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Five steps to a winning personal brand for entrepreneurs

By
Guest Writer
-
Martin Zwilling

 

By Martin Zwilling

 

Although most people believe that being a successful entrepreneur is all about having the right idea, I’m convinced from my years of experience as a startup advisor and investor that’s it’s more about you as a person. If you can brand yourself as someone to remember, and someone who can deliver, I assure you that you will have no trouble finding investors, as well as customers.

So how do you develop that reputation such that everyone believes in you, and customers jump to try your solution first? The key points are comparable to those involved in branding a business, as outlined in the new book, “Be Different!: The Key To Business And Career Success,” by noted business leader Stan Silverman. You have to stand out from your peers and competitors:

Build a reputation for getting any job done, and doing it well. The best entrepreneurs are not just dreamers of the next big thing – they have to be great facilitators and problem solvers. By definition, every successful startup has to be different from the competition, with many unknowns, new challenges to overcome, and new customers to be attracted.

If you don’t have a successful prior startup to demonstrate your ability, it’s time to be creative. Pull some examples from your private life, prior jobs, or academia, where you demonstrated personal initiative, determination, and results in overcoming challenges. It it’s too early to show a track record, it may be time to find a partner who believes in you, and can complement your strength as a thinker. Most successful startups I know were built by a team, rather than a lone entrepreneur, so don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Highlight your expertise and results as a thought leader. These days, with the pervasive presence of social media, blogs, and online access to information, it’s easy to get your message out there, and engage a following. People need to see you as an “influencer,” who is able to sell your new ideas, as well as communicate the future.

For example, Elon Musk has long been a bold and provocative thought leader on space travel. He used his expertise on rocket ships to sell the future potential in interviews, blogs, and public speaking opportunities, long before he started SpaceX as a company.

Demonstrate honesty and integrity in everything you do. Investors and customers do not want to deal with entrepreneurs or startups whose reputations are tarnished or questionable. For brand image, it simply means truthfully communicating the challenges faced, and then putting in the honest legwork to address those challenges.

Without excuses or disavowing responsibility, you must deliver on all promises, past and present, pay attention to the common good, and surround yourself with people offering solid character and a positive attitude. Show total respect for all customers and investors.

Show that you are a leader that others want to work for. A little known fact is that potential investors, including myself, often visit a startup to gauge the level of respect and commitment of employees to their leaders. Leadership dissent in the team is the quickest way to kill an investment, and customers will tell you it is the quickest way to kill a brand.

We have all experienced or heard stories of entrepreneurs that refuse to listen to their team, such as Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, when their pin-prick blood test could not be validated, causing a billion-dollar startup to fail and promising careers ended.

Always project a positive attitude of a world of possibilities. Entrepreneurs with positive, but rational, attitudes are supported and move forward with their plans. Those with a negative attitude, including competitor bashing, do not. When starting a business, as we all know, there will be difficult periods, and we want to know you will keep going.

Investors, for example, listen for the words you use when you are faced with a specific difficulty. Instead of saying, “I have a problem,” you might say, “I am faced with an unexpected opportunity.” Customers want to hear about creative solutions, not problems.

In addition, unlike a business brand, a personal brand is broader than just one business segment. An entrepreneur with a great personal brand, such as Elon Musk, can work in any number of segments influencing people and the market. Your name is your brand to make your business.

The next time you approach someone with a great new idea, make sure you include your brand story as well. At the very least, both together will make a great first impression, and that first impression image will last longer and have more impact than any solution image you can offer.

Veteran startup mentor, executive, blogger, author, tech professional, professor, and investor. Published on Forbes, Entrepreneur, Inc, Huffington Post, etc.

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UK-Africa investment summit: Revitalizing economic ties top of agenda

By
Our Reporter
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Britain's Prime Minister and Conservative leader Boris Johnson prepares to speak on stage after retaining his seat to be MP for Uxbridge and Ruislip South at the count centre in Uxbridge, west London, on December 13, 2019 after votes were counted as part of the UK general election. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

New opportunities for bi-lateral trade and increasing UK investor appetite in Africa will be the main focus of the UK-Africa summit, convened by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, on January 20, 2020.

