Opposition candidate Felix Tshisekedi has won the Democratic Republic of Congo presidential elections according to the results declared by electoral commission.

The poll results so far declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) indicate that Tshisekedi leads with 38.57% of the vote and he has been provisionally declared president elect of the of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The lead in polls puts Tshisekedi on top followed by another opposition candidate Marin Fayulu while Emmanuel Shadary, the ruling coalition candidate who was backed by outgoing president Joseph Kabila comes third in the race.

The reported turnout is standing at 48% and the full results indicate that Tshisekedi has 7 million votes, Martin Fayulu 6.4 votes and Emmanuel Shadary has 4.4 million votes.

If Tshisekedi is finally declared winner, DRC will witness the first handover of power in 18 years and he will be the first opposition candidate to win since the country gained independence from Belgium in 1960.

Initially the final results from the election were expected last Sunday but the commission asked for more time to finalize the counting and compilation process.

Mr. Tshisekedi who is a son to the late veteran opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi addressed his supporters at his party headquarters in Kinshasa and paid tribute to Mr. Kabila saying that he should no longer be seen as an adversary but rather a partner in democratic change of the country. He has promised to prioritize the fight against poverty immediately after his swearing in.

There were jubilations and shouts of joy near the electoral commission’s office as results were announced. There has been a succession crisis in the country since 2016 when Mr. Kabila was supposed to step down after the expiry of his two terms. It was not until late last year when he declared that he would step down and not contest in this year’s presidential elections.

According to the arrangements of the electoral commission, the final results are scheduled to be announced on January 15th and the new president will swear in three days later. In case of aggrieved candidates who may not agree with the results, they could go on and challenge through an appeal in the constitutional court.

Among other challenges, Democratic Republic of Congo, the largest sub-Saharan nation has been entangled majorly by political instabilities especially in the Eastern region of the country and the new president will be put on the spot to see how he can solve these problems.

Several rebel groups have seized and occupied many areas in the Eastern region of this mineral-rich nation causing various insecurity concerns including the closure of the Virunga national park that was well known for its famous mountain gorillas tracking safaris.

We are counting only hours to finish 2018 and crossover to 2019. 2018 has been a year of mixed feelings to Ugandans in general while at individual level each Ugandan has got their own story from the outgoing year.

At country level, there have been major public highlights that have caught the attention of many dwellers of the Pearl of Africa and they have not gone unnoticed. 2018 has been dominated by both positive and negative highlights and Ugandans will always reflect on them to remember it.

Singer Mowzey Radio’s Death
Moses Nakintije Ssekibogo commonly known as Mowzey Radio passed on 1st February 2018 from a blood clot in his brain sustained in an altercation at a nightclub in Entebbe. Radio had become one of Uganda’s top music performers after forming a formidable music partnership with his long-term friend Weasle Manizo (Douglas Sseguya) under the Goodlyfe Crew umbrella. He will always be remembered for his thrilling voice through some of his favorite songs including “Ability”, “Bread and Butter”, “Lwaki Onumya”, “Magnetic”, among others.

Susan Magara Murder
Ugandans fell into a cold again in late February when the country was greeted by the cold murder of Susan Magara, a 28-year old businesswoman in Kampala. Her murder followed a series of unsuccessful negotiations between her family and the eventual murderers who were asking for a huge ransom of money in order to release her. She was kidnapped early in February and the kidnappers kept threatening her family to send the ransom before killing her and dumping the body around Kigo 0ff Entebbe Expressway. Her brutal murder attracted wide public sympathy as many individuals and the government came out and strongly condemned the act while urging the police to work hard and bring the criminals to face justice.

Firing and arresting former IGP Kale Kayihura
In March, Ugandans where once again shocked by the sudden sacking of the then Inspector General of Police, General Kale Kayihura. President Yoweri Museveni issued the sacking notice and he immediately replaced Kayihura with the new IGP Okoth Ochola. However, Kayihura’s fate was not yet done as he was subsequently arrested by the UPDF later in June on charges concerning misuse of office. He was detained at Makindye military barracks for about two months before he was released on bail in August. Kayihura had increasingly become unpopular among Ugandans as police chief due to the increasing insecurity cases that involved murder of several women in different parts of the country and persecution and torture of opposition politicians, among others.

