TAKE A LOOK AT THIS
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
TODAY PARLIAMENT CHASED AWAY THE EXCUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL FORESTRY AUTHORITY, FOR LACKING ACCOUNTABILITY DOCUMENTS FOR THE INCOME FROM THIS SECTOR.......GUESS WHAT??? THIS MAN MICHAEL MUGISA, IS THE HUSBAND OF MARGARET MUHANGA.....WHAT A BAD WEEK FOR THIS SPECIAL FAMILY!!!!

Read More

 

GASHUMBA ATTACKS KATIKKIRO MAYIGA

After president appointing his cabinet, Gashumber has not been settled attacking a few ministers the president hard selected, today he has changed his guns to the katikkiro of buganda saying;
The moment Kabaka appointed Mayiga as Katikkiro of Buganda, this was the beginning of the down fall of Buganda politically , yes we blame these ladies but actually this deal was sealed by Mayiga, Museveni knows that Baganda are very obidient to their cultural institution that is why he hired him.He tried Lukwago Erias and failed and you can see now he moves hand in hand with Jennifer Musisi.
He recently traveled to Hague straight to I.C.C to see what Adam Buyinza Adam Luzindana had talked with ICC officials, remember Adam had just been there with in four days. He tried to ask Justice Julia Sebutinde, i don’t know wheather Mayiga got what he wanted.
This whole tofaali drive is political, it’s diversonary… the entire Buganda Kingdom is now focused on a Mayega’s Tofaali project. I remember Mayiga every Friday he would attack M7 like hell it’s no more. No more demanding of FEDERO. In the entire history of Buganda Kingdom no Katikiro has ever had a platon of sodiers guarding him like Mayega, he even has Lead pick up full of sodiers! Ohhhhhh my God!

Read More

 

  A Tanzanian made two seater chopper is in its final stages of production

A Tanzanian made two seater chopper is in its final stages of production and will start flying trials once it granted permission by the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority. However, mass production will be by 2018.

“The Tanzania-made helicopters will fly before 2020 and specifically 2018, which is two years from now,” said Engineer Mjema.
A powder-coated steel-tube structure gives the R22 a rigid yet lightweight airframe, while the aerodynamic fuselage optimizes airspeed and fuel economy. With a twobladed rotor system, the R22 requires only one-third the hangar space of a multi-bladed helicopter

Read More

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, on Saturday 18th June 2016 launched the distribution of PLE Revision books for schools in Luuka District.
This was at the Luuka Primary School where various schools had gathered for the occasion.

“Busoga has been failing academically over the years. I want to see excellence, and I have decided to have a special programme for Busoga. I will distribute books to all candidates in Primary Seven,” Kadaga said.
The Members of Parliament from the Busoga region present at the launch were very optimistic of the initiative by the Speaker to distribute past papers to all students in Busoga region.
“We are very grateful for this gesture to improve education in Busoga. The performance has been terrible and I have no doubt that the education level will improve in our region,” Hon. Stephen Kisa, the area MP, said.
Honourable Kisa urged teachers and parents to be a part of the success story by availing themselves at all times, and ensuring that students, especially the girl-child attend classes.
The programme, which will cover the whole of Busoga region, has so far seen books distributed to Kamuli, Buyende, Bugiri and Luuka districts.
In a related development, the Speaker of Parliament, who was also the Guest of Honour, officially opened Musana Health Centre at Busei in Iganda Town

Read More

New ministers take oath next week

Posted on June 21, 2016

The Appointments Committee of Parliament which vetted presidential appointees for various ministerial positions has three days to report to the president.
By next week, the approved ministers are expected to be sworn in so they can commence their duties.
The Committee commenced vetting the nominees on Tuesday 14th June 2016 and completed the process on Thursday 16th June 2016.

