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Fenix reaches 500,000 customers in six African markets and announces new team

By
George Mangula
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Finex International executives with President Museveni.

Fenix International, a company of ENGIE, offering Solar Home Systems across Africa has appointed co-founder and current COO Brian Warshawsky to the role of CEO to drive the next phase of the company’s ambitious growth plans. Warshawsky is succeeding Lyndsay Handler who has been with the company for 7 years and served as CEO since 2016. Warshawsky is well-placed to lead the company, having previously spent 5 years at Apple as part of the iPod Operations team before co-founding Fenix International in 2009. Having worked as COO with Fenix from inception, Brian has a deep understanding of the business from product design to manufacturing, country operations, distribution and last-mile customer experience.

Ivan Topalov, who previously served as Corporate Finance Director has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer following the departure of the previous CFO, Josh Romisher, in June. The company has also appointed a new Head of Customer Credit, Alison Boess, reporting to the CEO.

Yoven Moorooven, CEO of ENGIE Africa, said, “Brian is a highly regarded leader with the right mix of skills and experience to lead this new chapter for Fenix as we continue to establish ourselves as the market leader across Africa. With commercial operations in Uganda, Zambia, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Benin and Mozambique, Fenix is growing from strength to strength. Under Brian’s leadership I’m incredibly excited for the future of our decentralized energy offering in Africa.” 

He continued, “I join everyone at ENGIE and the Fenix team in thanking Lyndsay, Jit and Chris for their many years of dedicated service and commitment to the Fenix Mission. Under their leadership, Fenix transformed millions of lives across the continent and built an inspiring team that is driven to succeed.” 

Brian Warshawsky, newly appointed CEO commented, “While it is difficult to say goodbye to such incredible colleagues and collaborators through so many years, I’m proud to be able to continue their legacy. On behalf of the Fenix team I would like to thank Jit for his technology leadership and the work he did to build Fenix Power, our next generation solar home system platform. I would like to thank Chris for his commercial and marketing leadership as Fenix grew from a few customers in Uganda to 500,000 customers across 6 countries in Africa. And I would like to especially thank Lyndsay for leading Fenix through so many milestones, most recently the ENGIE acquisition and establishing Fenix as the strongest off-grid solar home system company in the industry.”

He added, “Backed by a world class product, a world class team and with the full support of ENGIE, I am excited for what we will do to take our life changing product to customers across the continent. We are now set for an exciting future as we continue our expansion across Africa and achieving universal energy access for all.”

Lyndsay Handler added, “Building Fenix from 2011 to 2017 and accelerating our growth following the acquisition by ENGIE in 2018 has truly been an honour. Together, we have delivered clean, affordable energy to over 500,000 households or 2.5 million people in six countries across Africa. I am especially proud of the way we built a passionate Fenix team based in Africa who are deeply committed to our mission, values, and customers. Looking ahead, I am happy to pass the torch to our co-founder Brian and I am confident that the entire team will put the customer first in all that we do in Fenix’s next chapter. I hope that Fenix will continue to create new products and drive forward innovation so that clean energy is affordable to all at the last mile.”

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Legislators, civil society want enforcement of strict broadcasting guidelines

By
Isaiah Mwebaze
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Members of Parliament and other guests.

 

 

Legislators and women rights’ activists have asked the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and Uganda Media Council to enforce professional code of ethics on all media houses in the country.

Members of the civil society said that some media houses need to avoid broadcasting or publishing content that negatively portrays women and erodes their dignity and that of their families.

The call was made in the wake of utterances by Pastor Aloysius Bugingo that his Teddy was suffering from incurable ailments.

“A case in point is seen in the recent case of Pastor Bugingo’s repeated negative utterances against his wife on social media channels that has continued to get to the public including children,” said Angella Asiimwe, the Program Officer Akina Mama waAfrika during a press conference held at Parliament Thursday, 18 July 2019.

Asiimwe and several leaders of civil society organizations under the Domestic Violence Act Coalition joined MPs under Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA) to make a call to curb violence against women and girls in the country.

Mbwatekamwa Gaffa noted with concern that UCC had exhibited selective deterrence of broadcast and publishing of events that breach minimum broadcasting standards.

