Thursday 7 March 2024

Of course we did not expect the monkey to be a judge in a case involving the burning of the forest: Kidnapping Rwandan refugees: State sets free 7 police officers

 FILE some of the accused police officers arrive at court

Kidnapping Rwandan refugees: State sets free 7 police officers

https://observer.ug/index.php/news/headlines/80728-kidnapping-rwandan-refugees-state-sets-free-7-police-officers 

Written by URN

Seven senior police officers who were initially charged with failure to protect war materials, aiding and abetting the kidnap and repatriation of Rwandan refugees have been set free.

The seven officers include Nixon Agasirwe, the former head of operations and former commandant at the special investigations unit (SIU), Col Ndahura Atwooki, the former director of crime intelligence and Herbert Muhangi, the former head of the flying squad.

Others are Richard Ndaboine, the former head of the cybercrime unit, Patrick Muramira, an operative in the flying squad, Jonas Ayebaza, a former personal assistant to former Inspector General of Police Gen Edward Kale Kayihura and Muyomba Kitagenda, an operative with the flying squad.

The prosecution had stated that on October 25, 2013, while at Kamengo in Mpigi district, the seven police officers conspired with their former boss Kayihura to kidnap three Rwandan refugees namely; Joel Mutabazi, Jackson Kalemera and Innocent Kaliisa and conveyed them to their country against their will.

The entire group had also been charged with unlawfully allowing the issuance of guns to unauthorized groups of people including the then  Boda-Boda 2010 patron Abdallah Kitatta, and his bodyguard detective constable Sowali Ngobi. The duo was later on found guilty and sentenced to a jail term they have since finished serving.

The policemen were between 2017 and 2018  jailed before securing their temporary freedom on bail. The group which was initially charged with Kayihura was on Tuesday afternoon released by the General Court Martial in Makindye presided over by Brig Gen Freeman Robert Mugabe.

The prosecution led by Lt Col Raphael Mugisha tendered a letter dated March 5, 2024, to the court indicating that the directorate of the prosecutions in the UPDF had withdrawn the charges against the police officers. He didn't specify the reasons for this decision.

Consequently, the Court Martial chairperson Mugabe set the accused persons free. Charges against Kayihura were also dropped by the state last year.

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Kagame , The USA Darling and African economic model who violates human rights with impunity :The danger of running from one USA client state and hiding in another USA slave state : Former Kagame bodyguard attacked in Uganda

http://watchmanafrica.blogspot.com/2012/07/kagame-usa-darling-and-african-economic.html

When Rwandan Refugees Die like rats amidst Global silence: Rwanda Journalist Shot in Kampala

http://watchmanafrica.blogspot.com/2011/12/when-rwandan-refugees-die-like-rats.html

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Monday 4 March 2024

The Wickedness of Neo-liberal Corporations like Shell: Activists call for halt to Shell's planned exit from Nigeria

 

Activists call for halt to Shell's planned exit from Nigeria

https://observer.ug/index.php/news/headlines/80708-activists-call-for-halt-to-shell-s-planned-exit-from-nigeria  

Written by VOA

Advocacy groups are calling on the Dutch oil giant Shell to halt its plans to divest assets from Nigeria's Niger Delta region unless proper cleanup and decommissioning of its infrastructure is complete.

 Shell investors and climate activists revolt over energy transition

Last week, a Netherlands-based nonprofit released a report accusing Shell of trying to avoid responsibility for oil spills. The Center for Research on Multinational Corporations' report, entitled "Selling Out Nigeria — Shell's Irresponsible Divestment," said the Dutch oil giant's divestment in Nigeria must be suspended until clean-up and decommissioning of assets are complete.

The group accused Shell of trying to avoid responsibility for decades of oil spills in Nigeria's Niger Delta region that have polluted bodies of water and farmlands. It said Shell's assertion that it cleaned up polluted oil spill sites is flawed and cannot be trusted.

 Nigeria: Shell's divestment plan sparks debate – DW – 01/18/2024

Faith Nwadishi, founder of Center for Transparency Advocacy, agrees with the report.

"The contract that they have signed that talks about the issue of remediation, protection of the environment and all of those things have not been done," said Nwadishi. "We should be looking at the contract and interpreting it accordingly — this is international best practice. This is what happens everywhere."

