and global impact

Reflecting on China’s achievements over the past 75 years, Amb. Xuekun highlighted how the country has transformed from a society facing shortages of food and clothing into a global economic powerhouse under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

In 2023, China’s GDP reached $17.9 trillion, a 223-fold increase from 1952, with an average annual growth rate of 7.9% over the past 70 years. The per capita GDP rose from $194 in 1980 to $12,700 in 2023, almost matching the global average.

Over the past 75 years, China also made significant strides in improving the quality of life for its citizens. About 100 million of the Chinese population was lifted out of poverty in the past decade. Absolute poverty has been eradicated in China.

The average life expectancy increased from 35 years in 1949 to 78.6 years in 2023. With the world’s largest social security system in place, the Chinese people are enjoying a great sense of gain, happiness, and security.

According to Amb. Xuekun, China has spared no efforts in promoting ecological civilization.
In 2023, China ranked first in the global scale of renewable energy, with more than half of the world’s newly installed capacity.

For 9 consecutive years, China has produced and sold the most new-energy vehicles in the world, accounting for 60% of the world’s total in 2023.

China is now among the world’s top countries in terms of trade, manufacturing, commodity consumption and others. It has contributed more than 30% to world annual economic growth in the past decade, remaining as a robust engine of the world economy.

Among others, China has consistently pursued an independent foreign policy of peace, and adhered to the path of peaceful development. The country also established diplomatic relations with 183 countries in the world.

'Looking back on the history in the past 75 years, we are deeply proud of what we have achieved. And we are determined to achieve more,' noted Amb. Xuekun, underscoring the country’s commitment to world peace and development, and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Minister Nduhungirehe and Amb. Wang Xuekun also interacted with other participants of the event.

The Dragon is the fifth animal sign in the Chinese zodiac cycle.

The event also featured an exhibition showcasing China’s development journey and key moments reflecting bilateral ties with Rwanda.

Amb. Wang Xuekun welcoming Minister Nduhungirehe at the celebration of the 75th Annoversary of teh Founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Defence Attachés in Rwanda also attended the event.

Amb. Wang Xuekun welcomed dignitaries and other participants of the event.

It was glamor as Chinese Embassy hosted a reception to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Amb. Wang Xuekun and Minister Nduhungirehe following performances at the event.

Minister Nduhungirehe delibering remarks at the celebration.

Amb. Xuekun highlighted that China has spared no efforts in promoting ecological civilization.

With growing bilaterla ties, Chinese martial arts has gained popularity among Rwandans.

Rwandans performed Chinese martial arts at the event.

Amb. Xuekun highlighted that China has spared no efforts in promoting ecological civilization.

Minister Nduhungirehe delibering remarks at the celebration.

Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda, Wang Xuekun welcomed growing relations between both countries underscoring that this year holds great significance.

The ceremony took place at Kigali Convention Centre.

Chnese Ambassador to Rwanda, Wang Xuekun welcoming the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe.

Young Rwandans performing dragon dance at the celebration. In the Chinese culture, the dragon represents good luck, strength and health.

Minister Nduhungirehe with Ambassador Wang’s family in a group photo at the event’s venue.

It was an opportune moment for photos of souvenirs to participants of the event.

Rwanda and China have been enjoying cordial diplomatic relations established since 1971.

Chinese Ambassador Wang Xuekun visiting the exhibition featuring key aspects of bilateral ties between Rwanda and China.

Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rwanda-praises-china-s-role-in-socio-economic-transformation

In a notice on Friday, September 13, 2024, the police said the auction will take place in Gatsata, in Kigali, from October 8 to October 10, 2024,

“The auction will take place publicly where the vehicles are parked, in Gatsata. Viewing of the vehicles will begin on September 16 and end on October 3, 2024,” the notice reads, adding, “The law stipulates that a vehicle held for over a month in police parking can be auctioned.”

