KCCA set to revamp New Taxi Park

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has identified four private plots in the city, which will be used as a temporary terminal for commuter taxis to enable the repair of the New Taxi Park.

Construction work, which will start next week, was meant to start in July, but failed due to management wrangles between two factions in the park.

Last week, over 700 traders operating lock-up shops in the New Taxi Park petitioned former minister in charge of Kampala Muruli Mukasa to block the planned demolition of their structures.

The traders said they wanted more time to find alternative business premises before the renovation could start.

KCCA ordered the traders to vacate the taxi park by August 8, but by last evening, no one had vacated.

English: Skyline of Kampala, Uganda Deutsch: Blick auf Kampala, Uganda Plattdüütsch: Blick op Kampala, Uganda

FDC needs sh700m to replace Besigye

 

Nandala Mafabi is vying for Besigyes seat.

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By Lutaya Shafiq

Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) needs sh700m to convene its delegates’ conference that will elect a new leader to succeed the founder, Col. (rtd) Dr. Kizza Besigye, this year.

Besigye announced during FDC’s 5th National Council meeting at the party headquarters early this year that he would step down before his term expires in 2014.

However, party officials said he could still contest as party-flag bearer during the 2016 presidential elections.

Speaking at the party headquarters at Najjanankumbi on Monday, Besigye said he would chair the fundraising drive.

Besigye urged FDC members, supporters and wellwishers to help raise funds for the party.

He assured members that the transition from his leadership to another will not split the party.

The contest to replace Besigye has so far drawn the Leader of Opposition, Nandala Mafabi, FDC national mobiliser Mugisha Muntu and shadow finance minister Geoffrey Ekanya.

Besigye said he would not endorse any of the trio because he trusts that either of them can take charge of the duties of party president.

On whether FDC would rally behind Muwanga Kivumbi (DP) in the Butambala by-elections, Besigye said he could not force FDC aspirants to drop their ambitions, but his party was alive to the need for a united opposition. Kivumbi is the leader of Popular Resistance Against Life Presidency, a political pressure group.

“We don’t compete against NRM, but partisan state structures; the Police, intelligence, RDCs and the abuse of public funds. We need liberation from a dictatorship,” he said.

 

Kiprotich’s remote small village in international spotlight

Kiprotich’s house in Cheptilyal village in Tegeres sub-county in Kapchorwa. Kiprotich’s house in Cheptilyal village in Tegeres sub-county in Kapchorwa. Photo by David Mafabi
By Lutaya Shafiq

Kapchorwa is one of the remotest areas in Uganda. But since Sunday, it has become the centre of attention.

Cheptilyal village in Tegeres sub-county, Kapchorwa District, at the slopes of Mt Elgon needed one man to put it in international spotlight. That man is Stephen Kiprotich. The 23-year-old son to Mr James Kapchesukok, 85, and Mrs Eserena Cheptumi Kokop, 65, produced an upset of the championship when beat favoured Kenyans to win Uganda’s first Olympic gold medal in 40 years.

Kiprotich won the men’s 42km marathon in 2.08.01 at the London Olympics on Sunday to join the late John Akii-Bua, the first man to win gold when he clinched it at the 400 hurdles at the 1972 Munich Olympics, as the only two Ugandans to achieve the feat.

It is 11.30am. on Monday and Cheptilyal, the home village of Kiprotich, is engulfed in excitement and jubiliation. People gather in the compound with grass and sticks – a traditional sign of excitement here. Kiprotich’s brother Mr David Cherop, who plays guide to Daily Monitor, says people started gathering immediately they received the news that Kiprotich had won gold on Sunday.

Pacing up and down the compound is the LCI chairman for Cheptilyal village, Mr Patrick Cheroto, who says Kiprotich has lit the village. “He is like ‘Tadoba’(candle), this village was not known anywhere,” said Mr Cheroto.

“For us it is a miracle, it is God’s divine intervention, God has answered our prayers, we now know that in this remote village, all will be good because the road was bad, we were unheard of, it is a blessing.. Oh God,” he added. The LCIII chairman of Tegeres sub-county, Mr Alfred Kamutya, said Sunday afternoon news of Kiprotich’s victory in the 42km marathon has left many people in Kapchorwa speechless.