Shell operations grew controversial

Shell pioneered Nigeria's oil and gas explorations in 1937, but its operations have been subject to controversy and lawsuits from local communities. Shell often blamed sabotage and vandalism by locals for busted pipelines, oil spills and environmental pollution.

In January, the company announced plans to sell its onshore operations to a local consortium of five companies for $2.4 billion. Shell said the move would allow it to focus on more lucrative offshore businesses and that it was also proof that local companies are able to take on a larger share of Nigeria's oil and gas industry.

But Nwadishi said if the pollution issue is not addressed, Shell's exit could set a bad example for other multinationals operating in Nigeria.

"Once one person sets a precedent — especially the bad precedences — once they're set, you see other people following up," said Nwadishi. "When they do that, what it will mean is that they set a wrong template for other multinationals to do the same thing. And unfortunately, we have this judicial system that takes forever to take care of issues like that."

 Time to End 'Blood Oil' Disaster in the Niger Delta – Royal Dutch Shell Plc  .com

Law mandates funding for cleanup

Under Nigerian law, Shell is expected to provide funding for cleanup and decommissioning of its infrastructure before exiting. But the report says the implementation of the law is flawed and said there is no sign that Shell is trying to comply with the law.

The company has not commented on the report but recently released a list of eight cleanup operations it plans to carry out in Nigeria this year, all for spills of less than 100 barrels of oil. Emmanuel Afimia, founder of Enermics Consulting, said Nigerian authorities must take the Shell divestment plan seriously.

 Shell's outdated business model may finally have to change | Amnesty  International UK

"Nigeria should implement the following measures: establish a robust regulatory framework that holds multinational corporations accountable for the environmental damage caused by their operations; ensure that affected communities are consulted and involved in the cleanup process and that their concerns and needs are addressed," said Afimia. "We need to monitor and evaluate the cleanup process regularly to ensure that it is being done properly and transparently."

VOA asked Nigeria's National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency for comment on the Shell issue but has not received a response. Before Shell can sell the assets in question, it must get approval from the Nigerian government. The government has not said whether it will authorize the sale.

 FILE - A member of Shell staff on the Bonga offshore oil Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel off the coast of the Niger Delta in Nigeria, on Dec. 26, 2011. Local activists and international environmental groups want Nigeria's government to delay approving the sale of oil company Shell's onshore assets, claiming Shell is trying to shirk its environmental and social responsibilities in the highly polluted Niger Delta. The Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO), a Dutch non-profit, released a report Wednesday Feb. 28, 2024 saying Shell shouldn’t be allowed to divest in the delta unless it takes “responsibility for its toxic legacy of pollution and ensures the safe decommissioning of abandoned oil infrastructure.” (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba, File)

(Sunday Alamba / Associated Press)

Activists urge Nigeria to delay Shell’s $2.4 billion sale of assets in deeply polluted Niger Delta

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/nation/story/2024-02-28/activists-urge-nigeria-to-delay-shells-sale-of-assets-in-polluted-region-over-environmental-worries 

TAIWO ADEBAYO
Feb. 28, 2024
 
 
 

Local activists and international environmental groups want Nigeria’s government to delay approving the sale of oil company Shell’s onshore assets, claiming Shell is trying to shirk its environmental and social responsibilities in the highly polluted Niger Delta.

The London-based company is trying to sell its subsidiary Shell Petroleum Development Company — which operates its onshore assets in the delta — to Renaissance Africa Energy Company, a consortium of local companies. Shell says the $2.4 billion divestment deal is part of a “wider reconfiguration of the Nigerian oil and gas sector.”

But the Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO), a Dutch non-profit, released a report Wednesday saying Shell shouldn’t be allowed to divest in the delta unless it takes “responsibility for its toxic legacy of pollution and ensures the safe decommissioning of abandoned oil infrastructure.”

 Hearing to determine key legal issues in claim against Shell by 15,000  Nigerians – Royal Dutch Shell Plc .com

Protesters have appealed to the government of Nigeria, Africa’s top oil producer, to halt the sale until environmental concerns are addressed. Lezina Mgbar, a 54-year-old healthcare worker and farmer who participated in a weekend demonstration in the country’s oil capital of Port Harcourt, said her Korokoro Tai community in Ogoniland has been “severely” affected by oil spills.

“In the morning, children and women have to travel far to get water, so children often cannot get to school on time, and our farm yields are poor,” Mgbar told The Associated Press. “We demand that Shell restore our land and clean our water before any divestment.”

