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Have you watched THE 4SOBILINGS movie yet?
12/11/2022

Have you watched THE 4SOBILINGS movie yet?

The 4 Siblings is a New Serie from Vibe Films Ug, showing the struggle African Women go through, when they give birth to single s*x children,Enjoy this sneak...

https://youtu.be/htQGR3WIlt4
04/11/2022

https://youtu.be/htQGR3WIlt4

Morgan alekawo mukyala we, olwokuba afunye omuwala omuto Sonia. amupangisiza apartment, omukolela business, nga teli Sonia kyayagala Morgan natakikola wabula...

Her comments followed concerns raised by Bukhooli Central Legislator Solomon Silwany who cited the billions of shillings...
10/07/2022

Her comments followed concerns raised by Bukhooli Central Legislator Solomon Silwany who cited the billions of shillings that parliament is spending at Sudhir’s Kingdom Kampala building.

“I want to inform you that Kingdom Kampala alone we are spending 8 billion shillings on renting. Hon. Members renting Queens Chambers, we are spending about 3.9 billion (annually). All this money is going on rented premises,” Silwany revealed.

Queens chambers which is located along Parliamentary Avenue and Kampala Kingdom are owned by Mr Sudhir.
He elaborated that MPs whose offices are situated at rented premises constantly face a danger of being knocked down by speeding motorists.
Last year in July, concerned citizens petitioned the Inspectorate of Government (IG) and the Public Procurement and Disposal Authority (PPDA) to investigate a rent deal Parliament had inked with Sudhir.
Source: Chimp Reports.

Bombo Road Fatal accident claims nine, five injured.The accident in which 9 people perished at Sinalya Village, Kalule a...
10/07/2022

Bombo Road Fatal accident claims nine, five injured.

The accident in which 9 people perished at Sinalya Village, Kalule along Kla- Glu Highway in Luweero District yesterday has been blamed on the alleged is over speeding motor vehicle reg number UBD 850J Toyota Hiace that was moving from Kampala to Gulu, and while slopping to Sinalya valley burst its rear tyre, lost control and overturned several times before colliding with an oncoming motor vehicle reg no UAH 316P Isuzu which also overturned after the collision killing eight (8) unidentified passengers (7 female adults and 1 male) in the Toyota Hiace. Another unidentified female passenger died on the way to Mulago Hospital.

ASP Faridah Nampiima the traffic and road safety spokesperson says, further inveatigations are still on.

Which one os your best Qoute from HE Tibuhaburwa Musaba?🔺️MUSEVENI'S  QUOTES OVER YEARS.🔻◾1981◾"Obote has rigged my vote...
10/07/2022

Which one os your best Qoute from HE Tibuhaburwa Musaba?

🔺️MUSEVENI'S QUOTES OVER YEARS.🔻

◾1981◾
"Obote has rigged my votes and so I'm going to the bush to fight his illegitimacy" Museveni

◾1986:◾
"Africa's problem is not poverty but leaders who over stay in power" Museveni

◾1987◾
"I will not preside over a country where a person is killed or tortured and I don't know who the offender is" Museveni

◾1995◾
"This Constitution is the best in the whole world and if anyone tries to tamper with it, I'll go back to the bush" Museveni

◾1996:◾
Am like a bicycle quarter pin. It enters by force and removed by force.

◾1998:◾
"I will retire next year" Museveni

◾2000◾
"Gadaffi will attend my retirement ceremony"

◾2001:◾
"I still need your support for only this term to accomplish NRM goals" Museveni.

◾2006:◾
"Uganda will be a middle income country by 2017". Museveni

"How can akapapura obupapura (just a ballot paper) remove someone from power?" Museveni

◾2011:◾
"I dont need votes because I have the army and the money"

◾2014:◾
"I dont work for Ugandans, I am working for myself and my grandchildren" Museveni

"I cannot hand over power to wolves (emishega)" Museveni

◾2015:◾
"Those saying agende, they want to come and steal my oil" Museveni

◾2016◾
"I will smash anyone trying to joke around with my throne" Museveni

“I am not a servant of any one. I am a freedom fighter fighting for my freedom, and what I believe in”
"Arrest those pigs who are killing Ugandans" Museveni

◾2017◾
"This Constitution is barring me from developing Uganda. Let's amend it" Museveni

"There's no money for menstrual pads for girls"

◾2019◾
"The enkonome is pheeewwwww" Finance minister.