The milestone investment summit aimed at forging new partnerships under the theme: ‘Partners for prosperity.’

Africa, a continent brimming with investment opportunities, is home to six of the 10 fastest-growing economies in the world.  The Summit will bring together businesses, governments, and international institutions to showcase and promote the breadth and quality of investment opportunities across Africa.

Highlights of his UK trip includes a plenary panel discussion on ‘Sustainable Finance and Infrastructure – Unlocking the City of London and UK financial services for growth in Africa. Discussions will focus on increasing access to investments in Africa and pursuing existing and untapped opportunities.

The one-day event, co-organized by the Royal African Society and Oxford Brooks University, will see the participation of UK parliamentarians, academics, and policymakers.

The future trade relationship between the UK and Africa and the African Continental Free Trade Area in the context of Brexit are expected to top discussions.

Speakers at the symposium include Vera Songwe, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa; Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi, Secretary-General of UNCTAD and Ms. Paulina Elago, Executive Secretary of the Southern African Customs Union, SACU.

There will be UK-African Development Bank strategic dialogue. The dialogue with the Department for International Development (DFID) will focus on the Africa Development bank’s vision for Africa and how the Bank can spur the continent’s economic transformation, especially in the areas of infrastructure and regional integration, private sector development and jobs, and women’s economic empowerment. Climate change, energy access, addressing fragility, promoting resilience, and good governance principles will also be discussed.

Africa and the UK are long-standing partners. Trade stood at over £33 billion in 2018.  Close to 2,000 British businesses currently operate in Africa.

In 2016, Africa’s exports to the UK accounted for £17 billion, having grown marginally from $16.7 billion in 2015. Africa’s major exporters to the UK, in 2016, included South Africa, which takes the lion’s share with 58%, followed by Nigeria with 7%, Algeria, Morocco and Egypt 5% each.

Over the next decade, Africa is expected to play an increasingly significant global role. The continent’s population is projected to double to 2 billion people by 2050, representing a quarter of the world population.

The UK-Africa Summit is a unique opportunity to expand investment and trade opportunities.

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Climate crisis ‘affecting quality of life and fueling discontent’

By
Agencies
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Woman with her dog affected by prolonged dry spell

 

 

The climate crisis, as well as persistently high inequalities, and rising levels of food insecurity and undernourishment, is affecting the quality of life in many societies and fuelling discontent, the UN warned on Thursday, on the publication of the 2020 World Economic Situation Report (WESP).

The UN economic experts behind the report are unequivocal in their call for “massive adjustments” to the energy sector, which is currently responsible for around three-quarters of global greenhouse gas emissions.

If the world continues to rely on fossil fuels over the next few years, and emissions in developing countries rise to the level of those in richer nations, global carbon emissions would increase by more than 250 per cent, with potentially catastrophic results.

The report’s authors insist that the world’s energy needs must be met by renewable or low-carbon energy sources, which will lead to environmental and health benefits, such as lower air pollution, and new economic opportunities for many countries.

However, the 2020 WESP finds that the urgent need to switch to clean energy continues to be underestimated, noting that countries are continuing to invest in oil and gas exploration, and coal-fired power generation.

This reliance on fossil fuels is described as “short-sighted”, leaving investors and governments exposed to sudden losses, as the price of oil and gas fluctuates, as well as contributing to deteriorating climatic conditions, such as global warming.

“Risk associated with the climate crisis are becoming an ever-greater challenge”, concludes the report, and “climate action must be an integral part of any policy mix”.

Strategies and technology for a transition to a clean economy that delivers accessible to reliable and decarbonized energy already exist, continues the report, but will require political will and public support. Failure to act will significantly increase the ultimate costs.