Scientific studies have found high levels of chemical compounds from crude oil, as well as heavy metals, in the delta, where the industry largely drives Nigeria’s economy but can leave communities’ water sources slick with contaminants.

Activists say Shell has a history of poor divestment in the region. They point to a wellhead blowout in the Santa Barbara River, which flows through the Niger Delta, in 2021. The wellhead wasn’t producing but wasn’t decommissioned by Shell or its new owners, Aiteo Eastern E & P. The facility spewed crude oil and associated gas for 38 days and caused planet-warming methane to be released into the atmosphere, killed fish and devastated riverside farms.

 Nigerian farmers can sue Shell — UK court – DW – 02/12/2021

Richard Steiner, an environmental consultant with a history of work in the Niger Delta, said the blowout on the Santa Barbara River highlights the risk of Shell and other oil majors transferring assets to new local firms without resolving legacy environmental and social concerns first.

“Many of the purchasing companies do not have the technical or financial capacity to manage these oil and gas operations safely,” he said.

Shell says it assesses the financial strength, culture and social and environmental performance records of companies it sells assets to. A spokesperson added that “mandatory submissions to the federal government allow the regulators to apply scrutiny across a wide range of issues and recommend approval of these divestments, provided they meet all requirements.”

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who holds the portfolio of petroleum minister, will ultimately decide the fate of the Shell-Renaissance transaction. His spokesperson did not comment when contacted on Monday.

SOMO’s report documents other cases of environmental pollution that were allegedly not addressed by Shell before past divestments. Two communities, Ogale and Bille in Rivers State, have been in court pushing to make the company address past environmental concerns.

Shell and other oil companies often blame third-party interference, namely militant attacks and vandalism by oil thieves, for spills. However, companies still must clean up regardless of the cause, according to Nigeria’s law.

The deal with Renaissance is the latest move by Shell to limit its onshore operations in Nigeria while focusing on deepwater operations. Other companies, including Chevron, ExxonMobil and TotalEnergies, have been taking similar steps but without the scale of protests Shell, which is the most dominant in the region, has faced.

The civil society coalition that helped organize protests aimed at delaying the sale have petitioned Tinubu to adopt a set of principles to ensure more responsible petroleum industry divestments.

That “would help ensure a transparent process that would assess the capacity of the incoming companies, with meaningful community consultation throughout, address environmental pollution and deteriorating and abandoned infrastructure,” said Florence Kayemba, director of the Niger Delta-focused Stakeholder Democracy Network, one of the groups that came up with the principles.

Unlike in previous sales, Shell is transferring all its subsidiary shares to Renaissance, resulting in a change of ownership that would see SPDC continue to carry liabilities. Shell has said SPDC, with new ownership, will continue with the current staff and be responsible for remediation where spills have occurred in the past.

SOMO’s report noted the arrangement but said the energy giant is still trying to avoid its responsibility.

Audrey Gaughran, SOMO’s director, told the AP in a statement that “ensuring that the historical pollution, the lack of funding for safe decommissioning and poor financial transparency are fully addressed in Nigeria will be an important litmus test for a just energy transition across the world.”

 
 

 

 


 

Thursday 29 February 2024

The impact of neo-liberalism on Uganda’s children: Govt officials swindle millions in child adoption: Children deaths to cancer on rise, Mulago doctors say

 

Govt officials swindle millions in child adoption

https://observer.ug/index.php/news/headlines/80680-govt-officials-swindle-millions-in-child-adoption   

Written by GEOFREY SERUGO

 

Corruption and delayed investigations are impeding the adoption process for children from Ugandan children’s homes, according to concerns uncovered by The Observer. Presently, Uganda hosts 109 children’s homes across the country, with a significant concentration in the Central region.

These homes must obtain approval from the minister of Gender, specifically the official responsible for children’s welfare and protection, before operation. Despite an estimated 3.5 million abandoned and impoverished children in Uganda, only 9,700 reside in approved homes.

 

The nation has also recently witnessed a surge in street children, reflecting underlying issues such as extreme poverty, corruption and conflicts. A prevalent practice among prominent children’s homes involves releasing children for adoption to willing individuals. However, corruption, delayed investigations, and report production hinder the adoption process, as reported by foster parents.

Many have encountered challenges within the ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. The adoption process in Uganda involves two categories: national and foreign-based. National adoptions follow procedures before the Magistrate’s court, while foreign cases are handled by the High court.