All individuals whose vehicles have been seized have been urged to promptly visit the location where the vehicles are parked to resolve pending issues that led to the seizure of their vehicles before they are auctioned.

Some of the reasons a vehicle may be impounded include the lack of an inspection certificate, traffic offenses such as speeding, reckless driving, and unpaid fines, among others.

Public transport vehicles and trucks are subjected to mechanical inspection every six months.

The vehicle roadworthiness inspection tests the shock absorbers, brakes (including the handbrake), axle play detection, wheel alignment and vehicle geometry, steering system, headlights, and a visual inspection of the vehicle’s body condition, among other aspects. It also tests fuel emissions to combat greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change.

Some of the reasons a vehicle may be impounded include the lack of an inspection certificate, traffic offenses such as speeding, reckless driving, and unpaid fines, among others.

Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rwanda-police-announce-public-auction-of-seized-vehicles

Security sources and eyewitnesses confirmed to the media house that these individuals held several meetings with members of the Burundi National Defense Force (FDNB) in the provinces of Cibitoke and Kayanza, regions known to have sheltered FLN elements for several years.

Participants in these meetings included Lieutenant General Hamada Habimana, commander-in-chief of the FLN rebels, as well as Major General Pacifique Ntawunguka, military leader of the FDLR.

The presence of Brigadier General Antoine Hakizimana, better known as Jeva, and Colonel Honoré Hategekimana, alias Théophile, who claims to lead the armed branch of the FLN, was also reported.

According to SOS Media, these meetings took place in places such as the Green Village Iwacu Hotel in Bukinanyana, which belongs to Prime Minister Gervais Ndirakobuca, as well as the Mwarangabo Hotel in Cibitoke, owned by police colonel Jérôme Ntibibogora, frequently implicated in cases of abuse and assassinations of opponents.

According to SOS Media, these meetings were conducted on August 29 and 30, and on September 3. They illustrate close and potentially alarming coordination between the Burundian authorities and these armed groups hostile to the Rwandan government.

A view of Buleusa – a village in the North Kivu region – early in the morning. Members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FLDR) have been found here.

Source : https://en.igihe.com/politics-48/article/inside-secret-meetings-between-senior-burundian-officials-and-rwandan-rebel

The Kremlin is attempting to present Britain at the front of the 'anti-Russia campaign', a Russia specialist says, after Moscow withdrew the accreditation of six British diplomats.

Professor Mark Galeotti, an expert on modern Russia at the Rusi think tank, told me the move reflects that Russia is particularly annoyed with Britain, which, along with the US, is seen as leading military support for Ukraine.

It's bad news, he says, because the British embassy in Moscow is already 'pared to the bone', and the UK needs to maintain its diplomatic connections with the country.

Prof Galeotti adds that Vladimir Putin appears more reckless than his Soviet Union predecessors: 'They would occasionally expel diplomats believed to be spies or for political reasons, but they understood that it was important to have robust diplomatic connects.'

'Putin has gone further and it is alarming,' he says.

From the tone of President Putin's latest remarks, it's clear he considers that the targeting of internationally recognised Russian territory with Western missile systems would take the conflict to a new level. What he didn't make clear is how Moscow would respond.

'We will take corresponding decisions based on the threats to us that will be created,' Putin said.

On Friday, Russia withdrew the accreditation of six British diplomats, accusing them of 'subversive activities' and threatening Russia's security. But Putin's potential response is much broader.

He offered some clues back in June. At a meeting with the heads of international news agencies, he was asked: how would Russia react if Ukraine was given the opportunity to hit targets on Russian territory with weapons supplied by Europe?

'First, we will, of course, improve our air defence systems. We will be destroying their missiles,' President Putin replied.

'Second, we believe that if someone is thinking it is possible to supply such weapons to a war zone to strike our territory and create problems for us, why can't we supply our weapons of the same class to those regions around the world where they will target sensitive facilities of the countries that are doing this to Russia?'