"We shall smash everyone threatening my father's throne. Bachwezi are indomitable" former LDU turned general.

◾2020◾
"Every worker should contribute 10k to fight Corona virus.

■2021■
Seguya muntu yena. Tewali ayanyamba. Sente zenina nazekolela. So I don't need anyone.

■2022■
Don't touch the corrupt people.

SAD News: Nobert Tezikara and his girlfriend Caroline Aturinda are the unfortunate victims of a Nasty accident, in which...
10/07/2022

SAD News: Nobert Tezikara and his girlfriend Caroline Aturinda are the unfortunate victims of a Nasty accident, in which a train ripped their ML Mercedes Benz, at the railway crossing at Kinawataka ladt night.
The couple believed to have been coming from an outting, Caroline who was due to graduate at the LDC on the 29th July 2022 died on the spot, while Tezikara aka Tezzy died later.
RIP

Late Muzee Christoper Columbus Sembuule only needed a Government bail out of 7bn to have one of Uganda’s first indiginou...
10/07/2022

Late Muzee Christoper Columbus Sembuule only needed a Government bail out of 7bn to have one of Uganda’s first indiginous companies Sembule investimennts revived. The company was later sold by the bank, many jobs lost. First local company to make/aseemble radio sets. Makula Radios.

Real Madrid wins the Champions League final against Liverpool, with a lone goal scored by 21 year Brazillian Winger Vini...
28/05/2022

Real Madrid wins the Champions League final against Liverpool, with a lone goal scored by 21 year Brazillian Winger Vinicious Junior, to make it 14 Trophies since 1956.

Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior, commonly known as Vinícius Júnior or Vini Jr., is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Spanish club Real Madrid and the Brazil national team. He has been considered as one of the best wingers in the world due to his dribbling skills, pace, and stamina.
Full Madrid UEFA Champions league haul of 14:
1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1966, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022.

26/05/2022
Al Jazeera Network to send Shireen Abu Akleh murder case to ICC.The network assigns a legal team to refer the killing of...
26/05/2022

Al Jazeera Network to send Shireen Abu Akleh murder case to ICC.

The network assigns a legal team to refer the killing of its journalist, and the Israeli bombing of its Gaza office, to the International Criminal Court.

Al Jazeera Media Network has assigned a legal team to refer the killing of its journalist Shireen Abu Akleh to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.

The network said in a statement on Thursday that it has formed an international coalition that consists of its legal team along with international experts, and is preparing a dossier on the murder of Abu Akleh for submission to the ICC prosecutor.

In addition to the killing of Abu Akleh, who was shot dead by Israel forces on May 11 near the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, the ICC submission will also include the Israeli bombing “and total destruction” of Al Jazeera’s office in Gaza in May 2021, and “the continuous incitements and attacks” on Al Jazeera journalists working in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The Al Jazeera network statement said the killing or physical assault on journalists working in war zones or occupied territories is a war crime under Article 8 of the International Criminal Court’s charter.

Bank of Uganda Intervenes in  Cameroonian based Bank.Death at Birth: Bank of Uganda timely Blocks Troubled Afriland Bank...
26/05/2022

Bank of Uganda Intervenes in Cameroonian based Bank.

Death at Birth: Bank of Uganda timely Blocks Troubled Afriland Bank from Fleeing the Country with Creditors` Money, Liquidates it
May 26, 2022
Death at Birth: Bank of Uganda timely Blocks Troubled Afriland Bank from Fleeing the Country with Creditors` Money, Liquidates it
Afriland First Bank Uganda along Uganda Road is up for liquidation)

Before even celebrating their first birthday in Uganda, the already beleaguered Cameroonian Afriland First Bank Uganda is not only facing insolvency related problems… They have actually resolved to throwing in the towel and close door in Uganda after failing to shoot the sky, the Investigator can authoritatively, reveal.

The capital woes look to be of grave nature since the owners, we are reliably informed, have formerly communicated to the Central Bank, their willingness to voluntarily wind-up business. They have for some time now, been caught between exiting the country and, or mobilizing the cash to recapitalize their financial institution.

But they seem to have taken the closure as their resolve. This stance, at least going by our inner sources who offered that they have already started on the journey of exiting the country. This, by writing to the regulatory body, Bank of Uganda, expressing their intention to wind up business voluntarily. Indeed, Bank of Uganda acknowledged receipt of their application but not without a pinch of salt.

Highly placed sources within the central bank have acknowledged being privy to Afriland owners’ intent to close business. “Yes, we were informed by the relevant bank authorities about their intention to exit the market. They have, even written formally to express that interest. However, they want to wind up business and we are saying no. They should instead apply for liquidation,” an authoritative BOU source offered.

For starters, winding up business in Uganda, by any company and or financial institution is voluntary. However, for them to close, yet with outstanding financial issues with third parties, such an entity must be subjected to liquidation of its properties in order to clear the said parties and, this is Afriland`s case. Especially for being a foreign entity which, after going out of jurisdiction, it would be very impossible for creditors to recover their money, BOU stepped in, fearing a backlash of lawsuits from the Creditors, including shareholders.

“Bank of Uganda hereby informs the public that Afriland First Bank Uganda Limited in a solvent financial institution. Therefore, all depositors and other verified creditors shall be paid in full. All depositors of Afriland First Bank Uganda Limited are encouraged to withdraw their deposits…” Michael Atingi – Ego, the Bank of Uganda Deputy Governor announced in a public release yesterday.

However, the top managers at Afriland had devised means of secretly going about the closure. This, by creating a believably sweeter story to this development. According to Stefano, one of the top managers, they are lately holding lengthy meetings to deliberate on how to find the capital in order to stay afloat amid a challenging business environment. “Yes, we are doing everything possible to find the money needed for recapitalizing our bank,” he told us last Thursday.

Stefano devotedly refuted claims that the bank has indeed gone ahead and asked the regulator to allow them wind up voluntarily. “What is true is that we are seriously looking at recapitalization of the bank. The other bit of winding up is simply not true,” he asserted. Nevertheless, Bank of Uganda yesterday publicly confirmed our two-week old story. They issued a no-objection to Afriland’s liquidation.

The liquidition woes arrive amid a spat over the bank’s shareholding. A Ugandan associate of Dr Paul Kamangne Fokam, one Cliff Masagazi accuses the tycoon of denying him the shareholding he claims he is entitled to. Fokam is the owner of Afriland. In these pages lies a story on November 10thlast year, with an exclusive article exposing the shareholding scandal. Details indicate how Cliff claimed, he had helped Fokam to set foot in Uganda and that he pledged to pay him back in form of shares. Please refer to the said story titled;`SR Student? Afriland First Bank Boss Copies and Pastes Dr. Sudhir`s illegal habits of owning Shares via Proxies. `

Principally, Cliff says it was because of his role as the local content, that the Central Bank granted Fokam an operating license since he is a foreigner yet the regulator wanted a local shareholder before granting the license. Fokam had presented a city businessman, Hajj Muyanja Mbabaali. But the central bank rejected him because his credibility credentials were found to be heavily wanting.

But Fokam has since gone back on his word because he used Cliff to give an impression to the central bank that there is a local shareholder in the bank as the law requires. The issue has since escalated into a high court battle. Cliff retained the famous firm of Muwema and Company Advocates to prosecute Fokam and the bank.

The gist

Cliff avers that Fokam wants to run away in order to frustrate his case. This, in reference to reports that Fokam is working on winding up business in Uganda after seeking permission from the central bank. It could be against this background that Bank of Uganda acted swiftly to block Afriland from winding and instead allowed them for liquidation. Away from this stance, what Cliff says would quickly trigger the memory of the Crane bank shareholding scandal.