The Appointments Committee, which is chaired by the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, reviewed credentials of 80 out of the 81 cabinet nominees.
On its first day, the Committee vetted; Hon. Kirunda Kivejinja (2nd Deputy Premier), Janet Kataaha Museveni (Education), Muruli Mukasa (Public Service), Amelia Kyambadde (Trade, Industry and Cooperatives), Jeje Odongo (Internal Affairs), Vincent Ssempijja Bamulangaki (Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries), Mathias Kasaija (Finance), Sam Kutesa (Foreign Affairs), Dr. Aceng Jane (Health), Eng. Monica Ntege Azuba (Works and Transport), Sam Cheptoris (Water and Environment), William Byaruhanga (Attorney General), Frank Tumwebaze (Information, ICT and Communication), Ruth Nankabirwa Sentamu (Government Chief Whip), Simon D’Ujanga (State for Energy) and David Bahati (State for Planning).
On its second day, the Committee vetted Hon. Adolf Mwesige (Defence and Veteran Affairs), Tom Butime (Local Government), John Byabagambi (Karamoja Affairs), Irene Muloni (Energy and Minerals), Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye (Science, Technology and Innovation), Mary Karooro Okurut (General Duties/Office of the Prime Minister), Hillary Onek (Minister of Disaster Preparedness and Refugees), Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu (Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities), Esther Mbayo Mbulakubuza (Presidency), Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde (Security), Hajji Abdu Nadduli (Minister without Portfolio), Betty Kamya (Kampala Capital City Authority), and Janat Mukwaya (Gender, Labour and Social Development).
Also vetted on Wednesday were State Ministers including; Obiga Kania (Internal Affairs), Kasirivu Baltazar Atwooki (Economic Monitoring), Simon Lokodo (Ethics and Integrity), Alex Onzima (Vice President’s Office), Adrian Tibaleka (Elderly and Disability), Grace Kwiyucwiny (Northern Uganda), Moses Kizige (Karamoja), Dennis Ssozi Galabuzi (Luweero Triangle), Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi (Youth and Children Affairs), Ernest Kiiza (Bunyoro Affairs), David Karugaba (Public Service), Julius Maganda Wandera (East African Affairs), Christopher Kibanzanga (Agriculture), Joy Kabatsi (Animal Industry), Col. Engola Okello (Defence), Major Bright Rwamirama (Veteran Affairs), and Herbert Kabafunzaki (Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations).
On the third day, the committee vetted Honourable Betty Amongi (Lands, Housing and Urban Development), Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire (Justice and Constitutional Affairs), Dr John Chrysostom Muyingo (Higher Education), Rosemary Nansubuga Seninde (Primary Education), Charles Bakabulindi (Sports), Peter Lokeris Aimat (Minerals), Gabriel Gadison Aridru Ajedra (Finance – General Duties), Evelyn Anite (Privatisation and Investment), Haruna Kasolo Kyeyune (Micro-Finance), Aggrey Bagiire (Transport), Ismael Orot (Works), Ronald Kibuule (Water), Mary Kitutu (Environment), Dr. Chris Baryomunsi (Housing), Isaac Musumba (Urban Development), Persis Namuganza (Lands), Sarah Opendi Ochieng (Health – General), Dr. Joyce Moriku (Primary Health Care), Mwesigwa Rukutana (Deputy Attorney General), Michael Kafabusa Werikhe (Trade), Harriet Ntabazi (Industry), Frederick Gume Ngobi (Cooperatives), Benny Namugwanya (Kampala Capital City Authority), Oryem Okello (International Affairs), Dr. Philemon Mateke (Regional Affairs), Jennifer Namuyangu (Local Government), Godfrey Kiwanda (Tourism), Aida Erios Nantaba (ICT and Communications), Madame Mutuuzo Peace, (Gender and Culture), Musa Francis Ecweru (Relief and Disaster Preparedness), Agnes Akiror (Teso Affairs), and Ruth Achieng (Fisheries).
The Committee is mandated to approve on behalf of Parliament, the appointment of persons nominated for appointment by the President under the Constitution or any other appointment required to be approved by Parliament under any law.
President Museveni appointed the Ministers on Monday 6th June 2016.
The Parliament thereafter met to approve the appointment of the Vice President, Hon. Edward Ssekandi and the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ruhankana Rugunda on 8th and 14th June 2016 respectively.
The increase in Ministers follows Parliament’s approval of the motion to increase the number of members of the Cabinet on Tuesday 14th June 2016.