Big surprise
“We never expected it especially after others fell out of their races but his winning brough life back into Sebei sub-region. It has spoken volumes and now ittells government to do much to support sports in this part of the country especially Bukwo, Kapchorwa, Kween and Bugisu sub-region,” said Kamutya.

Kiprotich’s parents were all smiles that God had finally done it for Kapchorwa, Sebei and Uganda. “God has a plan for each of us, all you have to do is believe,” ,” said Mrs Cheptum Kapchesukok, Kiprotich’s mother.
“We are very happy for our child, we are so happy because this does not only bring joy to the family but even benefits to us. Look we are so poor, these children grew up poor, we are just asking government to construct for us a decent house to bring hope to us.

“These boys (the Kapchesukok sons) would go to the national park for honey, vegetables and bamboo shoots for us to survive on. That is how we have lived to date. We never had school fees for the children but they would compete is atheletics to win sponsorship,” added Mrs Kapchesukok.

Mr Chelimo, the former LCV chairman for Kapchorwa and former inspector of schools in Kapchorwa district, said government must reap where they sowed. “We should not pretend as government that we are helping but we must be seen to be helping, investing money in sports in order to reap. We identified Teryet High Altitude Sports Ground in Kapchorwa, passed a resolution in the council but todate government has only made promises without making any step,” said Mr Chelimo.

Uganda’s Kiprotich wins men’s Olympic marathon

LONDON (AP) — A runner named Kiprotich winning the Olympic marathon? Hardly a surprise.

That he was the one from Uganda and not Kenya? Major surprise.

Stephen Kiprotich rounded a corner with three miles left and simply took off, turning the last mile into a victory lap as he easily captured the marathon Sunday, along with the first medal for Uganda at the London Games.

“People didn’t expect Uganda. They thought Kenya, Ethiopia,” Kiprotich said. “Being unknown, now I’m known.”

Sure is.

Kiprotich won in 2 hours, 8 minutes, 1 second as he pulled away from the Kenyan duo of Abel Kirui and Wilson Kiprotich Kipsang, who was the “Kiprotich” favored in this race. Kirui ended up with the silver while Kipsang held on for bronze just ahead of American Meb Keflezighi.

On a warm afternoon, the marathoners wound their way through a scenic route packed with swarms of fans, breezing past Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, London Bridge and the Tower of London before finishing near Buckingham Palace.

And by the time he neared the finish line, Stephen Kiprotich had such a commanding lead that he grabbed a flag from the stands and wore it on his way to gold.

After finishing, he dropped to his knees, bowed and then raised his hands high over his head.

A moment to cherish because these haven’t happened all that often for Uganda. This was the country’s seventh Olympic medal in any sport and second gold. John Akii-Bua, a 400-meter hurdler, won the other gold 40 years ago in Munich.

“I made history with my people,” Kiprotich said. “They didn’t expect me to win. I was keeping behind them, keeping the fire burning. When they go, they thought they’d left me, but I was there.

“I kept in touch. Later, I said, ‘I believe in myself.’ Then, I made my move.”

The Kenyans, who were looking at a possible podium sweep, just couldn’t keep up. Kirui & Co. were competing in memory of the late Sammy Wanjiru, who won the country’s first Olympic marathon four years ago in Beijing. Wanjiru died last year after a fall from a second-story balcony during a domestic dispute.

“In my mind, I was thinking Kiprotich is fading away. In my mind, I was thinking gold is for me,” Kirui said. “To my friend Kiprotich, congratulations. He was the best today, that is why he won. For us, we don’t really feel bad that he won.”

For the Ethiopians, this was a race the runners would rather forget. All three failed to finish the twisting and turning course.

Kipsang was seemingly in control early in the day. He was out front and running all alone, before fading back to the pack. Kirui caught up with him while Kiprotich followed just behind.

At the 23-mile mark, Kiprotich turned the corner and was gone. A surprise surge for a surprise winner on a day when the weather was ideal — at least for the spectators.

It was bright and sunny but grew hot, especially late in the race — quite a contrast to the women’s race last Sunday that began in a steady downpour.

