Stanbic Bank
Stanbic Bank
19 C
Kampala
Stanbic Bank
Stanbic Bank
Home Blog Page 1242

Germany commits Shs140b to EAC for immunisation programme

Claudia Imwolde-Krämer (R) with another official

 

The Federal Republic of Germany has committed Euro 35 million (about Shs140 billion) to East African Community to be invested in vaccination programmes in the Partner States.

Speaking at the EAC headquarters,  Senior Policy Officer from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development recently, Ms Claudia Imwolde-Krämer said Germany is contributing Euro 35 million to immunization programmes in the EAC. “I appreciate and acknowledge the EAC’s efforts to immunize every child in the region”.

In his remarks, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Planning and Infrastructure, Eng. Steven Mlote said the visit by Ms Imwolde-Krämer reaffirms the strong ties of friendship and cooperation between the EAC and the Federal Republic of Germany. “Indeed, the Federal Republic of Germany and the EAC have historically had strong and cordial relations dating back to the founding of the EAC, 20 years ago”, added Eng. Mlote.

Eng. Mlote noted that the two partners been cooperating in different areas with notable achievements being realized in the   Health and Pharmaceutical Sectors; Trade and Customs; Agriculture as well as Tourism.

He  thanked Germany for her generous support to the EAC, noting that the collaboration between the two parties continues to grow and become stronger.

Germany has been supporting immunisation programmes in the region in close collaboration with the EAC and Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI)) since 2013. The region has made great progress in introducing new, life-saving vaccines.

 

Stories Continues after ad

SC Villa to be relegated – Coach Asaph Mwebaze predicts the 2019/20 UPL table

Asaph Mwebaze

Ugandan football tactician Asaph Mwebaze has predicted his 2019/20 Uganda Premier League table.

Mwebaze has tipped Vipers to win the league ahead of KCCA and two of the promoted clubs to be relegated – Proline and Kyetume together with record champions SC Villa.

“The Championship fight will be amongst the three, Vipers, KCCA and URA. But Vipers will win it because Golola is back at his spiritual home. KCCA will burn out due to the champions league schedule and a young and inexperienced team. URA FC will blow hot and cold but won’t get to fourth gear. They have bought a new team that will take long to play in sync,” Mwebaze says in his Facebook post.

“Mbarara, police and Tooro will give the big boys a run for their money but will be satisfied finishing in the top six. Their financial muscle doesn’t allow them to push beyond that level.

“Bul FC, Onduparaka, Wakiso and Busoga will fight to get points to stay comfortable in the league, though they may start off the blocks like a man on steroids. Bul FC are more satisfied being in the league than achieving anything substantial. Onduparaka has lost very many players in the off season, this may be a testing time. Wakiso looks good on paper but the league is a phenomena. This season would best for them to establish themselves than having grandiose expectations. Busoga United will not offer much but can pick good points at home which might prove vital.

“The relegation battle is going to be a six prolonged affair. This will involve Express, Bright stars, Maroons FC, Proline, Villa and Kyetume. It would be or is unfair to Involve Proline in this mix but they I find it impossible not to, considering the strength of their squad and the age factor. Unless they learn to get results ugly and win away from home or avoid defeat, they are candidates for the scrap.

“The departure of Kajoba from Bright stars might have created a tricky and sticky situation at the club. The replacement might find problems with the squad the former coach assembled. To get them playing will not be easy. I see them in for a long hard season,” he says.

“Express, for sure are a pale shadow of themselves. They have lost almost all the squad of the previous season and have not been active in the market. “I don’t see them performing miracles, they may go down like they have almost done in the last three seasons.”

“Maroons FC after surviving the drop by the skin of their teeth, will unfortunately be in it again. They have appointed a new Coach which can either be a plus or a recipe for trouble. The blue print was discarded for the money transfers. Unless they can sustain this option they will struggle to the end.

“Villa the most successful club in Ugandan football history is going to be it the relegation battle again. For a club that was built to win, it’s a shame that their team is so unrecognizable! Villa now picks players in open try outs like a newly promoted side,”  he says.

For Kyetume, he says, “it’s an issue of somebody must go down! Nothing personal, but three teams must be relegated and usually a team from big league must go down. So Kyetume is my number one candidate for relegation.”

Asaph Mwebaze has previously managed Maroons, Onduaparaka FC and Nyamityobora FC in the Uganda Premier League and is currently out of employment.