Read More

Uganda: Museveni Gives Wife Key Position in Cabinet

Ugandan's Museveni Sworn In For Sixth Term As President

Weeks after promoting his son to major-general, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has handed his wife a lucrative post in his new cabinet.

The 71-year-old leader, who was re-elected for a fifth consecutive term in controversial circumstances in February, announced the makeup of his cabinet of ministers on Monday. Most of his main ministers—including the prime minister and ministers of energy and finance—kept their jobs, but there was a significant promotion for Janet Museveni. The First Lady had until recently been Minister for Karamoja Affairs, a sub-region in northeast Uganda. She has now been promoted to the post of education and sports minister, a coveted role that commands a large chunk of Uganda’s annual budget.
Janet Museveni, who is also the MP for Ruhaama county in southwest Uganda, was married to Museveni in 1973 and has four children with the long-serving leader, who came to power in 1986 after a military coup. The first of these children, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, was recently promoted to the rank of Major-General in the Ugandan military. Muhoozi, who trained at military academies including the top British military school, Sandhurst, has been in the army since 1999 and enjoyed a rapid ascent through its ranks. The Ugandan military dismissed claims that he had received favorable treatment from his father, stating that Muhoozi had undertaken the requisite training and had enough experience to undertake the role.http://oneuganda.blogspo.com

Read More

    African leaders are always looking for some foreign aid, a foreign intervention, or a foreign development model, but the sincerity of the most altruistic foreign leader can never spur any country to development until African leaders themselves drive such vision with ruthless determination.                                                                                                                                                                              Under the terms of the 20th Amendment, U.S. President Barack Obama’s second term as president of the most powerful country in the world ends at noon on January 20, 2017. By this time, one of the main challengers to the “throne” (Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump) will be inaugurated as the 45th president of the United States. But the question on the mind of several observers, particularly in Africa, is whether Obama’s presidency as “son of the soil” yielded any fruit for Africans?
It is instructive to note that the whole of Africa was on the edge in 2008, when Obama won the nomination of the Democratic Party. I remember abandoning classes to watch his speeches and campaigns live on DSTV. At the time, his story was a great motivation for a lot of us African youth that whatever you set your mind on, if you continue working consistently at it, you can achieve it.
Not since the times of the legendary Socrates,Cicero, or Abraham Lincoln had the world seen a more charismatic, powerful speaker, and intelligent leader. For me, there’s no one that can be compared with President Obama in local or international politics. And with the fact that he is a Kenyan biologically, I thought, like many others, that Africa will develop dramatically this time round.
But my expectation was dashed.
During his first term in office, Obama’s engagement with Africa was almost zero. To be fair to him, the whole world was undergoing economic depression when he became the president so he concentrated more on strengthening America’s economy and creating jobs. The stimulus package and other policies promoted were pointers to this fact. Although he traveled to some countries in Africa, it was all talk and less action. But during his second term in office, he was able to muster the courage to get some things done.
Some of the accomplishments President Obama achieved, according to the White House, included the strengthening of democratic institutions in Cote d’ Ivoire, Kenya, Sudan, and more. The administration also supported regional efforts to help countries affected by terrorist groups; launched the Feed the Future Initiative to address root causes of hunger and poverty; responded to humanitarian crises and disasters; promoted trade and investment; launched the Global Climate Change Initiative; Power Africa Initiative; Global Health Initiative; strengthened theAfrican Growth and Opportunity Act; introduced new U.S. initiatives to boost trade and investment opportunities for the least developed countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, among others.
The achievement I found very unique, distinguished, and noble is the President’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). Started in 2010, the program seeks to provide tools to support leadership development, promote entrepreneurship, and connect young leaders with one another and the United States.
Since the program started, more than 2,000 young Africans have been trained in these areas. I have argued in other platforms that until the youths in Africa are trained and prepared to take over the reins of government in the next generation, Africa’s future looks not only bleak but also unsustainable.

President Obama Greets Residents of Gorée Island.

