President Yoweri Museveni has pledged to take decisive action against exploitative money lenders who prey on desperate and uninformed citizens.
He announced that his government would pursue the enactment of a law to combat these unethical practices.
Targeting Exploitative Practices
During the Southern and Eastern Africa Chief Justices Forum conference at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala on October 1, President Museveni criticized money lenders for exploiting rural villagers.
He stated, “Money lenders are becoming a problem. They go to our villagers [and] cheat them.”
The President provided an example of how cunning money lenders take advantage of people’s ignorance, highlighting the disparity between inflation rates and the exorbitant interest rates charged by lenders.
Unfair Interest Rates
“Inflation rate in Uganda is very low. It is only three percent… even lower, but you find people charging 240 percent, in an economy where the inflation rate is only two percent. Why do you do that?” President Museveni questioned.
Hidden Contracts and Deceptive Practices
He further explained how money lenders conceal lending agreements as purchase contracts, making it harder for the borrower to understand the deal.
“An illiterate villager might sign a document thinking they are borrowing money, but the contract states that they are selling their house. This is clearly taking advantage of their ignorance,” Museveni noted.
Previous Warnings Against Money Lenders
This isn’t the first time President Museveni has addressed the issue of exploitative money lenders.
In past speeches, he has consistently criticized them for charging exorbitant interest rates and warned that their actions are stifling Uganda’s economic growth.
Forum for Chief Justices: Addressing Broader Justice Issues
Regional Justice Challenges
Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo addressed the common justice-related challenges faced across African countries.
These included poor court infrastructure, delayed adjudication, poverty, corruption, and a lack of technological resources, among others.
“We face geographical barriers, socio-economic challenges, and gender chauvinism in delivering justice,” Justice Owiny-Dollo explained. He expressed hope that the conference would generate practical solutions to improve justice delivery in the region.
Learning from One Another
The Chief Justice emphasized the importance of collaboration among judiciaries to enhance justice systems.
“This forum reminds us of the responsibility to learn from each other and to adjust our mindsets when necessary,” he added.
Focus on Judicial Reforms
Justice Chibita’s Call for Immediate Action
Supreme Court Justice Mike Chibita reflected on the theme of the conference, “Enhanced access to justice: Underscoring reforms in African judiciaries.” He pointed out that challenges in justice are not confined to Africa but are global in nature, driven by factors like technological advancement, population growth, and urbanization.
“Judicial leaders must champion these reforms to ensure justice systems evolve,” Chibita urged, calling for collective action and sharing of best practices to drive transformation.
Financial Support for African Judiciaries
Appeal for Better Resources
The Chief Justice of Eswatini, Bheki Maphalala, made a strong appeal for African governments to provide adequate financial resources to their judiciaries.
He stressed that many judicial officers across the continent suffer from poor pay and inadequate working conditions, hindering the administration of justice.
“If justice and the rule of law are to be realized, our judiciaries need more financial support,” Maphalala stated.
The Southern and Eastern Africa Chief Justices Forum, bringing together leaders from more than 15 countries, will continue until October 4, where further discussions on improving access to justice and judicial reforms will take place.
https://theinsider.ug/index.php/2024/10/02/president-museveni-vows-to-crack-down-on-money-lenders/
Luis Diaz was fouled in Liverpool clash. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
Liverpool were 1-0 winners over Girona in the Champions League on Tuesday night and former Reds star Steve McManaman feels his old club got a little lucky. The Merseyside club arrived into the clash in Spain having won all five of their Champions League matches and Arne Slot’s men kept up their 100 per cent record with the victory.Girona caused Liverpool a lot of problems in the first half and the Reds boss can thank his goalkeeper Alisson Becker for keeping the home side out. The Merseyside outfit were much better in the second 45 minutes and it was during this half that the biggest talking point of the game emerged.Donny van de Beek would commit a clumsy challenge on Luis Diaz – who has recently been linked with a move away from Anfield – in the Girona box when the Dutch midfielder barely stepped on the winger’s heel.The referee viewed the coming together as a foul after being sent to the VAR monitor, resulting in Mohamed Salah converting the spot-kick.The incident sparked a lot of debate on social media and former Liverpool star Steve McManaman felt his old club were lucky to get the decision.
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Steve McManaman on the Liverpool penalty incident
Liverpool star Luis Diaz earned Liverpool a penalty. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)Speaking after the match, McManaman stated that he thought the penalty was harsh and compared it to the unpunished fouls that often happen during corners and free-kicks.“You expect the midfielders to go to close down and if you stand on an inch of his heel, it is very unfortunate,” the pundit said on TNT Sports. “With all respect, it is a contact game. We see a lot more contact at corners and free-kicks that go unmentioned so I don’t think it was a penalty regardless of the result.”
“He’s given the referee an opportunity to make a decision or VAR to get involved” ?@rioferdy5 and Steve McManaman give their verdict on Liverpool’s penalty ?
