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This is what Umeme is doing, to keep Uganda, especially our healthcare and manufacturing facilities switched on and running

By
Guest Writer
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Mr. Selestino Babungi

IN SUMMARY In the last few days, there has been some substantial easing, by government, of some of the lockdown measures that have thus far, protected Uganda from the raging Covid-19. As most Ugandans begin to return to work, they will be happy to find everything running and the lights on, just like at their respective homes. Behind all this has been the 1,625 men and women at Umeme; Uganda’s largest power distributor, working together in partnership with the generation and transmission partners, to keep Uganda, especially the healthcare and manufacturing facilities switched on and running.

By Selestino Babungi

Covid-19, the deadly disease caused by the Coronavirus is now a local and a global reality. I would like to applaud all our frontline healthcare workers and other individuals and institutions who are working day and night under the strategic guidance of our president, to keep this pandemic at bay in Uganda.
As guided by the President, H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, while the healthcare workers fight the disease, care must be taken to keep the economy running, without compromising public health.
Umeme, accounts for over 97% of all electricity supply in the country and we therefore understand and appreciate that we must stay at work to keep the country switched on and running. I appreciate the efforts of our 1,625 staff and contractors who have remained committed to keeping the lights on. We also appreciate the support received from the security Joint Task Force, which has continued to support us during these tough times.
But Uganda can only keep the economy running, if we are all healthy and alive, which is why I urge all of us to join hands to fight the Coronavirus by adhering to all government directives and guidelines especially staying home and practicing the various safety measures that government has so articulately communicated.

Adjusting our processes to keep Uganda switched on

At Umeme- the safety of our customers, our staff, and the public has always been a priority. In light of the directives issued by the government, Umeme has had to inevitably make adjustments in our standard operating procedures to protect our staff and subsequently the public, but also ensure we reliably keep on the lights.
First of all, to reduce the level of human interaction, we have had to scale down on the number of staff coming to work physically. This has seen us reduce the number of staff per shift. To fit within the 12-hour night curfew, we have also had to create longer shifts of 12 hours in our contact centre and work management centre. We have further relocated staff required to be at work to service centers nearest to their places of residence.
The staff rationalisations however do not affect the technical teams. We have maintained the usual technical teams who attend to faults in Kampala, Entebbe & Mukono areas. Our entire upcountry faults teams are also fully operational. The specialised teams that attend to big breakdowns and vital installations such as factories, healthcare facilities, security installations, and other vital facilities are on standby.
The decongestion on our roads has also allowed us to respond to emergencies and technical faults faster and timelier. This is why for example even with the reduced workforce, our service levels remain high.

Umeme keeping health and manufacturing facilities running

Most referral health facilities, except Mulago National Referral Hospital, do not have dedicated power lines. They share these power lines with other users in the community in which these facilities are located. To ensure maximum efficiency during this delicate period, Umeme carried out preventive inspections and maintenance on these lines and the supporting substations to enhance their performance. We have also made sure that any emerging faults on these lines are prioritised ahead of other faults for faster restoration of supply.
Also the pre-paid meters to health facilities were replenished with credit to ensure continuity of supply without disconnection.
The continued investment in the distribution grid has significantly contributed to its stability and reliability. For this year, the plan is to invest a further US$ 80 million in substations, line works, and expansion of distribution zones. We also aim to convert the remaining 150,000 postpaid customers to pre-paid metering.

Protecting Umeme Staff and their families

For the safety of our staff, Umeme complies with the Ministry of Health Guidelines on CoVID-19 and has provided the required personal protective equipment like working goggles, hand sanitizers, vehicle sanitizers, and gloves, etc. Our field technical teams are under strict instructions to adhere to Ministry of Health guidelines while attending to network operations and technical customer service requests.
We urge the public to boost the efficacy of these initiatives by equally practicing the ministry of health guidelines, especially maintaining the recommended 4 meters social distance while dealing with our staff.
The investments in technology have enabled us to continue serving our customers through the use of digital channels at our contact centre, payments through digital channels, remote network management through the use of SCADA and remote working of our staff. Our operations would have been significantly derailed during the lockdown period if we had not embraced technology over the years.
Let us stay safe, stay home, and save lives.

