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notifier-image-DJ Nimrod attacks Juliana again

DJ Nimrod attacks Juliana again

D.J. Nimrod, believes never in a thousand years would Juliana Kanyomozi have promoted Spice Diana's concert if he hadn't called her out last year. Last year, ahead of Kanyomozi's concert, which was held on August 18 at the Kampala Serena Hotel, Nimrod took to Facebook to say that he was disappointed in artistes for supporting the Nabikoowa hitmaker's concert yet she never supports them. "... This Music Industry can be funny and unpredictable. The way Ugandan Musicians are posting about Juliana’s Show and yet she NEVER posts any of your shows!!" he said in the post. Nimrod noted that Kanyomozi had only posted about Azawi's concert which was held on July 22 because Azawi is managed by Swangz Avenue, which was also promoting her (Kanyomozi's) concert. "She only posted Azawi’s coz [sic] Swangz is doing her show," he said. "I love an industry where we support each other or where we support those who support us... She doesn’t deserve the support she doesn’t give." In a recent media interview, Nimrod said that after calling out Kanyomozi, he received multiple links and screenshots showing posts the songstress had shared on her social media promoting concerts of other musicians. He said she had last promoted a fellow musician’s concert in 2017 and she was also selective about whom she posts about, looking at only "friends and those she knows." This reporter couldn't independtly verify this. Nimrod said: "After what I said artistes started posting each other." He added: "Sometime back, do you think Juliana would have posted Spice Diana? For what reason? It was impossible... Would Juliana have attended Nwagi's show? In whose show had you ever seen her as a guest?" It's true that since then Kanyomozi has promoted a number of artiste's shows, including that of Jose Chameloene, David Lutalo, Eddy Kenzo, Slick Stuart & Roja Mixtape --. Still, it may not necessarily be because of what Nimrod said. Last year in December when she was asked why she doesn't give musicians “drops”, she said: "Anyone who has followed me for a while will tell you that I'm always there for my colleagues. Social media support is not the only form of showing support. There are a lot of things I do for people that you don't know about... so, I don't have to explain myself because someone talked. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. If he sees me like that, it's fine. I'm a big fan of Ugandan music. On my playlists, it's Ugandan music that's on top. In my car, there are repeats of Ugandan music. I'm patriotic." Nimrod noted that musicians have since started supporting each other, citing the love they showed Chameleone when his stage collapsed and others that have been buying VIP tables to attend concerts.

notifier-image-'Brotherhood has been key to our success', Sauti Sol's Bien-Aime states

'Brotherhood has been key to our success', Sauti Sol's Bien-Aime states

Sauti Sol’s Bien-Aime Baraza has explained the secret behind the band’s longevity and relevance for over a decade. Speaking on the Afrobeats Podcast, the Inauma singer said brotherhood has been key to their success and they often attend therapy sessions to navigate some of their challenges. “We met in high school when we were 15 and that was in 2002. Sauti Sol is 20 years old. “It has been a journey of chasing higher highs…the brotherhood has been very strong and they are my best friends. If anything happens to me right now the first person I will call is a Sauti Sol member and they will come,” he said. Adding: “We do go for therapy like a married couple…this is my longest marriage. To date we go for therapy, we sit down and talk not only about the things that are troubling us but we also celebrate the beautiful things that are happening in our lives.” Bien added that it is important to remain grounded despite the fame, and egos need to be tamed for the prolonged success of a group. He also spoke about how exposure to different music genres expanded their thinking and pushed them to be better versions of themselves. “We started going for these award ceremonies and a lot of our peers were winning but in the beginning, we were not. “We began questioning ourselves. Are we not as talented? Working with other artistes opened up their markets to us and vice versa,” he said. The singer said, unlike other artistes, they have never paid for collaborations with international artistes as their projects were anchored on good music and friendship. In 2021, the boy band announced that they would be focusing on solo projects under the label ‘Alone Together’ and many thought it was the end of the road for the talented group. After working on several individual projects that complemented their individual styles, they reunited in 2022 and even released a song ‘Lil Mama’. Source - The Standard

notifier-image-African music tops revenue growth worldwide, IFPI report

African music tops revenue growth worldwide, IFPI report

Led by Amapiano from South Africa and Afro-beats from West Africa, the African music tune is on the verge of conquering the world if an international music report released this week is anything to go by. And it is not just about Amapiano and Afro-beats as the report has it that Kenyan music and the entire East Africa region has its music revenues and reach on a trajectory path, a sign that the sector has a promising future. The global recorded music market grew by 9 per cent in 2022, driven by growth in paid subscription streaming. According to IFPI, the organisation that represents the recorded music industry worldwide, last year, Sub-Saharan Africa became the fastest-growing region – worldwide – in terms of recorded music revenue growth. The report has it that the region recorded more than 30 per cent growth (34.7 per cent) a fact that was driven largely by a significant boost to revenues in the region’s largest market, South Africa. “It continues to be a very exciting time for music in Sub-Saharan Africa. In an incredibly nuanced market with lots of different cultures and music scenes, we can see how the proactive presence and investment of record companies here is driving the development of healthy music markets, creating opportunities for local artists and fostering local cultures. It’s imperative that we continue to work with governments across the region to ensure we have the right policies in place for a thriving recording industry,” says Angela Ndambuki, the IFPI Regional Director, Sub-Saharan Africa. The figures released in IFPI’s Global Music Report show total trade revenues for 2022 were US$26.2 billion. Subscription audio streaming revenues increased by 10.3 per cent to US$12.7 billion and there were 589 million users of paid subscription accounts at the end of 2022.

News

notifier-image-Principal resigns after Florida students shown Michelangelo statue

Principal resigns after Florida students shown Michelangelo statue

A principal of a Florida school has been forced to resign after a parent complained that sixth-grade students were exposed to pornography. The complaint arose from a Renaissance art lesson where students were shown Michelangelo's statue of David. The iconic statue is one of the most famous in Western history. But one parent complained the material was pornographic and two others said they wanted to know about the class before it was taught. The 5.17m (17ft) statue depicts an entirely naked David, the Biblical figure who kills the giant Goliath. The lesson, given to 11 and 12-year-olds, also included references to Michelangelo's "Creation of Adam" painting and Botticelli's "Birth of Venus". Principal Hope Carrasaquilla of Tallahassee Classical School said she resigned after she was given an ultimatum by the school board to resign or be fired. Local media reported that Ms Carrasquilla did not know the reason she was asked to resign, but believed it was related to the complaints over the lesson. They also said Ms Carrasquilla had been principal for less than one year. In an interview with US outlet Slate, the chair of the school's board, Barney Bishop III, said that last year the principal sent a notice to parents warning them that students were going to see Michelangelo's David - but that this wasn't done this year. He called it an "egregious mistake" and said that "parents are entitled to know anytime their child is being taught a controversial topic and picture". "We're not going to show the full statue of David to kindergartners. We're not going to show him to second graders. Showing the entire statue of David is appropriate at some age. We're going to figure out when that is," Mr Bishop said. On Thursday, Florida's governor, Ron DeSantis, moved to expand a law that banned public schools from teaching sexual education and gender identity. Teachers who violate the law face being suspended or losing their teaching licences. The David was completed by Michelangelo between 1501 and 1504. It was instantly hailed as a masterpiece, with Renaissance artist Giorgio Vasari saying the David "surpassed" any statue that had ever existed before. Queen Victoria gifted a copy of the David to the South Kensington museum - later the V&A - in 1857. When she first saw the cast, she was apparently so shocked by the nudity that a fig leaf was commissioned to cover up the genitalia. The V&A's website says that the leaf was kept "in readiness for any royal visits, when it was hung on the figure using two strategically placed hooks." Source - BBC

notifier-image-Immigration fuels Canada's largest population growth of over 1 million

Immigration fuels Canada's largest population growth of over 1 million

Canada's population grew by over a million people for the first time ever last year, the government has said. The country's population increased from 38,516,138 to 39,566,248 people, Statistics Canada said. It also marked Canada's highest annual population growth rate - 2.7% - since 1957. The increase was in part fuelled by government efforts to recruit migrants to the country to ease labour shortages, Statistics Canada said. The country also depends on migration to support an ageing population. But Statistics Canada said the surge in the number of permanent and temporary immigrants could "also represent additional challenges for some regions of the country related to housing, infrastructure and transportation, and service delivery to the population". International migration accounted for nearly 96% of the population growth, according to the news release. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made efforts to attract more immigrants to the country since gaining power in 2015. Last year, the government announced a plan to welcome half a million immigrants a year by 2025. The Canadian government has also been accepting people affected by conflicts like the Ukraine war, the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and the 2023 earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. On Wednesday, it announced an extension - until July - of a programme that offers to temporarily resettle Ukrainians and their family members. So far, more than 600,000 applications have been approved of the nearly-one-million that have been received - and more than 130,000 people have arrived in Canada under the initiative. Debate around immigration tends to be more positive in "settler" countries than in Western Europe - and most of all in Canada, said Prof Randall Hansen from the University of Toronto. "Canadians would love to have the world believe they're more open, liberal and accommodating - but this is all nonsense," Prof Hansen, a Canada research chair in global migration, commented. He told the BBC that Canada had shaped its "national identity" around the idea of multiculturalism in part to differentiate itself from attitudes in its southern neighbour, the US. Its positivity towards migration was also down to a firm control of borders, an ability to select the "best and brightest" migrants from around the world, and relatively few spatial constraints around major cities, he added. Canada's previous highest population increase, in 1957, came within the context of the post-World War Two baby boom and the movement of refugees following the Hungarian Revolution. The country welcomed 437,000 immigrants in 2022, while the number of non-permanent residents in the country increased by 607,782, accounting for a "record-breaking year for the processing of immigration applications", according to the government's news release. The population increase also means Canada would rank first among the 38 member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development for 2022 population growth, while it was also the fastest-growing G7 country, according to Statistics Canada. If Canada maintained the 2.7% increase each year, its population would double in 26 years, the government added. Source - BBC

notifier-image-Bobi Wine asks Moses Bigirwa, four other NUP leaders, in Busoga to apologise over misconduct

