Financial Therapy And Counseling Services And Strategies

By Our Reporter

Financial therapy and counseling services have emerged as vital resources in addressing the complex interplay between financial well-being and psychological health. With roots in both financial planning and psychotherapy, financial therapy integrates principles from psychology, counseling, and financial planning to help individuals and families understand and improve their financial behaviors, attitudes, and relationships. This multidisciplinary approach recognizes that financial decisions are not purely rational but are influenced by emotions, past experiences, and societal norms.

At its core, financial therapy aims to help individuals develop a healthier relationship with money by addressing underlying emotional issues and behavioral patterns that impact financial decision-making. This includes exploring beliefs and attitudes about money inherited from childhood, cultural influences, and past experiences with money. By uncovering these underlying factors, individuals can gain insight into their financial behaviors and make more informed choices.

One of the primary goals of financial therapy is to alleviate financial stress and improve overall well-being. Financial stress can have significant consequences on mental and physical health, leading to anxiety, depression, and relationship conflicts. Through counseling and therapeutic techniques, financial therapists help clients develop coping strategies to manage stress and build resilience in the face of financial challenges.

Financial therapy also addresses specific financial issues such as overspending, debt management, and budgeting. Therapists work with clients to identify the root causes of these behaviors and develop practical strategies to change them. This may involve setting realistic financial goals, creating a budget, and implementing accountability measures to track progress.

Another key aspect of financial therapy is addressing the emotional aspects of money management, such as shame, guilt, and fear. Many individuals experience shame or embarrassment around financial difficulties, which can prevent them from seeking help or taking positive action. By creating a safe and supportive environment, financial therapists help clients explore and process these emotions, enabling them to move forward with greater confidence and self-compassion.

In addition to individual counseling, financial therapy may also involve couples or family therapy sessions. Money is a common source of conflict in relationships, and differing financial values and behaviors can strain even the strongest partnerships. Through couples or family therapy, individuals can learn to communicate more effectively about money, establish shared financial goals, and work together to address financial challenges.

Financial therapy also encompasses education and skill-building to empower clients to make informed financial decisions. This may include teaching basic financial literacy concepts such as budgeting, saving, investing, and debt management. By equipping clients with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate their financial lives, therapists empower them to take control of their financial futures.

Moreover, financial therapy recognizes the importance of cultural competence and acknowledges the influence of cultural factors on financial beliefs and behaviors. Therapists strive to understand their clients’ cultural backgrounds and experiences and incorporate culturally sensitive approaches into their practice. This may involve adapting therapeutic techniques to resonate with clients’ cultural values and norms or addressing systemic barriers that impact financial well-being within marginalized communities.

In recent years, the field of financial therapy has gained recognition and legitimacy, with professional organizations offering certifications and training programs for financial therapists. This increased visibility has led to greater awareness of the importance of addressing the intersection of money and mental health and expanded access to financial therapy services.

Furthermore, technology has played a significant role in making financial therapy more accessible to a wider audience. Online platforms and mobile apps allow individuals to connect with financial therapists remotely, overcoming barriers such as geographic location and scheduling conflicts. This has been particularly valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic, as many people have sought virtual mental health services to cope with increased financial stressors.

Despite these advancements, financial therapy still faces challenges and limitations. Stigma surrounding mental health issues and financial difficulties may prevent some individuals from seeking help, and there remains a need for greater awareness and destigmatization of both financial therapy and mental health services in general.

Additionally, financial therapy is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and not all therapists are trained in or experienced with addressing financial issues. Finding a qualified financial therapist who is a good fit for an individual’s needs and preferences can be challenging, particularly in areas with limited access to mental health resources.

Moreover, financial therapy is not a replacement for traditional financial planning or psychotherapy but rather complements these approaches by addressing the emotional and behavioral aspects of money management. Collaborating with other professionals, such as financial planners, accountants, and estate planners, can enhance the effectiveness of financial therapy interventions and provide clients with comprehensive support.