The East Asia region continues to be the world’s fastest growing region, with China’s economy growing at a rate of 6.1 per cent in 2019. Although growth is expected to level off, China will still see world-beating growth of 5.9 per cent by 2021.

The more economically developed parts of the world are seeing much slower growth, with the USA expected to see a slowdown from 2.2 per cent in 2019, to 1.7 per cent in 2020. The European Union is only expected to grow by 1.6 per cent, although this is an improvement on 2019, when the bloc only grew by 1.4 per cent. The sluggish growth in both regions is blamed mainly on global uncertainty.

Africa, meanwhile, continues to suffer from near stagnation. In a third of developing countries dependent on commodities, including Angola, Nigeria and South Africa, average real incomes are lower today than they were in 2014 and, in several sub-Saharan African countries, the number of people living in extreme poverty has risen.

Setback for UN development agenda

Although the report assumes that trade tension will ease, the potential for a relapse is high, says the report, as the root causes behind disputes have not yet been tackled.

Continuing weak growth in the global economy will make it harder to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Agenda, the UN’s blueprint for a better future for people and the planet, includes commitments to eradicate poverty and create decent jobs for all.

On the launch of the WESP, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned of the potential impacts of a slowdown: “These risks could inflict severe and long-lasting damage on development prospects. They also threaten to encourage a further rise in inward-looking policies, at a point when global cooperation is paramount”.

The authors of the 2020 WESP conclude that it is not enough to simply focus on economic growth, at any cost, and governments must ensure that growth is inclusive.

“Policymakers should move beyond a narrow focus on merely promoting GDP growth, and instead aim to enhance well-being in all parts of society”, said Elliott Harris, UN Chief Economist and Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development.

In order to improve well-being for all, Mr. Harris emphasizes the importance of prioritizing investment in sustainable development to promote education, renewable energy, and resilient infrastructure, and called for governments to pay closer attention to the implications of their policies on the environment, and a fairer distribution of wealth within their countries.

 

 

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The rise and fall of Louis Kasekende

By
Our Reporter
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Former Deputy Governor, Dr. Louis Kasekende.

 

 

Louis A. Kasekende is a Ugandan economist who recently left Bank of Uganda (BoU) where he had been serving as its Deputy Governor. He began his five-year term in this position on 18 January 2010, having served in the same capacity from 1999 until 2002.

Many people in Uganda especially those in the banking industry thought Kasekende would replace BoU Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile who is about to retire soon but the turn of events painted a different picture as we will read ahead.

Kasekende holds the degree of Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics from Makerere University. He possesses Master of Arts (MA) degree in economics and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Economics, from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom.

From 1988 until 1994, Kasekende worked as a part-time lecturer at Makerere University. He joined BoU in 1986 and served in various capacities including Director of Research, Executive Director of Research and Policy and Deputy Governor.

Between 2002 and 2004, Kasekende was seconded to the World Bank by the Uganda government to serve as the Executive Director to the World Bank, representing 22 African countries, including Uganda, on the bank’s executive board.

From May 2006 to 2009, he served at the offices of the African Development Bank (AfDB), in Tunis, Tunisia, as AfDB’s Chief Economist. During his tenure, he is credited for playing a leading role in the AfDB’s efforts to help African economies withstand the impact of the global economic crisis.

In January 2010, Kasekende was re-appointed Deputy Governor of BoU, to serve for the next five years.

Kasekende is married to Edith Kasekende, and together are the parents of three children. He has written extensively on a wide range of economic subjects and his work has been widely published in journals and books.

Downfall

The down of Kasekende relates to numerous complaints about the closure of seven commercial banks by BoU between 1993 and October 2016. The banks closed and now defunct include; Teefe Trust Bank, Greenland Bank, International Credit Bank, Cooperative Bank, National Bank of Commerce, Global Trust Bank Uganda and Crane Bank Limited (CBL).

His downfall can also easily be associated with his close association with the former Executive Directive in charge of Supervision Justine Bagyenda. The two planned and plotted together and no wonder it is during their time that most commercial banks closed and have almost fallen exited together at BoU in a similar manner.