Bobi Wine asks Moses Bigirwa, four other NUP leaders, in Busoga to apologise over misconduct

Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine has asked five of the party leaders from Busoga Sub-region who were suspended for alleged misconduct and violation of the party constitution to apologise with immediate effect. In January this year, Kyagulanyi who is the leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP) suspended five leaders from Busoga sub region until the issue regarding their alleged misconduct is probed. Those that were suspended included the party’s deputy secretary for mobilisation (Eastern region) Moses Bigirwa, acting head of patriotism and ideology Andrew Muwanguzi, coordinator Busoga Sub-region Lulenzi Bamu, acting coordinator Youth, Busoga sub-region Jamal Ayagalaki Mukuve and the acting district chairperson for Jinja city Saulo Nsongambi. In a statement, Kyagulanyi said the party instituted a committee to inquire into the divisions amongst the leaders in the sub-region and the moves he took to suspend them was only aimed at creating sanity within the party. The committee that handed over its report on March 10, 2023, to the party among other reasons found that there has been gross indiscipline from some of the leaders reflected in their unending power struggles, which has occasioned and encouraged the divisions. The committee recommended that the five leaders should be reinstated in their respective positions but given a very strong warning. Kyagulanyi said these leaders should apologise to the party in writing and make a fresh commitment to conduct themselves in a manner that does not foster divisions or undermine the cause. He said that the report and recommendations from the committee was presented to the stakeholders from Busoga Sub-region, including elected leaders, registrars, coordinators and the leaders of mobilisation. Kyagulanyi expressed disappointment over the continued bickering amongst the few leaders, and reminded the stakeholders and other leaders of the mission at hand which is ensuring that president Museveni is dislodged from power. He tasked them to always be mindful and prioritise the aspirations of the people of Busoga Sub-region who are wallowing in poverty and many other problems, and are in urgent need of liberation. “We are very grateful to the committee for doing their work diligently and in a timely manner. We hope that moving forward, we shall have a more disciplined team that works for the greater good of the cause.” Source - Nile Post

notifier-image-Crested cranes are killed in Lwengo district, here is the reason why...

Crested cranes are killed in Lwengo district, here is the reason why...

Conservationists have blamed the declining number of the treasured grey crested cranes in Lwengo District on traditional healers who kill them for ritual sacrifice. Ms Mary Jude Namulema, the Lwengo District environmental officer, said their recent survey revealed that traditional healers “waged” a war on the birds, claiming they have an element that “can solve family affairs”. Ms Namulema says the traditional healers dupe their clients into believing that eggs of grey-crested cranes and their chicks can help married couples stay in peace like the cranes live in pairs, which she says has left many birds killed, especially during the breeding seasons of November, December and January. “Many of the traditional healers we have interacted with have confirmed that they kill these treasured birds for ritual sacrifice, which is very bad,” she said at the weekend. Ms Namulema, however, called upon the traditional healers and the public to desist from this practice because it will lead to the extinction of the bird. Mr Emirio Luswata, one of the leaders of traditional healers in Lwengo, confirmed that a section of their members are using the grey crested cranes in the treatment of clients’ problems like barrenness and unstable relationships. “We are trying to sensitise them to get other means of solving these issues rather than using the blood of crested cranes,” he said. Mr Gilbert Tumushabe, the director of the International Cranes Foundation, said they recently convened a meeting with traditional healers in Lwengo and spoke to them about the dangers of killing the crested cranes, but a few turned up. “We are now using the few [traditional healers] that have been sensitised to work as ambassadors to sensitise others about the effects of killing the crested cranes, we hope cases of killing cranes for ritual sacrifice will soon reduce,” he said. Mr Tumushabe said they received information that traditional healers use the locals and boda boda cyclists in the area to get the eggs and young cranes. “We are also working with Uganda Wildlife Authority to save those cranes that have been injured by the community, especially farmers, and take them for treatment, though some die in the process,” he added. Research A study done by International Cranes Foundation in 2021 showed that about 108 grey crested cranes had been poisoned between January and October of the same year and the blame was put on farmers that are cultivating in swamps. Although death is reported only among crested cranes, conservationists say the poison used by farmers also kills other birds indiscriminately. Commonly known as the crested crane, it is a bird of national significance to Uganda, occupying a prime position on the country’s national flag and coat of arms. Yet despite its serenity, beauty and popularity, the crested crane is facing extinction. In 2012, this decline saw the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, an organisation working in the field of nature conservation, put the grey-crowned crane on its list of endangered bird species. Numbers Only about 10,000 to 20,000 grey crowned cranes are left in Uganda, compared with an estimated 100,000 four decades ago, according to statistics from Nature Uganda and the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife. Source - Daily Monitor

Pretty Woman

notifier-image-These are the types of people you should not get close to in your life, Barbie Kyagulanyi shares

These are the types of people you should not get close to in your life, Barbie Kyagulanyi shares

Barbara Itungo Kyagulanyi, also known as Barbie believes you shouldn't be friends with someone you don't look up to. "These are the types of people you should not get close to in your life," Barbie, the wife of singer and politician Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, starts. "If there are people you spend most of your time with, but what they talk about, what they do, and how they think doesn't make you feel like you should be like them, get a new circle." At 38 and being married to a rich and celebrated figure, Barbie, who was raised in a village in Ntungamo, has possibly met people from all walks of life and she knows a thing or two about meaningful friendships and leveraging them for success. Her message, which was delivered in a TikTok video, attracted lots of comments. Moll Namugenyi said: "Perfectly said. Thanks our First Lady." Shabirah Husan said: "I have those people but they make me laugh and I like it." Prossy noted: "[I] am looking for a new circle 🥺🥺🥺🥺Thanx [sic] for the advice." Another commenter said: "I need someone I can talk to. Could you please be that person?" Princess Mercy paid tribute to Barbie: "You will always be my mentor 💖💕💕 love u [sic] first lady 🥰🥰" Barbie has been married to Bobi Wine since 2011, runs a non-profit called Caring Hearts Uganda with operations in Kampala, Wakiso, Kiboga, Mukono, and Soroti. Founded in 2012, the organisation is involved in a number of activities including teaching adolescent girls to make and use reusable sanitary towels, constructing facilities to improve sanitation and hygiene in schools, and conducting counseling sessions in schools on topics like HIV/AIDS and drug abuse. They also run programs to facilitate talent promotion in schools through sports, dance, and drama. Source - Pulse.ug

notifier-image-Today, the door swings shut on the Elizabethan era

Today, the door swings shut on the Elizabethan era

For two minutes today the drumming will cease, the pipers will fall silent, the march of boots on procession routes will still. For two minutes today, at the end of the funeral service in Westminster Abbey, before the national anthem is heard, before the coffin is taken away for committal and burial at Windsor, there will be silence. And a door will swing shut. A reign of seven decades will come to a close. For 10 rather bewildering days we have spoken of the Queen and the new king as if they could somehow both be with us. Today that long week of transition comes to an end. In the earliest years of her reign, a new Elizabethan Age was proclaimed by some. Such was the excitement over the young queen, the marvels of technology and the new prosperity, after the grinding grey of the depression years, the sacrifice of World War Two and the hard road of recovery after it. She - wise in her earliest decades to fickle fashion - dismissed all that talk. But if this was not an age - and who are we to contradict her? - then it was an era, the Elizabethan Era. Over decades of wrenching change, she was constancy, for a largely still-conservative country. That profile on the stamps, that voice at Christmas, that bowed head on Remembrance Sunday. Today the door swings shut on that. It swings shut too on "Prince" Charles, on his many decades as Prince of Wales. His staff always bridled at the idea of him as an understudy or apprentice, pointing to his decades of achievement, of carving out a distinct role. His challenge, once Royal Mourning is over, is in part to enjoy - and show that he enjoys - the role of monarch. His mother understood that part of the job was to rally people - to take people's minds off bills and dull jobs and complaining relatives, to entertain and divert and sometimes delight. That he did good work as prince, transforming so many lives for the better, is unquestionable. But often, alongside, the impression given was that things were grim, that there was a lot of cause for complaint. The word "appalling" seemed to come up a lot. Now the door swings shut on that. Britons want to see the best of themselves reflected in their sovereign. And, as the silence stretches out across Westminster, across the capital and the country, the door swings shut on Elizabeth, on the woman known to so many and never really known at all, on the little girl known to her grandpa as Lilibet. In The Unseen Queen, the BBC's beautiful documentary of family-filmed footage of the young princess, Lilibet prances and dances, pranks and laughs. Her eyes shine with laughter. And they shine with love, for her father, the king who would die so early, and her husband Prince Philip, who would be by her side for so long. Over the decades that prancing, dancing, loving girl and young woman was by necessity put out of sight. This past week have come reminders from friends and confidantes, and those members of the public she let into the secret, that Lilibet was always there. She introduced the documentary. "You always hope that future generations will find them interesting," she said of the family films, "and perhaps be surprised that you too were young once". No-one should be too surprised. Because in her final months, that youthful Elizabeth, that Lilibet, returned to public view with that playful gleam in her eye, drawing a marmalade sandwich from her handbag. The handbag is closed. The gleam is now a memory. And today the door swings shut. Source - BBC

notifier-image-US Open: Serena Williams' career over after Ajla Tomljanovic defeat

US Open: Serena Williams' career over after Ajla Tomljanovic defeat

Serena Williams waved farewell to the US Open - and her illustrious career - amid emotional scenes after she lost to Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic on a thrilling night in New York. Williams, who turns 41 this month, expects it to be her final match. It will end a 27-year professional career that brought 23 major singles wins and sees the American widely labelled as the greatest of all time. Williams lost 7-5 6-7 (4-7) 6-1 and had tears running down her face afterwards. The former long-time world number one saved five match points in what proved to be the final game but was powerless to stop a sixth. Almost everyone who could rose to their feet when she departed the court on Arthur Ashe Stadium - the scene of her first major triumph in 1999 and five more of the finest wins in her storied career - for what she intends to be the last time. As she waved goodbye and gave a signature twirl, Tina Turner's pop classic 'Simply The Best' boomed out over the sound system. Asked if she would reconsider retiring after her performances this week, Williams said: "I'm literally playing my way into this and getting better. I should have started sooner this year. I don't think so, but you never know." Williams was overcome with emotion when she was interviewed in the middle of the court, thanking her family, team, the crowd and her fans across the world for their support over the years. "I thank everyone that's here, that's been on my side so many years, decades. Oh my gosh, literally decades," said Williams, who played her first professional tournament as a 14-year-old in 1995. "But it all started with my parents. And they deserve everything. So I'm really grateful for them. "And I wouldn't be Serena if there wasn't [sister] Venus, so thank you, Venus. She's the only reason that Serena Williams ever existed." Tomljanovic, who moves into the fourth round and plays Russia's Liudmila Samsonova, stepped to the side and applauded her opponent as she took the microphone. The world number 46 produced a phenomenal performance to block out the noise and sense of occasion, illustrated by her clinical hitting in the final stages of a brutal contest which lasted three hours and five minutes. Williams produces one last thrilling performance for A-list crowd Williams has long been more than a tennis player and it was a sign of her status - as an American icon and one of the world's most recognisable sport stars - that she announced her retirement in an essay for glossy fashion magazine Vogue. Although she did not use the word retirement itself, preferring to say she was "evolving away" from the sport, her plan is to end her glittering career this fortnight at her home major. Like every night she has appeared this week, Williams emerged on to court after being introduced as the 'Queen of Queen's' - the borough of New York where the tournament is held - in a specially-commissioned video montage narrated by American rap star Queen Latifah. The A-Listers have been out in force on Ashe this week, with Vogue editor Anna Wintour and golf superstar Tiger Woods previously sitting in Williams' box. On Friday night it was R&B singer Ciara and her husband Russell Wilson, who is one of the country's biggest NFL stars, alongside members of Williams' family. Elsewhere, tennis great Billie Jean King, film director Spike Lee and actress Rebel Wilson were also watching. Williams wore the glittery, figure skating-inspired dress she had specially created for the tournament, along with diamond-encrusted trainers, to add further pomp to the occasion. Right to the end, Williams put on a show for the almost capacity 24,000 crowd. The 40-year-old played some of her best tennis in a long while as she fought to prolong her career, putting on one final memorable show for those lucky enough to witness it. How Williams' final match played out Waiting for one of the greatest icons in the sport, as a partisan home crowd was being whipped up, would test the mettle of even the most nerveless players. Williams breezed in with Tomljanovic already long out on the court, having arrived first after touching a bronze plaque at the players' entrance inscribed with Billie Jean King's famous 'Pressure is a privilege' quote. The American looked the more tense and showed it in the first game, with Tomljanovic not looking fazed when she broke her opponent's serve. But Williams settled quickly in the next game as Tomljanovic could not consolidate, going a break ahead for 5-3 and serving for the opening set. Then a poor game appeared at the worst possible time for Williams. Unforced errors from her racquet contributed to Tomljanovic breaking back for 5-4 as did, almost as crucially, a net cord trickling back to Williams' side of the court at 30-30. Growing in confidence as a result of the break, Tomljanovic hit clean winners off both wings - either side of a double fault from Williams - to break again for 6-5 and leave her serving for the opener. She raced into a 40-0 lead and sealed the set at the third opportunity with an inch-perfect forehand winner. Seeing Williams trailing left the crowd inside the world's biggest tennis stadium somewhat subdued. Not for long, however. The world number 605 broke for a 2-0 lead in the second set and moved 4-0 ahead, thanks to some ferocious winners and helped by two double faults from her opponent, to send Ashe back into raptures. Williams was turning back the clock again at this point and was described by British former player Laura Robson, working for BBC Radio 5 Live as an analyst, as playing the best tennis she had seen her play "in years". A slip in concentration allowed Tomljanovic to claw back one of the breaks, but Williams locked in again and held from deuce for 5-2. That sparked an impassioned celebration from Williams - a trademark roar complemented with a fist clench and foot stamp as she bent towards the court - as everyone in the place erupted once again. Anticipation hung in the air as Williams tried to level the match at the first attempt, but she missed four set points and that triggered a fightback from Tomljanovic. Sensing Williams needed their help, the crowd chanted her name around the cavernous arena going into the tie-break and she responded with a composed passage of play to finally level the match after an 84-minute set. Now it was a straight one-set shootout. Williams looked to be suffering a dip in energy - understandably after her physical efforts this week in only her fourth tournament in more than a year - as she fell 5-1 behind in the decider. The end looked inevitable but not before she mustered one last act of resistance. In a final game lasting 15 minutes and 22 points, she eventually succumbed by planting a forehand into the net, which led to the final - potentially loudest - ovation of her career. Source - BBC

notifier-image-Michelle Obama soon releasing a new book. 'The Light We Carry'

Michelle Obama soon releasing a new book. 'The Light We Carry'

Michelle Obama, the former first lady of the United States is releasing her new book, The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times. The book, which should be out on November 15, and is a follow-up to her New York Times #1 bestseller, Becoming. The Light We Carry is said to be filled to very last brimming sentence with new stories and Michelle’s perspectives on change and the power it carries power as well itself and its ability to change one’s life. It has also been billed to hold deeper truths, by Michelle’s reckoning no doubt, and the vaunted and elevated “richness and potential of the world around us.” Again, as in Becoming, she draws from her rich experience as a mother, daughter, wife, and First Lady, to reveal what she describes as personal habits and practices she’s evolved such as “starting kind,” “going high,” and assembling a “kitchen table” as she continues to “become.” Michelle explained why she wrote the book, “Like so many of you, I’ve spent a lot of time these past few years thinking about how to keep myself centered in a world filled with so much uncertainty. That process of reflection actually led me to start writing again […] This book is a collection of stories and practices that have helped me sort through all the challenges and questions that keep us up at night: How do I know I’m good enough? How do I bring my whole self to the table? How can I overcome my fears?” Her previous book, Becoming, came out on November 13, 2018, but climbed to the Amazon best-seller charts even before it was released. (It was the 13th most-sold book during the week of November 4, 2018.) Penguin Random House reportedly paid Barack and Michelle Obama a joint advance of $65 million for their memoirs, The Promised Land and Becoming respectively.

Sports

notifier-image-Julian Nagelsmann: Why did Bayern Munich sack their manager and turn to Thomas Tuchel?

Julian Nagelsmann: Why did Bayern Munich sack their manager and turn to Thomas Tuchel?

In one of the most surprising managerial changes in recent times, Julian Nagelsmann has been fired as manager of Bayern Munich and replaced by former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel. The 35-year-old German, who led Bayern to the Bundesliga title in his first campaign in charge last season, leaves with his side one point off league leaders Borussia Dortmund. They are also in the quarter-finals of the Champions League - after seven clean sheets in eight European matches - where they face Manchester City. Despite just three league defeats all season and an average of 2.19 points per match during his 19 months at the helm - the fourth-best tally for a Bayern manager in Bundesliga history - the club's board was dissatisfied with Nagelsmann. To the point that the decision was made to cut ties with the man who only recently was called a "perfect fit" by chairman Herbert Hainer. But Bayern's bosses have been concerned by a lack of progress the team has shown, the way highly-paid players such as Sadio Mane and Leroy Sane have struggled this year, and the fact Nagelsmann has shown a tendency to antagonise key members of the dressing room. In the end, the undoubtedly talented coach had no-one at the highest level to stick up for him. Strong results until the World Cup Whether there was no real on-field progress since his appointment from RB Leipzig in 2021 remains debatable. After his first year at the club, which ended with Bayern winning their 32nd German championship but suffer a quarter-final exit from the Champions League, Nagelsmann grew more confident and began to change the club's tactical system last summer. He deviated from the wing-heavy style which had been prevalent since the days of manager Louis van Gaal in 2010 - and instead let his team play more centre-focused. It took time for Bayern to adjust to Nagelsmann's changes, while on top of that Bayern did not sign a replacement for prolific striker Robert Lewandowski who went to Barcelona before the season started. And yet, Bayern won 10 games in a row before the World Cup break which, in hindsight, might have come at the worst time possible for Nagelsmann. Following the re-start of the Bundesliga season, Bayern have shown signs of vulnerability, dropping 12 points in 10 games and thus keeping the title race in Germany alive. Last Sunday's 2-1 loss to Bayer Leverkusen saw Bayern drop to second place for the first time since October, but that alone did not motivate the board to change their mind on the manager they had endorsed. Conflict with keeper Neuer Nagelsmann tended to make some enemies in the dressing room. He and Manuel Neuer never saw eye-to-eye, and their conflict became visible after the captain broke his leg in a skiing accident in December and had to watch his goalkeeping coach and best friend Toni Tapalovic released. Nagelsmann had tried to replace Tapalovic from the beginning of his tenure, but Neuer was successful in keeping his confidant at Bayern until he had to sit at home. Other players regularly complained too about Nagelsmann's training style and the way he would constantly shout instructions from the sideline during games. The sentiment among a considerable portion of the team was that their coach came off as a know-it-all. Coupled with off-the-field actions, such as leaving his wife and entering a relationship with a local reporter from tabloid newspaper Bild, and subsequent rumours about information being leaked by Nagelsmann, he was left in a tough spot. While Bayern discussed his future, Nagelsmann and his girlfriend were on a skiing trip in Austria, which also did not go down well with some of the club's hierarchy. Bayern was Nagelsmann's dream job Regardless of these issues, the decisions made on Thursday ends what many considered a generational project prematurely. Bayern paid 25m euros to RB Leipzig in 2021 to free Nagelsmann from his contract, and they might need to pay another 15m if they would intend to release him before the end of his contract in 2026. For now, Nagelsmann continues to receive his monthly wage until he finds a new club. While possible suitors such as Tottenham Hotspur could call on him quite soon, they should be aware Nagelsmann had dreamed of becoming Bayern manager for years. Back in April 2017, when he was in charge of Bundesliga side TSG Hoffenheim, Nagelsmann made an appearance in Bayern's Allianz Arena wearing a bright-red coat, the colour of the club, signalling his willingness to become the next manager of the German record champions. At the time, Bayern considered him too inexperienced and, while he had to wait four more years, he eventually arrived at his supposed dream destination. Tuchel expected to get the best out of stars His successor, Tuchel, also had to experience being rejected by Bayern in the past. In 2018, he held talks shortly after leaving Borussia Dortmund, but Uli Hoeness, Bayern's chairman at the time, vetoed hiring Tuchel and Niko Kovac was apppointed instead. Tuchel was swiftly appointed by Paris St-Germain before being recruited by Chelsea in January 2021, guiding them to a Champions League title by beating Pep Guardiola's Manchester City 1-0 in the final. Sacked by the Blues last September, Tuchel decided to move back to Germany, more specifically to Munich where he currently resides. The 49-year-old kept an eye out for the managerial job at Bayern, but even most recently, there was no realistic chance of an opening anytime soon. That changed earlier this week. Tuchel will be under pressure from the start, as Bayern face Borussia Dortmund following the international break on 1 April in a game that might decide the championship race. Ten days later, Tuchel will return to England when Bayern visit City at the Etihad Stadium for the first leg of their Champions League last-eight tie. What Bayern's bosses will expect from their incoming coach is that he can revitalise some of the struggling attacking players such as Mane and Sane. Tuchel has coined himself a 'players' coach', who is there to get the best out of his team. He showed tactical flexibility at PSG and Chelsea and was able to build positive relationships with many of his players. At the moment, that is apparently needed more than anything else at Bayern. Source - BBC

notifier-image-Man Utd takeover: Sir Jim Ratcliffe & Sheikh Jassim to submit new bids as deadline extended amid confusion

Man Utd takeover: Sir Jim Ratcliffe & Sheikh Jassim to submit new bids as deadline extended amid confusion

Ineos owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim are set to submit new bids to buy Manchester United after a deadline was extended at their request amid confusion on Wednesday night. Bidders were told they had until 21:00 GMT to submit second, revised bids. BBC Sport has been told several other proposed investors made their submissions by that time. It is unclear when the new deadline will be. Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim are the only publicly declared bidders. It is understood US investment company Elliott has made an offer to purchase a minority stake, irrespective of who ends up owning the club. Initially on Wednesday evening there had been strong indications from sources close to the pair that they had submitted fresh bids. But it then emerged over the past 48 hours first the Qatari team and then Ineos had submitted requests to Raine - the investment bank conducting the sale - for more time to make their second offers, which was granted. The situation is described as "live and fast moving" by someone close to the talks but sources insist that both Sheikh Jassim and Ineos are committed to making second bids. However, the twist in the sale process will only reinforce concerns among some fans that American owners the Glazer family may decide not to sell the club. Ineos wants to buy the combined Glazer shareholding of about 69%, but the Qataris are targeting 100% of the club. Both sides met with United officials earlier in March. BBC Sport has learned that United officials met eight different potential investors over a 10-day period of high-level meetings recently, including Ratcliffe and representatives of Sheikh Jassim. The size of their initial bids has not been disclosed - with reports both are in the region of £4.5bn - but they were clearly far below the £5-6bn valuation that the Glazers have established. Whether they - or any other prospective bidders - are able to submit an offer that persuades the Glazers to sell is the next key question. If not, and with United's fortunes improving significantly in recent months under manager Erik ten Hag, the Americans may well yet decide to retain the club and perhaps instead look to sell a minority stake to the likes of US hedge fund Elliott Investment Management. The Glazer family said in November they were considering selling United. Announcing its initial bid Sheikh Jassim's Qatari consortium said the offer "plans to return the club to its former glories". Described as a life-long Manchester United fan, Sheikh Jassim is chairman of Qatari bank QIB and the son of a former prime minister of Qatar. The Ineos group, owned by 70-year-old British billionaire Ratcliffe, has a history of investment in sport and owns French Ligue 1 club Nice and Swiss club Lausanne. Its sporting portfolio also includes high-profile sailing team Ineos Britannia - led by Sir Ben Ainslie - and a five-year partnership with Formula 1 team Mercedes, while it took over the British-based Team Sky in cycling in 2019. At the time of the first bid it was understood its proposal would emphasise Manchester-born Ratcliffe would be "a British custodian for the club" and would aim to "put the Manchester back into Manchester United". Source - BBC

notifier-image-Cristiano Ronaldo to make more international history

Cristiano Ronaldo to make more international history

Cristiano Ronaldo will become the most-capped men's international footballer if he plays in Portugal's Euro 2024 qualifying opener against Liechtenstein on Thursday. Ronaldo, 38, moved level with Kuwait forward Bader Al-Mutawa on 196 caps when he faced Morocco at the World Cup. And he is now part of new Portugal manager Roberto Martinez's first squad. Ronaldo - now playing in Saudi Arabia for Al Nassr - has scored a men's record 118 international goals. There were question marks about his international future after he left the pitch in tears following Portugal's elimination by Morocco at the quarter-final stage. He has scored nine goals in 10 appearances for Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr after leaving Manchester United in November following a controversial interview in which he criticised the club. Martinez has said Ronaldo, who made his international debut in 2003, "is very important for the team" and "I do not look at the age". "Records are my motivation," Ronaldo said on Wednesday. "I want to become the most-capped player in history. That would make me proud. "But it doesn't stop there. I still want to be called up very often." Kristine Lilly is the most-capped female footballer of all time, having played 354 times for the United States. Ronaldo continues to make history Ronaldo's latest record will further cement his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time. The Portuguese's glittering career has seen him win seven domestic top-flight titles, 11 other major domestic trophies, five Champions Leagues, four Club World Cups and one European Championship. The former Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward has also won the Ballon d'Or five times and been named the Best Fifa Men's player twice. He became the first player to score 800 top-level career goals in November and also holds a host of other men's individual records for both club and country including: 1.Most Champions League goals (140) 2.Most Champions League appearances (183) 3.Most Champions League wins (5) 4.Only player to score in three Champions League finals 5.Appeared in most European Championship finals (5) 6.Most goals in European Championship finals (14) 7.Most Euro and World Cup final goals combined (22) 8.Most international goals in world football (118) 9.The first player to score 10 hat-tricks in men's international football

notifier-image-All set for FIM Central Africa Championship in Busiika

All set for FIM Central Africa Championship in Busiika

Ugandan riders and drivers are pumped up for a remarkable performance on Easter Sunday during the 2023 FIM Central Africa Motocross Championship in Busiika. Speaking on Wednesday, Africa Motocross defending champion in the 85cc class Gift Sebuguzi who was speaking through his father, Ronald Sebuguzi said he is ready for the new challenge. “Gift Sebuguzi will be here to fight for the championship. He is prepared for the challenge,” Sebuguzi said. The rally driver also promised to put up a stellar performance during the two-day championship in Busiika. Jimmy Akena, the Uganda Motocross (UMX) club president said everything is set for the championship. “We will have international competitors as Uganda seeks to defend and retain the championship. We have been assured that Kenyans will be sending a very strong team as they try to beat us. We expect the event to be massive,”Akena said. The Uganda Motocross club president said the championship will be a preparation for Uganda’s team to be sent for the African championship later in August. Akena he too will be participating in the category of those over 50 years. “I urge fans to come in big numbers to support our country and encourage the competitors.” Double circuit According to Peter Ndiwalana, the event manager, rally cars will spice up the championship in Busiika in a double circuit rally sprint. “It is going to be one of the best events ever since we will have a double sprint with vehicles racing on the murram and others on tarmac. Everything is set,” Ndiwalana said. From the motocross, we will go for the double circuit where the car will be racing at both tarmac and murram at the same time. According to officials, over 20 drivers are expected to grace the championship with 12 already registered. Ronald Sebuguzi, Duncan Mubiru, Jas Mangati and Fred Wampamba are some of the big names expected to grace the championship. According to Dorothy Kagaba Byenkya, the head of marketing for Bar Aviation, they will organise a scenic flight around the Kampala skies in a chopper. “We will also have a helicopter fully equipped for medical evacuation to hospital in Kampala,” Kagaba said.