ADOPTION PROCESS

The process of adoption in Uganda commences with fostering, a crucial step governed by clear legal provisions. According to the law, the adoption of a Ugandan child by a non-Ugandan individual must occur under exceptional circumstances. This stipulation implies that adoption is not an automatic process; instead, it is subject to stringent criteria set forth by the courts of law to curb child trafficking.

One such criterion necessitates that the prospective adopter must have resided in Uganda for a minimum of 12 months. This residency requirement underscores the importance of familiarity with the Ugandan culture, encompassing its customs, practices, and all facets relevant to caring for a child.

 

Moreover, the aspiring adopter must engage in fostering the child for a duration of 12 months, during which time supervision by a probation officer is mandatory. This supervision serves to ensure the well-being of the child and assess the prospective adopter’s suitability for parenthood.

Subsequently, the probation officer presents the prospective adopter to an alternative care panel for evaluation of eligibility. Should the panel deem the individual suitable, a recommendation is forwarded to the courts of law for further consideration. Following the recommendation, there is a mandatory waiting period  of one month before the applicant appears before the Family division of the High court.

 

This interlude allows the panel to review its proceedings and reaffirm its decision, thereby upholding principles of transparency and accountability. Upon presentation before the court, the matter is deliberated and adjudicated upon, with the duration of this process remaining undisclosed. If the court is satisfied with the applicant’s intentions and qualifications, the adoption is granted, thereby culminating in the realization of the adopter’s aspirations.

PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENTS COMPLAIN

In 2019, a Ugandan couple in the diaspora expressed interest in adopting a girl child from one of Uganda’s orphanages. They embarked on the adoption journey in 2020 from a renowned children’s home in Uganda, facilitated by their sister’s connections within the institution. Their efforts faced obstacles early on when they discovered Uganda lacked an adoption license with their country of residence, necessitating their intervention to pick up the process and deliver it themselves.

Upon identification of a one-year-old malnourished child, they sought a police medical report, for which they paid a fee of Shs 400,000 to an officer who later vanished. Another officer had to be engaged to obtain the report. From 2021 to 2023, the couple encountered further challenges, with a probation officer allegedly extorting close to Shs 6 million under the guise of expediting the process.

This officer eventually left for a more lucrative position, leaving the adoption process in limbo. Subsequently, their lawyer identified another probation officer in 2023, who demanded $5,500 (about Shs 20 million), prompting the couple’s personal intervention by flying into the country to oversee proceedings.

Despite assurances from Shafiq Butanda, the principal probation officer at the ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, the adoption process remained stagnant. Frustrated by the lack of progress and apparent demands for additional payments, the couple refused to comply, realizing they had been exploited previously.

The delays in the process meant the girl they sought to adopt, aged two at the outset, had now reached the age of five. The prospective adoptive parent expressed sadness at the child’s prolonged stay in the orphanage and criticized the apparent lack of care for such children.

She highlighted the disparities in adoption processes, noting the ease for Ugandans compared to foreigners, who often face more obstacles. Despite the challenges, the couple remained committed to the adoption process, because after years of association, they had become very attached to the child they were trying to adopt.

In a similar case, another Ugandan-based couple was frustrated by the line ministry at every turn of their adoption process, until they appealed to a higher power than the probation officer.

“We had followed all the procedures and they even gave us the child for fostering, which we did perfectly,” the mother, who requested anonymity to protect her adoptive child, said.

“When we finished fostering, the probation officer asked for Shs 3m to write a favourable report for us, or else she would fail us!”

The couple only concluded the stalled process after a powerful person in government made a call to the ministry.

USA SANCTIONS JUDGE, ATTORNEYS

In August 2020, the United States of America imposed sanctions on two Ugandan judges and two attorneys for their involvement in bribery associated with an adoption scam within the country.

 

US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo announced that financial sanctions and visa restrictions were levied against High court judges Moses Mukiibi and Wilson Masalu Musene, as well as Ugandan lawyers Dorah Mirembe and Patrick Ecobu, for their alleged complicity in a corrupt adoption scheme that victimized children.

Pompeo asserted that Mirembe and Ecobu facilitated bribes to Ugandan judges and other government officials to unlawfully secure adoption cases. As a consequence of the sanctions, the individuals targeted, along with their family members, are barred from entering the USA.