Uganda’s medals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games
The month of April was dominated by good news in the field of sports for Uganda. The Pearl of Africa scooped a total of 6 medals including 3 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronzes at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast, Australia. Athletics king Joshua Kiprui Cheptegei dominated the show after winning two gold medals from men’s 5000m and 10000m events respectively. Stella Chesang also won the gold medal from the women’s 10000m event.

FIFA World Cup 2018
Although Uganda was not part of the 32 teams that took part in the competition that was hosted by Russia, Ugandans went on to enjoy the tournament in high gear. Ugandans had diverse interest in this tournament ranging from supporting their favorite teams to winning bets placed on games played in the tournament. Earlier on the Pearl of Africa had also got a chance to welcome the World Cup trophy during its international tour before it was taken to Moscow. In the end France were the winners of the world’s most prestigious football trophy and Ugandans who were behind them were full of jubilations.

Introduction of social media tax
2018 has also seen one of the most strange and unpopular tax being introduced in uganda where Ugandans are now charged for using social media platforms including Facebook, Whatsapp, twitter, among others. This controversial tax was introduced as a bill in Parliament and it was subsequently passed by the members to be implemented by the Uganda Communications Commission through the Telecom Companies. Being effected from the 1st of July, Ugandans have since been charged Ugx200 per day to use these platforms. Although the tax was strongly criticized both locally and internationally, the government was determined to charge its citizens for social media use and the unpopular tax has been upheld to date.

The Age-Limit Verdict
The long awaited case verdict was also finally released in July. This followed the petition that was made to the Constitutional Court challenging the amendment of the Uganda Constitution by Parliament late last year that saw the removal of the presidential age-limit and extending the tenure of the incumbent MPs and Local Councils by 2 years. The final ruling that was presided over by 5 constitutional judges upheld the removal of the presidential age-limit hence making way for president Museveni to stand again for re-election in 2021 though he will be above 75 years that were unlawful before the removal.

Local Council Elections
This year Ugandans also voted their Local Council One leaders for the first time in 15 years. The disputed elections finally took place with a couple of controversies around the country including postponing in some areas due to several irregularities. Another notable highlight in these elections was the method used to vote that saw Ugandans lining up behind their candidates, a system that was criticized as backward and divisive. Nevertheless, regardless of the irregularities, the local leaders were subsequently elected and stated their new term in office.

Arua Municipality Parliamentary By-election Fracas
The disputed by-election will not be forgotten soon given the events that prevailed before and after it. It all began with the stoning of one of the cars in the presidential convoy which was followed by massive violence that saw one Yasin Kawuma a former driver of the Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine shot dead from the car. More arrests were also made including MPs land former MPs led by Bobi Wine, Francis Zaake, Gerald Karuhanga, Mike Mabike and the then MP elect Kasiano Wadri together with dozens of civilians who were subsequently charged of treason and remanded in Gulu. However, it was the alleged brutal torture of the MPs in the hands of the security forces that invited both local and international outcry. Several protests and riots were staged in arious parts of the country demanding for the immediate release of the arrested MPs. Tear gas, bullets and several arrests were all used to disperse these protests. Finally the detained suspects were brought to court and later released on bail while those that sustained several injuries through the torture were allowed to go abroad to seek specialized treatment including MPs Robert Kyagulanyi and Francis Zaake.

Assassination of MP Abiriga and Mohamad Kirumira
The mysterious big-name murder in Uganda continued this year with the gunning down of two other popular personalities causing more grief among Ugandans. In June, former Arua Municipality MP Ibrahim Abiriga was shot dead in his car while going back to his home in Kawanda, a Kampala suburb. In September, former Buyende DPC Mohamad Kirumira was also gunned down while in his car near Busega. Just like before, all the security agencies in the country were not able to arrest the assailants and nothing substantial concerning these murders has been presented to the public up to date.

Gen. Mugisha Muntu Breakaway from FDC
Former Forum for Democratic Change President Gen Mugisha Muntu officially announced his breakaway from the FDC to start a new political party. Muntu pointed out differences in ideology and in the approach to takeover power between him and other FDC leaders as the major causes of his breakaway.

Uganda Cranes Return to AFCON 2019
Another good news in the sports sector as the national football team, the Cranes made another great step forward to qualify for the continent’s major football tournament. Uganda qualified with a match to spare after defeating Cape Verde 1-0 at Nambole stadium to book a place in next year’s competition. Ugandans will be hoping to see the Cranes perform better than their previous outing in 2017 where they crashed out of the tournament at group stage level.