Whilst Crane Bank owner Sudhir Ruparelia told the central bank that the bank had numerous shareholders apart from him, what was true is that he was using proxies to hold the biggest stake in the defunct bank. Such proxies included a renowned banker, Karia, based in Nairobi. Karia has since owned up. Another proxy was a fake company known as Sapphire. Sudhir lied to the central bank about how this one was domiciled in Malaysia.

But the ruse would come to light after Crane Bank experienced financial problems caused by Sudhir himself who, robbed the bank blind. With the auditors about to expose the bogus company. Sudhir moved fast and took the file of Sapphire from the registrar of companies’ office. As, they say, the rest is history.

Source: The Inveatigator

AIRLINE NEWSFOUR NEW AIRLINES APPLY FOR AIR SERVICE IN UGANDAAt an open meeting in Kampala, four new operators and four ...
22/05/2022

AIRLINE NEWS
FOUR NEW AIRLINES APPLY FOR AIR SERVICE IN UGANDA

At an open meeting in Kampala, four new operators and four existing ones put their cases to the regulator for an air services license.

Uganda AirlinesPhoto: Getty Images
In Uganda, four existing and four new operators have presented their cases for air service licenses to Uganda's civil aviation authority.

In a public hearing on May 20, the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) board heard presentations from the eight local airline operators to secure licenses for scheduled and non-scheduled air operations. The four airlines applying for renewal of their air services licenses are Entebbe Airways, Uganda Air Cargo, KAFTC trading as BAR Aviation and Samaritans' Purse International. The first-time applicants are Safari Air International, Panafric Aviation, DOTT Services and Aberdair Aviation Uganda.

According to the report, the specifics of the startup's applications are:

Dott Services Limited has applied for an ASL to operate a Cessna 510;
Safari Air International Limited has applied for an ASL to operate Cessna Aircraft Company 421C Golden Eagle, Beech (twin piston) Baron G58, and the Fuji FA-200 Aero Subaru single-piston-powered monoplane;
Panafric Aviation Limited has applied for an ASL using Piper (twin turboprop) PA-34 Seneca; and
Aberdair Aviation Uganda Limited has applied for an ASL using DHC-8-300, E110, and Airbus H125 helicopter.
Source: Simpleflying

News reaching out desk indicates thatNational Unity Platform (NUP) campaign team has been involved in a fatal accident i...
21/05/2022

News reaching out desk indicates thatNational Unity Platform (NUP) campaign team has been involved in a fatal accident in Omoro while on their way to campaign for NUP’s candidate Simon Toolit Akecha in the Omoro County by-election.

According to various reports, two people died instantly following the deadly accident as Bobi Wine’s motorcade headed to Omoro for the campaign trail.

The deceased were identified as Kiggundu Yakubu Yusuuf (Taata Husnah) who doubles as the NUP Councilor for Kazo Angola in Kawempe.
The second person was identified as a one Waiswa.

Meanwhile, a. visiting city babe identified as Summayah Nansabu has lost her life due to to a reckless boda boda rider, in Nankulabye.
According to eyewitnesses, it all happened today morning when a grisly accident involving a reckless bodaboda rider and an old KCCA truck at Nakulabye.
According to the graphic video we cant post here, the bodabodas collided, then Sumayah hit her head down on the road, before she could stand up an old KCCA truck was coming at high speed crushed her head and died on spot.
Sumayah was a nkuba kyeyo based in Zambia , she worked at BMK Zambia..
Source: Various

Maria Flo Boss found Dead.Masaka City Business man Tanansi Bazzekuketta has today Saturday morning been found dead insid...
21/05/2022

Maria Flo Boss found Dead.

Masaka City Business man Tanansi Bazzekuketta has today Saturday morning been found dead inside his bed at his Hotel, after the works broke into it when he delayed to wake and his phones going un answered.
Mr. Tanansi has been the founder and proprietor of , one of the biggest hotels in Masaka City.
The deceased was last seen publicly while welcoming Buganda Premier Charles Peter Mayiga on a closing ceremony of Youth retreat that was held at his hotel Maria Flo.
Its not yet clear what the cause of his death is.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed: A man who had so much riches gained here on earth yet simply buried in sand.At his death, pers...
16/05/2022

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed: A man who had so much riches gained here on earth yet simply buried in sand.