In conclusion, financial therapy and counseling services offer a holistic approach to addressing the complex relationship between money and mental health. By integrating principles from psychology, counseling, and financial planning, financial therapists help individuals and families understand and improve their financial behaviors, attitudes, and relationships. Through counseling, education, and skill-building, financial therapy empowers clients to take control of their financial futures and improve their overall well-being. While challenges remain, the growing recognition and accessibility of financial therapy signify its importance in promoting financial health and resilience in today’s society.

Tips For Sustainable Eating Habits And Reducing Food Waste

By Our Reporter

In recent years, the concept of sustainable eating has gained significant traction as people become increasingly aware of the environmental, social, and health implications of their food choices. Sustainable eating involves making decisions that promote the health of individuals, communities, and the planet.

One of the key components of sustainable eating is reducing food waste, as it not only helps conserve resources but also minimizes the environmental impact associated with food production and disposal.

Understanding Sustainable Eating

Choose Whole Foods

Opt for whole, unprocessed foods whenever possible. Whole foods are typically less resource-intensive to produce and often contain fewer additives and preservatives compared to processed foods.

Prioritize Plant-Based Options
Plant-based diets have been shown to have lower environmental footprints compared to diets rich in animal products. Incorporate more fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds into your meals to reduce your carbon footprint.

Buy Local and Seasonal Produce
Support local farmers and reduce transportation emissions by purchasing fruits and vegetables that are in season and grown locally. Local produce is often fresher and has a lower environmental impact compared to imported goods.

Minimize Food Packaging
Choose products with minimal packaging or opt for packaging-free alternatives such as bulk bins or farmers’ markets. Excessive packaging contributes to waste generation and environmental pollution.

Reduce Meat and Dairy Consumption
Animal agriculture is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation. Consider reducing your consumption of meat and dairy products or choosing sustainably sourced and ethically produced options.

Tips for Reducing Food Waste

Plan Meals in Advance

Create a weekly meal plan and make a shopping list to avoid overbuying and ensure that you only purchase what you need. Planning meals in advance can help minimize impulse purchases and reduce food waste.

Proper Storage
Store perishable foods such as fruits, vegetables, and leftovers properly to extend their shelf life. Invest in airtight containers, reusable wraps, and storage bags to keep food fresh for longer periods.

Practice FIFO (First In, First Out)
Rotate your pantry and refrigerator items to use older products before newer ones. This ensures that perishable items are consumed before they spoil and helps prevent food waste.

Embrace Imperfect Produce
Many fruits and vegetables are discarded due to cosmetic imperfections or irregular shapes, even though they are perfectly safe to eat. Support initiatives that rescue imperfect produce or consider purchasing them to reduce waste.

Use Leftovers Creatively
Repurpose leftover ingredients and meals into new dishes to prevent them from going to waste. Get creative in the kitchen and experiment with different recipes and flavor combinations using leftover ingredients.

Compost Food Scraps
Set up a composting system to recycle food scraps and organic waste into nutrient-rich compost for your garden. Composting not only diverts waste from landfills but also helps enrich soil and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers.

Donate Excess Food
If you have surplus food that you can’t consume, consider donating it to local food banks, shelters, or community organizations. Donating excess food helps alleviate hunger and reduces food waste in your community.

Support Sustainable Fishing Practices
When consuming seafood, choose sustainably sourced options that are certified by reputable organizations such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) or the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC). Avoid species that are overfished or caught using destructive fishing methods.

Opt for Organic and Non-GMO Products
Choose organic and non-GMO (genetically modified organism) foods whenever possible to support environmentally friendly farming practices and reduce pesticide and chemical use. Organic farming methods promote soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience.

Tips for Reducing Food Waste

Educate Yourself on Food Labeling

Understand the difference between “sell-by,” “use-by,” and “best-by” dates on food packaging to avoid premature disposal of perfectly safe and edible items. Many foods remain safe for consumption beyond their labeled expiration dates, reducing unnecessary waste.

Practice Portion Control
Be mindful of portion sizes and serve appropriate amounts of food to avoid overeating and food waste. Use smaller plates and utensils to help regulate portion sizes and encourage mindful eating habits.

Invest in Food Preservation Methods
Explore alternative food preservation methods such as canning, freezing, and drying to extend the shelf life of perishable items. Preserving excess produce and ingredients allows you to enjoy them later and reduces the likelihood of spoilage.