While other runners wore the colors of their countries, Guor Marial donned a predominantly gray and black uniform with “I.O.A.” printed on it. He wound up 47th, 11:31 behind the winning time.

Marial competed as an independent runner under the banner of the International Olympic Committee after fleeing a refugee camp in what is now South Sudan during a civil war more than a decade ago.

The 28-year-old landed in the United States, seeking asylum. The IOC cleared him last month to compete in the Olympics as an independent athlete after he didn’t qualify for Sudan, South Sudan or the United States under its rules.

Marial had run only two marathons in his life, but finished both in Olympic times. His second was just two months ago in San Diego.

“I was not able to get them a medal today, but the finish was the most important,” Marial said. “I felt like the world was watching.”

Within seconds of each other, U.S. marathoners Ryan Hall and Abdi Abdirahman were out of the Olympic race.

First, Hall dropped out around the 11-mile mark with a tight right hamstring. Then, Abdirahman called it a day because of an aching right knee.

“I felt like I was favoring my stride and didn’t want to get injured,” said Hall, who lives in Flagstaff, Ariz.

Keflezighi, of Mammoth Lakes, Calif., used a strong finish to make up ground and finish fourth. He was motivated by a grudge.

Before the race, a few of the runners were introduced, but not Keflezighi. He felt insulted since he won a silver medal in Athens eight years ago.

“To not be introduced like that, it hurts,” he said.

Uganda military helicopters missing in Kenya

Two of four aircraft en route to Somalia are feared to have crashed in the foothills of Mount Kenya.

Ugandan troops form the backbone of the African Union peacekeeping force (AMISOM) in Somalia [Reuters]

At least two Ugandan military helicopters have gone missing in Kenyan airspace on their way to Somalia to reinforce African Union peacekeeping forces battling al-Shabab rebels, army officials said.

The helicopters, which took off from Uganda on Sunday, are feared to have crashed in the dense forested foothills of snowcapped Mount Kenya, Africa’s second highest peak at 5,199 metres.

“Four choppers left Uganda, one landed in Garissa,” Bogita Ongeri, Kenyan army spokesman, said on Monday.

The three other helicopters went missing around the Mount Kenya region, but “the pilot of one has communicated to us,” he added.

The pilot of the third helicopter had radioed for help from the Mount Kenya region, but rain and poor weather conditions are hampering rescue efforts.

“A search and rescue team has been dispatched,” Ongeri added. “As of now we do not know that they have crashed…. The terrain and weather are unfavourable.”

Uganda is reported to have sent both the Russian made Mi-17 transport and Mi-24 attack helicopters to Somalia. Bongita said the missing aircraft were Mi-24 helicopters, which can carry up to eight passengers.

“We have received reports that one plane is within Mount Kenya,” Francis Munyambu, regional police chief, said. “We do not know where exactly it is, there is a general location that has been stated.”

Beefing up African Union force

Ugandan troops form the backbone of the African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia. The air force last week said it would send combat and transport helicopters to Somalia to support the 17,000-strong African Union force there.

Al-Shabab struck the Ugandan capital Kampala in mid-2010 when suicide bombers from the al-Qaeda-linked group killed more than 70 people who were watching soccer on television, apparently in revenge for the presence of Ugandan troops in Somalia.

The rebels meted out similar treatment to Kenya, launching a series of grenade attacks that have killed several people, in retaliation for Nairobi sending its troops across the border last October in pursuit of al-Shabab.

The African Union force, which also includes Kenyan and Burundian troops, is planning an onslaught on Somalia’s second biggest city Kismayu, which is a hub for the Islamist fighters, before August 20.

Weakened by internal divisions and financial constraints, the rebels have surrendered territory in the capital Mogadishu and central and southern Somalia where they are also battling Ethiopian forces.

A US-backed plan calls for Somalia to establish a legitimate government accepted by fractious clans and for a new parliament and constituent assembly to replace institutions plagued by corruption and infighting.

The National Constituent Assembly, sitting in Mogadishu early this month, approved a provisional constitution to replace an eight-year-old Transitional Federal Charter and lead to the end of the transition process on August 20, when the mandate of the UN-backed government expires.