Meanwhile, another couple engaged in the adoption process from one of Uganda’s children’s homes expressed frustration, noting that three years have elapsed with no progress. They highlighted the challenges of navigating the legal system in Uganda, emphasizing the need for constant oversight of lawyers to ensure progress.

The couple lamented instances where fees were paid for legal services that were not rendered, resulting in financial losses. Despite the setbacks, they acknowledged that with sufficient resources and dedication, the adoption process in Uganda could proceed expeditiously. However, they underscored the importance of vigilance and advocacy to overcome obstacles and achieve their goal of adoption.

CHILDREN’S HOMES NOT SPARED

Speaking to The Observer, a source who declined to be named, said probation officers have turned the adoption process into a money-making business to the extent that they delay the process until you pay them.

Whichever office you go to, you have to pay money, yet you have children to look after. The probation officers are corrupt, and when you complain, you become their enemy.

“The process is so stressful. You facilitate every process. When a child is abandoned, the children’s home owner has to advertise the child until it is confirmed that there is no one claiming ownership of the child. You also have to go back to the village where the child was picked, with details of the child and pictures, and all that requires money,” she said.

“When it comes to the process of adoption, you have to carry out your investigation, and in that, you have to pay the local council for the letter, facilitate police officers, and facilitate the production of the medical report about the child; so, it is a long process and it requires money,” she said.

MANY CHILDREN IN UNAPPROVED HOMES

Butanda said the ministry has started the process of identifying and closing unregistered homes.

“We have identified 105 children’s homes operating illegally in the country, and the majority of them are in Wakiso, Kampala, Mukono and Jinja.
“We have support from development partners to prepare these districts to close these unapproved homes, and we are in advanced stages. We have trained the leadership, both political and technical, to enable them to have the necessary skills to ensure that we close these facilities,” he said.

He added, “We have had meet- ings with the directors of some of these unapproved child homes, and in March, we shall assess them and see the numbers of children in these facilities. On closure, we shall send some children to foster parents, trace them, and reintegrate some of them with their relatives, while those who have nowhere to go will be placed in the homes around them.”

CORRUPTION TENDENCIES

According to Butanda, the government is supposed to meet all the facilitation costs for probation officers. However, probation officers sit at the district level, where resources are limited. The probation officer, like any other human being, can now think of asking the applicant whether they can be supported to do their work, and between supporting and facilitation, that is where corruption comes in.

“If maybe someone needs Shs 500,000 to do that process, he might end up asking for Shs 3 million. As a person, I think if an applicant is willing to facilitate, it is okay. But if it is about buying a service, I don’t support it. If that person has evidence against someone, he can report the matter to the anti-corruption agency, the police to investigate, and others,” he said.

He said if you give a government officer Shs 6 million and you sit somewhere and you don’t even follow up, that is an injustice to yourself and the child. Someone who goes to an unapproved home and decides to start a process of fostering and adoption is operating with an illegal entity.

MINISTER OF GENDER SPEAKS OUT

Interviewed for this story, Nyirabashitsi Sarah Mateke, the minister of state for Youth and Children Affairs in the ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, said, “There must be a problem somewhere; those complaining should walk into my office for help because the department is dedicated to that”.

“The process of adopting a child is a bit long, which includes going to the field to establish the details about the child, a panel that looks into the gathered information, and then presenting the report to the Family court, which decides on that matter. We said Family court, not any other court, because we had some challenges some time back,” she added.

“We investigated a case some time back where they said the child’s parents died, yet they are alive and well-off. They had cows and a banana plantation; so, they lied to the probation officer, and therefore we don’t rush; there may be something hindering the process,” she said.

She said in November 2023, the ministry started closing unregistered orphanages in the country.

“We started in the Central region, which had so many unregistered homes and orphanages, and we shall soon move out to other parts of the country,” she said.

 

  Children cut cake to celebrate completion of treatment at the Mulago Children with Cancer Unit

Children deaths to cancer on rise, Mulago doctors say

https://observer.ug/index.php/news/headlines/80678-children-deaths-to-cancer-on-rise-mulago-doctors-say 

Written by JOSEPHINE NAMULOKI

 

Two physicians affiliated with the Children with Cancer Unit at Mulago hospital report a concerning trend: an increase in cancer cases among children, resulting in a staggering annual mortality rate of approximately 70 per cent.