Mwebaze’s Uganda premier league table standing prediction 2019/20;

  1. Vipers SC
  2. KCCA FC
  3. URA FC
  4. Mbarara
  5. Tooro
  6. Police
  7. Bull
  8. Onduparaka
  9. Wakiso
  10. Busoga
  11. Express
  12. Bright stars
  13. Maroons
  14. Proline
  15. SC Villa
  16. Kyetume

 

Stories Continues after ad

Bobi Wine mourns Ziggy Wine 

Late Ziggy Wine

 

 

Kyadondo East Member Parliament Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine has mourned Michael Kalinda, commonly known as Ziggy Wine an ardent supporter of People Power who succumbed to injuries sustained following his abduction.

Ziggy Wyne was reportedly abducted by unknown people on his way to the studios in Kamwokya on July 21, 2019, and later found dumped in Mulago Hospital with his eye plucked out and two fingers cut off. Ziggy Wine was a member of the Firebase Crew which is led by Mr. Kyagulanyi.

“Ziggy Wyne’s last days on earth were very painful. Those who kidnapped him did to him the worst things a human being can do to another- cut off his fingers, plucked out his eye, grossly tortured him, and left him to die a very painful death,” he said.

Bobi wine describe Ziggy Wyne as a solid member of the Firebase Crew, a hard-working young man, and ardent supporter of People Power looking forward to a better country.

“It is very painful that our brother had to go through this. Last night we visited the grieving family at Mulago and they are completely devastated. I don’t know how those who carry out these atrocities on the citizens of Uganda hope to pay back for the tears they have caused to so many families and communities,” he wrote on social media.

He said the state of our country is worrying, Ziggy is just one of the countless people who are kidnapped, tortured and murdered daily in our nation.

“We receive reports of many supporters disappearing, while others have died in questionable ways, including suspicious accidents. As we mourn our brother, may we resolve to work even harder to redeem our country from this terror? May God receive your soul in eternal glory?”

 

 

Stories Continues after ad

After leaving Uganda, plane kills South Africans

Two South Africans killed in plane crash.

 

 

A plane crashed in western Tanzania on Saturday, killing two South African nationals who had been involved in last month’s successful attempt to fly a home-built aircraft from Cape Town to Cairo, officials said.

The crashed Sling plane, which entered Tanzanian airspace from Uganda en route to Malawi, made a distress signal about engine failure before disappearing from radar, according to the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA).

“The pilot and passenger, both South African citizens, were killed in the plane crash that occurred shortly after take off from Tabora airport at around 7:30 am,” Sikonge district commissioner Peres Magiri told ITV television station.

The plane was destroyed by fire after the crash and only the engine and some other parts were recovered. It was owned by a South African organisation known as U-Dream Global.

On the group’s Facebook account, it said the Tanzanian accident involved the flight support aircraft for the Cape to Cairo Challenge and that project directors, Des Werner and Werner Froneman lost their lives. No one else was involved in the accident, U-Dream Global said.

South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation said it has activated its consular services to support affected families.

U-Dream Global, made international headlines in June when a group of students successfully built a four-seater Sling aircraft and then flew it from Cape Town to Cairo in July.

On its website, U-Dream Global is described as a not-for-profit organisation founded by teen pilot and motivational speaker Megan Werner in 2018.

 

Stories Continues after ad

Tadeo Lwanga completes move to Egyptian Premier League side

Tadeo Lwanga

 

Uganda Cranes defensive midfielder Tadeo Lwanga has completed a move to Egyptian top flight club Tanta Sports Club on a two year deal.

The former Vipers and SC Villa captain becomes the fifth Ugandan player to move to the Egyptian top tier clubs.

He was part of the Cranes team at the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Tournament in Egypt featuring in two of the four games that Uganda Cranes played at the championship as a substitute.

“I can confirm that I have left Vipers SC after the expiration of my contract. This has been a tough decision to make despite being offered a new contract by the club.” Lwanga said

“There will be the opportunity to talk properly when the time is right, but right now I would like to thank everyone at the club for everything over the past 2 seasons, in particular the club president Lawrence Mulindwa, Mr. Sekankya Simon, CEO Mr Lwanga Peter, the technical director Eddie Butindo, Dr Mathias Kassaga and all the coaches I have worked with at Vipers Sc starting from Coach Miguel Da Costa, Coach Golola Edward, Coach Micheal Ouma, Coach Olaba Tom, Coach Martinez Javier, Coach Ssali, Coach Wasswa and the fitness gems Ram Nyakana and Ssali Edward.” He added

Tanta Sports Club is an Egyptian football and sports club based in Tanta, Egypt. The club is a newly-promoted side to the Egyptian Premier League, the highest league in the Egyptian football league system. The club was established on 5 June 1926 and is one of the oldest football clubs in Africa.

