A branch of state-owned Ethio Telecom is seen in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The country's only mobile and internet provider, has north of 40 million
customers. PHOTO | REUTERS
Friday, August 30, 2019
FATAL ATTRACTION: Idi Amin’s untold love triangle
Idi Amin weds Sarah Kyolaba in July 1975. Kyaloba married Amin after he
spotted her performing at the age of 17. FILE PHOTO | NMG
In July 1975, then Ugandan president Idi Amin wedded Sarah
Kyolaba, as his fifth wife, at the Nile Mansion (now Kampala Serena
Hotel), with Palestinian Liberation Organisation leader Yasser Arafat as
his best man.
Kyolaba became a public figure and often
appeared with Amin at the country's national and sporting events. That
was as much as the public knew.
But behind the scenes,
their marriage cost the life of famous musician Jessy Gitta Kasirivu,
Kyolaba's well-known lover and bandmate, who dared to stand up to Amin
over the love of the woman he called his.
A newly-released documentary titled Bwana Jogoo: The Ballad of Jessy Gitta
by Uganda-based Dutch journalist and filmmaker Michiel van Oosterhout,
now provides first hand information on the love triangle between
Kyolaba, Kasirivu and Amin.
The
one-hour seven minutes-long documentary features interviews and
narrations by Kasirivu's former bandmates, old musicians, family
members, Amin associates and analysts who were privy to the relationship
between Kyolaba and Kasirivu, who were bandmates with The Cranes.
According to the documentary, on the morning of August 4, 1974,
Kasirivu was arrested by Amin’s infamous State Research Bureau agents
and bundled into the boot of a vehicle, and disappeared without a trace.
The story goes that, the ‘‘beautiful queen of dancing’’ Sarah, 17, had caught the eye of Amin.
Tony
Senkebejje and Clyde Mayanja, two of the founding members of The Cranes
band were among people interviewed for the documentary.
“I
was responsible for arranging the music and we played a lot of western
music, and when Congolese music hit, we combined the two sounds and we
got what we called The Cranes sound,” Senkebejje said.
He recalls that the youthful guitarist Jessy Gitta joined the band later and that he used to arrange his own songs.
Meanwhile,
Sarah had dropped out of St. Francis Secondary School, and joined the
army band Suicide Mechanised Regiment based in Masaka District as a
dancer.
Mayanja says that he recruited Sarah and other dancers into The Cranes and trained them to be stage dancers.
“When
Jessy and Sarah met they liked each other and eventually fell in love.
They spent their all free time together after rehearsals going to the
cinema,’’ he said.
“Of course we knew that Sarah was
Jessy’s girlfriend. They were together even before Amin met and started
dating Sarah. We told Jesse, 'man you have to be careful.
We
have heard this and that.' But he would be calm about it saying, ‘That
is nothing, nothing is going to happen.' I thought she was just fooling
Amin who was a tough man, I would say. She was still coming to
Jessy...,” says Kasule, another band member.
Sarah was torn between Gitta and Amin and she would spend days at both their homes.
At
some point, Gitta told friends that he was being followed by state
security agents, obviously because of Sarah's relationship with the
president. This was Amin's strategy to scare off Gitta.
“We
had a meeting at Speke Hotel to discuss Jesse's dilemma. We asked him
if he was ready to stay away from Sarah. He said he was not because they
were in love.
Then Jessy stood up and walked out on
us. He later quit The Cranes because of the pressure from us to leave
Sarah. But he later re-joined the band and we could tell they were
wildly in love and their emotions blanketed their reasoning,” Mayanja
says.
“Jesse was stubborn and we all saw where the relationship was going. It was dangerous. That is why I came up with the song What’s Love,” Senkebejje says.
The song is also the signature tune of Bwana Jogoo and describes how confusing love can be to a young soul. It was partly inspired by Jessy’s death.
At the height of the love triangle, Gitta composed the song Ggwe Nonze (my chosen one) in which he pleads with Sarah to accept his marriage proposal and that he was willing to die for her.
Even
after it was established that Gitta had been snatched by Amin’s
infamous agents, his family was warned by same people never to talk
about him.
His disappearance and apparent death was
not even reported by the local press. And his body, just like those of
many others at the time, was never found to be given a decent burial by
his family.
