Eric Kyama

In a statement issued by the social media giant on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, owner Elon Musk said the move is intended to reduce spam, manipulation on the platform, and bot activity.

“Starting today, we're testing a new programme (Not A Bot) in New Zealand and the Philippines. New, unverified accounts will be required to sign up for a $1 annual subscription to be able to post and interact with other posts. Within this test, existing users are not affected,” the statement read in part.

It further read, “This new test was developed to bolster our already successful efforts to reduce spam, manipulation of our platform, and bot activity while balancing platform accessibility with the small fee amount. It is not a profit driver. And so far, subscription options have proven to be the main solution that works at scale.”

This means that new accounts in both countries (the Philippines and New Zealand) will have to sign up for the subscription.

The social media giant also said that people who opt not to subscribe will only be able to read, and nothing more.

“New users who opt out of subscribing will only be able to take “read only” actions, such as read posts, watch videos, and follow accounts.”

Musk bought Twitter last year for a staggering $44 billion.

The world’s richest man has since made several changes to the social media app, among which are paying for the verification badge, allowing publishers to charge people seeking their content, and having two-factor authentication for people with blue badges, among others.

Early this year, the company charged its logo to X, from the bird sign that had been around since it was founded.

Musk revealed this in a tweet on the morning of Sunday, July 23, 2023, on his official Twitter handle.

"And soon we shall bid adieu to the Twitter brand and, gradually, all the birds," the tweet read.

He revealed that the social media platform will opt for X as its new logo.

"If a good enough X logo is posted tonight, we’ll make it go live worldwide tomorrow. If X is closest in style to anything, it should, of course, be Art Deco," he revealed.

Many employees of Twitter were also laid off. This move created uncertainty on one of the world’s leading social media platforms.

X owner Elon Musk (left) said last month that he might be rolling out a paywall to all users.Joel Saget/AFP via Getty Images; Sheldon Cooper/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Elon Musk bought Twitter in 2022 for a staggering $44 billion and later renamed it to X and changed its icon.

X, formerly Twitter, to charge 1 dollar from new users

A statement issued by Maj. Gen. Geoffrey Katsigazi Tumusiime, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, indicated that police have been observing breaches of set guidelines in areas where the party held its activities.

"While we completely support the right of individuals, groups, and other citizens to peacefully gather or assemble and express their views on matters of public policy, we have noticed that, in all areas where the NUP mobilisation activities have been carried out, there have been total breaches of the guidelines, thus causing public disorder, unnecessary traffic jams, loss of business, and malicious damage to property," the statement, which was issued on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, read in part.

The statement further read: "For instance, in Mbarara City, their rowdy supporters vandalised a Toyota Hiace under reg. no. UBD 251J and caused traffic accidents, including a fatal one in Houma City on September 11th, where Mugisa Norman died and 10 others got serious injuries during the NUP convoy."

Additionally, Police said NUP’s mobilisation activity in Luweero was used to incite violence, promote sectarianism, and make illegitimate calls for the removal of an elected government. and the issuance of defamatory statements against the president.

Katsigazi said the activities will be allowed to resume when the Kamwokya-based political party is ready to comply with the set guidelines.

Led by party president Robert Kyagulanyi, commonly known as Bobi Wine, the "Wake-Up Uganda" tour kicked off on August 28, 2023.

Bobi Wine campaigned in Mbarara in 2020 amid tight security

Police said NUP’s mobilisation activity in Luweero was used to incite violence

Why police suspended Bobi Wine's countrywide mobilisation

The Albertine region police spokesperson, Julius Hakiza, who confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as Norman Mugisa, a resident of Kiryatete, said that the fatal crash occurred when Mugisa was struck by unknown vehicles and motorcycles within the convoy.

"At 5:30 p.m., we received reports of a tragic incident where one person lost his life on the spot and ten others sustained injuries. These individuals were part of the convoy heading to Kigorobya sub-county to attend a campaign rally for NUP candidate Mr. Moses Aguuda. The incident took place at Mumpuda along the Hoima-Buliisa road," Hakiza explained.