Entertainment

notifier-image-DJ Nimrod attacks Juliana again

DJ Nimrod attacks Juliana again

D.J. Nimrod, believes never in a thousand years would Juliana Kanyomozi have promoted Spice Diana's concert if he hadn't called her out last year. Last year, ahead of Kanyomozi's concert, which was held on August 18 at the Kampala Serena Hotel, Nimrod took to Facebook to say that he was disappointed in artistes for supporting the Nabikoowa hitmaker's concert yet she never supports them. "... This Music Industry can be funny and unpredictable. The way Ugandan Musicians are posting about Juliana’s Show and yet she NEVER posts any of your shows!!" he said in the post. Nimrod noted that Kanyomozi had only posted about Azawi's concert which was held on July 22 because Azawi is managed by Swangz Avenue, which was also promoting her (Kanyomozi's) concert. "She only posted Azawi’s coz [sic] Swangz is doing her show," he said. "I love an industry where we support each other or where we support those who support us... She doesn’t deserve the support she doesn’t give." In a recent media interview, Nimrod said that after calling out Kanyomozi, he received multiple links and screenshots showing posts the songstress had shared on her social media promoting concerts of other musicians. He said she had last promoted a fellow musician’s concert in 2017 and she was also selective about whom she posts about, looking at only "friends and those she knows." This reporter couldn't independtly verify this. Nimrod said: "After what I said artistes started posting each other." He added: "Sometime back, do you think Juliana would have posted Spice Diana? For what reason? It was impossible... Would Juliana have attended Nwagi's show? In whose show had you ever seen her as a guest?" It's true that since then Kanyomozi has promoted a number of artiste's shows, including that of Jose Chameloene, David Lutalo, Eddy Kenzo, Slick Stuart & Roja Mixtape --. Still, it may not necessarily be because of what Nimrod said. Last year in December when she was asked why she doesn't give musicians “drops”, she said: "Anyone who has followed me for a while will tell you that I'm always there for my colleagues. Social media support is not the only form of showing support. There are a lot of things I do for people that you don't know about... so, I don't have to explain myself because someone talked. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. If he sees me like that, it's fine. I'm a big fan of Ugandan music. On my playlists, it's Ugandan music that's on top. In my car, there are repeats of Ugandan music. I'm patriotic." Nimrod noted that musicians have since started supporting each other, citing the love they showed Chameleone when his stage collapsed and others that have been buying VIP tables to attend concerts.

notifier-image-'Brotherhood has been key to our success', Sauti Sol's Bien-Aime states

'Brotherhood has been key to our success', Sauti Sol's Bien-Aime states

Sauti Sol’s Bien-Aime Baraza has explained the secret behind the band’s longevity and relevance for over a decade. Speaking on the Afrobeats Podcast, the Inauma singer said brotherhood has been key to their success and they often attend therapy sessions to navigate some of their challenges. “We met in high school when we were 15 and that was in 2002. Sauti Sol is 20 years old. “It has been a journey of chasing higher highs…the brotherhood has been very strong and they are my best friends. If anything happens to me right now the first person I will call is a Sauti Sol member and they will come,” he said. Adding: “We do go for therapy like a married couple…this is my longest marriage. To date we go for therapy, we sit down and talk not only about the things that are troubling us but we also celebrate the beautiful things that are happening in our lives.” Bien added that it is important to remain grounded despite the fame, and egos need to be tamed for the prolonged success of a group. He also spoke about how exposure to different music genres expanded their thinking and pushed them to be better versions of themselves. “We started going for these award ceremonies and a lot of our peers were winning but in the beginning, we were not. “We began questioning ourselves. Are we not as talented? Working with other artistes opened up their markets to us and vice versa,” he said. The singer said, unlike other artistes, they have never paid for collaborations with international artistes as their projects were anchored on good music and friendship. In 2021, the boy band announced that they would be focusing on solo projects under the label ‘Alone Together’ and many thought it was the end of the road for the talented group. After working on several individual projects that complemented their individual styles, they reunited in 2022 and even released a song ‘Lil Mama’. Source - The Standard

notifier-image-African music tops revenue growth worldwide, IFPI report

African music tops revenue growth worldwide, IFPI report

Led by Amapiano from South Africa and Afro-beats from West Africa, the African music tune is on the verge of conquering the world if an international music report released this week is anything to go by. And it is not just about Amapiano and Afro-beats as the report has it that Kenyan music and the entire East Africa region has its music revenues and reach on a trajectory path, a sign that the sector has a promising future. The global recorded music market grew by 9 per cent in 2022, driven by growth in paid subscription streaming. According to IFPI, the organisation that represents the recorded music industry worldwide, last year, Sub-Saharan Africa became the fastest-growing region – worldwide – in terms of recorded music revenue growth. The report has it that the region recorded more than 30 per cent growth (34.7 per cent) a fact that was driven largely by a significant boost to revenues in the region’s largest market, South Africa. “It continues to be a very exciting time for music in Sub-Saharan Africa. In an incredibly nuanced market with lots of different cultures and music scenes, we can see how the proactive presence and investment of record companies here is driving the development of healthy music markets, creating opportunities for local artists and fostering local cultures. It’s imperative that we continue to work with governments across the region to ensure we have the right policies in place for a thriving recording industry,” says Angela Ndambuki, the IFPI Regional Director, Sub-Saharan Africa. The figures released in IFPI’s Global Music Report show total trade revenues for 2022 were US$26.2 billion. Subscription audio streaming revenues increased by 10.3 per cent to US$12.7 billion and there were 589 million users of paid subscription accounts at the end of 2022.

News

notifier-image-Principal resigns after Florida students shown Michelangelo statue

Principal resigns after Florida students shown Michelangelo statue

A principal of a Florida school has been forced to resign after a parent complained that sixth-grade students were exposed to pornography. The complaint arose from a Renaissance art lesson where students were shown Michelangelo's statue of David. The iconic statue is one of the most famous in Western history. But one parent complained the material was pornographic and two others said they wanted to know about the class before it was taught. The 5.17m (17ft) statue depicts an entirely naked David, the Biblical figure who kills the giant Goliath. The lesson, given to 11 and 12-year-olds, also included references to Michelangelo's "Creation of Adam" painting and Botticelli's "Birth of Venus". Principal Hope Carrasaquilla of Tallahassee Classical School said she resigned after she was given an ultimatum by the school board to resign or be fired. Local media reported that Ms Carrasquilla did not know the reason she was asked to resign, but believed it was related to the complaints over the lesson. They also said Ms Carrasquilla had been principal for less than one year. In an interview with US outlet Slate, the chair of the school's board, Barney Bishop III, said that last year the principal sent a notice to parents warning them that students were going to see Michelangelo's David - but that this wasn't done this year. He called it an "egregious mistake" and said that "parents are entitled to know anytime their child is being taught a controversial topic and picture". "We're not going to show the full statue of David to kindergartners. We're not going to show him to second graders. Showing the entire statue of David is appropriate at some age. We're going to figure out when that is," Mr Bishop said. On Thursday, Florida's governor, Ron DeSantis, moved to expand a law that banned public schools from teaching sexual education and gender identity. Teachers who violate the law face being suspended or losing their teaching licences. The David was completed by Michelangelo between 1501 and 1504. It was instantly hailed as a masterpiece, with Renaissance artist Giorgio Vasari saying the David "surpassed" any statue that had ever existed before. Queen Victoria gifted a copy of the David to the South Kensington museum - later the V&A - in 1857. When she first saw the cast, she was apparently so shocked by the nudity that a fig leaf was commissioned to cover up the genitalia. The V&A's website says that the leaf was kept "in readiness for any royal visits, when it was hung on the figure using two strategically placed hooks." Source - BBC

notifier-image-Immigration fuels Canada's largest population growth of over 1 million

Immigration fuels Canada's largest population growth of over 1 million

Canada's population grew by over a million people for the first time ever last year, the government has said. The country's population increased from 38,516,138 to 39,566,248 people, Statistics Canada said. It also marked Canada's highest annual population growth rate - 2.7% - since 1957. The increase was in part fuelled by government efforts to recruit migrants to the country to ease labour shortages, Statistics Canada said. The country also depends on migration to support an ageing population. But Statistics Canada said the surge in the number of permanent and temporary immigrants could "also represent additional challenges for some regions of the country related to housing, infrastructure and transportation, and service delivery to the population". International migration accounted for nearly 96% of the population growth, according to the news release. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made efforts to attract more immigrants to the country since gaining power in 2015. Last year, the government announced a plan to welcome half a million immigrants a year by 2025. The Canadian government has also been accepting people affected by conflicts like the Ukraine war, the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and the 2023 earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. On Wednesday, it announced an extension - until July - of a programme that offers to temporarily resettle Ukrainians and their family members. So far, more than 600,000 applications have been approved of the nearly-one-million that have been received - and more than 130,000 people have arrived in Canada under the initiative. Debate around immigration tends to be more positive in "settler" countries than in Western Europe - and most of all in Canada, said Prof Randall Hansen from the University of Toronto. "Canadians would love to have the world believe they're more open, liberal and accommodating - but this is all nonsense," Prof Hansen, a Canada research chair in global migration, commented. He told the BBC that Canada had shaped its "national identity" around the idea of multiculturalism in part to differentiate itself from attitudes in its southern neighbour, the US. Its positivity towards migration was also down to a firm control of borders, an ability to select the "best and brightest" migrants from around the world, and relatively few spatial constraints around major cities, he added. Canada's previous highest population increase, in 1957, came within the context of the post-World War Two baby boom and the movement of refugees following the Hungarian Revolution. The country welcomed 437,000 immigrants in 2022, while the number of non-permanent residents in the country increased by 607,782, accounting for a "record-breaking year for the processing of immigration applications", according to the government's news release. The population increase also means Canada would rank first among the 38 member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development for 2022 population growth, while it was also the fastest-growing G7 country, according to Statistics Canada. If Canada maintained the 2.7% increase each year, its population would double in 26 years, the government added. Source - BBC

notifier-image-Bobi Wine asks Moses Bigirwa, four other NUP leaders, in Busoga to apologise over misconduct