Lake Victoria boat cruise accident
Another sad news greeted Ugandans late in November as an estimated total of about 40 people perished in Lake Victoria following the sudden collapse and sinking of the boat that was carrying revelers to Mutima beach in Mukono districts. The same accident was also survived by big name personalities in Uganda including prince David Wasajja, a brother to the king of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II. Others included singer Irene Namubiru and businessman Kiyimba Freeman. The government declared a day of mourning for those perished that also included the lowering of the national flag at half-mast.

Crowning of Uganda’s Quiin Abenakyo as Miss World Africa
This helped to ensure Ugandans finish he year on a positive note as her very own daughter Quiin Abenakyo (22) was crowned Miss World Africa in the final ceremony of the Miss World competition. Abenakyo successfully made into the top five finalists in the competition that saw her going on to win the continental crown hence sending Ugandans into massive jubilations as all the media platforms in the country were dominated by her name. She was the first Miss Uganda to make it to that level in the competition and to achieve that crown.

President Museveni has this afternoon launched the construction of a flyover at clock tower in Kampala in a bid to control traffic congestion along the Kampala Entebbe road.

The Flyover construction is a joint project between the Uganda government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) which is estimated to cost Shs224b. the whole project is expected to be completed within three years with actual construction starting in January next year.

The project plan involves construction of a half-kilometer long clock tower flyover, widening the road from Shoprite via Queens Way to Katwe adding more lanes for half a kilometer. The plan also involves improving Nsambya, Mukwano and Ggaba roads starting with the section from Clock Tower.

The early acquisition of land by the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) for the construction of the flyover will help to quicken the project according to the Executive Director of UNRA Ms. Allen Kagina. Japanese construction company Shimizu Konoike JK was awarded the contract the to construct the Flyover.

UNRA is trying to improvise new diversions to reduce the congestion expected during the construction. Entebbe road where the flyover is to be constructed has the second highest traffic jam intensity in Kampala after Jinja road.

The same agency (JICA) will also fund the second flyover to be constructed at Wampewo Roundabout near Centenary Park to reduce traffic jam along Jinja Road.

The traffic problem in Kampala
Traffic jam is Kampala’s biggest problem especially along the two highways to Entebbe and Jinja. Motorists are usually held up for over 30 minutes before they reach the city center in the morning or leave it the evening. The data from World Bank shows that traffic congestion costs the country over Shs2.8 trillion per year.

Diversions
Upon commencement of construction, there will be traffic diversions at several points including Kafumbe Mukasa Road, Entebbe Road and Mengo Hill Road to allow the construction process to go on well. All roads connecting to Kafumbe Mukasa road will be closed and traffic will be diverted to Kisenyi Road. From Entebbe, traffic will be diverted at several points before accessing the city center including at Zzana Roundabout, Namasuba to Stella stage and Kibuye Roundabout. Likewise traffic to Mengo Hill Road will be diverted to Kisenyi and Kibuye Roundabout.

Once the project is accomplished it is expected to bring about benefits and relief to motorists that will supersede all the inconveniences they will go through during the construction process.

The improvement in the city transport also comes as good news to travelers that come for Uganda safaris who are usually caught up in the city traffic as they go for their tour destinations and as they go back to Entebbe Airport for their return flights.

As Christmas sets in, Ugandans are getting ready for the jolly festive season and preparations for the most celebrated day in the world are already underway.

Christmas in Uganda comes as a full package with everyone preparing for it in a special way. Everyone in Uganda wants to utilize this long awaited season to his or her satisfaction and this is most common among those with products and services to sell. We hope that our Christmas tips this season will help our readers by saving them from some unnecessary expenses and other costs.

Travel Tips
It is a common norm in Uganda that all transport operators hike their charges during the Christmas season. Transport charges from the capital Kampala to upcountry destinations are doubled and others tripled without justification. The transport operators basing on the fact that the people who travel upcountry for Christmas do not return immediately and therefore they drive empty vehicles on the return journey, they try to justify this sharp increment. In other words the high charge is designed to also to cater for the return journey. The only way out of this pain is to try and travel early before they hike the charges. Usually they start hiking five days before Christmas. Therefore for someone who plans to travel for distant journey is better to leave the capital at least a week before Christmas.

Security tips
While in Kampala, you should always be alert and conscious of the security of your property. Pickpockets and thugs are always everywhere in every corner and along every street in town. Property like luggage, handbags, wallets, phones and money should always be consciously kept as you move through the city. This vice is not only exclusive to Kampala but in each and every trading center you reach while on your journey, and to make things worse, these bad guys may also be traveling with you the very vehicle you boarded. You just have not to relax in your security at any point of time. Always ensure that you have kept all your belongings far away from where they can easily be snatched away from you. Personal security even matters much more than property, given the July 2010 incident when almost 80 Ugandans were bombed to ashes while watching a world cup final match at Lugogo, more care should be taken. If you are a reveler it is advisable to avoid over-crowded places to reduce any risk of another terrorist attack.

Shopping tips
Just like transport, prices for most of the items go high during Christmas. From foods to beverages, clothes to plastics among others, their prices almost double during the festive season. For curious shoppers, it is highly advisable that you arrange your shopping list early enough and approach your shopping mall or grocery early enough before the prices go crazy. Items like sugar, rice, and other cereal foods and drinks can be shopped and stocked in advance to avoid the Christmas exploitation.

Entertainment tips
There is always an entertainment corner in every town around Uganda on Christmas day. From music concerts to karaoke, movies to comedy, you really get much more than you expect on a Ugandan Christmas. Likewise, there are several Community-based Christmas tournaments that are organized with the finals staged on the D-day. These include football competitions, wrestling and athletics, all designed to quench the thirst of the revelers.

Eating
Lastly but not least, eating has never been so easy in Uganda like on Christmas day. The point I’m making is that you can eat anywhere and at any home in the community on Christmas. Ugandans become so generous on Christmas and food is served to any stranger with ease. If you happen to be one of the unlucky guys of the day and you find yourself with nothing at all to feast on, don’t hesitate, just branch at any nearby home and disguise as a visitor, trust me you will eat and pack.

The 22-year-old Miss Uganda was on Saturday declared Miss World Africa during the closing ceremony of the 68th Miss World contest in Sanya China after finishing third in the overall event.

Abenakyo scooped the third place in this year’s Miss World contest after becoming the first ever Miss Uganda to make it into the top five Miss World finalists.

Quiin was second runner up after the overall winner Vanessa Ponce De Leon (Mexico), first runner up Nicolene Limsnukan (Thailand) while Belarus’s Maria Vasilevich and Jamaica’s Kadija Robinson occupied the last two places respectively to complete the top five list.

All the top five beauty pageants were subsequently rewarded with continental crowns as winners from their respective continents, which saw Quiin Abenakyo taking the African crown.

After being crowned Miss Uganda 2018 back in August where she managed to beat other 21 contestants to the crown, Abenakyo was set for the next big step at the global level.

Her participation at the global level meant more fierce competition that saw her lining up against 117 other beauty queens from around the world.

When she made it in the final 30, already she had made history as the first Miss Uganda to make it that far in the competition. Her outstanding presentation about Teenage pregnancies as her purpose project to help the girl child in Uganda earned her a three way decision from the judges in her favor to cruise past her Argentine counterpart for a spot in top 30.

The next level saw Abeakyo’s country men and women being called into action to vote for her so that she could make it into the top five. Indeed Ugandans didn’t disappoint the 22 year old as thousands of Internet users in Uganda made it a point to cast their votes in her favor.

Gradually the incoming votes from Ugandans saw Abenakyo going up the ladder from twentieth to twelve and finally into the fifth position that guaranteed her presence in the finals.

Having made it into the top five, the ball had now shifted into her own hands and it was now about how well she answers the pre-recorded question displayed on a big screen to determine her overall performance.

Finally Abenakyo’s response won her second runner up and although she missed out on the overall title, her position and her involvement in the last five was such a huge achievement for a person who comes from a country that had reached nowhere near that level in the past.
That achievement also opened many doors of opportunities to her including a guaranteed involvement in the Miss World 2019 Beauty with a Purpose Tour.

In addition to inspiring many other Ugandan young girls who have similar ambitions, Quiin has also raised a bar upon which future Ugandan beauty queens will be aiming to match or beat.