Lwanga started his professional career with Express Football Club in 2014. He has also played for Sports Club Villa Jogoo and lately Vipers SC.

He joins Derrick Nsibambi at Smouha Sports Club, Khalid Aucho at Misr Lel Makkasa Sporting Club, Abdu Lumala at Pyramids and Emmanuel Arnold Okwi who joined Ittihad Alexandria among the players playing professional football in Egypt.

 

Stories Continues after ad

Sudhir and Museveni named among top influential individuals in Uganda

 

Sudhir Ruparelia, the Chairman of the Ruparelia Group has been named among the most influential personalities in Uganda according to a survey conducted by Public Opinions International a Pan African Organisation that operates in Africa and Asia.

The survey was conducted between January 2019 and July 2019.

According to the survey, a section of young Ugandans were asked who inspires them and who they want to emulate when they grow up.

According to Adam Luzindana Buyinza, the executive director of Public Opinions Intention of the list is to inspire young people to achieve their dreams.

Sudhir Ruparelia’s investments are mainly in the areas of banking, insurance, education, broadcasting, real estate, floriculture, hotels, and resorts.

According to Forbes in 2015, he was the 27th wealthiest individual in Africa, with an estimated net worth of US $800 million. Ruparelia was born in Kabatoro in Kasese District in the Western Region of Uganda to an upper-middle-class Indian Gujarati family.

He attended Bat Valley Primary School in Kampala, from P1 to P6, then Jinja Main Street Primary School in Jinja for P7 and Jinja Secondary School.

He moved to the United Kingdom with his parents in 1972 at the age of 16, when the dictator Idi Amin expelled all Asians from Uganda.

He returned to Uganda in 1985, with US$25,000 earned from several casual jobs including working in supermarkets, factories, and butcheries.

Today he owns one of the biggest business empires in the country spanning several sectors.

“Young people must know that everything is possible if one focusses and has discipline,” Buyinza said.

Sixteen Ugandans from the political, social and economic spheres were identified.

The list that does not follow any particular order also includes:

Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni

General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is the President of the Republic of Uganda. General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni became President of the Republic of Uganda on January 26, 1986 after leading a successful five-year liberation struggle.

He went to the bush with 26 other young men and organised the National Resistance Movement and National Resistance Army (NRM/NRA) to oppose the tyranny that previous regimes had unleashed upon the population.

After victory, he formed a broad-based government that helped to unite the country’s political groups. Previous to the struggle of 1981-1986, Museveni had been one of the leaders in the anti-Amin resistance of 1971-1979 that had led to the fall of that monstrous regime.

Museveni, who has been politically active since his student days at Ntare School, Mbarara, in South West Uganda, studied political science at the University of Dar es Salaam, graduating in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Political Science.

After Idi Amin’s coup in 1971, Museveni was instrumental in forming FRONASA (the Front for National Salvation).

Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was born in 1944 during the Second World War and his name was taken from the Abaseveni, who were Ugandan servicemen in the Seventh Regiment of the King’s African Rifles into which many Ugandans had been drafted.

President Museveni is a man with very strong convictions, his political vision on how to lay a foundation for reconciliation and national harmony enabled him to accommodate ideas that were often opposed to his.

One of his greatest contributions to the politics of Uganda, therefore, has been to spearhead a policy of reconciliation after two decades of social and political turmoil.

Under his leadership, the Movement government has ended the vicious circle of vengeance and hatred that had ruined the country.

Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba

Lt General Muhoozi Kainerugaba is a Senior Presidential Adviser for Special Operations since 2017.

Muhoozi Kainerugaba was born on 24th April 1974.

He is a Ugandan military officer. He is a Lieutenant General in the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) and was the commander of the Special Forces Group, which contains the unit known as Presidential Guard Brigade responsible for providing security to the President of Uganda from 2008 to 2017.

