Latest news with #ThomasTayebwa
Zawya
05-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Uganda: Tayebwa rallies support for new malaria vaccine
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has called on leaders to embrace and support the use of the new malaria vaccine aimed at eliminating Uganda's leading cause of death and disease burden. The malaria vaccine launched in April 2025 is earmarked for 1.1 million children under two years, in 105 high and moderate malaria transmission districts. Tayebwa said such a preventive opportunity requires efforts of leaders at all levels to encourage parents and caretakers, to take children for vaccination at designated health facilities. 'Uganda is the 19th country to roll out the malaria vaccine and it has been the most effective country in terms of roll out. Although the vaccine is for children from one to two years, it is important that all of us participate. I encourage parents, leaders to go to your communities and mobilise mothers and fathers to bring their children for vaccination,' he said. Tayebwa was speaking during the 3rd Walk Against Malaria held at Parliament on Sunday, 04 May 2025. He said he was cognisant of efforts by researchers to introduce the vaccine for children above two years, a move that is envisaged to deliver Uganda to a malaria free generation. 'We know vaccination helped to deal with the six killer diseases; we no longer have cases of polio; if there are some, they are extremely isolated,' Tayebwa said. The Deputy Speaker was concerned with recent reports from Ministry of Health, indicating that the malaria disease burden is high among the school going children. He urged government to consider Indoor Residual Spraying for dormitories and classrooms which eliminates mosquitoes for several months. 'As government we must sit down and have a policy on spraying dormitories in boarding schools. When you look at the design of beds in boarding schools most are triple or double decker; it might be difficult to use a mosquito net on such beds,' said Tayebwa. The indoor residual spray, Tayebwa said, will cost each student Shs 5,000 which he said is worth the effort, considering the malaria disease burden and the resultant death. The Minister of State for Energy and Mineral Development (Minerals), Hon. Phiona Nyamutoro, who also joined the walk, recounted her earlier struggle with malaria saying it is a testament that malaria can be eliminated from Uganda. 'My first years of life were traumatic because my parents were always in and out of the hospital as I was always diagnosed with malaria. It has been years since I fell sick due to malaria and I believe it is something that can be achieved for everyone,' Nyamutoro said. Chinese Deputy Ambassador in Uganda, H.E Fan Xuecheng, recommitted China's support in malaria treatment and elimination praising his nation as a reliable partner in the fight. 'We are proud that China can be part of the process to free Uganda of malaria. Last year China provided 500,000 packs of anti-malaria drugs and will be Uganda's reliable partner in this fight,' Xuecheng said. The World Health Organisation (WHO) representative in Uganda, Dr. Kasonde Mwinga noted that whereas malaria burden remains unacceptably high in Uganda, all that is required for its elimination is in place. 'We have the tools, the knowledge, and the opportunity to achieve the malaria free-world. We must invest in proven interventions, reimagine strategies that overcome current challenges, reignite collective efforts to accelerate the desired progress,' said Kasonde. The Walk Against Malaria is an advocacy and awareness campaign led by the Parliamentary Forum on Malaria chaired by Hon. Timothy Batuwa (FDC, Jinja South Division West). The Forum works in partnership with UNICEF, WHO, Malaria Consortium, Pilgrim for Africa, Next Media, Malaria Free Uganda, embassies among others. The walk is aimed at mobilising domestic resources for malaria control and elimination, and raising awareness about malaria risks. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
Zawya
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Uganda: Strict penalties for non adherence to building standards
Government has tabled the Building Control (Amendment) Bill, 2025 that will see enforcement of standards in the construction industry with strict penalties for offenders. The Bill tabled by the State Minister for Transport, Hon. Fred Byamukama on Wednesday, 09 April 2025 will address the gaps in the Building Control Act and streamline the procedure for approval of building and occupational permits. The presentation of the Bill comes at a time when the country has seen reports of poor workmanship at constructions sites leading to collapse of buildings which have led to deaths and injuries of mainly workers. The industry has also seen start of construction works and occupation of structures with permits. Clause 16 of the Bill prescribes liability for causing accidents in buildings or on building construction sites with those found culpable facing up to 12 years in jail or a fine of Shs10 million. 