He added: "It is alleged that the driver of the motorcycle carrying the deceased experienced a sudden brake malfunction in the middle of the road. As a result, other motorcycles following closely collided with him. Additionally, an unidentified vehicle with no licence plate had some of its parts damaged in the incident."

According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred as the convoy, accompanying National Unity Platform president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, aka Bobi Wine, was heading to Kigorobya sub-county in Hoima district to attend a campaign rally for the party’s candidate in the Hoima district by-election.

Pulse Uganda has learned that the deceased was a technician from Buhimba town council in Kikuube district and was a passenger on one of the unidentified motorcycles involved.

He tragically died at the scene of the road crash. The injured victims, whose identities are yet to be established, were promptly rushed to Hoima Regional Referral Hospital for medical treatment.

According to reports, speeding and irresponsible driving were attributed to the accident. Earlier in the day, drivers had been warned to prioritise safety and avoid speeding in convoys.

A stock image of a police crime scene.Milan Markovic/Getty Images

Pulse Uganda has learned that the deceased was a technician from Buhimba town

1 dead, 10 injured in Hoima road crash involving Bobi Wine’s convoy

Pulse Uganda has since learnt that a group of youth led by the National Coordinator in the Office of the National Reistance Movement (NRM) chairperson, Hadijah Uzeiye Namyalo, has organised a fete to celebrate Uganda’s longest-serving President.

The Kampala Metropolitan Traffic Police Commander, Senior Superintendent of Police Godwin Arinaitwe, said the event, which will be held at Kololo Independence Grounds, is expected to attract over 100,000 people from all walks of life.

"We are expecting around 100,000 guests who will be coming from different parts of the country. We appeal to the general public to be vigilant but also follow the traffic guidelines," Arinaitwe said.

Arinaitwe said that there will be normal traffic flow at the Golf Course traffic lights towards Acacia Avenue, but there will be a diversion around Upper Kololo Terrace, Elgon Terrace, and Lower Kololo Terrace where no motorists will be allowed access, apart from VVIPs.

He said those coming from Bombo Road should use Old Kira Road, Lugogo bypass, and park at the KCCA grounds behind Shoprite, and those coming from Jinja should park at the UMA show grounds.

"If you are coming from Entebbe, you can use Kampala Road, Jinja Road traffic lights, Lugogo bypass, and park at KCCA grounds. Those coming from Nansana can use Yusuf Lule road, Golf Course traffic lights, Nakumatt, Jinja road traffic lights, Wampeewo roundabout, and park at KCCA grounds or UMA show grounds."

According to the traffic flow plan, those coming from Prince Charles Drive will be diverted through Archer Road Junction up to Jinja Road Police Station and join the main road.

"We appeal to the public to adhere to this traffic flow plan and other guidelines."

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni with his wife Janet Muhoozi during their 50th wedding anniversary on August 26, 2023.Image: STATE HOUSE UGANDA

The event is expected to attract 100,000 people

Museveni set to celebrate 79th birthday today

Kyagulanyi, who expressed his reservations on his official Twitter handle, said that it was not right for the World Bank to only act when LGBTQ human rights are violated, yet other human rights violations, such as torture, mass murder, and detention without charge, were being committed by the Ugandan Government.

"It’s disturbing how institutions like these ones give priority to only gay rights and ignore all the other gross human rights violations, including mass murder, torture, detention without charge, and undermining democracy by rigging elections. Dear @WorldBank, all human rights are human rights," Kyagulanyi tweeted Thursday.

The World Bank revealed on Wednesday through its official Twitter handle that it will be pausing all financing for Ugandan projects over the country’s passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill early this year.

This was revealed in a statement issued by the Bank, noting that Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act contradicts the Bank’s values.

"Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act fundamentally contradicts the World Bank’s Group values," the statement read.

The bill, which was first passed on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, had at least 389 members of parliament (representing 73%) attend in person while about four dozen others attended via Zoom.

Besides prohibiting same-sex sexual relations, the Bill also seeks to strengthen Uganda’s capacity to deal with domestic and foreign threats to the heterosexual family, safeguard traditional and cultural values, and protect youth and children against gay and lesbian practise by imposing penalties on the perpetrators.

President Yoweri Museveni fired back at the World Bank, saying that Uganda would develop with or without loans.

"I want to inform everybody, starting with Ugandans, that Uganda will develop with or without loans," said the president.

He added: "As a matter of fact, many of the loans in the past were being carelessly entered into by officials behind my back where they were completely unnecessary."

Bobi Wine expressed his reservations on his official Twitter handle

Bobi Wine reacts to World Bank decision to halt financing of Ugandan projects

It should be noted that the Ugandan leader travelled to Russia to attend the Russia-Africa Summit being held in the Russian City of Saint Petersburg.

In the video, Museveni says the aim of the nuclear power plant would be to generate electricity.

"We agreed (Russia and Uganda) to build a nuclear power station for generating electricity. That one is going on, and I am very happy," he said.

&nbsp;In September 2019, Uganda signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) with Russia to build capacity to exploit nuclear technology for energy, medical and other peaceful purposes.

President Museveni also told the Russian leader, who was in the company of other Russian delegates, that Uganda has the potential to grow its fertiliser industry given the natural resources such as phosphorous, potassium, and ammonia that the country is blessed with.

"Then we have the fertiliser industry, which has the potential to grow. We have phosphorus, potassium, and ammonia. I would love to see Russian companies taking part in this industry," he said.

The Russia-Africa Summit attracted 17 heads of state from Africa, President Museveni being one of them.

The Summit comes at a time when some African countries are increasingly worried about food security in their countries.

The continent is dependent on Wheat imports from both Russia and Ukraine.

Since the war between the warring countries started, Wheat supply chains to Africa were affected, thus leading to a surge in food and oil prices.

Given the economic toll the war has taken on the continent, African countries have an interest in seeing the war end.

Museveni shakes hands with Putin at the Russia-Africa Summit

Museveni says the aim of the nuclear power plant would be to generate electricity

Museveni says Russia, Uganda working to build nuclear power plant

The event, which is set to be commemorated on Monday, July 31st,&nbsp;2023, at Lubiri-Mengo, Rubaga division, marks three decades since the Kabaka was crowned, thus making him the longest-serving Buganda Kingdom monarch.

Pulse Uganda has since learned that the Archbishop of Kampala, His Grace Paul Ssemogerere, will conduct prayers during the highly anticipated ceremonies.

Buganda Kingdom says the coronation will be held under the theme ''The Value of Clans to the Kingdom."

While addressing the media on Wednesday, July 26th,&nbsp;2023, at Bulange Mengo, the minister for special duties and chairperson of the organising committee, David Mpanga, said that before D-day, there will be special prayers for the Kabaka in several mosques on Friday, July 28th,&nbsp;2023, as well as the unveiling of Ssentema housing projects.

"Buganda Kingdom will be commemorating 30 years since Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi was crowned. We call up all religious denominations to join us in these celebrations, which are very important to Buganda Kingdom," Mpanga told the media.

All Seventh-day Adventist churches will hold special prayers for the Kabaka on Saturday, ahead of Sunday prayers in all Christian religions, bringing special messages from the Kingdom.

Mpanga said that this year's celebrations will centre on clans since clans are vital to Buganda's existence and origin and that it is past time for members of diverse clans to understand their significance.

The event marks three decades since the Kabaka was crowned

Buganda Kingdom gears up for 30th coronation ceremony

In a tweet that completely agreed with the Twitter owner, Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino said X will be the future state of unlimited interactivity on the social media platform.