The Special Forces Group is also responsible for providing security at Uganda’s oil installations. He is married to Charlotte Nankunda Kutesa, and together they have 3 children, as a child, Kainerugaba attended schools in Tanzania, Mount Kenya Academy in Nyeri Kenya and Sweden.

After his father became President of Uganda, he attended Kampala Parents School, King’s College Budo for a while and St. Mary’s College Kisubi, a residential middle and high school, located approximately halfway between Kampala and Entebbe.

He graduated in 1994.

He was later admitted to Egyptian Military Academy where he took both the company and battalion commanders courses.

He also attended the Kalama Armoured Warfare Training School, in Kabamba, Mubende District, Central Uganda.

In 2007 he was admitted to a one-year course at the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, graduating in June 2008.

Sylvia Nagginda

Her Royal Highness Sylvia Nagginda (born 9 November 1964) is the current Nnabagereka or Queen of Buganda, a historic kingdom in modern-day Uganda.

Nagginda was born in England in 1964 to John Mulumba Luswata of Nkumba, Entebbe and Rebecca Nakintu Musoke and returned to Uganda shortly thereafter to be raised by her grandparents of the Omusu Clan.

She is the granddaughter of George William Musoke and Nora Musoke of Nnazigo, Kyaggwe, and Omutaka Nelson Nkalubo Sebugwawo and Catherine Sebugwawo of Nkumba. She has three brothers and three sisters.

Sylvia attended Lake Victoria Primary School, in Entebbe, Gayaza Junior School, and Wanyange Girls School. After graduating from secondary school she went to the United States to continue her studies.

Emmanuel-Tumusiime-Mutebile

Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile is the Governor Bank of Uganda.

He is a Ugandan economist and banker.

He is the governor of the Bank of Uganda, the central bank of Uganda.

He was first appointed to that position on 1 January 2001 and was re-appointed for a second five-year term on 1 January 2006.

In December 2015, he was re-appointed for a fourth five-year term, effective 12 January 2016.

Prof Tumusiime-Mutebile attended Kigezi College Butobere for his O-Level studies (grades S1-S4).

He then attended Makerere College School in Kampala for his A-Level studies (grades S5-S6).

In 1970, he entered Makerere University, where he was elected Guild President of the university Students’ Guild.

He was forced to flee Uganda in 1972 after he gave a speech publicly criticising the expulsion of Asians from the country by Idi Amin then President of Uganda.

He fled to England via Tanzania, and was able to finish his studies at Durham University, graduating with an upper-second in Economics and Politics.

In 1992, he was appointed permanent secretary to the newly combined Ministry of Finance Planning & Economic Development.

He is the longest serving chief executive in the Bank of Uganda’s history.

Prince Kassim Nakibinge

Prince Kassim Nakibinge is the TITULAR HEAD of the Muslims in Uganda.

Nakibinge is a businessman and Bank executive. He was born in 1966. His father is Badru Kakungulu who died 1991.

He is a paternal uncle to Muwenda Mutebi II, the reigning King of the Great Kingdom of Buganda.

He studied at Kabojja Preparatory School and Savio Junior School for his primary education.

He attended St. Mary’s College Kisubi for his O-Level studies, and Kibuli Secondary School for his A-Level education.

He was admitted at the United States International University in San Diego, California to study business administration, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in business administration.

He pursued postgraduate education at the University of Wales in Cardiff, graduating with a Master of Business Administration degree, majoring in finance.

In 2014, the University of Lahore in Pakistan bestowed upon him an honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree in recognition of his contribution to the promotion of the education of Muslims in Uganda.

Kin Kariisa

Kariisa is the chief executive officer of Next Media, the holding company for NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka, Nxt Radio and a host of other companies.

NBS TV is currently the leading television station in Uganda.

He is also the board chairman of Eco Bank Uganda. He sits on boards of several compnaies.

Kariisa holds a honorary PhD in proven extra ordinary achievement and service in the community and across the world from the United Graduate College, Texas, USA.

He has a Masters degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University of Science and Technology and MBA from United States International University, Nairobi Kenya.

He has done Several courses in Strategic Leadership and Business Management from Harvard University, USA

He holds a Bachelors’ of Statistics degree from Makerere University, Kampala.

Gen Jeje Odongo

General Haji Abubaker Jeje Odongo a Senior Military Officer and Minister of Internal Affairs in the Cabinet of Uganda since June 2016.

