Public uproar as gov’t plans to bail out private vaccine factory with shs578bn
A section of members of the public have questioned the rationale behind government injecting shs578bn as bail out Dei Pharmaceuticals, a vaccines factory in Matugga, Wakiso district.Documents presented by the Ministry of Finance on April, 19 to Parliament for a shs1 trillion supplementary budget, shs578 billion of which will go towards the private factory.“Shs 578.4 billion will be allocated to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation to support strategic pharmaceutical industrial investment under DEl Bio pharma. This funding aims to facilitate the completion of the business-production cycle, ensuring the company meets its debt obligations and operational requirements,” State Minister for Finance in charge of Planning, Amos Lugoloobi told parliament.However, sections of the public have questioned the move, saying it makes no sense for government to channel this amount of money for the private factory.“Why should the taxpayer carry investment costs of a private firm,” a social media user who identified himself as Son of Wesley said on X.One Sam Okwalinga said sometime back, Mathias Magoola, the head of Dei Pharmaceuticals had been paraded as one who was going to manufacture Covid vaccines and funded to a tune of $15.1 million for the project but this never came to pass.“Do we really need to spend shs578 billion on this businessman? Do we have a plan in place to address potential risks with this so-called investor? This comes when the saga of the specialised hospital is still fresh in everyone’s minds?” one Moses Mera asked.Many social media users insisted that giving such a huge amount of public funds to the private investor makes no sense.Last year, the facility was put up for sale over failure to pay debts.“We have been duly instructed by our client, a financial institution which is the registered mortgagee to advertise and sale by public auction to recover the outstanding loan balance, our fees and other costs. The owner/ owners are hereby notified that unless full payment to our client is effected within 30 days from the date of this advert, the property shall be disposed of to recover our client’s money,” a notice from Kaweesi and Partners Advocates dated September, 14, 2023 read in part.The notice for sale of the facility was put up for sale only two months after Museveni commissioned it on December 15, 2022.Parliament last year committed shs70billion in this financial year’s budget to Dei Pharma Limited for the factory after he told the August House’s budget committee that he needed $1 billion( approximately 3.7 trillion).This came after the proprietor, Mathias Magoola told government he had borrowed $100 million (nearly Shs 400 billion) from Equity Bank Kenya to fund the construction of the Dei BioPharma factory in Matugga.He however said he encountered financial hurdles, prompting a plea for government intervention.Parliament accepted to bail him out but this came amidst protests from opposition legislators led by Muwanga Kivumbi and Ssemujju Nganda who warned government that it was being fleeced.“We submit that the consolidated fund shouldn’t be used as a lender to all non-bankable idea. If those projects are feasible, and worth supporting, there are many ways through which the government can support them. For instance, that money should be channeled through the Uganda Development Bank or Government can acquire shares in those ventures,” Muwanga said then.Many are questioning why government is bailing Magoola out even after he failed to utilize the loan acquired from Equity Bank Kenya. https://www.ugbulletin.co.ug/public-uproar-as-govt-plans-to-bail-out-private-vaccine-factory-with-shs578bn/
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Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi has accused Ugandan security forces of using excessive force to disrupt a planned NUP gathering. The allegations were detailed in a statement shared on Twitter, following an event held to honor children of NUP supporters who were killed, disappeared, or detained for their political beliefs.
According to Kyagulanyi, security personnel, under the command of an officer identified as Asiimwe, carried out a preemptive operation early in the morning upon learning of the NUP’s plans. The forces allegedly stormed the premises, arrested workers, and deployed tear gas to disperse those present.
“The criminals under the command of one Asiimwe deployed early morning, arrested our workers, and threw tear gas into our premises. They’ve cordoned off the premises and blocked all people from accessing the place,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
Among those reportedly arrested were Saava Peter, Mudenya Samson, and Turyasingura Samson. Kyagulanyi claimed the detained workers were subjected to beatings and interrogated about their political affiliations, with security operatives labeling them as terrorists.
“These JATT operatives asked the workers who they support politically, branding them terrorists and criminals—their only crime being that they work with us. You can imagine the indignity!” Kyagulanyi lamented.
This incident adds to the growing tension in Uganda’s political climate, where opposition parties frequently accuse the government of stifling dissent. Despite the challenges, Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a message of defiance and optimism, proclaiming, “UGANDA WILL BE FREE.”
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
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Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum
Sudan has demanded an official apology from Uganda over “offensive and dangerous” comments made by the chief of Uganda army staff, who threated to invade Khartoum, the Sudan Tribune has reported.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and CDF of the Ugandan army, posted two comments on the X platform on Tuesday in which he threatened “to capture Khartoum” with the support of the US President elect Donald Trump after he takes office. The posts were deleted later.
“The government of Sudan demands and official apology from the Ugandan government for the offensive and dangerous comments of the army commander,” Sudan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the Sudan Tribune said it has seen.
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum