- Monitor Grapevine -
June 10,2007

UPC repositioning itself

Prior to the 1971 coup, Uganda Peoples Congress and Fredrick Ebert Stiftung (FES) had cordial relations, which saw the latter co-fund the building of the party's Uganda House headquarters.

That relationship, however, was interrupted by nine years of Amin's rule and later on Yoweri Museveni's 20-year ban on political party activities.
But UPC insiders say that efforts have lately been made for the party and Stiftung to revitalise their partnership.

A visit on FES' website confirmed the two were indeed working on something.
For instance there is an indication that the recent governance seminars UPC has been organising (one in Mityana in May and a recent one in Bushenyi) have all solely been funded by FES. These have been residential seminars, mostly targeting potential youth recruits into the party.

Knowledgeable sources told Grapevine more than Shs20m has so far been spent on the two seminars. They say more such seminars would be taken to other parts of the country.

This might be bad news for NRM because, should UPC resurrect and get reinvigorated, pressure on the regime will go up. We, however, couldn't readily establish how much FES, which funds governance groups in many parts of the world, has injected into UPC.

Did Sematimba get GAVI cash too?

It appears that Pastor Peter Sematimba is a very a shrewd man. During the Global Fund inquiry, he was mentioned as one of the beneficiaries.

Now, the rumour mill has it that his name is again popping up in the Gavi fund circus.
The IGG reportedly wants Sematimba's Semat Productions to refund Shs20 million taken for sensitisation seminars on immunisation. It’s said he had reportedly taken the matter lightly but when ministers were arrested and taken to Luzira Prison for some days, Pastor Sematimba promised to refund the money.

Although Sematimba is not the Gavi funds accounting officer, it's good to refund it because God watches our moves.

Kumi prays for Brig. Mayombo

THEY say the only way of achieving immortality is through doing good things while still alive. To the people of Kumi, the late Brig. Noble Mayombo still lives. Today, Sunday, people in Kumi will be praying for the late brilliant lawyer and military officer.

Reason? Brig. Mayombo was very instrumental in the development of Bishop Ilukor Girls' Boarding School. In fact Mayombo was the school's ambassador. He presided over the fundraising functions to raise money for building a girls' dormitory at the school.

Grapevine has learnt that the money collected wasn't enough to start the construction, Mayombo injected in his personal cash. He also donated iron sheets for roofing the dormitory.

Retired Bishop Ilukor after whom the school was named, was so pleased with Mayombo that they resolved to name the dormitory as Noble Mayombo Girls' Dormitory.
The prayers to remember the kindness of Mayombo were the brainwork of Mayombo's friend and popular businessman in Teso Joseph Ariong and Bishop Ilukor.

Sources told Grapevine the late Mayombo's widow Juliet would be the chief guest at today's prayer function. Several friends of the late Brigadier are expected to accompany her.

After the prayers, Juliet will officially open the dormitory on behalf of her late husband.
"Mayombo told us that he would come with his wife Juliet to open the dormitory but he died before achieving that. Juliet will remain in contact with the school," one of the organisers told Grapevine.

We hope other well-placed people borrow a leaf from Noble Mayombo's nobility so that they are remembered even after death.