Previously he served as Minister of State for Defence from February 2009 to June 2016 Jeje Odongo was born in Amuria District in Teso sub-region in Eastern Uganda.

He attended secondary school at Ngora High School.

He entered the Ugandan army in 1979.

In 1994, Jeje Odongo was one of the Ten Army Officers who represented the Ugandan military in the Constituent Assembly that drafted the 1995 Ugandan Constitution.

In 1996, he was appointed to replace Colonel Sserwanga Lwanga as the Political Commissar in the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF).

Also in 1996, he contested the Parliamentary Seat for Amuria District in Parliament.

In 1998, he resigned his parliamentary seat and his cabinet position and was appointed Commander of the army taking over from Major General Mugisha Muntu.

He served as army commander until 2001, when he was replaced by Major General James Kazini.

In 2001, he was appointed as Minister without Portfolio, a position he occupied until 2004.

In 2004 while at the rank of Lieutenant Gen, Jeje Odongo was appointed as Minister of State for the Environment.

Between 2001 and 2006, he was one of 10 senior UPDF officers who represented the Ugandan Military in the 8th Ugandan Parliament

On 16 February 2009, he was promoted to a general.

 

Stories Continues after ad

CHAN 2020 Qualifiers: Uganda to face Burundi in the second round

Uganda Cranes team

 

Uganda Cranes progressed to the second round of the 2020 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers with a resounding 7-2 aggregate win over Somalia.

Kaddu’s hat-trick and Allan Kyambadde’s solo effort were enough for Uganda to earn a 4-1 win in the second leg in Kampala, having won the first leg 3-1.

They will now play Burundi in the final round of the qualifiers. Burundi knocked out South Sudan with a 4-1 aggregate victory in the first round.

Jose Kutch Nyuar gave South Sudan an early lead in the first half but Iddy Muselemu and Olivier Dusabe scored for Burundi in the second half for the 4-1 aggregate victory.

The first leg will be played on 20th September in Bujumbura and the 2nd leg on 18th October 2019 in Kampala.

The aggregate winner over the two legs will qualify for the final tournament in 2020 that will be staged in Cameroon.

Abdallah Mubiru will remain the interim head coach for the Uganda Cranes and Charles Livingstone Mbabazi as his deputy for the Chan qualifiers. Sadiq Wassa the goalkeeping coach and Geoffrey Massa as the team coordinator.

Uganda Cranes are seeking for their fifth appearance at the 16-team tournament, having played at four CHAN champions in 2011 (Sudan), 2014 (South Africa), 2016 (Rwanda) and lately 2018 (Morocco).

The competing national teams in this championship must be composed of only players playing in their domestic league. That is, a Ugandan player is only eligible to play for the Uganda Cranes if he is playing for a Ugandan club.

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have won it twice, holding it the most times while Morocco are the defending champions.

The competition will be hosted between January and February 2020 in Cameroon. It is held after every two years.

Stories Continues after ad

URA shamed, may sack staff involved in birthday feat during working hours-official

URA Commissioner General, Doris Akol

Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) top managers have apologised to clients after a video emerged showing staff celebrating a colleague’s birthday as many clients stood stranded while waiting to be served.

“We deeply apologise to our clients for this unfortunate experience. We are investigating this matter,” URA said in a statement posted on Twitter on Sunday afternoon.

“URA is a client-focused and responsive organization and this is not the URA way. We assure our clients, great customer experience always. It is because of you that we exist.”

A top manager at Uganda’s tax collector, which is tasked to collect Shs18.3 trillion in domestic taxes for the financial year 2019/20, told this website that those involved are likely to be suspended or lose their jobs. “URA is a client-centered institution and it was wrong that staff had to hold that function in the eyes of waiting clients,” he said, adding that, “Punitive measures are likely to be taken in form of suspension or job loss to those involved.”

The video posted on Facebook by a one Michael Ssuuna shows tens of people standing shocked in a queue, a slap in the face for URA which claims to value customers first. The video shows staff abandon people on the tills and ran to a corner where the singing and merrymaking for a staff member’s birthday was taking place.

Members of the public have reacted differently following the news about the celebrations in the tax body that that projects can still collect Shs20 billion in the current financial year, having surpassed the target last year’s target of Shs16.3 trillion target by Shs300 billion.

Musoni Maurice says: “How on earth do you conduct a birthday party at work. It’s only in Uganda? The entire URA staff should go,, including the CG!! This is beyond!! Kyarenga mazima!!

