Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) are stepping up their support for refugees and people affected by forced displacement, including hosting communities, across a wide range of sectors and policy instruments.

The pledges were made by the African Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank and the World Bank Group.

“Forced displacement is not only a humanitarian issue, but also a developmental issue which calls for holistic, inclusive and durable solutions. This includes supporting our regional member countries in the prevention of forced displacement by addressing drivers of fragility and building resilience in Africa as well as significantly expanding livelihood opportunities in rural and urban areas,” said Yero Baldeh, Director of the Transition States Coordination Office at the African Development Bank.

He was speaking during the Global Refugee Forum, being held from 16 to 18 December in Geneva, Switzerland.

“Fostering stronger strategic partnerships in this regard is absolutely crucial, which was also highlighted by President Adesina during the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development last week,” Baldeh said.

More than 70 million people are forcibly displaced globally, with African countries hosting about 8 million refugees and 16 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). In order to help resolve these often times protracted situations, in December 2019, African Development Fund (ADF) donors committed US$7.6 billion to help address fragility, build resilience and stimulate inclusive growth in 37 African countries. The ADF is the concessional window of the African Development Bank Group.

The MDB Coordination Platform on Economic Migration and Forced Displacement is strengthening regional, national and local coordination, and targeted programming in order to advance socio-economic and climate resilience, women empowerment, and the creation of decent jobs, particularly for the youth, to mention a few of the core areas.

The MDBs will also promote and support the essential contribution of the private sector to developing sustainable and inclusive programmes with refugees and host communities.

The Global Compact on Refugees is a framework to ensure more predictable and equitable sharing of responsibility. The MDBs acknowledged the importance of the Compact as a key enabler to help achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has officially opened state of art food safety laboratories, which will enhance safety and quality of food through testing of foods for adulterants and for assessment of product quality and nutritive value.

Speaking at the function of opening of laboratories, the State Minister for Trade, Michael Werikhe said, “Government has prioritized the construction of laboratories which will go a long way in improving the entire food control system in Uganda.”

“The impact of unsafe products and services globally is very grave and has severe implications on the health, safety and livelihood of the people. Trade has become much more globalized as well as movement of goods which has increased risk of unsafe products, trade disputes and product recall,” Werikhe said.

The UNBS Executive Director, Dr. Manyindo revealed that the UNBS laboratories are now internationally accredited which means their results are recognized globally.

“Our labs now act as centres of excellence in training other laboratory practitioners from industry and other government institutions both from Uganda, the EAC region, and many African countries,” Dr. Manyindo said.

The new laboratories will improve the turnaround time in the laboratories, which will further facilitate trade, as well as increase revenue growth that will lead to further development of the country.

UNBS also awarded small enterprises that have been certified over the years and have been consistent in implementing standards and having their products certified companies that have consistently renewed their permits and those that have never been suspended or had products seized for non-conformity.

These included owners of brands like Kaziire drinks, Bessa drinks, Numa flour products, Banna Font Packaged Natural Mineral water, YILDI Lemon Grass Flavoured Black Tea and Denovo bread among others

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On-site renewable energy solutions can cost-effectively supply refugee communities with low-cost, reliable electricity, according to the findings of a new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in cooperation with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. There are currently almost 26 million refugees in the world today. Unreliable energy exposes them to additional and associated risks which renewables can serve to overcome.

Renewables for refugee settlements: Sustainable energy access in humanitarian situations, released at the Global Refugee Forum currently taking place in Geneva, examines the energy needs at refugee camps and identifies renewables-based solutions for four sites in Iraq and Ethiopia. Solar mini-grids in particular, are highlighted as being able to boost the efficiency of humanitarian operations, avoid costly diesel consumption, and support recently arrived refugees with immediate, reliable electricity access.

The report was launched as both organisations agreed in a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance their existing cooperation on promoting renewable energy solutions for the improvement of the humanitarian situation for millions of people displaced from their homes today.

“In line with our Global Strategy for Sustainable Energy, we aim to ensure that refugees can meet their basic energy needs in exile while also minimizing environmental degradation. Sustainable energy access will bridge this gap, enabling refugees to pursue education, supporting businesses and social enterprises, spurring innovation and exponentially enhancing the safety and well-being of people and communities, until such time that they can return home,” said UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi. “This report and this new partnership between IRENA and UNHCR, is the beginning of an important alliance to mainstream access to energy for refugees and displaced people as well as their local communities, ensuring that they are not left behind.”

“Renewables can quickly and effectively change the lives of refugees for the better,” added IRENA’s Director-General Francesco La Camera. “Off-grid and grid connected small and medium sized solar installations are available, affordable and can bring reliable power to millions of displaced people around the world. We are looking forward to closely work and support UNHCR in its effort to protect life in humanitarian situations. Renewable solutions could become essential to the humanitarian toolkit.”

The study contributes to UNHCR’s Global Strategy for Sustainable Energy 2019-2024 and highlights prime opportunities to strengthen any humanitarian operation which can be replicated in other similar situations.