Selestino Babungi, is the Managing Director, Umeme Ltd.

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End of Shs360b MTN, URA tax row as Tax Appeal Tribunal says it is Shs20b

By
Geoffery Serugo
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MTN-Uganda CEO-Wim Vanhelleputte

The Tax Appeal Tribunal has ruled that mobile telecom giant, MTN is to pay Shs20 billion to Uganda Revenue Authority in the Shs360 tax row.

URA claimed that MTN and a host of other companies had under declared their revenue and hence paying less tax to the tax authority. URA based their claims on the whistleblower who alleged that the communication giant was not declaring all the revenue in order to evade the taxes.

Contrary to the allegations made that the tax evasion was Shs360, URA carried out an audit and discovered that MTN Uganda had alleged not paid VAT amounting to 20,053,441,670 for the period 2014-2017.

However, a senior executive at MTN-Uganda in a telephone interview with Eagle Online said they intend to appeal against the Shs20 billion as well because the allegations against them were untrue.

“From the word go, we said were clean because we have never hidden anything or under declared the revenues but this was a clear mudslinging by some individuals whose aim we couldn’t tell but like fate would be, it was Shs360 billion but now the Tax Appeal Tribunal has brought it o Shs20 billion to which we shall appeal because we are clean” The MTN executive said on condition of anonymity.

Suing under MTN Sea Shared Services Ltd (MTN SSS), MTN denies liability to pay taxes amounting to $89.6 million and another $528,000, which according to URA, accrued from under-declaration of earnings on the lucrative Mobile Money, and information technology services provided to MTN Uganda between December 2015 and February 2016 by its mother company MTN Sea Shared Services (MTN SSS) Ltd.

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Chief Justice Katureebe opens Courts

By
Our Reporter
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INAUGURATED JTI GOVERNING COUNCIL: Chief Justice Bart Katurebe

The Chief Justice Bart Katureebe has directed that courts open for “partial operations” while observing strict Standard Operating Procedures(SOPs) like wearing face masks, temperature measurements,sanitisation and social distancing.

However, Katureebe clarified that Courts shall continue to hear applications and urgent matters only until there is a general opening up of public transport.
“All judicial and non-Judicial officers, litigants and the public shall at all material times observe the SOPs as established by the Ministry of Health from time to time while accessing court premises. All Judicial and non-Judicial officers and Litigants must at all-time wear a face mask while in court premises, “Katureebe’s circular reads.
Katureebe directed that criminal cases shall be limited to; plea taking for magistrate’s courts, bail applications across the board, plea bargains across the board, appeals for the appellate courts.

These restrictions, directed the Chief Justice, shall continue in force until prisoners are able to be produced in Court.
The circular adds that: All Judicial officers shall continue to write and deliver judgements in all Courts. The Audio-Visual facilities put in place by the Judiciary shall continue to be used where necessary, besides other methods of conducting hearings,”

It was copied to the Deputy Chief Justice, Principal Judge, all Justices of the Supreme Court, all Judges of the High Court, Secretary to the Judiciary, Chief Registrar, all magistrates and all Judiciary staff.

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HOUSING FINANCE BANK: Driving convenience through digitization

By
Guest Writer
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Mr. Wycliffe Natweeta

By Wycliffe Natweeta

COVID-19 has paved the way for digital transformation as businesses shift operations to cope with office closures, restricted movement and supply interruption.
Inevitably, most industries are operating in a constant state of flux, and businesses are rapidly adapting strategies to evolve with rapidly changing consumer behavior. In many cases, we have seen the utilization of virtual streaming to replace meetings, online conferences and events, online purchases replacing physical transactions. As many individuals manage with the new measures, organizations are coming up with more productive ways to support the evolving developments and in the end achieve a holistic positive ripple effect.
Housing Finance Bank is one of the financial institutions that has in recent years embarked on its digital transformation journey and has since delivered a range of digital products, services and solutions. We caught up with the Bank’s Head Distribution Channels and Customer Experience, Mr. Wycliffe Natweeta to further dissect digitization during and after COVID-19 and how the Bank is positioned to meet the evolving changes to suit their respective customer needs and requirements:

Tell us about Housing Finance Bank and digitization?