In other words, arming Western adversaries to strike Western targets abroad is something that Moscow has been considering.

The post Moscow accuses British diplomats of spying after Putin says using western weapons in Russia would mean war with Nato appeared first on The Custom Reports.

Source : https://thecustomreports.com/moscow-accuses-british-diplomats-of-spying-after-putin-says-using-western-weapons-in-russia-would-mean-war-with-nato/

The monument was installed in the north garden area at the UN offices on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, coinciding with the 79th session of the UN General Assembly which opened on Tuesday.

Mellisa Fleming, Under-Secretary-General of Global Communications at the UN, termed the installation of the monument as a permanent tribute to more than one million people who were systematically killed during the 100 days of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

“The Kwibuka Flame of Hope will burn forever as a visual reminder for the international community and all visitors coming here to the United Nations on the need to speak out and say no to hate,” Fleming stated.

'It serves as a solemn reminder of the responsibility that we, as diplomats and representatives of the international community, bear in preventing atrocities. The flame urges us to act when confronted with the early warning signs of mass violence, to ensure that the lessons of Rwanda are not forgotten.'

The monument was installed in the north garden area at the UN offices on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, coinciding with the 79th session of the UN General Assembly which opened on Tuesday.

The Genocide followed years of misinformation, disinformation and hate speech exacerbating ethnic tensions between the Hutu and Tutsi communities in Rwanda.

The international community is blamed for its inaction to stop the Genocide which left many more victims injured and raped.

Rwanda’s Permanent Mission to the UN said the Kwibuka Flame of Hope monument 'serves as a powerful reminder of the shared responsibility to prevent such a tragedy from ever occurring again.”

The inscription on the statue “The 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda Remember — Unite — Renew” emphasizes the importance of remembering, uniting, and rebuilding as a nation to ensure a peaceful and prosperous future for all Rwandans, while honouring the memory of those lost.

Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/kwibuka-flame-of-hope-monument-erected-at-un-headquarters

The Philippines detected a new case of the mpox virus, marking the country's first reported infection since December 2023. The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed this on Monday, August 19.

The patient is a 33-year-old Filipino male with no recent travel history outside the country. Health officials are currently awaiting sequencing results to identify the strain of the virus.

The detection of the new case comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global public health emergency, its highest level of alert, following an outbreak in DR Congo that spread to neighboring countries.

A new, easily transmissible form of the virus has raised global concerns due to its rapid spread through routine close contact.

The Philippines' latest case is the 10th laboratory-confirmed mpox infection since the country first reported the virus in July 2022.

According to the DOH, the patient's symptoms began over a week ago with a fever, followed four days later by a distinct rash appearing on the face, back, nape, trunk, groin, as well as the palms and soles.

Mpox, caused by the monkeypox virus, typically results in flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. While generally mild, the disease can be severe or even fatal in certain people, including children, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those living with HIV.

According to WHO, mpox can affect anyone and it spreads through direct contact with an infected person or animal, contaminated materials, or respiratory droplets.

Experts advise that taking preventive measures such as getting vaccinated, decreasing human contact with infected animals, and limiting person-to-person spread are the first steps towards minimising the spread of mpox.

The global spread of the virus has triggered widespread vigilance, with cases of the new variant being reported outside Africa.

On Thursday, August 15, Sweden confirmed its first case linked to the growing outbreak in Africa, while Pakistan reported at least one mpox infection on August 16, in a patient returning from a Gulf country, though the strain of the virus remains unidentified.

In Rwanda, the Ministry of Health reported a total of four confirmed cases of mpox in the country on August 16, since July 27 all of which are connected to recent international travel. Of the four cases, two have recovered and were discharged, it is noted.

As the situation evolves, health authorities worldwide are on high alert, urging the public to remain vigilant and adhere to preventive measures to curb the spread of the virus.

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Source : https://thecustomreports.com/philippines-reports-new-mpox-case-after-eight-month-break/