DRC AUCTIONS OIL EXPLOITATION PERMITS IN PEAT RICH CONGO BASIN.

DRC AUCTIONS OIL EXPLOITATION PERMITS IN PEAT - RICH CONGO BASIN.

Democratic Republic of the Congo has officially launched auctioning of 27 oil blocks and three gas blocks. The oil blocks have oil reserves estimated to be worth at least $650 billion. DRC says its priority is to fight poverty and not to save the planet.

An open invitation to tender for 27 oil and 3 gas blocks was launched on Thursday. Environmental groups are warning of a 'climate catastrophe' if these projects come to fruition.

By Mathilde Boussion (Johannesburg (South Africa) correspondent) and Coralie Pierret (Bukavu (Democratic Republic of Congo) correspondent)

Published on July 30, 2022 at 03h40, updated at 11h20 on July 30, 2022

"Investing in the DRC will put the country in the ranks of major oil and gas producers," the claim promises. On Thursday, July 28, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) officially launched its new development project, opening the country's doors to hydrocarbon producers, and putting 27 oil and 3 gas licenses up for auction. This is a major turning point for the country, where the economic activity has previously focused on exploiting mineral resources. And a nightmare for environmental groups, which are denouncing the auction of permits in some of the most vulnerable environmental zones on the planet.

The DRC has been seeking to diversify its economy, particularly by focusing on the oil sector since 2015. Surrounded by major oil-producing countries such as Angola and the Republic of Congo, the DRC produces barely 23,000 barrels/day of oil, a drop in the bucket compared to its estimated potential. "It was time to get our act together," said President Félix Tshisekedi, at the opening of the auction. Spurred on by the rise in oil prices based on the high competition for energy supplies as a consequence to the war in Ukraine, the government initially planned to auction 16 blocks in May, before almost doubling the number in mid-July.

FLOODS: A DISASTER THE MBALE PEOPLE NEVER SAW COMING

 YOU PRAY FOR RAINS AND THIS IS WHAT YOU GET: 

Three people are said to have so far died following a heavy downpour which caused flooding. Cars and other properties have been submerged and washed away by river Nabunyonga which burst it's banks.  Floods have destroyed people's properties and lives as  many displaced in the villages of BUWABWALA, BUWAKOOLI, BUWANYAMA AND BUYAKA IN BUWABWALA PARISH AND BUKHINDE VILLAGE IN BUWEKANDA PARISH BOTH Parish are  FROM BWIKHONGE S/C IN BULAMBULI DISTRICT.  Affected areas in Mbale city are Kampala Road, Busajjabwankuba,  Nabuyonga rise, Busamaga, Mukangga, Maluku Adra, Musoto..

KABAKA MUWENDA MUTEBI II’S 29th CORONATION ANNIVERSARY.

AS THE 29th CORONATION ANNIVERSARY OF KABAKA MUWENDA MUTEBI II IS CELEBRATED ON SUNDAY, JULY 31, WE CONGRATULATE HIS MAJESTY UPON THE MILESTONES OVER THAT TIME.

Kabaka’s 29 years have been a great success due to his visionary leadership and determination to better his subjects.

It is also true that the various Katikkiro’s together with the cabinets they have worked with, those in Buganda Local Government structures, the leadership and staff of various entities under the Kingdom, the corporates, advertisers to mention some, all combined have contributed to the Buganda Kingdom that has seen real positive transformation over the 29 years.

Kabaka Muwenda Mutebi II Wangala.

ARE NATIONAL PRAYERS IN UGANDA A RITUAL?

ARE NATIONAL PRAYERS IN UGANDA A RITUAL? WHAT PURPOSE DO THEY SERVE? ARE THE ORGANIZERS MOCKING GOD?

Friday, July 29, 2022 at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) and the Inter Religious Council (IRCU) are to hold: The Inspectorate National Interdenominational Prayers against Corruption. They selected the theme: “Putting God at the Centre of the war against corruption”.

I really wonder whether Ugandans in Government who plan the National Prayers do it just as a ritual, because they are not serious.

We are aware that COSASE for example is probing funds which were paid to the wrong people when Hon. Betty Kamya was Minister of Lands. Hon. Kamya told the Committee that she was instructed by the President. To date, Betty Kamya has not produced evidence to the effect that she received instructions from the President. The correct thing to do would be that she leaves the office of IGG until the time she is cleared. The question is: Where does Betty Kamya get the moral authority to organize National Interdenominational Prayers as IGG when she is not cleared of her role in the corruption that took place in the Land Ministry under her hand?

The theme for the day is: “Putting God at the Centre of the war against corruption”. Given this theme, I am wondering whether the Christians of Kigezi Diocese were not corrupt in demanding for another vehicle from the President when he had donated one in May 2022 when Rt. Rev. Gaddie Akanjuni was Consecrated Bishop of Kigezi Diocese. We all know that Kigezi has a number of well to do Ugandans with connections. These men and women of God had the obligation of fundraising to get their Bishop a vehicle that can manage the Kigezi terrain, instead they resorted to complaining to the President about the gift he gave! This is where the Church has gone wrong. What the Christians of Kigezi did was an act of corruption. The Church is supposed to check the State, and here they are in the same bed!