Findings and recommendations of the new report are based on data collected from field missions to the Darashakran and Domiz camps in Iraq and Tsore and Sherkole in Ethiopia.

It concludes that in Iraq, blackouts and brownouts remain frequent even at grid-connected settlements, leaving refugees and the humanitarian community dependent on expensive, polluting diesel generators.

In Ethiopia, most refugees lack any reliable access to electric lighting. Stand-alone solar systems with battery banks could cushion the impact of voltage fluctuations on the grid. Larger solar parks could provide electricity in and around settlements, as well as creating an enduring asset for host communities.

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The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda The Most Rev Stanley Ntagali has urged parents to stand firm for the families of the nation, salvation and a spirited fight against greed, witchcraft and corruption.

For the last three years, church of Uganda has been focusing on promoting the Family and Children, the back of a living and triumph nation.

In his Christmas message, the Archbishop said families are grappling with domestic violence, marital infidelity, pornography, human trafficking; defilement; pre-marital sex, homosexuality, abortion, illness and untimely deaths from road accidents, poor medical care for women giving birth, and preventable and treatable diseases that still take many lives.

“At Christmas, we need to remember that we are celebrating the birth of a child into a family. Like many of us, Jesus was born into poverty and grew up in a small village. God’s favour was not only on Jesus, but also on his mother, Mary, and his family. Remember the wise men that enriched this family with their treasures? I pray for such favour on our children and on our families today.”

He castigated parents and several adult relatives for being greedy, going to the shrines and engaging in witchcraft that puts children at risk of being sacrificed. And expressed his grievances over UN’s pro-promiscuity, pro-gay, and pro-abortion sexual agenda that are trying to infiltrate Uganda, sneaking through re-writing government policies and through UN-funded NGO’s.

 “We continue to say ‘No’ to Comprehensive Sexuality Education and fully support UJCC’s efforts to intervene on this matter. We also say ‘No’ to efforts to legalize abortion. There is plenty of evidence that demonstrates that legalizing abortion is not a significant factor in reducing maternal mortality, despite the rhetoric we commonly hear. Abortion is just another form of child sacrifice and our government should not legalize it.” He said

He applauded the youths with support from our partners developed an App called ‘Just Good Work’ which is a free interactive mobile app that aims to promote safe migration and prevent human trafficking and exploitation of migrant workers in labour supply chains by providing informed, safe, transparent pathways to work. Just Good Work gives job-seekers and workers critical information on working abroad in simple, jargon- free, home language.

The app provides information and advice on your rights and responsibilities during the recruitment process and at work in your destination country. The app gives workers abroad guidance on accessing help and advice at every stage of their employment, including returning home. It provides insights into life and work in specific countries, on topics such as the weather, local customs and leisure activities.

The goal of the app is to make sure Ugandans have access to safe and decent work that enhances the quality of their lives and is free from exploitation. That they have the information they need to make safe decisions about taking work abroad.

“I send warm Christmas greetings to His Excellency, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Mama Janet Museveni and their entire family. To all our government and civic leaders, all the Bishops and their wives, the Clergy, Lay Readers and all Christians of the Church of Uganda. I also send my sincere greetings, along with prayers for a blessed Christmas to our Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Pentecostal brethren, and all those who have looked in hope to the Child who has been born and the Son who has been given, Jesus the Christ.”

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MTN Uganda has decided to make its data bundles unlimited for its subscribers. The chief executive officer (CEO) Wim Vanhelleputte on Tuesday announced the ‘freedom data bundles’ saying they never expire as had been the case in the past.

Vanhelleputte announced the launch of the unlimited bundles during the inaugural annual information and technology (ICT) Expo at Nakawa and encouraged MTN subscribers to embrace the service.

“I take this opportunity to announce the long awaited MTN Freedom bundles. You can now get data bundles that never expire. Simply dial *150*7# to enjoy the freedom,” he said, adding that it has been the concern of subscribers in Uganda as well as Nigeria and Ghana where they have sister companies.

He said MTN subscribers would surf the internet till their data bundles are used up. At first all bundles would expires after 24 hours even if one had not used it from the time of subscribing.

The bundles have been welcomed by many MTN subscribers saying, it is the best Christmas present this year. “2020 blessings have been bestowed on us this early courtesy of MTN” One Muya Chris wrote on twitter.

The outgoing ICT minister Frank Tumwebaze, thanked MTN for the initiative, saying that it would boost ICT uptake in the country.

Despite the good gesture from telecom companies to make data cheap, subscriber still believe social media tax levied per day is a hindrance to the enjoyment of the internet.  The Social Media tax requires users to pay a tax of Shs20 per day to access over-the-top (OTT) services

Recently the company introduced voice bundles that can call across all networks. Despite all the incentives, MTN subscribers have decried the depletion rate of data bundles and called for reduction of prices for people to embrace internet services.

However, analysts say MTN is using the freedom bundles as one of the strategies for government to renew its licences at favourable conditions.

Among others, Government wants MTN Uganda to register on the Uganda Securities Exchange so that Ugandans can buy shares in the company whose parent company MTN Group is domiciled in South Africa.

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