Engage in Community Food Sharing
Participate in community food sharing initiatives such as neighborhood produce exchanges, potluck dinners, or communal gardens. Sharing surplus food with friends, neighbors, or local community groups fosters a sense of community and reduces food waste on a broader scale.

Advocate for Policy Changes
Support policies and initiatives at the local, national, and global levels that promote sustainable agriculture, reduce food waste, and address food insecurity. Advocate for legislation that encourages food donation, supports small-scale farmers, and incentivizes sustainable farming practices.

Adopting sustainable eating habits and reducing food waste are essential steps towards creating a more environmentally friendly and socially responsible food system. By making conscious choices about what we eat, how we source our food, and how we manage food waste, we can contribute to a healthier planet and ensure food security for future generations. By following the tips outlined in this guide, you can play your part in promoting sustainability and minimizing the environmental impact of your food choices.

Behavioral Economics Interventions For Financial Decision-Making

By Our Reporter

Behavioral economics, a discipline that blends insights from psychology and economics, has significantly influenced the understanding of how individuals make financial decisions. Traditional economic models assume that individuals make rational choices, maximizing their utility based on all available information. However, behavioral economics challenges this assumption by recognizing that people often deviate from rationality due to cognitive biases, emotions, and social influences.

Nudges and Choice Architecture
One of the foundational concepts in behavioral economics is the idea of nudges, popularized by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein. Nudges are interventions designed to influence individuals’ decisions without restricting their freedom of choice. In the realm of financial decision-making, nudges often involve altering the choice architecture to steer individuals towards better outcomes. For instance, implementing default options in retirement savings plans, such as automatic enrollment with the choice to opt-out, has been shown to significantly increase participation rates. By leveraging inertia and the status quo bias, individuals are more likely to stick with the default option, leading to improved long-term financial outcomes.

Framing and Mental Accounting
Another powerful behavioral economics intervention involves framing, which refers to how information is presented and how it influences decision-making. People tend to be influenced by the way choices are framed, often making different decisions based on the context provided. In financial decision-making, framing effects can be leveraged to encourage desirable behaviors. For example, framing savings as a loss aversion strategy rather than a gain-seeking one can motivate individuals to save more diligently. Additionally, mental accounting, the tendency to categorize and evaluate financial outcomes separately, can be harnessed to encourage better financial habits. By framing certain expenditures as belonging to specific mental accounts (e.g., a vacation fund), individuals may be more willing to save towards those goals.

Anchoring and Adjustment
Anchoring is a cognitive bias wherein individuals rely heavily on the first piece of information encountered when making decisions. In financial decision-making, anchoring can lead to suboptimal outcomes if individuals anchor on irrelevant or arbitrary numbers. However, by strategically setting anchors, policymakers and financial institutions can influence decision-making in desired directions. For instance, displaying suggested donation amounts during fundraising campaigns can anchor individuals’ perceptions of appropriate donation levels, resulting in higher contributions. Moreover, providing reference points or benchmarks can help individuals adjust their financial decisions more accurately, mitigating the negative effects of anchoring.

Loss Aversion and Prospect Theory
Loss aversion, a key concept in prospect theory developed by Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky, refers to the tendency for individuals to strongly prefer avoiding losses over acquiring equivalent gains. This asymmetry in decision-making can lead to risk aversion and suboptimal choices in financial contexts. Behavioral economics interventions aimed at addressing loss aversion often involve reframing decisions to emphasize potential losses or providing mental accounting tools to mitigate the fear of loss. Additionally, offering loss protection mechanisms, such as insurance products or downside protection features in investment products, can alleviate individuals’ aversion to financial risk, enabling them to make more rational decisions.

Behavioral Finance Education and Financial Literacy Programs
Enhancing financial literacy and education is another critical intervention in promoting better financial decision-making. Traditional financial education often focuses on imparting knowledge of financial products and concepts, assuming that increased knowledge will lead to better decisions. However, behavioral economics insights suggest that improving financial literacy goes beyond mere knowledge acquisition. Effective financial education programs should also address behavioral biases, decision-making heuristics, and emotional factors that influence financial choices. By incorporating principles from behavioral economics into financial literacy curricula, individuals can develop the awareness and skills necessary to make more informed and rational financial decisions.