This is because youths all over Africa are more interested in their survival only, so they continue to struggle for life. They are far removed from their country’s governance, welfare, or well-being due to the socio-political and economic conditions in several countries on the continent. Thus, if the youth get into leadership unprepared, then Africa is done for.
Unfortunately, considering the large population of youth throughout Africa, which is the largest in the world, the number of youth trained so far in the program is negligible.
It has been said that Obama’s African legacy cannot be compared with that of his predecessor or even former President Bill Clinton who remains a popular figure in Africa. Obama’s last trip to Africa (possibly his last) is nothing compared to the warm welcome received by George W. Bush on his final trip to Africa.
George Bush was treated like a hero. Apart from fighting terrorism across the African region, he fought the HIV/AIDS scourge on the continent like no one, reauthorized the African Growth and Opportunity Act as well as designed the Millennium Challenge Corp. to fight poverty on the continent. As argued by Hussein Hassen in his article “Washington’s Engagement with the Continent Continues To Prioritize Security Over Human Rights and Economic Partnership,” Obama’s two main pet projects (Power Africa and YALI) do not measure up to his predecessor’s bold initiatives. During Obama’s tenure, South Sudan, Libya, and the Central African Republic have become failed states.
What is noticeable is that Obama’s popularity in Africa has diminished. Who talks about him these days?
Still, African leaders as well as her citizens need to realize that no power or force in the world can aid them to development until they themselves show their determination to do so.

Senator Obama, in 2006, visiting his Kenyan family. (Photo credit: Reuters)

African leaders are always looking for some foreign aid, a foreign intervention, or a foreign development model, but the sincerity of the most altruistic foreign leader can never spur any country to development until African leaders themselves drive such vision with ruthless determination.
Whatever Barack Obama has done or not done is left for historians to reconstruct. It is unfair to say he does not cherish Africa or his roots because he does. But it is also unfair to say he helped Africa more than any U.S. president in recent history.
I wish him a wonderful retirement from office in advance.

Read More

 The influential businessman and former governor of Katanga has taken an early lead in an aggressive race, but has he made his move too early?

Could this be the DRC’s next president? Credit: Radio Okapi.