At his death, personal wealth was estimated to be US$18billion. His family’s wealth estimated to be US$150billion and they control more than US$10 trillion in oil reserves, but was burried just 9hrs after his death because Islam respects the deada and want them burried while still in a respectable state.

The Man Burj Khalifa the tallest building with a height staggering at 828 meters (2716.5 feet) tall, soaring over Dubai, was named after, his burial had no road closed, np big budget manged by a big committe.
The building named after him is three times as tall as the Eiffel Tower and nearly twice as tall as the Empire State Building. Laid end to end, its pieces stretch over a quarter of the way around the world. It’s cloud-piercing height is certainly one of the most impressive facts about Burj Khalifa.
Lets be humble and reflect on big monies spent on dead “important” personnel.
May Allah grant him Janat…

https://youtu.be/L6dkInnISy0
15/05/2022

https://youtu.be/L6dkInnISy0

Nambi yali mwana eyalondebwa omusajja eyali tamuyinako kakwate koona era eyatulugunyizibwa omukyala w'omumaka

Spice Diana Denied UK Visa,Ugandan treding Artist Hajara Namukwaya aka Spice Diana, has been denied a UK Visa to ne part...
13/05/2022

Spice Diana Denied UK Visa,

Ugandan treding Artist Hajara Namukwaya aka Spice Diana, has been denied a UK Visa to ne part of “The Empower the Girl Child” concert taking place today.

Its not clear why one of Uganda’s most recorgnised female artists failed to secure the Visa.

She issued a heart breaking statement.

To my UK fans and the world over…!!

Am very heart broken and disappointed to be the bearer of bad news to my endearing fans of the UK that as planned and scheduled earlier that I, Spice Diana would embrace the Empower The Girl Child concert slated for tomorrow the 13/05/2022 for a special performance in unity with my sister Barbie Kyagulanyi, My visa application failed to come on through on time which translates into my failure to travel to the UK and perform.
I would like to extend my deepest apologies to everyone who was waiting on me not just from the UK but the world over as well who would make time to catch the live show online.

To the Girl Child Team, I am with you in spirit and i pray and hope that next time all shall be in due time for a better tomorrow for the Girl Child movement.

With lots of love…🥰😍😍

Spice Diana.

https://youtu.be/L6dkInnISy0

Mercy in court: magistrate fundraises for couple charged with flour theft.The high cost of living is slowly pushing Keny...
13/05/2022

Mercy in court: magistrate fundraises for couple charged with flour theft.

The high cost of living is slowly pushing Kenyans to unorthodox means to make ends meet, including stealing flour to avoid sleeping hungry. A couple in Mombasa is one of the hard-pressed Kenyans who decided to steal a bale of flour to prevent their children from starving. But they were caught, arrested and taken to court to face the law.
Saumu Ali and her husband Evans Odhiambo were charged with stealing. The charge sheet reads that on April 13, in the Shimanzi area of Mvita sub-county, they stole one bale of wheat flour valued at Sh1,980, the property of Grain Industries Ltd. The couple pleaded guilty to the charge but said they had run out of options and that it was the only sensible thing to do that day to avoid sleeping on empty stomachs.
“I was doing my menial job when my husband called me to help him carry the load. We did this for the sake of our children," a teary Ms Ali told Mombasa Senior Resident Magistrate Vincent Adet.

She said she had confessed to the arresting officer and explained her situation but the law enforcer insisted on taking her to court.
"We took the flour from a vehicle that was parked near the road. My husband had asked me to help him carry the load," she told the court.
But instead of applying the law and punishing the couple, Mr Adet chose to help them.

"On humanitarian grounds, especially for the woman, I have considered the circumstances of the offense and I sympathise with her situation. With three kids under her care, and no source of income, I am of the view that let us buy her a bale of wheat flour and some meat for today," he said.
And with this, the magistrate quickly turned the court session into an impromptu funds drive by being the first donor, giving the couple Sh1,000.
He then asked the people present in court to contribute whatever they had to help the couple buy meat and flour.