Social Norms and Peer Effects
Human beings are inherently social creatures, and social influences play a significant role in shaping behavior, including financial decision-making. Social norms, or societal expectations regarding appropriate behaviors, can exert a powerful influence on individuals’ financial choices. Behavioral economics interventions often leverage social norms to encourage desirable financial behaviors. For example, publicly highlighting individuals who save diligently or invest responsibly can create positive social pressure for others to follow suit. Additionally, peer effects, wherein individuals’ decisions are influenced by the behaviors of their peers, can be harnessed to promote financial well-being through peer-based interventions and social networks.

Behavioral Economics in Policy and Regulation
Governments and regulatory bodies play a crucial role in shaping the financial landscape and influencing individuals’ decisions through policies and regulations. Behavioral economics insights have increasingly been integrated into policy design and regulation to promote better financial outcomes. For instance, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in the United States utilizes behavioral economics principles to design disclosures and consumer protection measures that are more effective in guiding consumer decision-making. By understanding how individuals behave and make decisions, policymakers can craft interventions that nudge individuals towards choices that align with their long-term financial interests.

In conclusion, behavioral economics interventions offer valuable tools for improving financial decision-making by acknowledging and addressing the cognitive biases, emotions, and social influences that shape human behavior. From nudges and choice architecture to framing effects and social norms, these interventions leverage insights from psychology and economics to promote better financial outcomes for individuals and societies. By integrating behavioral economics principles into policy, regulation, education, and product design, stakeholders can empower individuals to make more informed, rational, and ultimately, beneficial financial decisions.

Bushenyi's Parental Care Primary School Goes On Global Stage As It Scoops Continental Debate Competitions In Kenya

By Our Reporter

Parental Care Nursery and Primary School Bushenyi has been declared the winner of continental debate competitions in Kenya where they battled over 22 schools from various parts of Africa.

The competitions dubbed ‘2023 Pan African Junior Schools Debate Competitions’ kicked off on the 27th & ended on the 28th of November 2023 at Our Lady of Fatima Kasarani in Nairobi.

The competitions were organized by Primary Schools Debate Challenge (PriDC) which is a non-profit organization that aims to educate African children on issues of child abuse and early child marriages and is known for running primary debate competitions for African schools.

In these competitions, Parental Care trounced mighty schools from Kenya, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Mozambique, Botswana and Nigeria.

On finals, Parental Care faced off with Mother Patrick Convent Primary School Zimbabwe which was the second and the hosts Our Lady of Fatima Kenya scooped the fourth position.

Further, in these same competitions, Parental Care's Timothy Murungi was recognized as the best debater and Precious Jaka from Amai Mugabe Junior School, Zimbabwe as the best public speaker.

Now, after the above continental victory, Parental Care is already polishing its shoes to represent not only Uganda but entire of Africa at the global debate competitions that will be held next year in the Czech Republic.

2023 Victories

These come a few days after this same school showcased a powerful performance at the recently concluded national spelling bee competitions held at Serena Hotel, Kampala.

The Bushenyi’s finest school, in July 2023 beat hundreds of western Uganda schools, to qualify for the above competitions.

In the same year 2023, Parental Care was declared the winner of the Uganda National Junior Schools Debate Championships.

Back To Debates, Why Parental Care Prioritizes This?

In general, there are various benefits of debate which include:

1. Critical Thinking

Debating, instead of arguing, helps defuse an escalating situation. With debates, students can develop essential critical thinking skills ability to make well arguments in addition to questioning behind a particular conclusion. Critical thinking can also help students become curious about new ideas and build an attitude of questioning.

2. Articulating the thoughts

Debating helps pupils to become better at explaining a variety of topics. From planning the argument to choosing the words wisely, debating helps to identify the audience and choose the appropriate tone. The ability to articulate their thoughts, and produce well-planned and sharp arguments, is a key in debating.

3. Build a meaning out of complex situations

Debating also helps students to construct meaning out of complex topics. Taking the time to research the topic carefully, and construct the points will help them make a better argument.