Housing Finance Bank was founded in 1967 as a housing finance company. The company became a fully licensed commercial Bank in November 2007, after acquiring a commercial Banking license from the Bank of Uganda. Housing Finance Bank is the leading mortgage lender in the country. In 2013, the Bank embarked on its digital transformation journey. This saw the automation of many systems that later fed into the launch of a range of digital products in 2018. To date, the Bank has a variety of digital channels that range from HFB Mobile Banking, Internet Banking, HFB MasterCard Service and Agent Banking.

How convenient are the services offered as part of the HFB digital channels?

Housing finance bank is one of the fortunate banks to have been digitally ready to continue serving customers when the lockdown struck in late March 2020. As previously communicated, a year ago, we launched our digital channels which positioned us to be the bank of choice before, during and after COVID-19. Our internationally accepted MasterCard service for example spells convenience because of its wide acceptance hence one can use it for a range of services both online and at various merchant points. This is just one of the many other channels that include both retail and corporate internet banking, Agent banking, HFB Mobile banking among others. All these services come in conveniently at a time like this when we have more restrictions on movement, accessibility and physical transactions. Everything can be done online from making payments, deposits, checking balances and cash transactions altogether. Even better, our transaction charge waivers for our customers during this period have made it easier to utilize these services.

They say, the future is digital: how would you say The Bank has positioned itself to fit well into this future?
Digitization of operational processes has been on the radar for most companies and organizations hence the saying above: “the future is indeed digital. As a Bank, this journey has been one that we embarked on since 2013. This is all hinged on providing an improved customer value proposition through the provision of reliable, convenient and affordable services and solutions. With this rapid evolution of digital processes we are positive for the new mindset that is aligned towards digital utilization focusing on the future with an openness to serve our customers during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Customer self-service and experience is a trend that has developed long before COVID-19, how has this accelerated the Bank’s solutions to provide a smooth customer journey?
Customer experience has and will still remain top priority on our list. We have made deliberate efforts to tailor-make our solutions to suit our customer’s needs. Even when the human factor remains present for verification, we have still endeavored to digitize most of our customer processes and transactions. Our customers can reliably check their balance, place orders, and make payments within different locations with our range of digital channels.

Technology is the glue that keeps operations running in these times of uncertainty and the actions businesses take now can reduce the recovery period once trading returns to normality. As priorities shift in with the hit of COVID-19, we remain committed to setting the foundation to ensure and reap long-term benefits of customer engagement and loyalty.
How will your digital strategy adopt to protect the customers information against fraud?
We are in a period of rampant cybercrime and we acknowledge there are growing concerns about the massive amount of personal information that customers provide to the Banks and the vulnerability that it creates, however, this information aids us to design our solutions based on the information available so as to serve our customers better. We have put in place measures to ensure that our customer’s information is protected, remember, security of any kind in the Bank can no longer be primarily seen as a backend prevention function but as a function is well monitored in a regular basis.

Any last words for the customers and everyone else out there?

The bank has strategically positioned itself to fit in the lives of customers. We have personalized our services to serve a wide range of customers both retail and corporate. We are also aware of the impact Covid-19 has created most especially within the service sector which has made it next to impossible to have a face to face interaction with customers. Due to the current situation, we have seen steady growth in the number of customers who are signing up and utilizing our digital platforms during this time. However, we are also aware that we have a section of customers that have not enrolled onto our digital platforms, and wish to further advice that, our digital solutions are easily accessible. One can open an account with us and enroll immediately or download our HFB Mobile app on Google play store, I-store or by dialing *225#. Our internet Banking is a self-service feature that can be accessed by following this link https://ebanking.housingfinance.co.ug/iportalweb/iRetail@1
or simply visiting our website, www.housingfinance.co.ug. I therefore call upon our customers and everyone else who has not enrolled onto any of our platforms to do so and enjoy a wide range of convenient, hassle-free solutions.