MPs called for an urgent consideration of the Marriage and Divorce Bill, which they said would provide a potential solution to domestic violence against spouses in marriages.

“We have laws on marriage and laws on divorce, so Parliament sought to merge them in the Marriage and Divorce Bill. But the aspect of bride pride in the bill took it a step back,” said Kamateeka.

The civil society members urged Parliament to prioritize the passing of the bill that would define a dignified process of marriage and divorce, with a call for continued public support.

“We recognize the considerable progress Uganda has made in legislation to address violence of women. We commend the Ministry of Gender for promoting the National Policy for Preventing Gender Based Violence, which will make Uganda a safer place for women and girls if implemented,” said Grace Nakirijja, the Programs officer Centre for Domestic Violence Prevention.

The Domestic Violence Act Coalition condemns demeaning sexist behavior towards women by their estranged intimate partners, to uphold their dignity at all times.

 

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Judiciary launches  book on economic, social and cultural rights

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Officials launching the book.

 

 

The Deputy Chief Justice, Alfonso Owiny Dollo, has launched a Resource Book on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR).

The launch was one of the highlights of a two day Training Workshop on the book usage for Judicial Officers at the Lake Victoria Serena in Kigo.

A cross-section of Judicial Officers is took part in the workshop, held under the theme: Strengthening Rule of Law and Accountability for Human Rights Violations.

Speaking during the launch, then Justice Dollo the manual is an important tool in ensuring human rights and environmental justice. “The manual is intended to reinforce the credibility and capacity of human rights defenders of grassroots groups, social movements, NGOs, academic centers, the private sector and the courts of judicature”, he said.

Justice Dollo observed that ESCR is an important tool that helps to unite women and men, migrants and indigenous people, youth and elders, of all races, religious, political orientations, and economic and social backgrounds, in the pursuit of a common realization of universal human freedom and dignity.

He also advised all the participants to utilize the book to promote the rule of law in Uganda.

The DCJ equally commended Dr Christopher Mbazira, the consultant, for producing a great publication as well as the Judicial Training Institute for supervising the consultancy.

Stakeholders in the Justice Law and Order Sector are also taking part in the workshop which is supported by the United Nations Human Rights.

 

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Gov’t to increases fines and penalties for traffic offences

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Minister Azuba

 

 

Government has introduced new traffic and road safety proposals intended to strengthen road transport regulation and management but will see an increase in fines and penalties for traffic offences including a 10-year jail time for death from reckless driving.

The proposals are contained in the Traffic and Road Safety Act 1998 (Amendment) Bill, 2019, presented to Parliament by Works Minister, Eng. Monica Azuba.

The Bill seeks to amend the 1998 Traffic and Road Safety Act taking into account new and emerging trends and dynamics in road transport and road safety management, the increased number of road users, and the need to conform to the regional and international agreements Uganda is signatory to.

In the amendment, government proposes that a convicted offender leading to the death or causes injury to a person will be liable to 10  years in prison.

“A person who causes the death of any person by reckless driving of a motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to imprisonment of not exceeding 10 years,” reads part of the Bill.

The current law provides for a penalty of a maximum of Shs5 million or five years imprisonment upon conviction.

The Deputy Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah, referred the Bill to the House Committee on Physical Infrastructure, which according to the Rules of Procedure, has 45 days within which to report to the plenary.

The Minister said that the current law does not provide the definition of careless, reckless and dangerous driving, which would be required to guide Police in their application.

In the Bill, reckless driving refers to disregard of the rules of the road or driving without proper caution. Reckless driving includes driving over the prescribed limit, failing to use signals, disobeying traffic signs and signals, driving into another lane and distracted driving. It also includes using a hand held mobile phone, driving without due care and attention or reasonable consideration of other road users; driving while under the influence of a drink or drugs; and failing to stop for a pedestrian at a designated pedestrian crossing.

In another departure from the existing law, motorists will be required to carry their original driving licenses, or permits at all times while driving.

“A person shall not drive any class of motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant on a road unless he or she holds and is in physical possession of a valid driving license or a valid learner driving license endorsed in respect of that group of motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant,” reads the Bill.

The Bill also forbids a person to engage in the repair, trade, manufacture, deal in new, second hand or reconditioned motor vehicles, trailers or engineering plant without having an approved place of business or in possession of a license issued by government. The Bill further provides a fine of Shs2 million or a one-year imprisonment for the offence.

 

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Kabaale Industrial Park construction: UNOC and Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom agree to work together

By
Our Reporter
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UNOC and the Cabinet of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom agree to establish a working group for Kabaale Industrial Park (KIP)
 

 

The management of Uganda National Oil Company Limited (UNOC) led by the Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Dr. Josephine Wapakabulo and the Cabinet of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom (BKK) led by Prime Minister Owek.Andrew Byakutaga Ateenyi  have agreed on the long-term cooperation as the construction of Kabaale Industrial Park (KIP) takes shape.

The two parties have agreed to establish a working group for Kabaale Industrial Park (KIP) which will address key issues and opportunities arising from the region.

The parties recently held a meeting that took place on the request of Bunyoro Kingdom following UNOC’s participation in the 25th Empango (Coronation) Anniversary held on June 11, 2019 at Karuzika Palace, Hoima.

Eng. Dr. Josephine Wapakabulo welcomed the Prime Minister of Bunyoro Kingdom and his Cabinet and reiterated the commitment to continue cooperation with the Kingdom.

She said the meeting was a chance to present the projects being handled by the UNOC and opportunities these projects present.

Owek. Byakutaga extended appreciated UNOC’s cooperation with the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, particularly UNOC’s support to the last two (Empango) Coronation Anniversary celebration.

He said that the visit to UNOC was specifically to acquaint his Cabinet with the activities of UNOC and explore ways of collaboration and partnerships.

He said the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom was aligning activities with all the players engaged in the development of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom.

UNOC shared their plans to establish a liaison office in the community going forward in order to improve awareness of the UNOC business operations and enhance stakeholder engagements with the communities and buy-in.

UNOC was established under Section 42 of the Petroleum (Exploration, Development and Production) Act and Section 7 of the Petroleum (Refining, Conversion, Transmission and Midstream Storage) Act, both of 2013.

UNOC was incorporated under the Companies’ Act of 2012 as a limited liability company wholly owned by the Government of Uganda.

The Company’s overall function is to handle the Government of Uganda’s commercial interests in the petroleum sector and to ensure that the resource is exploited in a sustainable manner.

 

 
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Cranes drawn in group B for 2021 Afcon qualifiers

By
Our Reporter
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Uganda Cranes
 

Uganda Cranes have been drawn in Group B for the qualification campaign to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Cameroon.

The other countries in the group are Burkina Faso, Malawi and the winner between South Sudan and Seychelles in the preliminary round.

The group draw was conducted at Mariott Hotel in Zamalek, Cairo, Egypt on Thursday, 18th July after the Caf Ordinary Annual General meeting.

There are 12 groups and the winners and runners-up from each group will qualify for the 2021 AFCON tournament.

Hosts Cameroon is guaranteed a place so only one other team qualify from their group.

The two legged four preliminary ties will be played in October. Group stage matches will kickoff in November with two Match Days.

The dates of the qualifiers will be confirmed by Confederation of African Football (CAF) in due course.

Groups

A: Mali, Guinea, Namibia, Liberia or Chad

B: Burkina Faso, Uganda, Malawi, South Sudan or Seychelles

C: Ghana, South Africa, Sudan, Mauritius or Sao Tome and Principe

D: Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Angola, Djibouti or Gambia

E: Morocco, Mauritania, Central African Republic, Burundi

F: Cameroon, Cape Verde Islands, Rwanda, Mozambique

G: Egypt, Kenya, Togo, Comoros Islands

H: Algeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana

I: Senegal, Congo, Guinea Bissau, Eswatini

J: Tunisia, Libya, Equatorial Guinea, Tanzania

K: Ivory Coast, Niger, Madagascar, Ethiopia

L: Nigeria, Benin, Sierra Leone, Lesotho
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Bank of Uganda spent $33m on unstable system

By
Our Reporter
-
BoU Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile.
 

Bank of Uganda (BoU) spent US $33 million on its Real Time Settlement System (RTGS) that had a malfunction on Wednesday, sources say.