To verify complaints against BoU by owners of defunct banks, Vide letter Ref:AB:70/2gg/01 dated 28th November, 2017, parliament’s committee on Commissions, State Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) requested the Auditor General to undertake a special audit on the closure of commercial banks by BoU. The Auditor General’s findings would tarnish the image and reputation of Kasekende and other top BoU officials, including the Governor, Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile.

Kasekende angered the Auditor General and COSASE when he tried to block the probe of BoU over the closed banks arguing there was a related case in court which would make the investigation subjudice and as such could not cooperate with the Auditor General John Muwanga. However Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga insisted that Muwanga does his investigation job as it did not in any way violate the subjudice rule.

Kasekende and other top officials bowed to Kadaga’s instructions and allowed Muwanga, the Auditor General to do his job of probing BoU. However, it would later then turn out that BoU officials didn’t give Muwanga’s team full cooperation as they intentionally declined to provide vital documents for the audit. Muwanga would note the complaint in his August, 2018 report to parliament.

When COSASE began probing BoU over Muwanga’s report in late October 2018, the officials led by Kasekende would appear without the same documents which forced the MPs to send the team away. It was the shock of the nation that BoU officials led by Kasekende would appear in parliament unprepared.  Kasekende at the rest of the BoU senior would later turn up with some documents they had intentionally left behind to conceal evidence on irregular closure of banks by way of not following the processes and guidelines.

Cliques

In 2019, President Yoweri Museveni set up the Presidential Tripartite Committee to investigate BoU after the Governor , Professor Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile issued an internal memo that affected several staff leading to a standoff with the Inspector General of Government (IGG) Justice Irene Mulyagonja. During the investigation the committee was told by some of the senior staff interviewed that Kasekende as his boss Tumusiime Mutebile each official had his clique of staff, which affected the smooth running of the institution.

Leaked documents of Kasekende’s wealth

 Leaked documents of Kasekende’s wealth in terms of properties and cash on bank accounts shocked the nation to the extent that some politicians and senior government officials wondered how the banker accumulated the wealth. Analysts say this part of the reasons why the appointing authority is reluctant to extend Kasekende’s contract at BoU, more so that the bank’s top officials have issues with the accountability of taxpayers’ money.

Failure to account for Shs478b

During the COSASE probe Kasekende and others failed to account for Shs478 billion they claim to have injected into Crane Bank in Receivership yet BoU wanted shareholders of defunct CBL to pay back BoU the money. MPs saw this as unfair since it is BoU which lend itself the money and failed to account for it, as some documents like ledgers were missing.

Kasekende would later want the Auditor General to do the second audit of Shs478 billion but the latter declined.

“Regrettably, I am unable to undertake the verification since the report has been issued to the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament on February 18, 2018. Any additional verification on the already issued report can only be undertaken with the authority of parliament. We will keep the documents and wait for further communication from COSASE” read Mr Muwanga’s letter.

Failure to supervise his juniors

During COASE probe it was clear that Kasekende failed to supervisor his juniors at BoU especially in  the departments of commercial banking to the extent that Ben Sekabira while appearing before COSASE disagreed with Kasekende and others, saying that before CBL was closed it required about Shs250 billion to remain afloat much as the other group quoted Shs478 billion. The disagreement by BoU officials shocked Ugandans, who up now think that senior staff at BoU should be dismissed.

Kasekende also failed   to supervise BoU legal department leading to the institution to hire conflicted lawyers in cases involving businessman Sudhir Ruparelia and Ruparelia Group of Companies. As such BoU stands to lose billions of shillings for hiring conflicted lawyers such as MMAKS Advocates, Sebalu & Lule Advocates and David Mpanga.

Kasekende tried without any success to have his contract renewed or extended. He first sent former Minister of Finance, Gerald Ssendaula and other clerics to meet President Yoweri Museveni at his country home in Rwakitura with a view of requesting him to extend it. Subsequently he turned to Mr. Keith Muhakanizi, the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury and Finance Minister Matia Kasaija persuading them to prevail upon President Museveni to have his contract renewed but the two didn’t do much as they feared it would backfire.

However, with no response, Kasekende shifted his lobbying to a top Catholic prelate in Kampala but the presidency handlers refused to enlist him with Kasekende for a meeting because their agenda wasn’t clear. Towards the second week of January, he allegedly tried the Vice Presidency but it did not yield fruits before he was crafted by two city lawyers to have him meet the Kabaka of Buganda so as to use the royal family lobby for him but his contract came to an end before any of the schemes could yield fruits for him.

Below is Dr. Kasekende’s farewell Message to his colleagues at BoU. 

 

Dear All,

As you already know, my contract as Deputy Governor of Bank of Uganda came to an end on January 14, 2020. It has been a great honor to serve in the position of DG for the last 10 years. This is in addition to my first five year term in the same position that stretched over the period 1999 to 2006. I express my profound gratitude to the appointing authority, H.E. President Museveni, for according me the opportunity to serve the Bank, and to represent the country in various continental and international assignments.

I also thank the various Ministers of Finance, Governors and the Board of Directors of the Bank for the support over the many years I have served the Bank.

Last but not least, I would like to thank you all for the love and tremendous support during my employment with BoU. Excluding the years I was at the World Bank and the AfDB, I have spent close to thirty years in total with BoU, thus many of my colleagues have become friends.

As I reflect upon my time at the Bank, I am deeply grateful for all I have met. Serving our country is a worthwhile experience for all of us. We have jointly achieved a lot and should be proud of the tremendous progress for our Bank and our country.

I wish you all nothing but success for the future, and may God bless you all.

Louis Kasekende (PhD)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Lycamobile officially storms Ugandan market

By
George Mangula
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Launching Lycamobile

Lycamobile has officially entered the local market and the likes of MTN Uganda, Airtel Uganda and Uganda Telecom Ltd, among others that provide voice and internet services.

Lycamobile was launched by the first deputy Prime Minister, Gen. Moses Ali, who represented President Yoweri Museveni, during the colourful night event at Sheraton Kampala Hotel.

Ali said the company’s entry into the market was is a testimony that the longstanding peace, security and stability is key in the development trajectory of the country and investment agenda.

Ali, however, tasked Lycamobile proprietors to lower the cost of data, a challenge that many customers in the country have decried.

“You will not regret your decision. Technology is no longer a choice by a necessity. Also, ensure that low-cost data service accessibility is achieved. I encourage you to always come up with practical solutions to grow our economy,” he said, rallying youth to take advantage of the Lycamobile services to solve societal needs.

“It is up to the consumers to take full advantage of this healthy competition,” he said.

With an official handover of the Lycamobile SIM card, Ali launched the mobile company, kicking into motion the operation of the telecom, which joins the likes of MTN, Airtel and Uganda Telecom Ltd, among others who currently operate in what the Minister of ICT, Judith Nabakooba, described as a tough but interesting market.

“The entry is a welcome development. Competition is good and it encourages innovation. Your investment is a sign and vote of confidence in our policies. Focus on broadband policy connectivity to enable affordability, digital inclusion and innovation,” Nabakooba said.

Singer Sheebah Karungi entertaining guests during the launch.

Founded in 2002 by a Sri Lanka-British citizen, Allirajah Subaskaran, the company has a net worth of two billion euros and boosts of 15 million customers across the globe.

According to Vinay Alapati, the Lycamobile director Uganda, the company will use Uganda as its base to explore the East African market. The company, which also operates in South Africa as a virtual technology company, has ventured into mobile network activities for the first time in Uganda.

“It is a partnership with the people of Uganda,” Alapati said, explaining that his dream is to expand the company to all the East Africa Community member states.

He said the company will also will offer special internet connectivity discounts to students in order to boost innovation and technological advances among the youth.