We have also embarked on our journey for digital account-opening and onboarding solutions to enable both retail and business customer applicants to open accounts in just minutes and thus making digital account origination, onboarding and cross-selling a simple, smart and secure process.

Remember that you can also reach us through our customer contact center on 0417-803000 for further inquiries and also acquaint yourselves more on how best you can utilize our digital channels and processes.

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NRM ready to consider reports from opposition political parties on performance -Lumumba

By
Trevor S Baleke
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IPOD summit

Justine Kasule Lumumba, the Secretary General of the National Resistance Movement has told opposition political parties in Uganda to audit and make reports on the performance of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Addressing members of the IPoD as JEMA took over the chairmanship of the body from Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Lumumba said the ruling government would take reports from the opposition in good faith.

She proposed that the IPOD leadership in chair should consider writing periodic audit reports to create check points for the NRM government instead of street criticism.

“Play your roles of auditing, monitoring and supervising the government in power. We are ready to take such written reports in good faith,” she said.

Lumumba also urged the political parties to work together for the good of all Ugandans.

She challenged the outgoing chair (FDC) to give support to the incoming IPoD leadership under the chairmanship of JEMA.

“We have given you all the support while in chair as our IPOD leaders, be there for others and don’t dodge the subsequent summit again,” she said.

At the event, FDC’s Nandala Mafabi handed over to JEEMA as the new chair of the IPOD Council at Kabila Club.

On the behalf of JEMA, Deputy Secretary General, Fredrick Kasajja received the instrument of power on behalf of his boss Mohammad Katerega who was absent.

Lumumba also commended the IPOD Summit and Council members in Parliament who have always whipped the central government to consider releasing funds to Political Parties. She identified them as Hon. Jimmy Akena (UPC), Hon Nandala Mafabi (FDC) and Hon. Asuman Basalirwa of JEEMA.

Lumumba further called on sister Parties to take a front seat in holding candid discussions with the EC on Electoral related matters. She pledged her full support & availability for the task.

Lumumba delivered a written apology from the NRM national chairman and head of state, Yoweri Museveni for physically missing out at the function.

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Kabira, Speke Resort Munyonyo back to business

By
Our Reporter
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The place to be for Easter Carnival for families .

A select group of galaxy hotels owned by tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia are now fully open and ready to serve customers and help to ease the stresses of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Some of the group hotels and restaurants that will open include Kabira Country Club, Speke Apartments, Bukoto Heights, Boulevard Apartments, Speke Apartments-Kitante and Speke Resort Muyonyo.

Speke Hotel, Forrest Cottages and Dolphin Suites are being prepared and the plan is to have them open soon.

The opening of Hotels and restaurants by Ruparelia will inevitably offer relief to Ugandans who have been locked down in their homes for months and will now be able to order for their favourite cuisines.

The Kabira Country Club is one of Kampala’s favourite high-end relaxing getaway, offering a world class restaurant, gymnasium, accommodation and a heated swimming pool.

President Museveni in February announced the closure of hotels, restaurants and other entertainment places to contain the spread of the Corona virus.

However, with no deaths registered in Uganda, the government has been partially easing the lockdown with hotels and restaurants now allowed to open for customers to pick cuisines on takeaway.

The restaurants and hotels are operating in accordance with World Health Organisation guidelines and observing social distancing for both clients and employees. Employees are wearing face masks and distance between tables has been increased.

 

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Manifesto Week: How the Agriculture sector fared

By
Simon Kabayo
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Smallholder coffee farmers

During the 2016-2021 period, the Agriculture sector remained the main thrust of Uganda’s economy, with agriculture-based products accounting for about 45% of exports in FY 2018/19, underlining why agriculture remains one of the four key sectors highlighted in the Uganda vision 2040.
Modernization of Agriculture remains one of the key components of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Manifesto and President Museveni has severally highlighted the need to use the sector as a base of improving our balance of payments constraints.