4. Develops courage

Most students would rather develop courage while speaking or arguing with others. Debating involves attention, preparation and a bit of bravery to stand in front of peers arguing exactly the opposite.

5. Integrate knowledge

Debate topics are multifaceted across several disciplines. So, classroom debates allow debaters to gain knowledge outside the student’s normal and academic subjects. Debates provide students the opportunity to explore real-world topics and issues.

Bushenyi's Mighty Parental Care Primary School Faces African Giants At Continental Debate Competitions In Kenya

By Our Reporter

Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality’s Parental Care Primary School has already landed in Kenya for continental debating competitions dubbed '2023 Pan African Junior Schools Debate Competitions'.

The competitions that have kicked off today [27th Nov] and ending tomorrow [28th Nov] are organized by Primary Schools Debate Challenge (PriDC) which is a non-profit organization that aims to educate African children on issues of child abuse and early child marriages.

This organization runs debate and public speaking competitions for Primary Schools in Africa.

Parental Care which has always given a bloody nose to competitors is the only school that is representing Uganda in these competitions facing hot teams from countries like Kenya, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Mozambique, Botswana and Nigeria.

According to the organizers of these competitions, they ended up picking Parental Care from Uganda, being the country's best in debating. The same criteria was used to select schools from other countries.

''We had SADC competitions in July which saw 7 Southern African nations participating. Your school is invited to compete in the PriDC 2023 PAJSD competitions to be hosted by Our Lady Of Fatima Catholic School in Nairobi, Kenya. We are expecting schools that won the SADC competitions in July to compete with schools in East Africa,'' partially reads an invitation extended to the Debate Patron of Parental Care Nursery & Primary School.

Parental Care is expected to compete in the following categories:

Debate (maximum of 4 teams per school)

Public speaking (maximum of 3 participants per school)

Relay speeches (2 teams per school).

These come a few days after this same school showcased a powerful performance at the recently concluded national spelling bee competitions held at Serena Hotel, Kampala.

The Bushenyi’s finest school, in July 2023 beat hundreds of western Uganda schools, to qualify for the above competitions.

Putting the rich history aside, the administrators of this school which has become a household name in Uganda due to its unique performance believe that it's a sure win for them in Kenyan competitions.

''We are ready to win this, we have always won home and away, now we want to assure our dear parents who gave us their children that we are heading to Kenya for African Debate Competitions, and we won't disappoint you,'' noted the school’s Deputy Headmaster, Mr. Desmond Tayebwa.

The finalists of these competitions will be representing Africa in the Czech Republic for world competitions.

Who Will See God? Bishop Luwalira's Replacement Hit With Fraudulent Nominations, House Of Bishops Fumes!

By Our Reporter

It is a moment of confusion at Namirembe Diocese where the House of Bishops have rejected the nominated candidates; Rev Moses Banja and Rev Abraham Muyinda citing fraudulent nomination.

According to reports, the two were fraudulently fronted by the Chancellor of Namirembe Diocese Mr Frederick Mpanga to replace the outgoing Bishop Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira who has been Bishop of Namirembe since 2009.

"Lawyer Mpanga of AF Mpanga Advocates as Chancellor heads the nomination committee but had instead turned it into an endorsement camp of his preferred candidate Moses Banja. Muyinda had been smuggled in at the last hour to provide a semblance of the election, as he didn’t originally apply during the call for applications," reports quote members of the House of Bishops as saying.

The House of Bishops is said to have sat on Thursday under tight security and reviewed evidence provided by the elders in their petition and sampled phone calls using a loudspeaker to all the committee members.

"Ten of the 13 committee members that attended the Saturday meeting at Kings College Budo confirmed having not elected Banja and Muyinda and had rejected Mpanga’s decision to simply select two people and have the committee endorse them," adds the report.

The elders say Mpanga had promised to call for another meeting but instead forwarded names to the House of Bishops chaired by Archbishop Kaziimba Mugalu prompting the elders to sign a petition against this move.

With that evidence, the House of Bishops concluded that the process needs to be repeated, but with Mpanga not as committee chair.

Luwalira will retire on December 8, 2023, on clocking 65 years, after 14 years at the helm of Namirembe Diocese.