The fall
After the fall of Amin’s regime in April 1979, Amin and Sarah fled the country.
Sarah died in London on June 11, 2015 from cancer and was buried in Wakiso District.
Amin died in 2003 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from kidney failure and was buried there.
Filmmaker van Oosterhout, told The EastAfrican that the story of Gitta is one of a terrible injustice.
“I
didn't want to make a political documentary but one on how the life of
an ordinary person—Jessy Gitta—can be destroyed under a brutal regime.
I
wanted the focus to be on the musician, to show how daring some people
were in resisting a brutal reality then and not giving up on love.
Growing up in the Netherlands, I learned that preserving these kind of stories in books and films is of utmost importance.
Even
after 75 years, fiction and documentary films come out about the Second
World War and I believe there is a need and a demand for films that
reflect on the past troubles here in Uganda.”
“In the case of Jessy Gitta, his family and friends were even forced to stop talking about him, as if he never existed. I hope Bwana Jogoo rights that wrong in a small way.
“We
filmmakers have a role to play in reminding society to be vigilant not
just in Uganda, because even in Europe, ugly old politics seem to be
gaining ground.
I hope this
film will just as well have an impact in the West. Jessy’s story is a
universal story and that makes the film interesting even for those
outside Uganda,'' van Oosterhout says.
How career women can build and maintain self confidence
Leadership. Participants at an Institute of Certified Public Accountants
of Uganda training for women in Accountancy at Imperial Royale Hotel
last week. Photo by Charlotte Ninsiima
Ugandans in the Diaspora to run bank accounts back home
Mr Anthony Kituuka (R) led the team to Chicago
Ugandans
in the Diaspora will find it easy to run bank accounts back home at
their convenience thanks to e-banking services that have been introduced
to them by Equity Bank Uganda.
Umeme registers less connections than govt targets
Connections. Connection to the national grid is still low. Umeme only has 1.4m connections. FILE PHOTO
Umeme has registered a 7.2 per cent growth in customer connections with 93,580 connected in the
EDITORIAL: Kigali has come far, far away and it still has way to go
20
years ago, Kigali was a very dull town, there was no vibrancy and
nearly everyone seemed weary and acted like a bureaucratic civil
servant.
Business people were the worst; it was as
if by opening a shop, they were doing a favour to their customers. When
the clock hit mid-day, they closed shop and went home for lunch, and a
siesta, to
How Africa escapes the 419 scammers
Even as the email scams are increasingly becoming more sophisticated, few if any of the victims are being reported in Africa.
A cynic I know has suggested that it is
when the email or 419 scams, as they are also known, start hitting
Africa that we shall know we have come to our own in the internet age.
He may have had a point.
BK Group registers Rwf14.6 billion in profit
Bank of Kigali headquarters in Nyarugenge District. File.
BK
Group has reported a profit of Rwf14.6 billion in the first six months
of 2019 with the bank and insurance arms making the most contributions
to growth.
BK Group has four subsidiaries; Bank of Kigali, BK Insurance, BK TecHouse and BK Capital.
Kigali City pledges support 24/7 business culture
City of Kigali
Mayor Pudence Rubingisa (right) speaks during the news briefing as
Nadine Umutoni Gatsinzi, the Vice Mayor in charge of socio-economic
affairs takes notes at the City Hall on Wednesday. Sam Ngendahimana.
A
few days ago, Daniel Kalisa, a university student, spent more than one
hour at a bank’s entrance together with others waiting for the bank to
open. They couldn’t be served before 8:00 a.m.
“My sister, who is in high school, had an
exam at exactly 8:00 a.m. and I went to the bank early so
I&M Bank, Mastercard launch Rwanda’s first multicurrency platinum prepaid card
(L-R) Robin
Bairstow, Chief Executive Officer I&M Bank, and Frank Molla,
Director and Country Manager Mastercard, during the launch of Rwanda’s
first Multicurrency Platinum Prepaid Card in Kigali. / Emmanuel Kwizera
I&M
Bank, in partnership with Mastercard on Thursday, launched a prepaid
platinum multicurrency prepaid card, which among other benefits will
enable customers to enjoy seamless transactions from across four
continents.
The card is unique as it gives the customers a possibility of transacting in 15 major currencies and be used to transact at more than 1,000 airport lounges all over the world.