"X is the future state of unlimited interactivity—centred in audio, video, messaging, payments, and banking—creating a global marketplace for ideas, goods, services, and opportunities. Powered by AI, X will connect us all in ways we’re just beginning to imagine," she tweeted.

Elon Musk bought Twitter last year for a staggering record $ 44 billion.

The world’s richest man has since made several changes on the social media app, among which are paying for the verification badge, allowing publishers to charge people seeking their content, and having two-factor authentication for people with blue badges, among others.

Musk revealed that the social media platform will opt for X as its new logo.

Elon Musk says Twitter's logo will change

The New York Times reported that this was revealed by a lawyer on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, and that "the filing is an effort to bring international scrutiny to what human rights observers have called a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/11/world/africa/uganda-election-disappearances-museveni.html">brutal government crackdown on opposition groups</a>&nbsp;and activists in the East African nation in the months before and after&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/30/world/africa/uganda-museveni-us-eu.html">the country’s bloody 2021 elections</a>."

The submitted file contains accusations against 26 top Government officials, including the President and his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

It should be noted that Uganda, especially during presidential elections, has experienced violence that has led to the deaths of quite a number of people. For instance, during the 2021 presidential elections, over 50 people were killed while protesting against the government of Uganda’s brutality and detention of opposition figurehead Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine.

The deputy presidential press secretary, Farouk Kirunda, however, dismissed the allegations, saying they had been falsely crafted by political opponents whose main goal was to tarnish the image of the President of Uganda.

Andrew Mwenda, Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s spokesperson, while talking to the American-based newspaper, said, "Were they tortured? YES! Who directed it? We need to find out. It makes sense for them to accuse a son of the president since it increases the profile of their case."

President Yoweri Museveni (left) and Muhoozi Kainerugaba

The submitted file contains accusations against 26 top Government officials

Museveni, Muhoozi accused of torture, testimonies submitted to International Court

Besigye, who revealed this during a consultative meeting on constitutional and electoral reforms held at Speke Resort Munyonyo last week, said the 2026 presidential elections, which will be organised by the state, are less likely to bring about freedom for Ugandans.

"If you are planning to have a sole candidate for the 2026 presidential elections, I am not with you. I don’t think that 2026 in itself, organised under what we have been discussing, will ever cause Ugandans to be free, and the sooner we really unite over that, the better for this country," he said.

Besigye’s revelation followed a suggestion tabled by the Kilak South Member of Parliament (MP) and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) member, Gilbert Olanya, that he stands in 2026 as the joint opposition presidential flag bearer.

His revelation has led to mixed reactions within the opposition, most especially the FDC, as members try to find ways to rejuvenate the party’s position in elective politics.

Some political observers, such as Charles Rwomushana, argue, however, that Besigye is not refusing to run in protest but running away because the political space has become too competitive for him, especially with new players such as Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine.

"He is actually not refusing to stand in protest; he is running away. He is of no consequence. He is now a liability. He did not add a brick to the base left to him by former Grenland Bank owner, Dr. Sulieman Kiggundu," Rwomushana said, adding that Besigye is also scared of new political players.

Besigye has been raising hackles over the rising commodity prices

His revelation has led to mixed reactions within the opposition

Is Besigye quitting elective politics?

People seemed to be amused by the young children (aged between 5 and 14) who pulled off witty and entertaining dance moves in the song’s video.

The story behind these children was unknown to the world, though. Most were either orphaned at an early age or had been abandoned by their parents.

Left to the world, the children fell into the arms of Kavuma Dauda, a former street child himself, who transformed their lives by giving them shelter and teaching them dance moves, among other skills.

Kavuma has over the years milked the new-found global stature of the Ghetto Kids to improve the lives of the children, mostly through showcasing their dancing skills on global platforms such as Britain’s Got Talent.

The Ghetto Kids are not the only group in Uganda helping orphaned and abandoned children.