Luwalira, who rose from grass to grace, is credited with extending the church closer to the believers, superintending the starting of new churches and archdeaconries, refurbishing Namirembe cathedral, a project that cost over Shs 3 billion, and establishing Namirembe FM, among other projects.

To become a bishop of Namirembe diocese, he must have a degree in theology or divinity on top of serving 10 years in the priesthood. The 10 years are determined from the time the priest was ordained. The other criteria include track record, management skills, behaviour, and others.

Ministry Of Trade Accounting Officer Ssali Fired Over Kawukumi Amounting To Billions

By Our Reporter 

The Ministry of Trade accounting officer Geraldine Ssali has been fired over fraudulent deals in her Ministry.

In the letter dated 03rd October 2023, the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to Treasury Ramathan Ggoobi cited the resolutions of parliament on the sectoral committee on investigations into the utilization of the supplementary budget for the financial year 2021/2022 to the Ministry of Trade for the rent of new office premises.

In his letter, Ggoobi tasked Minister of Trade to nominate a suitable officer to execute the duties of the accounting officer pending investigations. Also, Ggoobi fired a one Tom Opio who had been illegally working in the electronic government procurement system and management.

Parliament in August 2023 adopted a report by its Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry recommending the dismissal of Ms Ssali.

This is on account of Ssali’s alleged failure to control the regularity and proper use of money appropriated to the vote for procurement of renovation works on offices used by the Ministry at Farmer’s House.

“Ms Geraldine Ssali should be investigated with a view of prosecution by the DPP for negligence of duty, disobedience of statutory duty, abuse of office and causing financial loss to Government,” read the report in part.

The Committee Chairperson, Mwine Mpaka noted that in Financial Year 2021/2022, a supplementary request of Shs8 billion was made by then-permanent secretary, Grace Adong, for the rent of office premises.

Parliament, however, granted Shs5 billion for the purpose, where-after Adong was transferred from the Ministry and handed over office to Ssali.

Ssali, in May 2022, requested the Secretary to the Treasury for virement of the Shs5 billion from rent to renovation of Ministry offices, to which the PSST authorised a change of work plan to enable utilisation of the funds.

“To the utter shock of the Committee, it was established that 14 days earlier, even before a revised work plan could have been approved by PSST, Geraldine Ssali had authorised the initiation of the procurement process for renovation of office premises,” said Mwine Mpaka.

He added that Ssali’s actions raised suspicion and distrust on how she intended to utilise technical guidance of the PSST yet her request for virement was not legally tenable.

The Committee further observed that two different procurements for the renovation were initiated under domestic bidding with different sets of companies under the same procurement reference number.

“This is a clear indication that the procurement process for the on-going renovation works was tainted with fraud therefore rendering it illegal,” Mwine Mpaka added.

Breaking News: Bobi Wine Arrested At Airport For 'Inciting Violence'

By Our Reporter

High anticipation and tension filled the air at Entebbe International Airport as supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) assembled to welcome their party leader, Robert ‘Bobi Wine’ Kyagulanyi, from his mobilisation tours in South Africa and Canada.

However, their joy was cut short when reports emerged that Bobi Wine was apprehended by unknown individuals immediately after alighting from the plane.

Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Patrick Onyango on Wednesday said they had learnt that a group of NUP supporters were planning to conduct a procession starting from Entebbe International Airport and proceeding through several areas, including Kitoro, Katabi, Kitala, Kitende, Kajjansi, Lubowa, the Central Business District (CBD), Kalerwe, and finally up to Magere, Kasangati.

''Such a procession has the potential to disrupt the normal flow of traffic, the movement of individuals, and the operations of businesses along the Entebbe – Gayaza highway. It may also attract criminal activities, posing risks to bystanders, motorists, passengers, and businesses through acts of theft or other criminal activities,'' said Onyango adding;

''Therefore, we urge the organizers to cancel their planned procession. In future, we encourage organizers to coordinate and seek the necessary approvals from the Police to ensure the safety and security of all participants and the general public.''