Moïse Katumbi has had an eventful and emotional few days since he declared his intention to run for president. On 4 May, the former governor of Katanga announced his candidacy on Twitter, and the next day found his house surrounded by police. Katumbi’s arrest seemed imminent, but eventually the police left their positions under pressure from MONUSCO, the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The presidential elections for which Katumbi intends to run are scheduled for 27 November, but it is doubtful whether they will actually take place. At this point, not many people believe that credible elections can be organised within the constitutional delays.
There are several reasons for this, but the most important is that the government has systematically withheld the funds needed by the electoral commission to organise the various phases of the process. This could be seen as a symptom of the government’s lack of ownership over its own elections, but it is actually closer to a boycott.
Over the last couple of years, the government has attempted several times to create the conditions to prolong the reign of President Joseph Kabila beyond the stipulated constitutional limit. In September 2014, for instance, Speaker of the National Assembly Aubin Minaku tried but proved unable to change the constitution. Then, in January 2015, the government again tried but failed to pass a new electoral law that would have delayed the elections by several years.
The only strategy that has worked so far is le glissement (‘slippage’) – that is to say, delaying the elections due to the government’s position that it is not possible financially or technically to organise them in time. Remaining in power by simply not organising elections.
Crystalising or cracking?
It has become clear since around 2014, however, that Kabila has had difficulties in maintaining the superficial unity among the informal networks and interest groups that make up his regime. And particularly since September 2015, Kabila’s Majorité Présidentielle has been in a state of disarray.
That month, seven senior political figures – known as the G7 – were expelled from the ruling coalition after calling on the president not to cling onto power. Then, shortly after, the influential Katumbi announced his resignation from the ruling PPRD party. Meanwhile, anti-Kabila sentiment continued to grow in Katanga and Kabila’s relationships within his inner circle of power remained poor.
By the end of 2015, the possibility of this growing opposition managing to work together in a solid constellation was looking hopeful.  And different rapprochements between Kabila’s opponents crystalised in mid-December with the creation of the Front Citoyen 2016.
Nevertheless, the opposition is frequently targeted by the regime and subject to attempts to fragment the parties from within.
Amongst the opposition, Moïse Katumbi has increasingly been seen as the best placed challenger to Kabila since around 2014. As governor of Katanga from 2008 until 2015, when the province was dissolved, he was seen as successful and popular; he has built an economic empire as a businessman; and his looks, communication skills and money contribute to his ability to mobilise large crowds in what was formerly Katanga and beyond.
However, not everything is in his favour. It is not obvious that the Congolese electorate will want a third consecutive president whose roots are in Katanga; Katumbi’s wealth and the way he acquired it make him vulnerable to allegations and potential court cases; and the business community in the town of Lubumbashi not only complains that he is greedy but claims he used his political mandate to expand his economic empire.
Furthermore, Katumbi is still somewhat of an outsider when it comes to national politics. He has yet to prove he has the political skills and nerves of steel necessary to set up and lead the broad coalition it would take to really challenge Kabila (or his crown prince if he were to appoint one).
As it stands then, both the current regime and opposition fail to fully convince. Important politicians have left the ruling majority, others are suspected to be preparing their departures, while many of those who remain are competing with each other with impressive zeal.
The hardliners of the regime perhaps have the advantage currently, which is palpable in its public statements, in the media and in the growing repression of opposition leaders, dissidents and other critics, including in civil society and the press.
The opposition meanwhile still has to show it can make a difference and come forward with a coherent political constellation, centred around in a single candidacy. In December 2015, the Front Citoyen 2016 was established as a broad coalition for the respect of the Constitution, but for now the main merit of the group is the fact that it exists.
It does not have much of an active institutional life and strategic thinking is still being done in the headquarters of different opposition parties. Above all though, the opposition has yet to demonstrate a vision – a plan explaining what they will do in power if they obtain it.
Jostling for position
At present, the political scene in Congo resembles a cycling peloton as the racers prepare for the sprint finish: hectic, fast, and with an awful lot of shoving. Everyone wants to position themselves as well as possible for the final straight, though whether the finish line is where it is meant to be – or whether it will be pushed back and back – remains to be seen.
In this jostling for position, Katumbi may find that he has taken the lead of the pack too early. The irritated reactions of fellow opposition leaders Vital Kamerhe and Félix Tshisekedi point in that direction. Meanwhile, taking pole position also means that Katumbi may have to deal with strongest headwinds of repression.
Indeed, on the very day Katumbi announced his candidacy, Congo’s justice minister announced an investigation into allegations that the opposition politician has recruited mercenaries, an accusation many believe is politically motivated. Furthermore, Human Rights Watch has reported that at least 27 of Katumbi’s allies were arrested in and around Lubumbashi between 22 April and 7 May.
“The recent developments in Lubumbashi come in the context of a broader crackdown against activists, opposition party members and others who have urged that presidential elections be organized according to the constitutional timetable”, said the organisation.
What will happen next in this complex competition for power is difficult to predict, but one thing that is certain is that the race is just getting started.

Read More

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni addresses an audience during the second day of the Giant Club Summit of African leaders and others on tackling poaching of elephants and rhinos at the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club in Nanyuki,