'Any person whose negligence, commission or omission leads to an accident on a building or a building construction site, which results into injury, death or destruction of property, commits an offence,' the Bill states in part. The Bill also criminalises a person who carries out a building operation without a valid building permit and faces two years' imprisonment or a fine of Shs20,000 for every square metre of the built-up area. The new law when passed by Parliament establishes a building committee in each district local government and urban council with powers to order for demolition or evacuation of premises constructed illegally. 'The Building Committee shall have the power to demolish or order the evacuation of buildings constructed in contravention of this Act and the conditions prescribed by the minister by regulations,' reads the Bill. The committee will also be in charge of approving applications for building permits under the stewardship of the district chief administrative officer. The new law streamlines functions and composition of the National Building Review Board (NBRB) which will enforce mechanisms of approval of plans, quality assurance and inspection of buildings. 'It provides for the powers of the Board to issue stop or evacuation orders in circumstances where a building committee has failed to comply with the recommendations of the Board and safety is compromised at a building,' the Bill adds. NBRB in the new law is charged with restructuring of procedures for approval of building permits and occupation permits while providing for use of unconventional methods, technologies and materials for building. Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa referred the Bill to the Committee on Physical Infrastructure for consideration. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
Zawya
27-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Govt revises UMEME buyout to US$118 million
Government has revised the loan request to buy out electricity distribution company, UMEME, from over US$190 million, to over US$118 million. This was contained in the Special Audit Report for the end of lease and assignment between UMEME Limited and Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) that was adopted during plenary sitting on Thursday, 27 March 2025. The report was tabled by the Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development (General Duties), Hon. Henry Musasizi. On 20 March 2025, Parliament adopted the proposal for Government to borrow over US$190 million from Stanbic Bank, on condition of confirmation of actual monetary amount of UMEME's investment by the Auditor General. Before the revised figure was passed, during plenary sitting on Thursday, 27 March 2025, Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa urged government to put into consideration the special audit report when finalising with UMEME. 'This morning, the Auditor General submitted a special audit report, verifying and confirming the buyout amount of US$118 million against the approved US$190,' he said. This however sparked opposition from Kira Municipality Member of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Ssemujju, who called for scrutiny of the report before it is adopted. 'We have never passed a report of the Auditor General without the MPs reading it. We have accountability committees that deal with these reports. Have you waived those particular rules that [now] reports can be passed without MPs processing them,' Ssemujju asked. Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, questioned the move to adopt the report, saying that by so doing, Parliament would be handing over its appropriation mandate to the Executive. 'The Auditor General's report should be verified and studied, before we pass. It would be good to know what is in the report,' he said. But the Deputy Speaker guided that the special audit report, unlike annual reports does not require to be referred to a committee. 'This is a time bound report, we must sort out UMEME by 31 March [2025]. It is a matter of beating deadlines, which is in the contract. If we do not settle, UMEME will have a blank cheque to determine penalties and interests,' Tayebwa said. Hon. Ekanya Geofrey (FDC, Tororo North County) agreed with the Deputy Speaker, citing practices from neighboring countries like Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa where, he said, governments there do not wait for Parliament approval before implementing such reports. 'Special audit reports have issues of criminal in nature, but also this report is time bound. We request that Speaker invokes the necessary rules so that when Parliament takes a decision, it is within our Rules,' Ekanya said. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
Zawya
27-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Uganda: Government Tables Shs4.8 Trillion Supplementary Appropriation Bill