Bobi Wine asks Moses Bigirwa, four other NUP leaders, in Busoga to apologise over misconduct

Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine has asked five of the party leaders from Busoga Sub-region who were suspended for alleged misconduct and violation of the party constitution to apologise with immediate effect. In January this year, Kyagulanyi who is the leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP) suspended five leaders from Busoga sub region until the issue regarding their alleged misconduct is probed. Those that were suspended included the party’s deputy secretary for mobilisation (Eastern region) Moses Bigirwa, acting head of patriotism and ideology Andrew Muwanguzi, coordinator Busoga Sub-region Lulenzi Bamu, acting coordinator Youth, Busoga sub-region Jamal Ayagalaki Mukuve and the acting district chairperson for Jinja city Saulo Nsongambi. In a statement, Kyagulanyi said the party instituted a committee to inquire into the divisions amongst the leaders in the sub-region and the moves he took to suspend them was only aimed at creating sanity within the party. The committee that handed over its report on March 10, 2023, to the party among other reasons found that there has been gross indiscipline from some of the leaders reflected in their unending power struggles, which has occasioned and encouraged the divisions. The committee recommended that the five leaders should be reinstated in their respective positions but given a very strong warning. Kyagulanyi said these leaders should apologise to the party in writing and make a fresh commitment to conduct themselves in a manner that does not foster divisions or undermine the cause. He said that the report and recommendations from the committee was presented to the stakeholders from Busoga Sub-region, including elected leaders, registrars, coordinators and the leaders of mobilisation. Kyagulanyi expressed disappointment over the continued bickering amongst the few leaders, and reminded the stakeholders and other leaders of the mission at hand which is ensuring that president Museveni is dislodged from power. He tasked them to always be mindful and prioritise the aspirations of the people of Busoga Sub-region who are wallowing in poverty and many other problems, and are in urgent need of liberation. “We are very grateful to the committee for doing their work diligently and in a timely manner. We hope that moving forward, we shall have a more disciplined team that works for the greater good of the cause.” Source - Nile Post

notifier-image-Crested cranes are killed in Lwengo district, here is the reason why...

Crested cranes are killed in Lwengo district, here is the reason why...

Conservationists have blamed the declining number of the treasured grey crested cranes in Lwengo District on traditional healers who kill them for ritual sacrifice. Ms Mary Jude Namulema, the Lwengo District environmental officer, said their recent survey revealed that traditional healers “waged” a war on the birds, claiming they have an element that “can solve family affairs”. Ms Namulema says the traditional healers dupe their clients into believing that eggs of grey-crested cranes and their chicks can help married couples stay in peace like the cranes live in pairs, which she says has left many birds killed, especially during the breeding seasons of November, December and January. “Many of the traditional healers we have interacted with have confirmed that they kill these treasured birds for ritual sacrifice, which is very bad,” she said at the weekend. Ms Namulema, however, called upon the traditional healers and the public to desist from this practice because it will lead to the extinction of the bird. Mr Emirio Luswata, one of the leaders of traditional healers in Lwengo, confirmed that a section of their members are using the grey crested cranes in the treatment of clients’ problems like barrenness and unstable relationships. “We are trying to sensitise them to get other means of solving these issues rather than using the blood of crested cranes,” he said. Mr Gilbert Tumushabe, the director of the International Cranes Foundation, said they recently convened a meeting with traditional healers in Lwengo and spoke to them about the dangers of killing the crested cranes, but a few turned up. “We are now using the few [traditional healers] that have been sensitised to work as ambassadors to sensitise others about the effects of killing the crested cranes, we hope cases of killing cranes for ritual sacrifice will soon reduce,” he said. Mr Tumushabe said they received information that traditional healers use the locals and boda boda cyclists in the area to get the eggs and young cranes. “We are also working with Uganda Wildlife Authority to save those cranes that have been injured by the community, especially farmers, and take them for treatment, though some die in the process,” he added. Research A study done by International Cranes Foundation in 2021 showed that about 108 grey crested cranes had been poisoned between January and October of the same year and the blame was put on farmers that are cultivating in swamps. Although death is reported only among crested cranes, conservationists say the poison used by farmers also kills other birds indiscriminately. Commonly known as the crested crane, it is a bird of national significance to Uganda, occupying a prime position on the country’s national flag and coat of arms. Yet despite its serenity, beauty and popularity, the crested crane is facing extinction. In 2012, this decline saw the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, an organisation working in the field of nature conservation, put the grey-crowned crane on its list of endangered bird species. Numbers Only about 10,000 to 20,000 grey crowned cranes are left in Uganda, compared with an estimated 100,000 four decades ago, according to statistics from Nature Uganda and the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife. Source - Daily Monitor

Pretty Woman

notifier-image-These are the types of people you should not get close to in your life, Barbie Kyagulanyi shares

These are the types of people you should not get close to in your life, Barbie Kyagulanyi shares

Barbara Itungo Kyagulanyi, also known as Barbie believes you shouldn't be friends with someone you don't look up to. "These are the types of people you should not get close to in your life," Barbie, the wife of singer and politician Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, starts. "If there are people you spend most of your time with, but what they talk about, what they do, and how they think doesn't make you feel like you should be like them, get a new circle." At 38 and being married to a rich and celebrated figure, Barbie, who was raised in a village in Ntungamo, has possibly met people from all walks of life and she knows a thing or two about meaningful friendships and leveraging them for success. Her message, which was delivered in a TikTok video, attracted lots of comments. Moll Namugenyi said: "Perfectly said. Thanks our First Lady." Shabirah Husan said: "I have those people but they make me laugh and I like it." Prossy noted: "[I] am looking for a new circle 🥺🥺🥺🥺Thanx [sic] for the advice." Another commenter said: "I need someone I can talk to. Could you please be that person?" Princess Mercy paid tribute to Barbie: "You will always be my mentor 💖💕💕 love u [sic] first lady 🥰🥰" Barbie has been married to Bobi Wine since 2011, runs a non-profit called Caring Hearts Uganda with operations in Kampala, Wakiso, Kiboga, Mukono, and Soroti. Founded in 2012, the organisation is involved in a number of activities including teaching adolescent girls to make and use reusable sanitary towels, constructing facilities to improve sanitation and hygiene in schools, and conducting counseling sessions in schools on topics like HIV/AIDS and drug abuse. They also run programs to facilitate talent promotion in schools through sports, dance, and drama. Source - Pulse.ug

notifier-image-Today, the door swings shut on the Elizabethan era

Today, the door swings shut on the Elizabethan era

For two minutes today the drumming will cease, the pipers will fall silent, the march of boots on procession routes will still. For two minutes today, at the end of the funeral service in Westminster Abbey, before the national anthem is heard, before the coffin is taken away for committal and burial at Windsor, there will be silence. And a door will swing shut. A reign of seven decades will come to a close. For 10 rather bewildering days we have spoken of the Queen and the new king as if they could somehow both be with us. Today that long week of transition comes to an end. In the earliest years of her reign, a new Elizabethan Age was proclaimed by some. Such was the excitement over the young queen, the marvels of technology and the new prosperity, after the grinding grey of the depression years, the sacrifice of World War Two and the hard road of recovery after it. She - wise in her earliest decades to fickle fashion - dismissed all that talk. But if this was not an age - and who are we to contradict her? - then it was an era, the Elizabethan Era. Over decades of wrenching change, she was constancy, for a largely still-conservative country. That profile on the stamps, that voice at Christmas, that bowed head on Remembrance Sunday. Today the door swings shut on that. It swings shut too on "Prince" Charles, on his many decades as Prince of Wales. His staff always bridled at the idea of him as an understudy or apprentice, pointing to his decades of achievement, of carving out a distinct role. His challenge, once Royal Mourning is over, is in part to enjoy - and show that he enjoys - the role of monarch. His mother understood that part of the job was to rally people - to take people's minds off bills and dull jobs and complaining relatives, to entertain and divert and sometimes delight. That he did good work as prince, transforming so many lives for the better, is unquestionable. But often, alongside, the impression given was that things were grim, that there was a lot of cause for complaint. The word "appalling" seemed to come up a lot. Now the door swings shut on that. Britons want to see the best of themselves reflected in their sovereign. And, as the silence stretches out across Westminster, across the capital and the country, the door swings shut on Elizabeth, on the woman known to so many and never really known at all, on the little girl known to her grandpa as Lilibet. In The Unseen Queen, the BBC's beautiful documentary of family-filmed footage of the young princess, Lilibet prances and dances, pranks and laughs. Her eyes shine with laughter. And they shine with love, for her father, the king who would die so early, and her husband Prince Philip, who would be by her side for so long. Over the decades that prancing, dancing, loving girl and young woman was by necessity put out of sight. This past week have come reminders from friends and confidantes, and those members of the public she let into the secret, that Lilibet was always there. She introduced the documentary. "You always hope that future generations will find them interesting," she said of the family films, "and perhaps be surprised that you too were young once". No-one should be too surprised. Because in her final months, that youthful Elizabeth, that Lilibet, returned to public view with that playful gleam in her eye, drawing a marmalade sandwich from her handbag. The handbag is closed. The gleam is now a memory. And today the door swings shut. Source - BBC

notifier-image-US Open: Serena Williams' career over after Ajla Tomljanovic defeat

US Open: Serena Williams' career over after Ajla Tomljanovic defeat

Serena Williams waved farewell to the US Open - and her illustrious career - amid emotional scenes after she lost to Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic on a thrilling night in New York. Williams, who turns 41 this month, expects it to be her final match. It will end a 27-year professional career that brought 23 major singles wins and sees the American widely labelled as the greatest of all time. Williams lost 7-5 6-7 (4-7) 6-1 and had tears running down her face afterwards. The former long-time world number one saved five match points in what proved to be the final game but was powerless to stop a sixth. Almost everyone who could rose to their feet when she departed the court on Arthur Ashe Stadium - the scene of her first major triumph in 1999 and five more of the finest wins in her storied career - for what she intends to be the last time. As she waved goodbye and gave a signature twirl, Tina Turner's pop classic 'Simply The Best' boomed out over the sound system. Asked if she would reconsider retiring after her performances this week, Williams said: "I'm literally playing my way into this and getting better. I should have started sooner this year. I don't think so, but you never know." Williams was overcome with emotion when she was interviewed in the middle of the court, thanking her family, team, the crowd and her fans across the world for their support over the years. "I thank everyone that's here, that's been on my side so many years, decades. Oh my gosh, literally decades," said Williams, who played her first professional tournament as a 14-year-old in 1995. "But it all started with my parents. And they deserve everything. So I'm really grateful for them. "And I wouldn't be Serena if there wasn't [sister] Venus, so thank you, Venus. She's the only reason that Serena Williams ever existed." Tomljanovic, who moves into the fourth round and plays Russia's Liudmila Samsonova, stepped to the side and applauded her opponent as she took the microphone. The world number 46 produced a phenomenal performance to block out the noise and sense of occasion, illustrated by her clinical hitting in the final stages of a brutal contest which lasted three hours and five minutes. Williams produces one last thrilling performance for A-list crowd Williams has long been more than a tennis player and it was a sign of her status - as an American icon and one of the world's most recognisable sport stars - that she announced her retirement in an essay for glossy fashion magazine Vogue. Although she did not use the word retirement itself, preferring to say she was "evolving away" from the sport, her plan is to end her glittering career this fortnight at her home major. Like every night she has appeared this week, Williams emerged on to court after being introduced as the 'Queen of Queen's' - the borough of New York where the tournament is held - in a specially-commissioned video montage narrated by American rap star Queen Latifah. The A-Listers have been out in force on Ashe this week, with Vogue editor Anna Wintour and golf superstar Tiger Woods previously sitting in Williams' box. On Friday night it was R&B singer Ciara and her husband Russell Wilson, who is one of the country's biggest NFL stars, alongside members of Williams' family. Elsewhere, tennis great Billie Jean King, film director Spike Lee and actress Rebel Wilson were also watching. Williams wore the glittery, figure skating-inspired dress she had specially created for the tournament, along with diamond-encrusted trainers, to add further pomp to the occasion. Right to the end, Williams put on a show for the almost capacity 24,000 crowd. The 40-year-old played some of her best tennis in a long while as she fought to prolong her career, putting on one final memorable show for those lucky enough to witness it. How Williams' final match played out Waiting for one of the greatest icons in the sport, as a partisan home crowd was being whipped up, would test the mettle of even the most nerveless players. Williams breezed in with Tomljanovic already long out on the court, having arrived first after touching a bronze plaque at the players' entrance inscribed with Billie Jean King's famous 'Pressure is a privilege' quote. The American looked the more tense and showed it in the first game, with Tomljanovic not looking fazed when she broke her opponent's serve. But Williams settled quickly in the next game as Tomljanovic could not consolidate, going a break ahead for 5-3 and serving for the opening set. Then a poor game appeared at the worst possible time for Williams. Unforced errors from her racquet contributed to Tomljanovic breaking back for 5-4 as did, almost as crucially, a net cord trickling back to Williams' side of the court at 30-30. Growing in confidence as a result of the break, Tomljanovic hit clean winners off both wings - either side of a double fault from Williams - to break again for 6-5 and leave her serving for the opener. She raced into a 40-0 lead and sealed the set at the third opportunity with an inch-perfect forehand winner. Seeing Williams trailing left the crowd inside the world's biggest tennis stadium somewhat subdued. Not for long, however. The world number 605 broke for a 2-0 lead in the second set and moved 4-0 ahead, thanks to some ferocious winners and helped by two double faults from her opponent, to send Ashe back into raptures. Williams was turning back the clock again at this point and was described by British former player Laura Robson, working for BBC Radio 5 Live as an analyst, as playing the best tennis she had seen her play "in years". A slip in concentration allowed Tomljanovic to claw back one of the breaks, but Williams locked in again and held from deuce for 5-2. That sparked an impassioned celebration from Williams - a trademark roar complemented with a fist clench and foot stamp as she bent towards the court - as everyone in the place erupted once again. Anticipation hung in the air as Williams tried to level the match at the first attempt, but she missed four set points and that triggered a fightback from Tomljanovic. Sensing Williams needed their help, the crowd chanted her name around the cavernous arena going into the tie-break and she responded with a composed passage of play to finally level the match after an 84-minute set. Now it was a straight one-set shootout. Williams looked to be suffering a dip in energy - understandably after her physical efforts this week in only her fourth tournament in more than a year - as she fell 5-1 behind in the decider. The end looked inevitable but not before she mustered one last act of resistance. In a final game lasting 15 minutes and 22 points, she eventually succumbed by planting a forehand into the net, which led to the final - potentially loudest - ovation of her career. Source - BBC

notifier-image-Michelle Obama soon releasing a new book. 'The Light We Carry'

Michelle Obama soon releasing a new book. 'The Light We Carry'

Michelle Obama, the former first lady of the United States is releasing her new book, The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times. The book, which should be out on November 15, and is a follow-up to her New York Times #1 bestseller, Becoming. The Light We Carry is said to be filled to very last brimming sentence with new stories and Michelle’s perspectives on change and the power it carries power as well itself and its ability to change one’s life. It has also been billed to hold deeper truths, by Michelle’s reckoning no doubt, and the vaunted and elevated “richness and potential of the world around us.” Again, as in Becoming, she draws from her rich experience as a mother, daughter, wife, and First Lady, to reveal what she describes as personal habits and practices she’s evolved such as “starting kind,” “going high,” and assembling a “kitchen table” as she continues to “become.” Michelle explained why she wrote the book, “Like so many of you, I’ve spent a lot of time these past few years thinking about how to keep myself centered in a world filled with so much uncertainty. That process of reflection actually led me to start writing again […] This book is a collection of stories and practices that have helped me sort through all the challenges and questions that keep us up at night: How do I know I’m good enough? How do I bring my whole self to the table? How can I overcome my fears?” Her previous book, Becoming, came out on November 13, 2018, but climbed to the Amazon best-seller charts even before it was released. (It was the 13th most-sold book during the week of November 4, 2018.) Penguin Random House reportedly paid Barack and Michelle Obama a joint advance of $65 million for their memoirs, The Promised Land and Becoming respectively.

Sports

notifier-image-Julian Nagelsmann: Why did Bayern Munich sack their manager and turn to Thomas Tuchel?

Julian Nagelsmann: Why did Bayern Munich sack their manager and turn to Thomas Tuchel?