? @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/wwH4emYXiI
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 10, 2024Liverpool will feel fortunate that they were awarded the penalty but Van de Beek gave the referee a decision to make after making the clumsy foul in their own box.Slot’s men were not at their best in Spain but as seen several times this season, the Reds found a way to come away from the match with all three points. https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/12/10/liverpool-champions-league-tnt/
When it comes to home theater sound, one of the best brands to go with is Samsung. Over the last several years, Samsung surround sound systems and soundbars have done a phenomenal job at enhancing movie nights, which is why we’re always on the lookout for Samsung soundbar deals. As luck would have it, we came across a great one earlier today:
Right now, when you purchase the Samsung 3.1ch HW-Q6CC Soundbar, you’ll only pay $200. At full price, this model sells for $380.
Why you should buy the Samsung 3.1ch HW-Q6CC Soundbar
The HW-Q6CC is a Dolby Atmos soundbar, which means it can virtualize a full Atmos speaker configuration. Expect immersive audio, regardless of where you choose to sit or stand, plus a nice balance of highs, mids, and lows. And if you ever decide to relocate the soundbar to another room, Samsung’s Adaptive Sound Lite tech will automatically recalibrate the HW-Q6CC to the new space you place it in. Connectivity couldn’t be more effortless either: Thanks to HDMI eARC, you only have to worry about one wire going to your TV.
Far more than a home theater system, you’ll also be able to use the HW-Q6CC to stream music from a phone or tablet using Bluetooth. Pair two devices simultaneously and enjoy fast playback with Samsung’s Tap Sound feature, which lets you start playing a song from your phone through the Samsung soundbar just by tapping one device to the other.
While it’s hard to say how long this markdown is going to last, Samsung deals like this one have gone pretty quickly in the past. That being said, today might be the best day to save. Take $180 off the Samsung 3.1ch HW-Q6CC Soundbar when you purchase at Walmart, and be sure to check out our list of the best Walmart deals for even more holiday discounts!
https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/samsung-hw-q6cc-soundbar-deal-walmart-december-2024/
The case in which two city lawyers are accused of forgery has taken a new twist after a prominent law firm has been implicated for alleged convenience in misleading court.
In the letter dated December 3, 2024 to the Inspector of Courts, pastor Daniel Walugembe has accused the lawyers, Robert Ssenfuka and Umar Nyanzi of SK and Partners Advocates of colluding with their colleagues at H&G Advocates to commit the alleged crimes.
Through his lawyers, Walugembe states that there is coordinated convenience between H&G Advocates and SK and Partners Advocates whose sole intention is to mislead and bias court against him which is very unfortunate and regrettable.
“Your worship, it is evident that in the letter written by H&G Advocates dated 23rd December 2021, requested for certified copies of proceedings, plaint, affidavit of service, and written statement of defense, consent judgment and decree in Civil Suit No. 699of 2017. Indeed in the letter dated 9th December 2022,” reads the petition adding that Natukunda Jeneva the Deputy Registrar certified the same documents.
According to the petition seeking for the intervention of the judiciary authorities into the matter, Walugembe insists that nowhere the registrar “gave any agreement to H&G advocates which they purportedly passed on to SK and Partners who are their conduits.”
Petition indicates that H&G Advocates is the law firm that represents Makerere University in the case litigated with Walugembe before the Land Division of the High Court; “But at no single point has H&G ever brought this purported sale agreement to disapprove or show inconsistent in his claim.”
The petition copied to the Chief Justice and other lawyers, the lawyers; Ssenfuka and Nyanzi are accused of concocting information and documents with a view of misleading court.
Through his lawyers of Alma Associated Advocates, Walugembe accused the lawyers of misleading court in the sworn statements to the principal judge that their client, Dr Ntwatwa Lule has never been party to earlier cases before the High Court.
“On that basis alone, it is our considered view that a person who can advise his client to lie on oath cannot be trusted at all. To demonstrate to you the perpetual lies of the accused persons in the affidavit they drafted for their client, drawn by SK and Partners Advocates, they advised their client to lie that he has never been party to application number 434 of 2019,” reads the complaint.
The petition copied to the chief justice, judicial authorities and lawyers was in response to complaints challenging the private prosecution of the lawyers Ssenfuka and Nyanzi.
Ssenfuka and Nyanzi both attached to SK & Partners Advocates are accused of fraud in regard to alleged forgery of agreements for Kibanja in Katanga near Wandegeya.
Last week, the Magistrates Court at Buganda Road, Jalia Basajjabalaba issued criminal summons against Ssenfuka and Nyanzi to answer accusations of forgery and uttering false
The duo is expected to appear in court on December 17, 2024 for plea taking and also for hearing formal application in which they are challenging the legality of the charges.
See also President Museveni’s Wealth Creation Message Transforms Lives in Gomba
It is alleged that the lawyers Ssenfuka and Nyanzi attached to SK & Partners Advocates while acting for and on behalf of their client, Dr Ntwatwa Lule committed criminal acts.
Court documents indicate that the accused lawyers are alleged to have committed forgery, uttering false documents and conspired to commit a felony when knowingly and unlawfully altered sales agreements dated February 9, 1996 and August 13, 1996 respectively.
H&G Advocates Accused of Forgery as Court Documents in Walugembe Case Face Scrutiny