Having been tested across four continents; Africa, North America, Europe, and Asia, for travelers and business people who have been carrying cash, you can now settle your bills in various luxurious hotels and apartments and other premium treatments with 50 million merchants globally.
This card offers you a possibility to_ load up to 15 currencies, gives you access to more than 1000 airport lounges, discounts in luxurious hotels and apartments.
The card can be used to make everyday transactions like paying for utilities, hotels, Point of Sale Machines (POS), at different local stores and shops, travel frights among others.
According to I&M Bank officials, cardholders can load funds onto the card in their local currency and lock in the exchange rates for any of the accepted 15 currencies all over the world.
This means that one will have instant access to the currency he or she requires at the pre guaranteed rate.
Robin Bairstow, Chief Executive Officer I&M Bank. Emmanuel Kwizera
Multicurrency platinum prepaid cardholders will also be able to access their accounts and load the card anytime, anywhere including via mobile and online channels and use the card at all ATMs and merchants that accept Mastercard.
Speaking at the launch of the card in Rwanda, Robin Bairstow, the CEO of I&M Bank, expressed gratitude that the bank was introducing the card on the Rwandan market, saying that it will help people to not only carry cash but also help with currency conversion.
“I am excited that we are the first to launch this card on the market; I am optimistic that this card will meet our customers' lifestyle and financial needs, much especially converting currencies,” he said.
Bairstow reiterated the bank’s commitment to continue embracing innovation to ensure its customers in Rwanda and beyond enjoy customized financial options that exceed expectations.
He revealed that even those who don’t hold an account with the bank can still acquire the card and enjoy the incredible experience the card has to offer.
Frank Molla, the Director and Country Manager of Mastercard, said that they were happy to partner with I&M Bank to introduce this innovation that will allow people to transact with maximum security and convenience both locally and internationally, in person or online.
“I am very delighted for I&M Bank to allow to being part of the cashless movement we are championing across the world, this is a great contribution towards developing a world beyond cash, giving more people with or without a bank account to transact securely, and conveniently both locally and globally,” he said.
Molla said that those who will sign up in the first three months will enjoy a 50 percent discount on every transaction.
Other benefits and features of the new card includes access to platinum insurance benefits which cover card fraud protection and purchase protection.
editor@newtimesrwanda.com
The card is unique as it gives the customers a possibility of transacting in 15 major currencies and be used to transact at more than 1,000 airport lounges all over the world.
Having been tested across four continents; Africa, North America, Europe, and Asia, for travelers and business people who have been carrying cash, you can now settle your bills in various luxurious hotels and apartments and other premium treatments with 50 million merchants globally.
This card offers you a possibility to_ load up to 15 currencies, gives you access to more than 1000 airport lounges, discounts in luxurious hotels and apartments.
The card can be used to make everyday transactions like paying for utilities, hotels, Point of Sale Machines (POS), at different local stores and shops, travel frights among others.
According to I&M Bank officials, cardholders can load funds onto the card in their local currency and lock in the exchange rates for any of the accepted 15 currencies all over the world.
This means that one will have instant access to the currency he or she requires at the pre guaranteed rate.
Robin Bairstow, Chief Executive Officer I&M Bank. Emmanuel Kwizera
Multicurrency platinum prepaid cardholders will also be able to access their accounts and load the card anytime, anywhere including via mobile and online channels and use the card at all ATMs and merchants that accept Mastercard.
Speaking at the launch of the card in Rwanda, Robin Bairstow, the CEO of I&M Bank, expressed gratitude that the bank was introducing the card on the Rwandan market, saying that it will help people to not only carry cash but also help with currency conversion.
“I am excited that we are the first to launch this card on the market; I am optimistic that this card will meet our customers' lifestyle and financial needs, much especially converting currencies,” he said.
Bairstow reiterated the bank’s commitment to continue embracing innovation to ensure its customers in Rwanda and beyond enjoy customized financial options that exceed expectations.
He revealed that even those who don’t hold an account with the bank can still acquire the card and enjoy the incredible experience the card has to offer.
Frank Molla, the Director and Country Manager of Mastercard, said that they were happy to partner with I&M Bank to introduce this innovation that will allow people to transact with maximum security and convenience both locally and internationally, in person or online.