Music, Life Skills, and Destitution Alleviation (M-Lisada) is a non-governmental organisation that has taken on the mantle of skilling street children, of whom most are either orphaned at an early age or abandoned by their parents.

The organisation, which was founded 27 years ago, has habilitated and empowered street children with life skills, which include dancing and music, among others.

Without initiatives such as these ones, these children would be on the streets of Kampala or any other urban centre, trying to earn a living by begging from well-wishers.

Uganda, according to a 2021 enumeration conducted by Retrak Uganda in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development and the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, has a total of 2,600 children aged between 7 and 17 years living on the streets, of whom an estimated 1410 are actively working on the streets.

The numbers could be higher given that it has now been two years since this survey was conducted.

Part of the solution to the street children's challenge could be habilitating and skilling them with different skills so they can live a decent life.

In one of the television interviews, Kuvama said the current group of ghetto kids is different from the ones he started with.

Asked what had happened to the first cohort, he said most had been adopted by well-wishers in the US, while others were in school.

Kavuma said the children’s lives had since been transformed for the better thanks to his skills-imparting initiative under the Ghetto Kids umbrella.

Most of these have been individual initiatives, yet Uganda still faces a huge challenge with street children, as thousands of them still loiter on the streets of Kampala and other urban centres in the country.

The government would have to consider habilitating and skilling these children if this problem is to be dealt with.

The story behind these children was unknown to the world, though

Ghetto Kids: Therein lies the solution to the problem of street children [Pulse Editor's Opinion]

Museveni said he had been "very cautious with corona" but recently had to stop using facemasks because they were giving him adverse reactions in the eyes and throat.

“Therefore, I have secluded myself at Nakasero and have given the Prime Minister, Robinah Nabanjja, responsibility for today and tomorrow (Heroes' Day in Luwero)," Museveni’s tweet on Thursday, June 8 2023.

“Remember when I had vocal problems twice during the election? It is a component of the allergy. Thus, I have received the second forced leave in the 53 years since we began the battle against Idi Amin. Another occasion was when I had sinus issues and had to be inactive for a few days at Mweya, he continued in his tweet on Thursday,” his tweet further read.

Yesterday, the Ministry of Health permanent secretary, Dr. Diana Atwine, revealed in a tweet that the President had tested positive for COVID-19.

The President was diagnosed with COVID-19 after exhibiting minor flu-like symptoms.

She said that the president, who is in good health, was carrying out his duties and following protocol, which includes keeping a distance from social gatherings.

"On June 7, 2023, the President had a COVID-19 positive test result. After experiencing moderate flu-like symptoms, something happened. However, he is in good health and continues to carry out his tasks normally while following SOPs," a tweet from Atwine on Wednesday evening read.

Towards the end of last year, the World Health Organisation said the pandemic was no longer a threat to the world,.

President Museveni at his farm in Kisozi, Gomba recently/Instagram

The President was diagnosed with COVID-19 after exhibiting minor flu-like symptoms

Museveni in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19

The 2023 report, which is structured under the theme "monitoring health for the SDGs and sustainable development," indicated that on average, a Ugandan consumes 12.21 litres of alcohol annually.

The report further indicated that men in Uganda consume more alcohol compared to women, with each consuming an average of 19.93 litres of pure alcohol compared to 4.88 litres of alcohol consumed by women annually.

Seychelles follows Uganda with an average annual alcohol consumption of 11.99 litres of pure alcohol for men and 4.72 litres for women.

Tanzania is ranked third with an average alcohol consumption of 10.36 litres annually.

The report highlights some of the key successes and challenges in the public health sector across the continent, with a focus on SDG indicators and trends.

WHO indicates in the report that about three million deaths (about 5.3% of all deaths) across the world occur annually as a result of harmful consumption of alcohol.

The report further indicates that the percentage of alcohol-attributable deaths among men across the world stands at 7.7%, while that of women stands at 2.6%. The report attributes 5.1% of global diseases and injuries to harmful alcohol consumption.