Government has tabled before Parliament the Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2025, aimed at allocating up to Shs4.8 trillion to critical priorities including defence, security and infrastructure. The Minister of State for Finance, Planning, and Economic Development (General Duties), Henry Musasizi, tabled the Bill on behalf of government during a plenary sitting chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa on Thursday, 27 March 2025. According to the breakdown, the biggest portion of the funding goes to; State House with Shs374 billion in recurrent allocations, Shs189 billion for Ministry of Defense, Shs137 billion for security, Shs16 billion for foreign missions and Shs152 billion for National Council of Sports. National Identity and Registration Authority (NIRA) gets Shs208 billion for identity card upgrades and Shs1.2 trillion for local governments. Others are; Shs246 billion for Ministry of Energy, and Shs60 billion for Kampala Capital City Authority. The Minister has also tabled several key tax bills aimed at enhancing revenue collection and streamlining tax administration. These include the Tax Procedures Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025, the Excise Duty (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2025, and the Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2025. The Excise Duty (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2025, introduces revisions in tax rates for various goods and services, including cigarettes, beer, fruit juice, motor fuel, and plastic products. A key provision allows businesses to recover excise duty on damaged, expired, or obsolete goods. Among the notable proposed changes is the tax on locally manufactured soft cap cigarettes being revised to Shs65,000 per 1,000 sticks, while imported brands will attract Shs150,000 per 1,000 sticks. The excise duty on gasoline is set at Shs1,650 per litre, while diesel will be taxed at Shs1,380 per litre. Plastic bags and sacks under specified tariff codes will attract a duty of 2.5 per cent or US$ 70 per tonne, whichever is higher. The Tax Procedures Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025, seeks to enhance tax administration by imposing stricter compliance measures and improving tax enforcement mechanisms. "The amendments will streamline revenue collection and reduce tax evasion, ensuring that every taxpayer contributes fairly to national development," the Bill document states. Deputy Speaker, Tayebwa referred the various bills to the committees on Budget and Finance for scrutiny. The Committee on the Budget is expected to report back to the House on the Supplementary Appropriation Bill by 1 May 2025. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
Zawya
26-03-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Uganda: Deputy Speaker Tayebwa Calls for More Funds for Child Disability Benefit
Uganda is set to introduce a National Child Disability Benefit to support families raising children with disabilities. This was the focus of the National Child Benefit High-Level Dialogue Meeting organized by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development in partnership with UNICEF and held at the Kampala Sheraton Hotel on Wednesday, 26 March 2025. The event, themed 'Towards inclusive social protection: exploring a child disability benefit for Uganda,' brought together government officials, legislators, and development partners. Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, emphasized that disability support is a right, not a privilege, and criticized the Shs3 billion initial allocation, calling it inadequate and urging the government to commit at least Shs10 billion to the initiative. 'If we are to start this as a fund, let's be serious. It would be a betrayal to the disability movement to allocate such a small amount,' Tayebwa stated. He praised the Ministry of Gender for its efforts in supporting vulnerable groups but raised concerns about the potential misuse of funds by irresponsible parents. 'This money should improve the welfare of children, not serve as compensation for parents,' he cautioned. Gender Minister Betty Amongi explained that families caring for disabled children face extra financial burdens, with 50 percent of such households living in extreme poverty. 'This benefit will help cover costs like transport, medicine, and rehabilitation support. A child with disabilities requires more financial support than their siblings,' she said. She also highlighted the gendered impact of caregiving, noting that many fathers abandon mothers of disabled children, leaving them to shoulder the burden alone. State Minister for Disability Affairs, Hellen Asamo, urged a shift in societal attitudes, recalling her own struggles growing up with a disability. 'I didn't go to school like my siblings—I was given a shortcut. We must stop thinking for people with disabilities and instead ask them what they need,' she said. She warned against overprotection and exclusion, emphasizing the need for inclusive policies. Aggrey Kibenge, Permanent Secretary at the Gender Ministry, reaffirmed the government's commitment to disability inclusion, outlining plans for regular cash transfers to families as part of the benefit. UNICEF Country Representative, Robin Nandy, praised Uganda's social protection efforts, highlighting the economic benefits of investing in disability support. 'Every shilling invested in a child disability benefit can generate up to Shs2.5 in the economy,' he noted. Uganda aims to learn from countries like Kenya and South Africa, which have successfully implemented similar programmes. Parliament, through the Deputy Speaker and attending MPs, pledged full support to ensure children with disabilities receive the care and assistance they need. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