 

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Kampala Parents’ School maintain top spot in PLE results

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

Kampala Parents’ School has maintained its top spot slot in the 2019 Primary Leaving Exams that we released today.

The school has always topped in the previous years in similar examinations making it a number one top destination for parents to enroll their children.

The school was chosen as a venue for the release of the 2019 PLE results by the First Lady who is also the Minister of Education and Sports.

According to the School head teacher Ms Daphine Kato, she praised good performance on teachers who did a lot of research and teaching. She also praised the pupils for discipline and hardworking.

Some of Kampala Parents pupils who score aggregate 4

Amuriat Darlene Marjorie
Rwakabale Darren Adrian
Muwanguzi Wako Victor Emmanuel
Apadete Denis Pearl
Muwonge Ezra Muganzi
Ankunda Joan
Awang Charlene Faith Olaro
Byarugaba Natasha Williams
Kayondo Klaus Timothy
Mahoro Esther
Mulumba Melvin Mathew Kauzi

“I am grateful for this achievement, it is no mean achievement and I want to thank members of staff especially 2019 primary seven teachers, the well-disciplined pupils but above all school directors for providing everything on time” Ms Kato said.

Kampala Parents registered 15 candidates with aggregate 4s, 16 candidates scored aggregate 5 and 22 candidates had aggregate 6.  The school registered 174 candaiates in division one and 54 candidates in division two.

The school is owned by city tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia.

A total of 695, 804 candidates from 13, 475 centres or schools registered for PLE in 2019 and out of this number, 473,893 accounting for 68.2 per cent were from Universal Primary Education (UPE) while 221,912 accounting for 31.8 per cent were from private centres.

While releasing results, UNEB Executive Secretary Dan Odong revealed that Social Studies and English as best done subject while Mathematics and Science were performed poorly.

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English, SST best done subjects as 2019 PLE exams are released

By
Geoffery Serugo
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UNEB Board Chairperson, Prof. Mary Okwakol and UNEB Executive Secretary Dan Odong hand over the results to Minister Museveni.

 

The Uganda National Examination Board has released the 2019 Primary Leaving Exams with Social Studies and English as best done subject.

The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni released the exams at Kampala Parents’ School.

Ms Museveni called on both parents and teachers to uphold their roles in educating children. She also cautioned schools against malpractice especially pre-registration of the learners. She also announced UMA Hall Lugogo as the selection centre for S.1.

UNEB also registered a decline in Mathematics and Science as the worst done subject.

A total of 695, 804 candidates from 13, 475 centres or schools registered for PLE in 2019 and out of this number, 473,893 accounting for 68.2 per cent were from Universal Primary Education (UPE) while 221,912 accounting for 31.8 per cent were from private centres.

In both English and Mathematics performance was poor in questions where candidates were required to apply knowledge in problem solving situations or express themselves freely. Candidates were more comfortable with questions that are direct and based on recall. This situation has persisted over the years. The reports from Examiners, however, indicated that there is an improvement in candidates’ handwriting. Candidates also organized and presented their work more clearly even when the answers are wrong. The number of candidates scoring zero has also reduced greatly compared to previous years.

UNEB indicated an increment in the enrollment of PLE candidates in 2019 as compared to 2018 with an increase of 23,881 (3.6 per cent) as compared to previous year which had 2.4 per cent.

UNEB also reported an increase in the number of learners with special needs at 1,315.

The Examination board also announced a total of 617,150 candidates to have passed the 2019 PLE as compared 599,593 in 2018. The best blind candidate is Ainamani Arthur Rwakitara from Grand Masion primary School Nabbingo in Wakiso district who obtained aggregates 9 in division one.

Overall Performance

A total of 39.182 (11.9 per cent) boys passed in division one as compared to 30.061 (8.5 per cent) girls.

UNEB has withheld results of 1,512 candidates pending investigations.

