However, I am writing to you as my party boss and the appointing authority that in future you should think about the people of Serere.

Remember how NRM as a party usually suffers during elections. We the cadres have nothing to tell the local person when it comes to job allocations. This time again, we read in the news that 26 were shortlisted for positions as permanent secretaries in various ministries.

On that list, we have our own brother Joseph Eyatu, the current commissioner for rural water. Eyatu is such a smart and generous guy. Through him, the people of Serere can now enjoy clean water.

For purposes of democracy, Your Excellency, can you at least give one slot of PS to Serere district.

Charles Otekat,
Serere.

Complaint against PPDA and Nippon Parts Ltd

I am James Kantinti, a Ugandan taxpayer aged above 80 and owner of a plot of land at Lubiri Ring road where Nippon Parts (U) Limited is located.

I am writing to complain against the Uganda Tender Board (present-day PPDA) and UNRA for contracting Nippon Parts (U) Limited (Moses Lumala) for construction works. Nippon illegally and maliciously demolished my house at Lubiri Ring road and illegally took my plot of land using forged documents some years ago.

This plot of land is now housing the headquarters of Nippon Parts (U) Limited.

Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) awarded road contracts to Nippon Parts (U) Limited using public funds or taxpayers’ money and I am aware that before you award companies contracts, especially the road construction projects, one must undertake due diligence to determine whether the company abides by ethical rules.

Otherwise, this is a case of our taxes being used to plunder other Ugandan taxpayers’ property. My family and relatives are now homeless because of the unlawful demolition of my house by Moses Lumala.

James Kantinti,
Kampala.

Wakiso district should stop charging for toilet use

The Daily Monitor recently reported that landlords of commercial buildings have rejected a presidential directive stopping them from charging toilet fees for tenants and customers (http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Landlords-reject-KCCA-directive-free-toilets/688334-4819288-7fu86f/index.html).

Just this month, I was at the Wakiso district headquarters escorting a friend who was there to process a few licence requirements for his poultry business. Before leaving, I felt the need to use a toilet and in I went to one within the district headquarters.

As I walked back to the main building after easing myself, I was met by a man who asked me to pay for my use of the toilet. It is then that I recalled the notice I had seen at the entrance of the toilet, which read, “Toilet 300/-.” In the interest of saving time, I paid the Shs 300 and walked away in disbelief.

The bible, in the book of Timothy, outlines guidelines for who can lead a church. It adds that he must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.

Like children to a father, the administration of Wakiso district should pay allegiance to the presidency. But if the president cannot direct them to offer free toilet services (more to the shame of Wakiso district leadership), he shouldn’t be telling city tenants what to do with their toilets. Charity begins at home.

Reagan Turakira,
Kampala.

There is a reason why the Marriage and Divorce Bill was called MAD

The speaker of parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, has promised to pass the controversial Marriage and Divorce Bill into law by Christmas this year.

However, before that happens, Ugandans need to look closely at the ramifications of this bill. Equating cohabitation to marriage (so that live-in partners can enjoy the same property rights and social privileges as a married couple) is immoral because it undermines the sanctity of marriage.

This is what, amongst other things, the Marriage and Divorce Bill seeks to do. Cohabitation is not for God because a cohabiting couple is not legally recognized by any religious institution.

Hebrews 13:4 (NIV) says, “a marriage should be honoured by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”

This is why cohabitation is called living in sin in Christian circles. If marriage is undermined, then it will break society. Either you are married or you are not. Instead, those who are pushing for this law should encourage cohabiting couples to formerly legalize their relationship through marriage.

If one cannot afford to throw a lavish wedding, an engaged couple can opt for a simple civil wedding ceremony in the office of the registrar general at the Uganda Registration Services Bureau.

In addition, this same bill questions the necessity of bride price, saying it should not be a prerequisite. This is taking legislation too far.

There is nothing wrong with paying bride price, as it helps all parties involved to respect the sanctity of marriage. These are some of the reasons why this bill has stalled and has been met with stiff resistance. There is a reason why the Marriage and Divorce Bill was called MAD. It should not be passed into law.

Josepha Jabo,
Kampala.

What is the rush for the Tilenga oil project about?

The National Environment Management Authority has called out the public to bring their comments on the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report of the Tilenga project, where Total E&P will drill a number of oil wells. The authority issued adverts in the media inviting the public to make comments.

The most affected by the project will be the local communities that actually hardly buy and read newspapers and as I am informed there are no local announcements on both radio and TV to call for this public hearing. I have heard that there will be effort to do other outreach programs!

The ESIA report has been put in 16 locations that include district headquarters of the affected districts and public libraries.

My worry is, how does NEMA expect the host communities, most of whom live in villages and do not speak English, to access the said ESIA report at district headquarters, to read the over 500 pages of an English report, and be able to participate in what they are calling public hearings in about 20 days?

This is a way of excluding the ‘public’ they purport to be calling.

In my own estimation, a public hearing requires NEMA/the project developer to summarise the report and present key issues in a language the majority host communities will understand.

This will help the public, in this case the host communities, to understand and then contribute to the decisions to be made than try to hide from the public through what they are calling a public notice that is rushed.

Brian Atuheire Batenda,
brianatuheire@gamail.com

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