On the eve of the Interdenominational Prayers, Ugandans were shocked to learn of what went on before the by elections in Soroti East Constituency: The arrest of the Agents of the FDC Candidate, Break - in and arresting people at a Hon. Member of Parliament’s home; having vehicles without number plates moving around in Soroti; Voter bribery using cash to have the NRM Candidate voted; ferrying of people who are not voters in the area to vote; pre - ticked ballots that were stuffed in the ballot boxes; intimidation of voters and arrests of supporters of the opposition candidates. These were all done under the NRM hand. Now, where does the IGG’s office which is also an arm of the NRM Government get the moral authority to organize the prayers?

A lot of wrong and ungodly things are going on in Uganda. We are not seeing the Inter Religious Council of Uganda come up with Press Releases and making effort to meet those in power to address the ills in Uganda.

IRCU members are aware of the very difficult situation their members are going through. These have not got audience with the President or Prime Minister with options to see their members enjoy decent livelihood. Instead we are seeing people die of hunger, others killing themselves, children dropping out of school because parents cannot afford fees and others dying simply because they cannot afford treatment of whatever they are suffering from.

National Prayers should cease being a ritual. The organizers should not mock God. They should organize them and implement them with clean hands. Otherwise, we are seeing a ritual in form of National Prayers that happen without viable outcome expected because those who organize them don’t practice what they preach.

WITH A PUBLIC DEBT MORE THAN SHS 73 TRILLION, SHOULD UGANDA HAVE HOSTED THE RUSSIA FOREIGH MINISTER?

WITH A PUBLIC DEBT MORE THAN SHS 73 TRILLION, SHOULD UGANDA HAVE HOSTED THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF RUSSIA?

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in Uganda Monday, July 24 evening for a two day working visit. He came to Uganda following the NATO and individual country resolutions to implement sanctions that would end up biting given the suffering Russia has put Ukraine to, that would have been least expected at this time given the available avenues to conflict resolution.

While a number of Ugandans if given chance to vote for the Russia Foreign Minister would have voted No, it is surprising that the NRM Government decided to welcome the visit.

A war is always a human tragedy, and the war in Ukraine is no exception. The ripple effects of the conflict are extending human suffering far beyond its borders.

The war, in all its dimensions, has exacerbated a global cost-of-living crisis unseen in at least a generation, compromising lives, livelihoods, and our aspirations for a better world by 2030.

The largest cost-of-living crisis of the twenty-first century has come when people and countries have a limited capacity to cope. The war in Ukraine has trapped the people of the world between a rock and a hard place.

The rock is the severe price shocks in food, energy and fertilizer markets due to the war, given the centrality of both the Russian Federation and Ukraine in these markets.

The hard place is the extremely fragile context in which this crisis arrived; a world facing the cascading crises of the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.

A shock of this magnitude would have been a significant challenge no matter the timing; now, it is of historic, century-defining proportions.

The Question is:

Given Uganda’s vulnerability, if the traditional donors decide to isolate the country, will Russia fill the gap? Secondly, where does that leave Ugandans as people who are supposed to be human and welcoming? How is the visit of the Foreign Minister going to affect our Tourism industry?

Does Museveni’s defense of the Foreign Minister’s visit to Uganda, help in anyway the sanctions the country may suffer? 

Entebbe (Uganda) (AFP), Jul 26 – Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Tuesday defended his country’s relationship with Russia, as Moscow’s top diplomat toured Africa to drum up support over the war in Ukraine. “How can we be against somebody who has never harmed us,” the veteran Ugandan leader said alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov […]

It is clear, the Foreign Minister is interested in strengthening ties with the African countries he is visiting. Surely, Uganda with our Motto: “For God and my Country”, would we welcome Russia given the level of human suffering the war Russia induced has caused to Ukraine, and the world at large?

In Egypt, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reassured Egyptian leaders that their orders for Russian grain would be met as he began a tour of African countries dependent on imports for their food supply. Read more: https://en.royanews.tv/news/36685/2022-07-25

PROGRESS OF THE RECONSTRUCTION WORKS FOR MAKERERE UNIVERSITY MAIN BUILDING AS OF 14/7/2022

AS MAKERERE UNIVERSITY CELEBRATES CENTENARY IN 2022, I THINK THE DESTRUCTION OF THE MAIN BUILDING BY FIRE IN 2022 IS THE WORST EXPERIENCE BY THE UNIVERSITY.

It is true, there have been a number of unfortunate developments at Makerere since it was founded, however, what I saw on ground on Thursday, July 14 was confirmation that the destruction of the Main Building was the worst incident over the 100 years.

As I was taken around by James the Health, Safety and Environment Officer at the site, it was clear that the strength of the materials used , that is: The solid metal used in the making of the Tower, the bricks just to mention a few were really made to last so many years, but the fire led to the demolition which was not an easy task.

James told me that they have to get materials almost the strength of what was on the destroyed building.

It is indeed a sad story seeing the Ivory Tower no more.