“The board has sought and obtained approval the Minister in accordance with section 4 (3) of the UNEB Act to withhold results of about 1,512 candidates pending completion of investigation”

 

 

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CAF makes changes in the remaining fixtures for Uganda Cranes in AFCON 2021 qualifiers

By
Our Reporter
-

Due to the changes in the schedule of the 2021 AFCON Final Tournament in Cameroon from June to January, the qualifying fixtures for Uganda Cranes and other African Countries were adjusted by the football governing body on the African Continent (CAF).

Uganda Cranes will now play back to back against South Sudan between 23rd – 31st March 2020. The two games were meant to be played between 31st August and 8th September 2020.

However, the match against Burkina Faso that was slated for October 2020 is now scheduled between 1st – 9th June 2020.

In the last qualifying Group match, Uganda will play Malawi away between the dates of 31st August and 8th September 2020.

Uganda Cranes is unbeaten in Group B after 2 games played against Burkina Faso (0-0) away and Malawi (2-0) at home. The results put Uganda in the driving seat with 4 points and a better 2 goal difference over Burkina Faso in the second position (also 4 points).

After the confirmation of the changes in fixtures by CAF, Uganda Cranes will have a busy schedule in March for both the Senior A-Team and the local-based CHAN Team that will be playing the final tournament in the same month in Cameroon.

The Changes also affected the start of FIFA World cup 2022 World Cup Qualifiers which have now been switched from March to October 5th-13th.

AFCON 2021 Group B remaining Fixtures

Match Day 3 & 4

23rd – 31st March 2020
Uganda Vs South Sudan

South Sudan Vs Uganda

Match Day 5

1st – 9th June 2020
Uganda vs Burkina Faso

Match Day 6

31st August – 8th September 2020
Malawi vs Uganda

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Public-private partnership commits $18m to accelerate access to health services in Uganda, others

By
Our Reporter
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Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng

Johnson & Johnson, Lilly Novartis Pfizer GSK and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have joined forces with Last Mile Health and Living Goods to increase access to community-based primary healthcare for nearly 1.7 million people in up to six African countries, as part of their shared commitment to accelerate universal health coverage. The Health Worker Training Initiative is a three-year investment, generously matched by The Audacious Project, and totals US$18 million.

Harnessing the synergy of cross-industry collaboration is key to advancing universal health coverage. Living Goods and Last Mile Health have pioneered the community health worker model and are continually exploring novel approaches to training and retaining community health workers.

By teaming up with Johnson & Johnson, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, GSK and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, precious resources and acumen can be maximized. All are united by the belief that community health workers play a catalytic role, and all share a commitment towards advancing universal health coverage.

Leveraging the unique expertise of each organization will drive tech innovation and deepen impact. In addition to financial contributions, industry partners will contribute disease-specific expertise and experience in the discovery and development of new tools, which will supplement the community health worker models pioneered by Last Mile Health and Living Goods, in partnership with government.

Investing in community health workers produces some of the best returns in health. Community health workers can yield a 10:1 return on investment, due to a healthier population, increased employment, and lower odds of health crises. In addition, community health workers can help primary healthcare systems serve the majority of a population’s health needs, which means community health workers are one of the most efficient and effective ways to achieve universal health coverage. This partnership is a response to the growing call to action globally to advance universal health coverage and Sustainable Development Goal 3.

“Focused investment in community health workers can accelerate progress to make universal health coverage a reality,” said Dave Ricks, chairman and CEO of Lilly and president of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations. “Public-private collaboration is critical to help governments lower barriers to quality care and innovative medicines that save and improve people’s lives.”

“Community health workers are the critical frontline to sustainably impact the health of communities in resource poor settings,” said Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis.  “Novartis is committed to strengthening healthcare systems and is proud to be part of this coalition to use digital technologies to reimagine the future of community health delivery.”

The three-year investment will cover three areas:

Supporting the training and deployment of 2,500 digitally-enabled community health workers, reaching nearly 1.7 million people by 2022. Community health workers will be trained and deployed in Liberia, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi and up to two additional countries.