Dr Anne Akullo, a pediatric hematologist and Associate director of Clinical Operations at the Global Hope programme, identifies late diagnosis and treatment discontinuation as key factors contributing to the dismal survival rates observed in pediatric cancer patients. The Global Hope programme is a worldwide initiative aimed at combating cancer among minors.

“In Uganda, there’s a prevailing belief that children are not susceptible to cancer; it’s seen as an ailment of adulthood. However, the reality is stark: approximately 7,000 children currently live with cancer, and each year, more than 1,000 children are diagnosed with the disease across all treatment centers in Uganda,” stated Dr Akullo during the International Childhood Cancer day at the Bless a Child Foundation in Makerere-Kikoni and the Mulago Children with Cancer Unit last week.

“Even the 7,000 diagnosed cases represent only about 10 per cent of those who should have been identified. Sadly, many succumb to the illness before reaching the hospital,” Dr. Akullo added.

Her colleague, Dr Annet Nakirulu, emphasized that the primary obstacle in combating childhood cancer is the lack of awareness among healthcare workers, parents and children.

“Some health workers and parents attribute cancers to witchcraft, while others are unaware due to various myths and misconceptions. Without an understanding of childhood cancer, parents may not recognize the symptoms, preventing timely diagnosis and treatment,” Dr Nakirulu explained.

“This lack of awareness often results in either no diagnosis or misdiagnosis. When diagnosed late, the chances of survival diminish significantly. Therefore, increasing awareness is crucial,” Nakirulu emphasized.

Both doctors noted that they have initiated community outreach programs to educate people about childhood cancers.

“If a child in the community exhibits symptoms related to cancer, such as swelling, but the community is unaware of the connection, they may seek healthcare in vain, leading to tragic outcomes,” Dr Akullo noted.

While the exact cause of childhood cancers remains unclear, risk factors such as infections, HIV, and hepatitis B, which compromise children’s immune systems, have been identified by specialists. Hepatitis B is linked to liver cancer, among other conditions.

According to the specialists, common symptoms such as unusual swellings, unexplained pain, persistent headaches, headaches accompanied by vomiting or convulsions, changes in handwriting or academic performance, may indicate an underlying health issue, possibly in the brain.

“When cancer has progressed extensively, it can affect any part of the body. It’s crucial to maintain a high level of suspicion. Childhood cancer is sometimes diagnosed late due to atypical symptoms,” Dr Akullo explained.

“Instead of resorting to attributing symptoms to witchcraft, it’s important to seek logical explanations for unexplained conditions,” she added.

The doctors emphasized that childhood cancer is treatable, with an 80 per cent survival rate in high-income countries. “Early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and continuous care can make this achievable,” Dr. Nakirulu noted.

They highlighted February and September as months dedicated to raising awareness about childhood cancer, with this year’s theme being ‘closing the gap.’

The specialists stressed that community involvement is essential in bridging this gap, urging recognition, participation, destigmatization, and support for children with cancer.

Uganda currently has four cancer treatment facilities, including the 5th floor of the new Mulago Hospital, the Uganda Cancer Institute, Lacor Hospital in Gulu, and Mbarara regional referral hospital.

Mulago hospital houses the Early Childhood Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Unit, which provides inpatient and outpatient care for pediatric blood and cancer disorders, with a capacity of 48 beds.

Bless a Child Foundation aims to address challenges faced by children with cancer during treatment. Brian Walusimbi, the founder, emphasized that geographical location should not determine the quality of a child’s treatment or chances of survival. The foundation provides palliative care, accommodation, meals, transportation, and other forms of support to children whose parents are unable to regularly transport them for treatment.

Wednesday 28 February 2024

Ghana parliament pass stringent anti-gay law

  Speaker of Ghana Parliament Alban Sumana Bagbin

Ghana parliament pass stringent anti-gay law

https://observer.ug/index.php/news/headlines/80683-ghana-parliament-pass-stringent-anti-gay-law  

February 29, 2024 

 

Written by URN 

Ghana's parliament passed legislation Wednesday that intensifies a crackdown on the rights of LGBTQ people and those promoting lesbian, gay or other non-conventional sexual or gender identities in the West African country.

Gay sex was already punishable by up to three years in prison. The bill now also imposes a prison sentence of up to five years for the "willful promotion, sponsorship, or support of LGBTQ+ activities."

The bill is one of the harshest of its kind in Africa.

"My heart is broken and devastated at the moment, that's all I can say for now" Angel Maxine, Ghana's first openly transgender musician and LGBTQI+ activist, told Reuters, adding "My pronouns are she/ her/ hers."