The Ugandan Police’s blocking of Bobi Wine from leaving the country, despite the court declining to do so, raised a lot of eyebrows. Kyagulanyi’s arrest has stirred controversy and sparked debates about civil liberties and political suppression in Uganda. The series of events raises critical questions about the state of democracy and the rule of law in the country.

Opinion: Is AG Kiryowa Kiwanuka & Counsel Karugire Misusing Political Power To Undermine, Compromise Judiciary?

By Our Reporter

“Based on the fact that non tolerance of illegalities in all courts of law is the baseline of all legal structures and Judicial proceedings internationally, this case is a weighing scale on the independence of the Ugandan Judiciary.”

Can Kiryowa Kiwanuka’s political influence as current Attorney General and Mr. Karugire’s Marital status Save Diamond Trust Bank from the illegalities committed and admitted on Court records or this case is a beam of hope to all Ugandans as a solution to this cancer of the exploitative foreign banks that unlawfully debit monies from Ugandans’ accounts?

Is Kiryowa Kiwanuka being the Attorney General and at the same time a partner in K & K Advocates amounting to conflict of interest thus frustrating and compromising the independence of the Judiciary?

In any given society once politicians and public servants start financially competing with the private business community, it compromises social economic development and upward transformation of the society at large as they start using their positions to undermine all structures, systems and policies put in place to carry the nation forward.

Quick Facts to Note:

Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) unlawfully debited UGX. 120 Billions from Ham Enterprises (U) Limited accounts and admitted to committing illegalities at high court on court records when Mr. Kiryowa Kiwanuka told the court that DTB had no license to operate in Uganda and judgment was made in favour of Ham Enterprises at the high court for recovery of the debited monies from the bank.

The bank and its lawyers of K&K Advocates additionally at Supreme Court admitted failure of the Court of Appeal to address the substantial point of illegality in their submission of 5th November 2021.

On 11 November 2021 Ham filed an application stating that DTB had concurred with him that the Court of Appeal (COA) justices; Richard Buteera, Christopher Madrama, and Keneth Kakuma, did not address the issues of illegality contrary to the provisions of the financial institutions act on which grounds judgment was rightfully entered at high court.

Key Questions to Note:

Can the Ugandan Supreme Court Shield an Illegality contrary to the international baseline for judicial proceedings and legal structures? Are the Supreme Court judges strong enough to administer justice and Uphold the Law?

Can Kiryowa Kiwanuka’s political influence as the current Attorney General and Mr. Karugire’s Marital status Save Diamond Trust Bank from the illegalities committed and admitted on Court records?

Is Kiryowa Kiwanuka as the Attorney General and at the same time a partner in K & K advocates amounting to conflict of interest and frustrating and compromising the independence of the Judiciary?

Can Diamond Trust Bank Escape the Law given our weak legal structures and policies as a nation?

Will this case serve Ugandans from the current exploitative poorly regulated banking system?

Court Convened on Friday May 5th, 2023 at 11:39 am to re-institute a panel of Judges following the demise of Justice Ruby Opio Aweri on December 7, 2022.

A panel composed of Justices: Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, the Chief Justice of Uganda, Micheal Chibita, Percy Night Tuhaise, Faith Essy Mwondha, and Justice Stephen Musota was selected to decide the case adopting the case court records including the November 11, 2021 Ham’s application for Judgment on admission by DTB and its Lawyers K&K advocates.

Case Background.

In March 2020, Ham filed a suit against DTB for recoveries of monies unlawfully debited in Excess of UGX 120 Billion from its accounts.

The bank unlawfully and deceitfully withdrew these amounts over a spread period of 10 years in excess of all the companies liabilities to the bank on top of which Kirwowa Kiwanuka admitted on court records in September 2020, that DTB Kenya did not have a license permitting it to conduct banking business in Uganda and neither did DTB Uganda have the authority to conduct agency business on behalf of DTB Kenya there by contravening sections; 4 (1) and 117 of the Financial Institutions Act and the banking regulations.

On October 7, 2020, a judgment was entered in favour of Ham Enterprises (U) Limited at the high court by Hon Justice Henry Peter Adonyo.

Karugire and Kilyowa Kiwanuka using their political influence resultantly demoted and transferred the said judge immediately from the head of High Court, Commercial Division to Soroti.