In one of the most surprising managerial changes in recent times, Julian Nagelsmann has been fired as manager of Bayern Munich and replaced by former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel. The 35-year-old German, who led Bayern to the Bundesliga title in his first campaign in charge last season, leaves with his side one point off league leaders Borussia Dortmund. They are also in the quarter-finals of the Champions League - after seven clean sheets in eight European matches - where they face Manchester City. Despite just three league defeats all season and an average of 2.19 points per match during his 19 months at the helm - the fourth-best tally for a Bayern manager in Bundesliga history - the club's board was dissatisfied with Nagelsmann. To the point that the decision was made to cut ties with the man who only recently was called a "perfect fit" by chairman Herbert Hainer. But Bayern's bosses have been concerned by a lack of progress the team has shown, the way highly-paid players such as Sadio Mane and Leroy Sane have struggled this year, and the fact Nagelsmann has shown a tendency to antagonise key members of the dressing room. In the end, the undoubtedly talented coach had no-one at the highest level to stick up for him. Strong results until the World Cup Whether there was no real on-field progress since his appointment from RB Leipzig in 2021 remains debatable. After his first year at the club, which ended with Bayern winning their 32nd German championship but suffer a quarter-final exit from the Champions League, Nagelsmann grew more confident and began to change the club's tactical system last summer. He deviated from the wing-heavy style which had been prevalent since the days of manager Louis van Gaal in 2010 - and instead let his team play more centre-focused. It took time for Bayern to adjust to Nagelsmann's changes, while on top of that Bayern did not sign a replacement for prolific striker Robert Lewandowski who went to Barcelona before the season started. And yet, Bayern won 10 games in a row before the World Cup break which, in hindsight, might have come at the worst time possible for Nagelsmann. Following the re-start of the Bundesliga season, Bayern have shown signs of vulnerability, dropping 12 points in 10 games and thus keeping the title race in Germany alive. Last Sunday's 2-1 loss to Bayer Leverkusen saw Bayern drop to second place for the first time since October, but that alone did not motivate the board to change their mind on the manager they had endorsed. Conflict with keeper Neuer Nagelsmann tended to make some enemies in the dressing room. He and Manuel Neuer never saw eye-to-eye, and their conflict became visible after the captain broke his leg in a skiing accident in December and had to watch his goalkeeping coach and best friend Toni Tapalovic released. Nagelsmann had tried to replace Tapalovic from the beginning of his tenure, but Neuer was successful in keeping his confidant at Bayern until he had to sit at home. Other players regularly complained too about Nagelsmann's training style and the way he would constantly shout instructions from the sideline during games. The sentiment among a considerable portion of the team was that their coach came off as a know-it-all. Coupled with off-the-field actions, such as leaving his wife and entering a relationship with a local reporter from tabloid newspaper Bild, and subsequent rumours about information being leaked by Nagelsmann, he was left in a tough spot. While Bayern discussed his future, Nagelsmann and his girlfriend were on a skiing trip in Austria, which also did not go down well with some of the club's hierarchy. Bayern was Nagelsmann's dream job Regardless of these issues, the decisions made on Thursday ends what many considered a generational project prematurely. Bayern paid 25m euros to RB Leipzig in 2021 to free Nagelsmann from his contract, and they might need to pay another 15m if they would intend to release him before the end of his contract in 2026. For now, Nagelsmann continues to receive his monthly wage until he finds a new club. While possible suitors such as Tottenham Hotspur could call on him quite soon, they should be aware Nagelsmann had dreamed of becoming Bayern manager for years. Back in April 2017, when he was in charge of Bundesliga side TSG Hoffenheim, Nagelsmann made an appearance in Bayern's Allianz Arena wearing a bright-red coat, the colour of the club, signalling his willingness to become the next manager of the German record champions. At the time, Bayern considered him too inexperienced and, while he had to wait four more years, he eventually arrived at his supposed dream destination. Tuchel expected to get the best out of stars His successor, Tuchel, also had to experience being rejected by Bayern in the past. In 2018, he held talks shortly after leaving Borussia Dortmund, but Uli Hoeness, Bayern's chairman at the time, vetoed hiring Tuchel and Niko Kovac was apppointed instead. Tuchel was swiftly appointed by Paris St-Germain before being recruited by Chelsea in January 2021, guiding them to a Champions League title by beating Pep Guardiola's Manchester City 1-0 in the final. Sacked by the Blues last September, Tuchel decided to move back to Germany, more specifically to Munich where he currently resides. The 49-year-old kept an eye out for the managerial job at Bayern, but even most recently, there was no realistic chance of an opening anytime soon. That changed earlier this week. Tuchel will be under pressure from the start, as Bayern face Borussia Dortmund following the international break on 1 April in a game that might decide the championship race. Ten days later, Tuchel will return to England when Bayern visit City at the Etihad Stadium for the first leg of their Champions League last-eight tie. What Bayern's bosses will expect from their incoming coach is that he can revitalise some of the struggling attacking players such as Mane and Sane. Tuchel has coined himself a 'players' coach', who is there to get the best out of his team. He showed tactical flexibility at PSG and Chelsea and was able to build positive relationships with many of his players. At the moment, that is apparently needed more than anything else at Bayern. Source - BBC

notifier-image-Man Utd takeover: Sir Jim Ratcliffe & Sheikh Jassim to submit new bids as deadline extended amid confusion

Man Utd takeover: Sir Jim Ratcliffe & Sheikh Jassim to submit new bids as deadline extended amid confusion

Ineos owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim are set to submit new bids to buy Manchester United after a deadline was extended at their request amid confusion on Wednesday night. Bidders were told they had until 21:00 GMT to submit second, revised bids. BBC Sport has been told several other proposed investors made their submissions by that time. It is unclear when the new deadline will be. Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim are the only publicly declared bidders. It is understood US investment company Elliott has made an offer to purchase a minority stake, irrespective of who ends up owning the club. Initially on Wednesday evening there had been strong indications from sources close to the pair that they had submitted fresh bids. But it then emerged over the past 48 hours first the Qatari team and then Ineos had submitted requests to Raine - the investment bank conducting the sale - for more time to make their second offers, which was granted. The situation is described as "live and fast moving" by someone close to the talks but sources insist that both Sheikh Jassim and Ineos are committed to making second bids. However, the twist in the sale process will only reinforce concerns among some fans that American owners the Glazer family may decide not to sell the club. Ineos wants to buy the combined Glazer shareholding of about 69%, but the Qataris are targeting 100% of the club. Both sides met with United officials earlier in March. BBC Sport has learned that United officials met eight different potential investors over a 10-day period of high-level meetings recently, including Ratcliffe and representatives of Sheikh Jassim. The size of their initial bids has not been disclosed - with reports both are in the region of £4.5bn - but they were clearly far below the £5-6bn valuation that the Glazers have established. Whether they - or any other prospective bidders - are able to submit an offer that persuades the Glazers to sell is the next key question. If not, and with United's fortunes improving significantly in recent months under manager Erik ten Hag, the Americans may well yet decide to retain the club and perhaps instead look to sell a minority stake to the likes of US hedge fund Elliott Investment Management. The Glazer family said in November they were considering selling United. Announcing its initial bid Sheikh Jassim's Qatari consortium said the offer "plans to return the club to its former glories". Described as a life-long Manchester United fan, Sheikh Jassim is chairman of Qatari bank QIB and the son of a former prime minister of Qatar. The Ineos group, owned by 70-year-old British billionaire Ratcliffe, has a history of investment in sport and owns French Ligue 1 club Nice and Swiss club Lausanne. Its sporting portfolio also includes high-profile sailing team Ineos Britannia - led by Sir Ben Ainslie - and a five-year partnership with Formula 1 team Mercedes, while it took over the British-based Team Sky in cycling in 2019. At the time of the first bid it was understood its proposal would emphasise Manchester-born Ratcliffe would be "a British custodian for the club" and would aim to "put the Manchester back into Manchester United". Source - BBC

notifier-image-Cristiano Ronaldo to make more international history

Cristiano Ronaldo to make more international history

Cristiano Ronaldo will become the most-capped men's international footballer if he plays in Portugal's Euro 2024 qualifying opener against Liechtenstein on Thursday. Ronaldo, 38, moved level with Kuwait forward Bader Al-Mutawa on 196 caps when he faced Morocco at the World Cup. And he is now part of new Portugal manager Roberto Martinez's first squad. Ronaldo - now playing in Saudi Arabia for Al Nassr - has scored a men's record 118 international goals. There were question marks about his international future after he left the pitch in tears following Portugal's elimination by Morocco at the quarter-final stage. He has scored nine goals in 10 appearances for Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr after leaving Manchester United in November following a controversial interview in which he criticised the club. Martinez has said Ronaldo, who made his international debut in 2003, "is very important for the team" and "I do not look at the age". "Records are my motivation," Ronaldo said on Wednesday. "I want to become the most-capped player in history. That would make me proud. "But it doesn't stop there. I still want to be called up very often." Kristine Lilly is the most-capped female footballer of all time, having played 354 times for the United States. Ronaldo continues to make history Ronaldo's latest record will further cement his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time. The Portuguese's glittering career has seen him win seven domestic top-flight titles, 11 other major domestic trophies, five Champions Leagues, four Club World Cups and one European Championship. The former Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward has also won the Ballon d'Or five times and been named the Best Fifa Men's player twice. He became the first player to score 800 top-level career goals in November and also holds a host of other men's individual records for both club and country including: 1.Most Champions League goals (140) 2.Most Champions League appearances (183) 3.Most Champions League wins (5) 4.Only player to score in three Champions League finals 5.Appeared in most European Championship finals (5) 6.Most goals in European Championship finals (14) 7.Most Euro and World Cup final goals combined (22) 8.Most international goals in world football (118) 9.The first player to score 10 hat-tricks in men's international football

notifier-image-All set for FIM Central Africa Championship in Busiika

All set for FIM Central Africa Championship in Busiika

Ugandan riders and drivers are pumped up for a remarkable performance on Easter Sunday during the 2023 FIM Central Africa Motocross Championship in Busiika. Speaking on Wednesday, Africa Motocross defending champion in the 85cc class Gift Sebuguzi who was speaking through his father, Ronald Sebuguzi said he is ready for the new challenge. “Gift Sebuguzi will be here to fight for the championship. He is prepared for the challenge,” Sebuguzi said. The rally driver also promised to put up a stellar performance during the two-day championship in Busiika. Jimmy Akena, the Uganda Motocross (UMX) club president said everything is set for the championship. “We will have international competitors as Uganda seeks to defend and retain the championship. We have been assured that Kenyans will be sending a very strong team as they try to beat us. We expect the event to be massive,”Akena said. The Uganda Motocross club president said the championship will be a preparation for Uganda’s team to be sent for the African championship later in August. Akena he too will be participating in the category of those over 50 years. “I urge fans to come in big numbers to support our country and encourage the competitors.” Double circuit According to Peter Ndiwalana, the event manager, rally cars will spice up the championship in Busiika in a double circuit rally sprint. “It is going to be one of the best events ever since we will have a double sprint with vehicles racing on the murram and others on tarmac. Everything is set,” Ndiwalana said. From the motocross, we will go for the double circuit where the car will be racing at both tarmac and murram at the same time. According to officials, over 20 drivers are expected to grace the championship with 12 already registered. Ronald Sebuguzi, Duncan Mubiru, Jas Mangati and Fred Wampamba are some of the big names expected to grace the championship. According to Dorothy Kagaba Byenkya, the head of marketing for Bar Aviation, they will organise a scenic flight around the Kampala skies in a chopper. “We will also have a helicopter fully equipped for medical evacuation to hospital in Kampala,” Kagaba said.