At the end of the fundraiser, the magistrate told the woman that her "sins had been forgiven" and set the couple free, but he advised them not to repeat the same mistake.
The magistrate explained that his decision was informed by a probation report that indicated that the couple had no source of income and depended on menial jobs to survive.

Bellow, a police officer hands over contributions to Saumu Ali, who was charged with stealing wheat flour worth Sh1,980. She was charged alongside her husband Evans Odhiambo. Photo credit: Brian Ocharo I Nation Media Group

By Brian Ocharo

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, the UAE's long-ailing leader, has died leaving behind a £120 billion fotune.DUBAI, United Arab...
13/05/2022

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, the UAE's long-ailing leader, has died leaving behind a £120 billion fotune.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The United Arab Emirates' long-ailing ruler, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, died Friday, the government's state-run news agency announced in a brief statement. He was 73.

Khalifa, the president of the UAE, oversaw much of the country's blistering economic growth and his name was immortalized on the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, after bailing out debt-crippled Dubai during its financial crisis over a decade ago.

The UAE's Ministry of Presidential Affairs announced a 40-day period of mourning and a three-day suspension of work in all ministries and the private sector beginning Friday, including flags to be flown at half-staff.

He had long ceased having involvement in the day-to-day affairs of ruling the country. Instead, his half-brother, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, was seen as the de-factor ruler and the decision-maker of major foreign policy decisions, such as joining a Saudi-led war in Yemen and spearheading an embargo on neighboring Qatar in recent years.

There was no immediate announcement about a successor, although Mohammed bin Zayed is anticipated to claim the presidency.

Khalifa, who has rarely been seen in official photos or at public events for years, succeeded his father, the UAE's founder Sheikh Zayed, in 2004.

He suffered a stroke and underwent emergency a decade later, though officials did not release the news until the following day. He has largely been out of public sight ever since.

In 2017, 2018 and 2019, Emirati state media published rare photographs and video of Khalifa. In the latest images, Khalifa wore white sneakers and a white traditional robe as he greeted Sheikh Mohammed and other rulers in the Emirates.

Khalifa, the eldest son of the UAE's first leader after the federation's formation in 1971, held the most powerful position among the seven semi-autonomous city-states stretching along the shores of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. His role as president derived from his standing as hereditary ruler of Abu Dhabi, the UAE's largest and richest emirate. Abu Dhabi serves as home to the federal capital.

Despite its size and vast oil wealth, Abu Dhabi often found itself overshadowed by the glitzy neighboring emirate of Dubai, the Middle Eastern commercial hub that showcases both the UAE's bold visions and, at times, debt-fueled pipe dreams, including a massive palm-shaped man-made island that sits empty years after its creation.

As Dubai's fortunes began to falter along with the global economy in 2009, Khalifa led efforts to protect the federation by pumping billions of dollars in emergency bailout funds into Dubai. The two emirates do not always see eye-to-eye on foreign policy decisions and compete commercially with one another. In 2003, he called for the creation of a new airline, Etihad Airways, which competes with Dubai's successful and much larger carrier Emirates Air.

Khalifa increasingly used Abu Dhabi's oil wealth to attract cultural and academic centers, such as branches of the Louvre museum and satellite campuses of New York University and the Sorbonne. He also presided over efforts to move the OPEC country beyond its reliance on petrodollars with investments in renewable energy research, including plans for a futuristic low-carbon desert city known as Masdar.

Abu Dhabi's big spending overseas during Khalifa's rule also helped push the emirate, which controls the bulk of the UAE's oil reserves, out from Dubai's shadow.

In 2007, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the world's biggest sovereign wealth funds, came to the rescue of an ailing Citigroup Inc. with a $7.5 billion cash injection. Less than two years later, another Abu Dhabi state fund made one of its biggest in a series of headline-grabbing purchases when it paid nearly 2 billion euros (then worth about $2.7 billion) for a 9.1 percent stake in German automaker Daimler AG, the firm behind Mercedes-Benz.