Now that the public has witnessed K & K advocates controlling judges and influencing judgements in their favour in so many cases, victimizing and subjecting Ugandans to unfair and unjust political waves that always frustrate justice using political positions undermining the legal procedures with total absolute impunity, can they Successfully, Politically bulldoze the Supreme Court, or the law shall prevail?

Diamond Trust Bank admitted on court records by their submissions that they committed illegalities where they emphasized that; “The Court of Appeal justices erred at law when they failed to address the Substantial point of illegality upon which judgment was rightfully entered at the high court specifically stating that: “The learned Justices were entitled to first deal with the grounds regarding the procedure adopted by the trial Judge in striking out the defendants’ pleadings and granting the impugned orders before dealing with the other grounds.”

It was within these admissions in the bank’s submissions that they clearly stated that the appellant Judges never addressed the circumstances under which the Bank never sought the permission of the Bank of Uganda to carry out its business in Uganda as required hence violating sections; 4 (1) and 117 of the Financial Institutions Act.

Ham’s grounds of appeal at Supreme Court is that the justices at the Court of Appeal failed to address the substantial issue of illegality as rightfully ruled at High Court since DTB admits the same, Ham made an application for judgment on admission on the 23rd November 2021.

Ham Enterprises (u) Limited awaits judgment on court admission while DTB is stuck with the illegality as admitted both on court records from high court and the admissions on court record in their submissions at supreme court.

In our opinion, this case puts the Ugandan Judicial System and independence on Trial whether non-tolerance of illegalities as the baseline of all legal structures and Judicial proceedings in all courts of law throughout the world or its too weak to handle political pressure compromising all constitutional rights of Ugandans.

Can Kiryowa Kiwanuka’s political influence as current Attorney General and Mr. Karugire’s Marital status Save Diamond Trust Bank from the illegalities committed and admitted on Court records or this case is a beam of hope to all Ugandans as a solution to this cancer of the exploitative foreign banks that unlawfully debit monies from Ugandans’ accounts?

In any given society once politicians and public servants start financially competing with the private business community it compromises social economic development and upward transformation of the society at large as they start using their positions to undermine all structures, systems and policies put in place to carry the nation forward.

Dowry Negotiations Cancelled after Uncle Spots Tattoo on Bride’s Thigh, Netizens in Disbelief

By Tuko

A story about unsuccessful dowry negotiations has gone viral on social media after elders discovered a tattoo on the bride-to-be's thighs.

A dowry negotiations ceremony was canceled after the uncle spotted a tattoo on the bride-to-be’s thigh.

The dowry negotiators had made advanced steps to ensure the marriage followed proper cultural tests, and a purity test was necessary.

The bride was taken to a secluded room to have herself 'checked' by the 'purity experts', who are her uncles before the wedding negotiations could proceed.

According to a Twitter post by @lebohangbokako, an uncle was the one doing the chastity test when the body marking was spotted.

Read the post below:

Many people were shocked that uncles were supposedly doing the traditional chastity test.

According to The Christian Science Monitor, traditionally, the test is done by elderly women in the family.

Many suggested the person behind the Twitter account was making up the story.

See nentizen's reactions below:

@VuyoTheGreat commented:

"In today's episode of things that didn’t happen."

@Mabhusula1 commented:

"Discovered during what?? Done by who?"

@BriiScotch commented:

"Why is the man's uncle the one doing the testing? It's already invasive that oAunty do it. Now malume? She dodged a bullet."

Dowry Is Sacred

On Saturday, December 31, 2022, TUKO.co.ke reported that Lumatete Muchai, an advocate of the High Court, explained that dowry is not a consideration, not a price, and not a contract-based payment as per the English description.

He argued that dowry is the glue that cements the interlinking of two families through their children.

According to him, it not only goes beyond coitus but also surpasses the symbolic cattle, goats and other gifts that are given away during the ceremony, negotiations, and after.

"People who would otherwise have fought on battlefields with spears and arrows come together to extend and multiply the human race for millennia," he noted.

The scholar underpinned that there is no greater occasion than the time of dowry negotiations and that it holds even more value than white weddings, which he refers to as alien.