Improving Uganda’s Balance of Payment would provide the much-needed foreign exchange to the country.
To achieve that key goal, the development and growth of the sector is anchored on four strategic objectives, as outlined in the National Development Plan 2 (NDP2) and the Agriculture Sector Strategic Plan (ASSP) 2015/16 – 2019/20.
The four goals are to; increase production and productivity of agricultural commodities and enterprises; increase access to critical farm inputs; improve access to markets and value addition and strengthen the quality of agricultural commodities; and strengthen the agricultural services institutions and also create an enabling environment for the sector to grow.

In the past year the Agriculture sector contributed 22% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and registered improved growth rates from 2.8% in FY 2015/16 to 5% in FY 2018/19.
On the employment front, the Agriculture sector was also very important as it employs about 64% of all Ugandans (and about 72% of all youths) highlighting its importance to household income growth and consumption, and thereby stimulating growth in the other sectors.

In the 2016 NRM Manifesto, President Museveni committed to support key strategic commodities to ensure greater impact on household incomes and national export earnings.
The emphasis of these interventions put emphasis on commodity value chains, focusing on: research; extension; pest, vector and disease control; provision of inputs; promoting sustainable land use and soil management; post-harvest handling; improving market access and infrastructure; and value addition.
In the past year, some of the other key achievements in the Agriculture sector included the increase of the value of agriculture exports from $1.326 billion to $1.5 billion representing a growth of 20% in the past four financial years.

The 2014 Population and Housing Census figures also indicated that close to 80% of the households in the country are involved in agriculture, a further improvement for the sector.owever, it was not all plain-sailing in the Agriculture sector as some challenges were registered.
Some of the main challenges that the Agriculture sector faced over the past year included prevalent pests, vectors and diseases, the outbreak of desert locusts in Karamoja, Teso, Lango, Acholi and Eastern Uganda.

The outbreak of desert locusts stretched the sector in terms of technical personnel and other resources.
There was also a challenge of weak linkage between provision of agricultural inputs and provision of agricultural extension services; as the extension service in Local Governments is still constrained by low staffing in some areas and mobility to reach out to all farmers.
Changing weather patterns also affected timely distribution of planting materials sometimes resulting into wastage of planting materials and low crop survival rates while excessive rainfall in some parts of the country affecting seasonal crops especially le

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Manifesto week: A sneak peek into Defence, Security high points

By
Simon Kabayo
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soldiers at work at Luwero industries.

The defence and security Forces successfully managed to ensure that Uganda remained peaceful and stable over the past year, providing a base for the socio-economic transformation of the country.
Maintaining peace and stability was one of the key promises in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) manifesto that is running from 2016-2021.

Key among the bastions of success in the Defence sector was continuing with the professionalization and modernisation of the Defence and Security Forces which included acquisition and maintenance of equipment.
The Ministry of Defence also ensured that defence and security infrastructural systems were developed.
Under the construction of defence and security infrastructural systems, the Ministry put particular focus on the construction of a National Military Referral Hospital in a phased manner, this will go a long way in maintaining the health of officers and militants.
The Ministry also ensures that provision of safe office and housing accommodation was provided for its militants and officers, setting the foundation for level-headed working and sleeping environments.

Another key component under the development of defence and infrastructural systems was the moving of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Air Force from Entebbe to Nakasongola, in line with directives of the Commander-In-Chief (CiC).
In order to ensure that the security forces remain in sync with the latest technologies, the Ministry concentrated on strengthening research and development, setting the pace for Forces that can ably respond to changing security threats in the technology sector.
The sector has consistently acquired, refurbished and maintained equipment in the bid to equip the Force with efficient, effective and technologically advanced capabilities to professionalise and equip the Forces.
To set a base for security Forces that can decently maintain their families, the Ministry also put in efforts in promoting production for wealth creation and self-sustainability, avoiding scenarios where Forces would not be economically self-sustaining.
Under the component of promoting production for wealth creation and self-sustainability, the Ministry put in efforts to ensure that Luweero industries are given funds to buy the equipment needed to enable production of some of the supplies of UPDF.
The Ministry also ensure that Uganda’s internal and external security was strengthened.