Khalifa, meanwhile, helped boost the UAE's regional profile with relief missions to Pakistan after devastating floods and by sending warplanes to the NATO-led mission against Moammar Gadhafi's regime in Libya in 2011.

Questions were raised during Khalifa's rule about the UAE's use of foreign military contractors, including one linked to the founder of the former Blackwater security firm, Erik Prince, who moved to Abu Dhabi in 2009. Prince was involved in a multimillion-dollar program to train troops to fight pirates in Somalia, according to an official who spoke to The Associated Press in early 2009.

But Khalifa's name is perhaps most familiar around the world for its connection to the world's tallest building, a nearly half-mile (828-meter) glass-and-steel spire in Dubai.

The name of the tower was unexpectedly switched from the Burj Dubai to the Burj Khalifa at its official opening in January 2010 following his decision to funnel billions of dollars to Dubai to save it from a full-scale financial meltdown.

Khalifa took over as the UAE's president and ruler of Abu Dhabi in November 2004 following the death his father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who is widely revered by Emiratis as the country's founding father.

Khalifa's image was ubiquitous, gracing every hotel lobby and government office across the country. But unlike Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the federation's vice president and prime minister, he was rarely seen in public.

A U.S. diplomatic cable made public by WikiLeaks in 2010 uncharitably described the president as "a distant and uncharismatic personage."

Khalifa was born in 1948 in the inland oasis of Al Ain, near the border with the sultanate of Oman, and named after his great grandfather, Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbout.

In 1969, while the area was still a British protectorate, Khalifa was named as Abu Dhabi prime minister and chairman of the emirate's Department of Defense, which later became the core of the UAE's armed forces. After independence in 1971, he became defense minister along with other roles. Later, the title of supreme commander of the armed forces was assumed by Mohammed bin Zayed.

Although the UAE's ruling sheikhs hold near absolute power, Khalifa began an experiment with elections by allowing limited voting — by a hand-picked electorate — for half the members of a 40-seat federal advisory body in 2006. Subsequent rounds of elections in 2011 and 2015 failed to attract even two out of five of those given a chance to vote.

The UAE saw none of the Arab Spring street protests that shook other parts of the region, though in the wake of that unrest, Khalifa oversaw tightening crackdowns on Islamists and other activists, drawing criticism from international rights groups. The UAE also supported efforts in the region to quash the Muslim Brotherhood, including in Egypt.

He was believed to be among the world's richest rulers with a personal fortune estimated by Forbes magazine in 2008 at $19 billion. He built a palace in the Seychelles, an island-chain nation in the Indian Ocean, and faced complaints there about causing water pollution from the construction site.

In 2007, Khalifa made a major gift to the Johns Hopkins Medicine complex in Baltimore. The size of the donation was not disclosed, but it was described as "transformational."

After he fell ill, it fell upon his half-brother and designated successor, Mohammed bin Zayed, to handle many of Khalifa's duties following the stroke, often in conjunction with Dubai's Sheikh Mohammed. The transition went largely unnoticed, as many Emiratis and foreign diplomats long assumed that the crown prince was a central power broker in the UAE's leadership.

In September 2014, the Emirates became one of the most prominent Arab participants in U.S.-led airstrikes against the Islamic State militant group in Syria, deploying its first female air force pilot on the initial raid.

Those sorties were followed by a muscular intervention into Yemen as part of a Saudi-led coalition on the side of the impoverished country's internationally recognized government against Shiite rebels who had seized the capital of Sanaa and other areas. The UAE deployed thousands of troops, 52 of whom were killed in a September 2015 missile attack on their base — the heaviest military loss in the country's history.

Khalifa's personal life was not much in the public eye. Like many in the Gulf, he was passionate about the traditional sport of falconry and was said to enjoy fishing. He is known to have had eight children — two sons and six daughters — with his first wife, Sheikha Shamsa bint Suhail Al Mazrouei. He is also survived by several grandchildren.

DEVELOPING: The US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations has asked President  to sanction responsible senior officials f...
12/05/2022

DEVELOPING: The US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations has asked President to sanction responsible senior officials for covering up Uganda’s torture stories & strongly reconsider President participation in the US-Africa Heads of State Summit.

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