WHO says harmful consumption of alcohol is the underlying factor in more than 200 diseases and injuries across the world.

Public health experts have attributed the new findings to poor economic conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic, which they say drove quite a number of people into drinking when faced with these challenges.

A Ugandan consumes an average of 12.21 litres of alcohol annually

WHO ranks Uganda most alcoholic nation in Africa

Musk who made this revelation on his official Twitter account said the new CEO will start working within six weeks.

“Excited to announce that I’ve hired a new CEO for X/Twitter. She will be starting in ~6 weeks! My role will transition to being exec chair and CTO, overseeing product, software &amp; sysops,” the Tweet read.

Musk has been Twitter CEO ever since he purchased the company last year.

The larger than life CEO has made several changes ever since taking over the company in a $44b bid.

Towards the end if last year, Musk ran a poll on his official twitter handle asking if he should get another person “stupid enough to take up the job.”

More than 50% of people who participated in the poll preferred that he steps down as CEO and let another person take over.

Following the result of the poll, he said he would go ahead to fulfill the wishes of the majority of people on the platform.

Musk hasn’t yet revealed the identity of Twitter’s next CEO, but going by his tweet, it is likely that the next person in charge is female.

“Excited to announce that I’ve hired a new CEO for X/Twitter. She will be starting in ~6 weeks!” the tweet read.

Musk will now take on the role of executive chair of the company and Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

The announcement comes a few days after he revealed that the platform will now have video and audio calls.

“Coming soon will be voice and video chat from your handle to anyone on this platform, so you can talk to people anywhere in the world without giving them your phone number,” he tweeted.

He also revealed that the latest version of the app allows users to "dm reply to a message in a thread."

“With latest version of app, you can DM reply to any message in the thread (not just most recent) and use any emoji reaction,” he said, he said adding that the release of encrypted DMs V1.0 will happen tomorrow.

&nbsp;“The release of encrypted DMs V1.0 will happen tomorrow (Wednesday, May 10, 2023). This will grow in sophistication rapidly. The acid test is that I could not see your DMs even if there was a gun to my head,” the Twitter CEO said.

Twitter owner Elon Musk.Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Musk has been Twitter CEO ever since he purchased the company last year

Elon Musk appoints new Twitter CEO, plans to step down

The said children were part of the nineteen children aged one to sixteen years, Police said had been rescued upon suspicion that they were victims of human trafficking.

In a shocking turn of events, it was discovered that sixteen of the children rescued were offsprings of the suspect – the pastor – after a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) test was conducted.

Police said the children were rescued in Nkoowe village, Kaliiti parish, Mende sub-county in Wakiso district, and were in a poor condition most having marks of possible torture.

Betungura and his other five purported accomplices including Karoline Nayebare, Dinah Ashaba, Betty Komuhangi, Junic Tusasire and another only identified as Joy were taken into custody on human trafficking charges.

The suspected pastor told Police he had not been able to take care of his children because of the COVID-19 lockdown, an explanation they refused to accept.

“On interrogation, the pastor said due to financial problems he was facing and other challenges after his Church was closed during the COVID-19 lockdown, he decided to place his children under the care of his relatives after failing to provide for them in terms of feeding, education and medication,” Fred Enanga, the Police spokesperson, said on Monday, 24 April 2023 during the Police security media briefing at their head of offices in Naguru.

Enanga added that even though they haven’t validated the results of three remaining children to know their father, they are now looking for the mothers of eight children whose mothers are unknown.

Fred Enanga: There was a concert in Bulenga that disrupted traffic for five hours. Action has been taken against our officers who illegally involved themselves in this concert.

The pastor and his accomplices have since been arrested

Pastor sires 16 children with 11 different women

The statement which was released shortly after the end of Global Anglican Future Conference (GFCON) on Friday 21, April 2023 held in Kigali Rwanda this week cited the Church of England decision to provide prayers of blessing to same-sex marriages as the biggest reason for the break away.