A coalition of Christian, Muslim, and Ghanaian traditional leaders sponsored the legislation. Following the vote in parliament, the bill will be presented to President Nana Akufo-Addo after which he has seven days to assent or refuse to assent, according to Ghana's constitution.

If he assents, the bill becomes law. Akufo-Addo, had avoided the heated debate over the bill, but said he'll react once it is voted by parliament.

Winnie Byanyima, executive director of the United Nations AIDS agency UNAIDS, said in a statement that the bill would affect everyone if it became law, adding that punitive laws as embodied by the bill, are a barrier to ending AIDS and ultimately undermine everyone's health.

"It will exacerbate fear and hatred, could incite violence against fellow Ghanaian citizens, and will negatively impact on free speech, freedom of movement and freedom of association," Byanyima said in the statement.

"If it becomes law, it will obstruct access to life-saving services, undercut social protection, and jeopardize Ghana's development success," she said.

 

Tuesday 27 February 2024

The woman (Pentecostalism) that rides the Beast(USA): Benny Hinn Perfects Deception during Kenya 2024 Crusade: Why Benny Hinn went round Charlene Ruto seven times


 President William Ruto with televangelist Benny Hinn in Nairobi on February 25, 2024.

Was the 'crippled' man really healed?

https://watchmanafrica.blogspot.com/2007/12/was-crippled-man-really-healed.html

Benny Hinn the catholic Necromancer

https://watchmanafrica.blogspot.com/2007/05/benny-hinn-catholic-necromancer.html

UGANDAN APOSTATES ENDORSE BENNY HINN CRUSADE  

http://watchmanafrica.blogspot.com/2007/05/ugandan-apostates-endorse-benny-hinn.html

 

 President William Ruto with televangelist Benny Hinn in Nairobi on February 25, 2024.

 President William Ruto with televangelist Benny Hinn in Nairobi on February 25, 2024.
Image: PCS  

 President William Ruto in a meeting with televangelist Benny Hinn in Nairobi on February 25, 2024.

 President William Ruto with televangelist Benny Hinn in Nairobi on February 25, 2024.
Image: PCS

Why Benny Hinn went round Charlene Ruto seven times

https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/news/article/2001490573/why-benny-hinn-went-round-charlene-ruto-seven-times 


 By Vincent Kejitan 

American televangelist Benny Hinn over the weekend held two crusades at Nyayo Stadium and on Sunday, February 25, 2024, he prayed for President William Ruto’s daughter Charlene.

While anointing her, the preacher walked around her seven times and told the congregation that he had been instructed to do so by God to protect Charlene’s life.

 President William Ruto with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka during the Benny Hinn Mega crusade at Nyayo Stadium on February 25, 2024.

“The Lord asked me to go around her seven times to protect her life,” he said.

Charlene had earlier outlined her call to serve young people in Kenya and Africa at large and asked the preacher to pray for her to achieve her mission.

The preacher obliged, holding her hands as he made a declaration.

He also prayed for Charlene to get the man of her dreams, who would walk with her in her quest to serve the youth.

“I have a call for the young people in our country so I would love God to use me to serve them. I love the young people of this country and Africa so much and I would like God to make a way for me to do whatever it is he wants for the young people of our nation,” said Charlene.

“Give her a husband that will fulfil that call with her. Lord send that young man her way, who will be a strength to her, a great support system to her.

 Kenyans at Nyayo Stadium for the Benny Hinn Mega Crusade on February 25, 2024.

President Ruto joined other leaders and Kenyans on Sunday.

 
  • On Sunday, other leaders trickled in, including President Ruto, his deputy Rigathi Gachagua, Second Lady Dorcas Rigathi and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
  • During his time at the crusade, Ruto revealed of the time he knew he was going to be Kenya's president and led the congregation in a hymn.
Nairobi Woman Rep Esther Passaris during the Benny Hinn- mega crusade at Nyayo Stadium on February 24, 2024.
 
 Nairobi Woman Rep Esther Passaris during the Benny Hinn- mega crusade at Nyayo Stadium on February 24, 2024.
Image: HANDOUT

Despite being a secular country, Kenya is led by Christian leaders as was seen with the invitation of US televangelist Benny Hinn.

The mega crusade at Nyayo Stadium is set to end on Sunday, having begun on Saturday evening and so far, a number of leaders have graced the meeting.