Masereka Solomon says: “Apology works in home matters, URA is supposed to compensate all client’s because their system is networked to all country branches. Every Ugandan deserves to be compensated 100$ not an apology in economics.”

Luke Dashcom: “Some few months back I told people complaining about waiting time in hospitals of which two of them were URA employees, that it is even worse in their offices, but they said am just arrogant . But really celebrating a birthday during working hours while people wait is next level arrogance. #Twedeko.”

Franco Huntsman “Even if they apologize we interact with them on daily basis we know they don’t deserve the positions they are holding. A tax payer has to be valued at all times. It’s like their positions were sexually transmitted and appointed. Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) please employ people who understand the mission and Vision. How do you neglect people who are developing Uganda? I wish Yoweri Kaguta Museveni can see this.”

Ndagire Lydia Kimberly Miserable people just, some have never had anyone sing a birthday song for them🤭 matches are stopped so that someone can propose, and it’s not’ right but you just have to let people feel loved and enjoy the moment, it doesn’t take forever.”

Eddie Eddie Eddie:  “Apologies it must.. But your obligation required to serve people anytime is a serious relationship requirements in all aspects. You have time to celebrate outside but not time of work… Coz this people your client is also doing something important things to do in life.”

Olango Grace: “The second lady at the head office on the floor where TIN numbers re issued is the worse at customer care, she goes for lunch for 3hrs and returns to work till 4pm, past 4pm she chases u away. I can’t forget that day how everyone sat waiting then later she couldn’t handle all of us coz it was already 4pm. URA leaves a lot to be desired.”

Daniels M Bolton “Is there any institution of government that is on course. All the institutions went down the drain? Where on Earth can a member be allowed to hold such nonsense in the service area? There is no need for an apology, let them search themselves and do the right. Where were the supervisors when they were organizing that nonsense party in that area?”

Christinnah Kimberlie Murungi: “Maybe it was lunch break. That ain’t something u can do in working hours. The person that took the video must be a strong hater of URA or they didn’t give him cake being the first in the line with his head out. Just saying 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️Uganda Zabu!”

According to people, the video portrays the way how staff badly treats clients. The video comes only a few weeks after URA published a shame list of individuals and companies that have failed to remit taxes to URA. It turns out that URA’s own staff could be the cause of such list that owes government billions of shillings in unpaid taxes.

While addressing the press no longer ago URA Commissioner General Doris Akol said the agency had evolved over time to become an authority that elevates transparency, excellence and integrity. But now with the video that has gone viral, her statement has been put to test.

Stories Continues after ad

Don’t wait to catch up until your customers hate you

Martin Zwilling
 

By Martin Zwilling

 

After working in business at all levels, and consulting to entrepreneurs for years, I’m still surprised to see so many situations where things that should be easy are painful to customers, and lead to customers hating your business. How could any rational employee or executive fail to do his or her job, not realize there is a problem, or not care enough to even try to do the right thing?

For example, I recently picked up my phone to call a well-advertised local company for a TV repair. After several iterations of not answering their phone, forgetting a promised callback, to admitting they couldn’t help me, I had no interest in trying them ever again. They don’t realize that their image of incompetence will likely get shared with twenty or more other potential customers.

Of course, every business owner I know will loudly proclaim that could never happen on their watch, but secretly they are not so sure, and would like to know how to prevent it. If you are in that category, you should take a hard look at a new book, “Nincompoopery: Why Your Customers Hate You–and How to Fix It” by John R Brandt, who has some real insight on this problem.

He defines “nincompoopery” as the ill-planned, outdated, or ludicrous organizational structures that turn even the most eager employee into a nincompoop, or at least force him or her to seem like one. He outlines six key macro-trends in business today which makes that make this an ever-growing challenge for leaders, and offers some real guidance on how to mitigate the impact:

Leaders still reeling from competition and recession. Accelerating worldwide competition and financial upheavals are undermining established market positions. You can’t wait, look the other way, and hope things return to normal. Every business leader needs to focus on continuous learning, adapting, and being the role model for the team.

For example, it’s time to regain your optimism, based on new global opportunities now open, healthcare changes, and the power of new technologies, including the Internet-of-Things (IoT). Get out and meet your customers to learn what turns them on these days.