To beef up the maintenance of security in Uganda’s urban areas, the Ministry recruited over 26,000 Local Defence Units (LDUs) to complement the regular Force in sustaining peace and stability across the country.
LDUs have been very efficient in helping the security agencies to stamp out criminal agents in the city and its environs, making it safe for Ugandans to engage in meaningful economic activities without having to watch over their backs.
In the health sector, the Ministry has committed to provide preventive, curative and rehabilitative services to officers and militants, their immediate families and surrounding community in all its medical facilities.

The Ministry of Health is on record praising the efficient and professional work of medical personnel from the Ministry of Defence.
The Ministry of Defence has also supported the Ministry of Health in containing any form of epidemic outbreaks, this was very particular in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Some of the unfulfilled commitments in the Defence sector included the introduction of a National Service Scheme, establishment of a National Defence College, establishment of the Institute of Security Studies.
For the Police Force, the construction and rehabilitation of Barracks infrastructure and the establishment of a Police Academy were key among the successes of the Police Force.
The Police Force also managed to maintain Law and Order.

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Ministers Moses Kizige, Isaac Musumba and MP Watongola deliver 20m to Kamuli CAO

By
Trevor S Baleke
-

Moses Kizige the Karamoja affairs state minister and member of parliament for Bugabula North constituency this week returned the controversial shillings 20 million COVID-19 cash. As guided by government, Kizige delivered all the money to Kamuli District Chief Administrative Office (CAO), Elizabeth Namanda. CAO is the chief accounting officer of a district.

The minister delivered the money in the presence of the entire District Taskforce (DFT) on corona virus chaired by the Resident District Commissioner, Hajji Moses Dumba.

Kizige who has on several occasions provided fuel to the DTF, pledged even more support to the district team to ensure that the pandemic is prevented from entering the district.

This website has established that Kizige has since the lockdown was announced by government been providing relief items to households in his Bugabula North constituency.

Namanda thanked the minister for the big heart.

He was followed by Kamuli Municipality MP, Hajat Rehema Watongola.

On top of the 20m, Watongola donated maize flour to the DFT which she guided that it should be given to the taxi operators in her constituency.

A day later, actually on Friday May 22, the urban development state minister, Isaac Musumba – the MP represents Buzaaya County too delivered his 20 million to the CAO.

The function took place at 3:45PM at the district headquarters.

He asked the task force to ensure that people of Buzaaya receive relief food bought out of the money.

The CAO issued receipts and letters of appreciation to each of the three legislators.

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EDUCATION GIANTS: Kampala Parents Starts Full Online Classes, Teachers to be accommodated

By
Our Reporter
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Pupils of Kampala Parents who scored aggregate 4 celebrate their results at school.

Kampala Parents School has started full Online classes from Kindergarten to Primary with teachers set to be fully accommodated at School to avoid potential transmission of the Corona virus.

The Online classes will begin on Monday.
The move has been welcomed by parents and pupils as the country tries to move back to normalcy following disruptions caused by the Covid pandemic.

In a circular dated May 22,Ms Daphne Kato, the Kampala Parents Principal, indicated that Online learning will begin with completion of the Term One syllabus.

“The School has invested heavily in the structure to enable this learning. After completion of Term One material, we are to embark on Tern Two sylabbus.During the first week of the Online learning, there will be induction and revision of holiday work,” Ms Kato’s circular reads.

Ms Kato said the School will issue a timetable for the online learning.
Online classes will also kick off on Tuesday 26th May for Primary Three and Four while Top Class, Primary One and Two will begin on June 4th.

Registration of new students is also ongoing.

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