KAMPALA (Reuters) – Uganda’s veteran president said on Thursday he would fight corruption and impose discipline on inefficient bureaucrats who frustrated investors, in a swearing-in speech after a disputed election and protests against his rule.
Authorities blocked Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp and other social media citing security concerns ahead of the ceremony in Kampala in which Yoweri Museveni, 71, was sworn in for another five-year term that will extend his rule to 35 years.
The president officially won 60 percent of the votes in the February election, which the opposition said was rigged. Protests have erupted since, leading to clashes with police and dozens of arrests. Officials say the vote was free and fair.
Since coming to power in 1986, Museveni is credited with restoring order after years of chaos. But experts say the growing economy has not kept up with a rising population, while critics complain about corruption and a clampdown on dissent.
“These two mistakes, corruption and delays in decision making, irritate the public and frustrate the investors,” Museveni told visiting African presidents and other dignitaries.
“This time I will act directly so as to discipline the public service as we discipline the army,” the rebel-turned-statesman said, adding that he would work to boost agricultural output in the coffee and tea exporting nation.
Police arrested opposition leader Kizza Besigye after a street protest on Wednesday. Besigye, who heads the Forum for Democratic Change party, won 35 percent of the vote. He has been under house arrest on and off since then.
The head of Uganda’s telecommunications regulator Godfrey Mutabazi said security agencies had asked that access to social media websites be blocked “to limit the possibility of terrorists taking advantage” of visits by dignitaries.
Among the visitors was Sudan’s President Omar Hassan al Bashir. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a warrant for his arrest for crimes against humanity. In welcoming comments, Museveni said the ICC was “a bunch of useless people.”
In the days leading up to Museveni’s swearing-in, authorities also placed more security patrols on the streets of Kampala and residents said there was a strong presence of military and police on Thursday.
The government also banned live television or radio coverage of protests in the wake of the election, which EU monitors said was held in an intimidating atmosphere. The EU also said the electoral body lacked independence and transparency.
Opposition to the president is strongest among youths in urban areas, such as Kampala, where frustration has been fueled by unemployment, corruption and crumbling public services.

Read More

Uganda's opposition leader arrested trying to leave his home

.

View gallery

• 
  .
• 
  .
• 
  .
• 
  .

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Tensions after Uganda's elections, criticized by international observers as being undemocratic, ratcheted up on Monday when police arrested President Yoweri Museveni's main challenger.

Kizza Besigye was arrested as he tried to leave his home where he had been confined under house arrest. Associated Press journalists saw police push him into the back of a blacked-out van and taken away to a police station in a rural area outside the capital.

Besigye had been going to the election commission to get detailed copies of results from presidential election. He has called for an independent audit that includes the international community.

Uchenna Emelonye of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights visited Besigye in the police station and told reporters that Besigye "has not been informed, formally or informally, why he is being detained."
Polly Namaye, a police spokeswoman, said officers arrested Besigye to keep him from "storming the electoral commission with his supporters."
Neutral observers had criticized the government for using security forces against opposition candidates and supporters.

Police attempt to prevent the media from filming as Uganda's main opposition leader Kizza Besigy …

The commission announced Saturday that Museveni won the vote with more than 60 percent of counted ballots, while Besigye got 35 percent.

Those results did not include tallies from at least 1,242 polling stations, election commission spokesman Jotham Taremwa told AP on Monday. That's about 4 percent of all polling stations.

Taremwa said the missing results cannot change the outcome, but Besigye's supporters note they could bring down Museveni's margin of victory. Museveni needed 50 percent plus one vote to avoid a runoff election.

The election commission lacks independence and transparency, the European Union observer mission said.

The 71-year-old Museveni seized power in 1986. He is a key U.S. ally on security matters, especially in Somalia.
Besigye was Museveni personal physician during the 1981 to 1986 bush war between Museveni's rebels and forces loyal to former President Milton Obote. He also served as deputy interior minister in his first Cabinet, and broke with the president in 1999, saying he was no longer a democrat.
___

Associated Press journalists Andrew Njuguna and Ben Curtis in Kampala contributed to this report.

Read More

Police warns Besigye against planned procession
The Uganda Police Force and Forum for Democratic Change's Kizza Besigye together with his supporters are headed for a show down after a procession to the Electoral Commission called by Besigye was declared illegal.
http://www.oneuganda.blogspot.com/…/police-warns-besigye-planned-p…

Read More

Apple Tells Employees Why It Won't Help Hack Shooter's Phone

WASHINGTON (AP) — Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook acknowledged to employees Monday that “it does not feel right” to refuse to help the FBI hack a locked iPhone used by a gunman in the San Bernardino mass shootings. But he said that to do so would threaten data security for millions and “everyone’s civil liberties.”

“We have no tolerance or sympathy for terrorists,” Cook wrote in an early morning email addressed to the Apple “Team.” “When they commit unspeakable acts like the tragic attacks in San Bernardino, we work to help the authorities pursue justice for the victims.”
But he reiterated the company’s position that to hack the San Bernardino gunman’s phone would ultimately risk “security of hundreds of millions of law-abiding people.”