“We have recognised that the Archbishop of Canterbury has abdicated his historic place as the “First among Equals” among the Primates and Churches of the Anglican Communion, and we no longer recognise him as our leader,” the statement read in part.

It further read: “The Church of England General Synod’s decision to provide prayers of blessing to same-sex unions and the Archbishop of Canterbury’s enthusiastic support of it are decisions we cannot recognise and have resulted in the breaking of fellowship with him and the Church of England.”

The statement also indicated that the conference which attracted 1,300 delegates from 52 countries re-affirmed its commitment to Resolution 1.10 from the 1998 Lambeth Conference which declared that “homosexual practice is incompatible with scripture.”

“As a conference, we have re-affirmed our commitment to Resolution 1.10 from the 1998 Lambeth Conference that declares homosexual practice as being incompatible with scripture,” it read.

“We will continue to support GAFCO because of its commitment to mission. In fact, we will adopt GAFCON proposal to declare the next 10 years as a Decade of Discipleship, Evangelism and Mission. The commitment fits with our strategic plan and we will continue to give this priority emphasis.”

GAFCON re-affirmed its commitment to 1998 Lambeth conference resolution

Church of Uganda breaks away from Church of England over homosexuals

This was revealed on Tuesday, 18 April 2023 by the Government Chief Whip and Chairperson NRM parliamentary caucus, Obua Dennis Hamson, in a letter issued by his office.

According to the letter, the meeting will focus on the Anti-Homosexuality Bill which was passed by Parliament in March, and will take place on Thursday, 20 April at 2:00PM, State House Entebbe.

“This is to notify and invite you for the above-mentioned meeting (referring to the subject of the letter,” the letter read in part.

It further read: “The purpose of the meeting is to discuss, among others, the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023.”

During plenary on Tuesday, 18 April 2023, members of parliament raised concern over the meeting some alleging that the Deputy Attorney General, Jackson Kafuzi, advised the President not to assent to the Bill.

The Attorney General, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, confirmed the development saying the development happened but chose not to delve into the details.

“It is true the Office of the Attorney General gave advise to the President about the matter, but I ask members of parliament to let the procedures go on,” he said during plenary.

While addressing Parliament, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, said Parliament would be disappointed if indeed the Office of the Attorney General advised the president against signing Bill into law.

“It would be a big disappointment if the Office of the Attorney General went ahead and advised the President against signing the Bill into law without raising objection while the Bill was being passed,” he said.

Cecilia Ogwal, the Dokolo district women representative, also expressed disappointment saying no clause in the Bill was not discussed to the core.

“This will indeed be a big disappointment. There was no clause in the Bill that was not discussed to the core. The Attorney General’s Office should have objected to what they thought was wrong with the Bill,” she said.

The meeting will focus on the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Museveni to meet NRM parliamentary caucus over Anti-Homosexuality Bill

“Whatever we did, the legislation we did…the Anti-Homosexuality Bill that we passed was basically to assure people that we are a people-centered Parliament. We do it for the people, we are not doing it for a few people,” she said.

Among made the remarks during a special parliamentary sitting to commemorate fallen Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah.

In her speech to members and staff of Parliament who convened for prayers, Among recounted that she had received a lot of threats prior to the sitting in which Parliament passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill and that the repeated calls forced her to switch off her phones.

“I get a lot of threats; ‘we are going to lose out on Aids drugs…aid is going to be cut off, tourism, export. I said, so what? that you are going to be blocked from going to America, do I need to go to America?” Among questioned.

She asked members of parliament and Ugandans to stick together, remain courageous and not allow any kind of intimidation regarding the approved piece of legislation.

“I was sent her by the people of Bukedea; I am what I am because of my people. I am not here because I want to get a donation. We are a parliament that believes in God and are going to change this country. We are not going to be intimidated,” Among added.