“I am very delighted for I&M Bank to allow to being part of the cashless movement we are championing across the world, this is a great contribution towards developing a world beyond cash, giving more people with or without a bank account to transact securely, and conveniently both locally and globally,” he said.
Molla said that those who will sign up in the first three months will enjoy a 50 percent discount on every transaction.
Other benefits and features of the new card includes access to platinum insurance benefits which cover card fraud protection and purchase protection.
editor@newtimesrwanda.com
Body of slain Rwanda diaspora boss repatriated from Mozambique
Louis Baziga.
The body of late Louis Baziga, the head of the Rwandan community in Mozambique who was murdered in Maputo on Monday was flown home for burial on Friday evening.
Rwanda’s dry port to facilitate trade in region – UAE trade official
Mohammed Al
Kamali the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Exports (centre) and
Carlos Salim Al Hashim, Vice President for Arab Union of Land Transport
(3rd right) during the tour of the DP World facility with a delegation
of over 17 business executives from about eight sectors of the Middle
East country (UAE) at Dubai Port World in Masaka Sector, Kicukiro
District, Kigali of Kigali yesterday. Emmanuel Kwizera.
Rwanda’s
dry port will ease trade not only in Rwanda, but also in the
neighbouring markets, Mohammed Al Kamali the Deputy Chief Executive
Officer of Dubai Exports has said.
Dubai Exports is the promotion agency of
the Department of Economic Development – a government body entrusted to
set and drive Dubai’s economic agenda within the broader governance
systems of the United Arab Emirates.
Al Kamali and a delegation from the UAE
yesterday paid a visit to the facility owned by Dubai Ports World (DPW),
a Dubai based global port operator.
The United Arab Emirates firm signed a 25-year concession agreement with government in 2016 to construct and manage the mega facility that sits on about 30 hectares of land.
Located in Masaka the dry port is the country’s largest inland cargo handling facility having become operational in June.
It has mega cargo handling facility with features such as container yard and bonded warehouse.
According to DPW, the first phase of the
facility is now ready, with an annual capacity of 50,000 tonnes and
640,000 tonnes of warehousing space.
A delegation of over 17
business executives from UAE look at spare parts imported from Sharjah
City at the Dubai Port World in Kigali on August 30. Emmanuel Kwizera.
Speaking to The New Times during the facility tour, Al Kamali said that the facility is as a solution that will ease trade in Rwanda, and close markets.
“It is not only going to serve this
country but it is going also to reach to the closest markets to Rwanda.
DP World’s solutions available for the traders are going to be very
practical and competitive in terms of time,” he said.
A statement from DP World Kigali described
the facility as a solution to inland logistics problems by providing a
one stop shop for all logistics requirements and cargo services.
High trade costs are said to hold back
economies so initiatives that increase physical access to markets
enhance the trade environment and improve business competitiveness.
The new facility is also expected to reduce waiting time for trucks as it has adequate space for the offloading of cargo.
It is estimated that trucks often spend
between a week and 10 days waiting at the current main cargo handling
facility which not only consumes time but also takes up resources.
The waiting fees per truck is between $150
and $200 per day. The facility will eliminate such costs and allow
truckers and clients concentrate elsewhere.
The size and capacity of the facility will
allow trucks to deposit their containers at the facility as opposed to
waiting until the assets are cleared.
Meanwhile, a delegation of over 17 senior executives
from about eight sectors of the Middle East country (UAE) have been in
Rwanda for some days on a trade mission and held business-to-business
discussions with the Private Sector Federation on what can be done as
they aim to reach wider markets in each other’s region, mooting for a
“hub to hub” connection with Rwanda where Rwanda is looked at as a
window for them to reach the Great Lakes region markets; and the UAE can
serve as a window for Rwandan businesses to reach the rest of the
world.
Britam targets individuals, firms with cyber risk cover
Britam Group managing director Benson Wairegi. FILE PHOTO | NMG
Listed insurer Britam has launched a policy aimed at protecting businesses from cyber risk.
The
product covers physical property damage, products liability, business
interruption or supply chain disruption from cyber-attacks.
Banks gain most in Sh1,000 notes switch
Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) building in Nairobi on November 1, 2017. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey account hacked, offensive tweets posted
Twitter boss Jack Dorsey during a past event. His Twitter account was hacked on August 30, 2019. PHOTO | JIM WATSON | AFP