Aboneka Writes

Last week, Civil society Organisations across Africa gathered in Entebbe to collectively make a statement to the African and World leaders on the key issues concerning financing for development. It is an opportunity that Africa hosts the 3rd International conference on Financing for Development and as such, Africa must make a signature statement on issues concerning financing for development. Much as development is much desired, it cannot be fully attained without financing therefore the need to discuss modalities of financing the desired development. One of the very salient emerging key issue during the Pan African CSO conference was the call for good governance and accountability by all governments and their respective institutions; once resources are not governed according to established rubric, meaningful development will be in vain. Respecting guiding principles, allowing inclusive participation of citizens and stakeholders in decision making processes, balancing both the pr

For some time now, while plying on Kampala-Jinja, Kayunga-Jinja, Jinja-Kamuli, Jinja-Malaba Highways, I have observed and suffered the recklessness of the Sugar cane trucks. on top of over loading, the trucks are in Dangerous Mechanical conditions with some lacking head lumps,having dilapidated breaking systems and also others will have their parts fall off as they continue to make their way to the Sugar Factories. Because of the fear of the presence of traffic police during the day, most of them move in the night and make it more dangerous for road users. These trucks have contributed to the rampant road carnage on major roads in Uganda and thus the need for action. The argument that they are promoting and creating employment should not negate the fact that lives are being lost in the so called development. These trucks are not any exceptional to the traffic regulations and therefore, I call upon the Traffic Police to react immediately and save lives. We can only develop and cre

For some time now, Trade Unions are one of the oldest citizen form of organizing and associating tracing back to the Industrial revolution where production leaned towards labour intensive. It is upon this background that the International Labour Organisation set standards in Conventions more specifically to Organisations, Association and Collective Bargaining while at place of work. Subsequnetly, various countries have domesticated these standards into national legislations and Uganda is not exceptional. Various legal regimes such as the Constitution, Employment At, Trade Unions Act among others guarantee the freedom of Association. However, very few workers are aware of the need to associate or if some are aware, they are ignorant of its benefits. Uganda has for some time had Trade unions of different professions and trade such as the Transport Industry, Medical, Textile, Teachers, Hotel and tourism among others and they have achieved a lot through collective bargaining. I there

Undressing is increasingly becoming ‘trendy’, especially when people – particularly women – are protesting over land. In recent months, this trend started in Apaa, Amuru District and spread to Soroti District. And on Monday, Daily Monitor reported that the Minister of State for Lands, Ms Aidah Nantaba, had advised residents of Kayunga District, who are being evicted from their land, to undress before land grabbers as a tactic to scare them away. So far, there is nothing to suggest that naked protests by women have prompted the responsible authorities to institute comprehensive reforms to resolve land wrangles in our communities. The major issue has been land grabbing, allegedly spearheaded by the leaders who are supposed to be protecting the people. Whether this is true or not, undressing will not resolve land problems. Land issues need careful scrutiny and approach and thus, robust solutions should be fronted. I am at loss when a minister who is supposed to deal with land issues