On Saturday, First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto joined Nairobi Women Rep Esther Passaris and government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura at the stadium.

On Sunday, other leaders joined in, including President William Ruto, his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua, Second Lady Dorcas Rigathi and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

 New Life Prayer Centre and Church leader Apostle Ezekiel Odero during the Benny Hinn- mega crusade at Nyayo Stadium on February 24, 2024.

 New Life Prayer Centre and Church leader Apostle Ezekiel Odero during the Benny Hinn- mega crusade at Nyayo Stadium on February 24, 2024.
Image: HANDOUT

During his time at the crusade, Ruto revealed the time he knew he would be Kenya's president and led the congregation in a hymn.

"The first time I got a revelation that I was going to be President in Kenya was in 2006 and during the Asuza 100 Celebration of Revival in the US and I was there with my wife and many others," he said.

 Pastor Dorcas Rigathi with US televangelist Benny Hinn during the mega crusade at Nyayo Stadium on February 24, 2024.

 Pastor Dorcas Rigathi with US televangelist Benny Hinn during the mega crusade at Nyayo Stadium on February 24, 2024.
Image: HANDOUT

Taking to his X account after the Sunday session, Kalonzo spoke of his experience.

"It was an incredible experience with the faithful today at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi. Acclaimed Evangelist Pastor Benny Hinn spoke with great authority delivering a message of hope guided by the Holy Spirit," he said.

Church leaders present were Reverend Kathy Kiuna, New Life Prayer Centre and Church leader Apostle Ezekiel Odero and Pastor Pius Muiru.

During the day, Ruto also held a meeting with Hinn at the State House.

 

 First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto at Nyayo National Stadium for Benny Hinn's crusade

Rachel Ruto reveals the source of funds for Benny Hinn's crusade at Nyayo Stadium

 https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/local/rachel-ruto-reveals-the-source-of-funds-for-benny-hinns-crusade-at-nyayo-stadium/4rwwz0f 

"The First Lady of Kenya flew from Nairobi with her team just for one reason: to ask me to come back to Nairobi for a nationwide Nation government-sponsored Crusade," Hinn announced during his sermon back in September 2023.

First Lady Rachel Ruto with Benny Hinn at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday, February 24, 2024

First Lady, Rachel Ruto, has clarified the source of funds used to sponsor visiting televangelist Benny Hinn’s crusade at Nyayo National Stadium.


The First Lady who attended the crusade on Saturday, February 24 explained that the event was fully funded by churches in Kenya.

“I thank the Church of Jesus Christ for hosting Pastor Benny Hinn and giving selflessly to make the crusade a success.”

The church has fully funded all that was needed to make the crusade a success,” Rachel Ruto remarked.

Rachel Ruto revisits meeting with Benny Hinn in Florida

The statement came after months of backlash with a section of Kenyans faulting the government after the preacher claimed that the First Lady flew to the US to invite him for a for allegedly offering to bring the televangelist for a nationwide Nation government-sponsored Crusade.

"The First Lady of Kenya flew from Nairobi with her team just for one reason: to ask me to come back to Nairobi for a nationwide Nation government-sponsored Crusade," Hinn announced during his sermon.

evisitng their meeting in the US when the invitation was made, Mama Rachel Ruto thanked the televangelist for accepting to come to Kenya, noting that it has been 23 years since he last came to the country.

"I thank Benny Hinn for accepting our request to come to Kenya. I can tell you it is a big honour. When I met him in Florida he told me he had stopped going out of America.

“It has been 23 years since Benny Hinn has been to this nation and I know he has many invitations from all over the world. We are very grateful that he has stepped into the soil of Kenya and because of that, he has also stepped into Africa," the First Lady explained.

The First lady was among those who attended the first day of the crusade and took to social media to share photos of the event writing:

“I joined other believers at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi for the first day of the Healing the Nation Crusade.”

Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris was also in attendance.

 

 
Was the 'crippled' man really healed? https://watchmanafrica.blogspot.com/2007/12/was-crippled-man-really-healed.html Benny Hinn the catholic Necromancer https://watchmanafrica.blogspot.com/2007/05/benny-hinn-catholic-necromancer.html UGANDAN APOSTATES ENDORSE BENNY HINN CRUSADE http://watchmanafrica.blogspot.com/2007/05/ugandan-apostates-endorse-benny-hinn.html