Supporting Last Mile Health’s Community Health Academy, which is an open source, digital learning platform for community health workers and health systems leaders used worldwide. Training curricula for community health workers initially focuses on diarrheal diseases, family planning, malaria and pneumonia, with further modules expected to address non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension.

Contributing expertise and personnel to Living Goods’ new Kenya Performance Lab to develop mobile-based tech innovations that will improve community health worker productivity, strengthen supply chains and better identify obstacles to coverage. The Lab will leverage the knowledge and assets of partners in areas including data science, behavior change, performance management, analytics and technical health expertise. Innovations would be introduced in Kenya and then scaled to other countries within the broader initiative.

Together, these pieces of the investment aim to scale up access to life-saving primary healthcare while building stronger, tech-enabled community health programs for the future.

“Well-trained community health workers play an integral role in providing quality care in low-resource settings,” said Andrin Oswald, Co-chair of the CEO Roundtable Executive Council and Director of Life Sciences Partnerships at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “The Gates Foundation is committed to working with partners across sectors to achieve universal health coverage, which is necessary to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and reducing the burden of diseases that disproportionately affect pregnant women and young children. We thank the companies involved in this initiative for their efforts to increase data-driven solutions to train and deploy effective community health workers.”

“This partnership will play a critical role in helping to scale and empower the world’s most promising health resource—community health workers—so that they can thrive and effectively save lives,” said Dr. Jane Aceng, Uganda’s Minister of Health. “Ensuring community health workers have the right training, digital technology, medical equipment and supervision is critical for ensuring they can help transform health outcomes, no matter where people live.”

Each of the six investors will contribute US$ $1.5 million total over the next three years. This funding will be matched by the Audacious Project through an existing US$50 million matching commitment to scale community health workers in Africa, resulting in an US$18 million total investment.

This investment will also support the sustainability of community health worker programs. Living Goods and Last Mile Health partner with governments to deploy digitally-empowered community health workers. Not only will this partnership support community health workers to reach more patients, but the curricula and tools developed through the investment will support improved community health worker performance for years to come.

“We are inspired that healthcare companies are taking collective action to strengthen community health systems in the public sector across sub-Saharan Africa to advance universal health coverage,” said Liz Jarman, CEO of Living Goods, and Dr. Raj Panjabi, CEO of Last Mile Health. “This partnership is much more than a financial commitment; it joins a growing movement of philanthropists, companies, and governments that have committed to scale digitally-empowered community health workers and build stronger primary healthcare systems across Africa to ultimately save more lives.”

 

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Janet Museveni defends releasing 2019 PLE results at Kampala Parents School

By
Our Reporter
-
First Lady, Janet Museveni

The First Lady, Janet Museveni who also doubles as the Minister of Education and Sports, has explained that the decision to release 2019 Primary Leaving Examinations results tomorrow at Kampala Parents School (KPS) was based on the cost as the school’s administration will not charge any fee to have the function held there at the school.

Mrs Museveni said:  “We are not paying anything to release the results there (KPS). We are strictly not willing to pay for halls when we have government halls.”

She said they normally use President’s Office Hall but currently has problems with its air conditioning system. “It has had problems with its air conditioning and has not been working and you don’t put people in areas where they have no fresh air …We are looking for other places where we can go and yet not pay. That is how we got to Kampala Parents,” she said.

The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) will release results tomorrow Friday from Kampala Parents’ School. A total of 695,793 candidates sat for PLE, of whom 51.7 percent are girls.

The results for Uganda Ordinary Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations are expected to be released two weeks later, while those for Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) will be released by the end of February.

Candidates will be able to access their examination results via mobile phones as soon as they are released.
One will be required to send a well-formatted SMS as follows: Type “PLE, UCE, UACE,” leave a space, then type index number and send it to 6600 on networks as will be specified by the board at the time of the release of the results. There should be no spaces in the index number. For example, UCE U2769/018.

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