Revelations that the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) has purchased six fighter jets has caused substantial debate not just because of the huge cost to tax payers, but also because of the apparent secrecy that has surrounded the deal.  

Even when information had come out through a Russian government media outlet that Uganda had signed a deal with the Russian arms Rosoboronexport exporter to obtain six Su-30 MK2s fighter jets at a cost of Shs 108b each, top defense officials swung into action to deny the country's arsenal was receiving a significant boost.

The UPDF clarified that it had instead sent its old fighter jets to Rosoboronextport for overhaul and would go ahead to buy the planes incase the money was accessed.

But the deal may well remind Ugandans that it is nearly 10 years since the country lost millions in a similar botched purchase of junk helicopters that were aimed at fighting Kony.

Ushs 3b to clear backlog

About sh3.6b has been earmarked to clear court cases filed before 2008 with 120 judges and magistrates at different levels being deployed to execute the task. About 1, 5000 of the cases are to be cleared by September 2010.

Justice Law and Order Sector [JLOS] said the move was aimed at reducing prison congestion.

Teachers fail exams

Over 2,000 teachers failed in the second set of the 2009 primary teachers' examinations released by Kyambogo University. Out of 9,172 candidates who sat the exams, 5,465 passed with credit, a decline compared to the first set. Another 1,323 got an overall pass, while 151 were un-graded.

LRA-Sudan affair in the limelight

A captured LRA commander said that the Sudan government was in touch with the LRA and had given the rebels fresh supplies of food and medicines.

The Khartoum government however denied the claims by the LRA top command that top Sudanese military officers in Darfur were holding talks with Joseph Kony to give him support.

Besigye braces up for rematch with police

Opposition Forum for Democratic Change [FDC] leader Dr. Kizza Besigye (Pictured) was being investigated by police over allegations that he ordered his supporters in Arua District to break the thumbs of rival NRM supporters.

This followed interrogation of residents of Amolatar District on orders of President Yoweri Museveni over allegations that Dr.Kizza Besigye had accused government of leasing off Lake Kyoga to foreign firms.

Another School burnt

Fire gutted a boys' dormitory at lakeside College Luzira, a Kampala suburb, destroying property worth millions.

The School authorities suspected a short circuit to have caused the fire but preliminary investigations later established that the partitioned dormitory was too congested, furnished with triple deck beds among other anomalies that were found to have caused the fire.

Waragi claims more 30

Ten people were confirmed dead in Kabale district after taking Waragi while two others had become blind. The gin which caused their death was tasted and found to have contained methanol which increases the potency of the alcohol.

Parliament was criticized for failing Ugandans by defending the manufacturers rather than ordinary people and also failure to pass the law banning sale of sachet Waragi.     
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