Cook’s email came just hours after FBI director James Comey said in an online post that Apple owes it to the San Bernardino victims to cooperate and said the dispute wasn’t about creating legal precedent.

The FBI “can’t look the survivors in the eye, or ourselves in the mirror, if we don’t follow this lead,” Comey said.
The iPhone used by Syed Farook, who along with his wife killed 14 people in the Dec. 2 rampage, was locked. At the government’s request, a Federal magistrate judge has ordered Apple to help the FBI hack into the password-protected phone.

The case has sparked nationwide debate over digital privacy and national security. Apple, in its message to employees, appeared to be sensitive to criticism that the company is simply trying to protect its proprietary business.

“Apple is a uniquely American company,” Cook wrote. “It does not feel right to be on the opposite side of the government in a case centering on the freedoms and liberties that government is meant to protect.” But he said, “this case is about much more than a single phone or a single investigation, so when we received the government’s order we knew we had to speak out.”
Comey, in a statement posted on the Lawfare blog, sought to defend the FBI demand for access to the iPhone as well as counter Apple’s arguments that the request risks threatening the digital privacy of Apple customers all over the world.

“We simply want the chance, with a search warrant, to try to guess the terrorist’s passcode without the phone essentially self-destructing and without it taking a decade to guess correctly. That’s it,” Comey wrote in a four-paragraph statement. “We don’t want to break anyone’s encryption or set a master key loose on the land.”

Cook’s message to employees had “Thank you for your support,” in the subject line. He told employees that the company believes abiding by the judge’s order would set a dangerous precedent that would essentially create a backdoor to the encrypted iPhone. That would set “a dangerous precedent that threatens everyone’s civil liberties,” he said.

View gallery

An iPhone is seen in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016. The San Bernardino County-owned iPhone at …

An accompanying question-and-answer posting for customers acknowledges that while it is technically possible for Apple to do what the judge ordered, that it’s “something we believe is too dangerous to do.”

Apple also points to the difficulty of keeping such a “master key” safe once it has been created. The government has said that Apple could keep the specialized technology it would create to help officials hack the phone — bypassing a security time delay and feature that erases all data after 10 consecutive, unsuccessful attempts to guess the unlocking passcode. This would allow the FBI to use technology to rapidly and repeatedly test numbers.

Cook said that if the company’s engineers were to do as ordered, Apple would do its best to protect the technology, but that the company “would be relentlessly attacked by hackers and cybercriminals.”

“The only way to guarantee such a powerful tool isn’t abused and doesn’t fall into the wrong hands is to never create it,” Apple said. The company has until Friday to formally protest the ruling in court.
The case would not have existed if the county government that owned the iPhone had installed a feature on it that would have allowed the FBI to easily and immediately unlock the phone. San Bernardino County had bought the technology, known as mobile device management from MobileIron Inc., but never installed it on any of the inspectors’ phones, including Farook’s, said county spokesman David Wert said.

There is no countywide policy on the matter and departments make their own decisions, he said.

The service costs $4 per month per phone.

Read More

Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe turns 92
The world's oldest leader, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe turned 92 on Sunday, with no plans to step down as feuding over his successors threatens to tear his ruling ZANU-PF apart. The veteran leader will mark the day with a public celebration on Saturday.
http://www.oneuganda.blogspot.com/…/zimbabwean-president-robert-mu…

Read More

Court orders Karim Hirji to refund sh10b CHOGM money
City businessman Karim Hirji is to refund government over sh10b after court ruled that he breached the contract to provide conference facilities and accommodation for the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
http://www.oneuganda.blogspot.com/…/court-karim-hirji-refund-sh10b…

Read More

Dubai airport sees 10.7% passenger rise to stay world's busiest
Dubai International remained the world's busiest airport last year with a 10.7 percent rise in passenger numbers, its operator said on Monday. More than 78 million passengers passed through Dubai in 2015, led by an increase in travellers from India, Britain and Saudi Arabia, the state-owned airport said in a statement.
http://www.oneuganda.blogspot.com/…/dubai-airport-107-passenger-ri…

Read More