Data-fueled automation requires big skill changes. Connectivity and the ability to mine insights from a data-rich environment can be a huge boon to productivity and profits, or a barrier that will drag you and your team into nincompoopery. Start now looking for and providing advanced training and tools for all team members.

Workforce demographics quickly changing. Remaining baby boomers are making the entire workforce older, while the percentage of women and the mix of ethnic diversity is increasing. Leaders who want the best results must rethink and change now how they find, train, compensate, and retain the best talent – regardless of age, color, or gender.

Different employee work balance expectations. The new generation of workers expects to work more flexible hours and to connect from anywhere. They demand to be empowered to make life tradeoffs, such as vacation scheduling and benefit options, as well as business decisions. Employee engagement is keyed to these expectations.

Economic/social trends demand new employee contract. We now live in a gig economy, where both employers and employees want additional flexibility. The days of working hard and expecting lifetime employment with a retirement plan are gone. You must become the employer of choice, based on incentive and employee-perceived ROI.

Worldwide government regulations complicate process. Customers are demanding more from their public governing units, as well as the businesses that serve them. For example, they want environmental sustainability, safe labor practices, and social responsibility. You need to set these priorities high in your strategic planning focus today.

Ignoring them until later leads to nincompoopery, and recovery is much more difficult than getting it right the first time. Start today in modeling the activities of recognized leaders in this area, including Whole Foods, Toms Shoes, Warby Parker, and Patagonia.

Don’t wait until your current customers hate you, to start reacting to these trends, and trying to build new processes, a smarter team, and more innovative solutions to fend off the curses of nincompoopery.

These real requirements for business success haven’t changed in a long time. Don’t let the challenges we all face today distract you from delivering a positive and memorable experience to all your customers.

 

Stories Continues after ad

Chief Justice condemns hooliganism in Stela Nyanzi case, calls for more security at courts

Justice Bart Katureebe

 

 

The Chief Justice of Uganda Bart Katureebe and other judicial officers are dismayed by acts of hooliganism that culminated into yet another assault on a judicial officer in the course of her duties. He described them as uncivilized, offensive and disrespectful of the sanctity of the courts.

On Friday, a charged group of activists  over run security and Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Court, vandalizing court property, including videoconferencing and security gadgets.

They also threw empty bottles of mineral water at the face of Ms. Cladys Kamasanyu, a Grade One Magistrate while delivering her verdict in a case of social activist Dr. Stella Nyanzi. The Magistrate convicted Dr. Nyazi on the offense of “cyber harassment” and sentenced her to 18 months in prison after posting a Facebook poem using graphic imagery as a metaphor for President Yoweri Museveni’s alleged “oppression, suppression and repression” over 33 years of rule.

Justice Katureebe in Saturday’s press release, commended Kamasanyu for remaining calm throughout the proceedings and the assault on her, saying that acts of hooliganism have no place in a civilized society.

“This kind of thing is not acceptable…we condemn this kind of hooliganism in the strongest possible terms. We hope the culprits are quickly identified and brought to book,” Katureebe said.

“We are working hand in hand with relevant authorities to ensure that there is adequate security for all judicial officers. I have already asked the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to raise the matter courts’ security as a matter of urgency in Cabinet,” he said.

The Judiciary’s Permanent Secretary Pius Bigirimana, who also condemned the assault on the magistrate, has also said that judicial officers must be protected as they perform their duties.

The Chief Registrar, Ms Esta Nambayo said judicial officers are merely neutral arbiters who carefully here both parties in a matter before making a verdict according to the law. “The law gives dissatisfied parties a right to appeal an judicial decision up to the Supreme  Court,” she said, adding that Kamasanyu dutifully played her part in the case of Dr. Nyanzi and that anyone not satisfied with the verdict has the right to appeal in stated of engaging in silence.

She said the courts simply adjudicate cases and the public is allowed to follow proceedings. “We find it callous for litigants to organise crowds to try to undermine judicial independence. If we want to be governed by the rule of law, then we must allow institutions to operate and that is why the Constitution provides for the courts,” she said.

This is not the first time that a judicial officer is attacked in court in the recent years.

In November 2017, Fred Kyaligonza, a suspect, jumped from the dock and pounced on Masindi chief magistrate Catherine Angwero and beat her up until he was overpowered by prison warders.

She had convicted him of failure to pay damages arising from a court case in which a money lender, James Magadu, dragged him to court for failing to pay back a loan he contracted.

 

 

 

Stories Continues after ad