In a statement yesterday BoU Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile said the system experienced a temporary malfunction and it did not crash as reported in the sections of the local media.

“It should be noted that this was not a system crash as has been portrayed in the media. There was a brief disruption in transaction processing in the morning which was resolved shortly thereafter,” Tumusiime-Mutebile said.

He added that the payment systems remain stable, fully operational and reliable.

However, sources say the RTGS is supposed to have two back-up systems in case of a malfunction or crash. Sources say they doubt whether the two systems were installed on computers at the central bank.

The system’s brief breakdown on Wednesday affected government payments and interbank transactions.

RTGS systems are usually operated by a country’s central bank as it is seen as a critical infrastructure for a country’s economy. Economists say that an efficient national payment system reduces the cost of exchanging goods and services, and is indispensable to the functioning of the interbank, money, and capital markets.

A weak payment system may severely drag on the stability and developmental capacity of a national economy; its failures can result in inefficient use of financial resources, inequitable risk-sharing among agents, actual losses for participants, and loss of confidence in the financial system and in the very use of money.

Sources say in the likelihood that occurrence occur, the banks revert back to manual systems where it drags for sometimes for a simple transaction to be carried out and also poses a risk of funds being stolen in the process.

 
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Gov’t moves to sell off sunken MV Kabalega and MV Barbus

By
Our Reporter
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Marine vessel

 

The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, has called for bids for the purchase of the famous MV Kabalega which sank in Lake Victoria in 2005 and is believed to be 80 metres deep South West of Port Bell.

Another marine vessel that the Ministry wants to sell off is MV Barbus which is partially submerged at Port Bell dock.

The two marine vessels belong to Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) and being disposed of under the Privatisation and Utility Sector Reform Project (PUSRP).

MV Kabalega which is a passenger Wagon Ferry, Twin Screw vessel has an estimated weight of 1,121 tons while MV Barbus which is a passenger, single screw vessel is estimated at 120 tons. MV Kalangala was constructed in 1940 while MV Barbus was constructed in 1984.

The bid security for MV Kabalega is Shs106.5 million while that of MV Barbus is Shs11.4 million. Contract award is set for December 5, 2019.

The bids come a few weeks after the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) set afloat the MV Sigulu ferry onto the waters of Lake Victoria after seven months of construction at Masese landing site. The vessel will connect Namayingo district to the Islands of Lolwe and Sigulu, providing safe means of transport to the communities of Namayingo, Lolwe and Sigulu Islands at no cost

The modern ferry which has a passenger capacity of 300 was constructed by Johs Gram-Hanssen (JGH), Western Marine Shipyard Limited Joint Venture. It has a Pay Load (Weight it can carry) 200 Tones, 15 Medium Vehicles and7 Knots (14 km/hr) Speed.

The bids also come after the Ministry of Works and Transport unveiled plans for the construction of Bukasa Port on shores of Lake Victoria. The port will provide reliable, effective and sustainable multi-modal transport system along the Central and Northern Corridor.

Expected to serve as trio-modal cargo handling facility for road, rail and water transport, the port will sit on 400 hectares on the shores of Lake Victoria.  Bukasa Port will serve as an International Transportation Logistic and Business Hub center for assembling, de-commissioning, storage & re-distribution of exports/imports.

According to the ministry, the Port will be constructed in three phases, which include:

Phase 1: covers preparation of Master Plan, Preliminary Design, and construction of start-up infrastructure, Dredging, Pilling and Swamp Surcharging. This Phase will be completed in April 2020.

Phase 2: covers construction of Bukasa Port to capacity of 2.3 million tons per year, construction of shipyard and floating dock. This Phase is expected to be completed by 2021.

Phase 3: covers future extension of the Port to the capacity of 5.2 million tons and to the maximum peak of 7.5 million tons. That Phase is expected to be completed by 2030.

 

 

 

 

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UNBS Aligns water standards to international standards

By
Our Reporter
-

Utility companies involved in the supply of drinking and waste water services are now expected to uphold the highest standard of customer service following the adoption of international standard related to drinking and waste water services, officials announced on Thursday in a statement.

According to the statement, water and sanitation experts under the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) Technical Sub Committee on water and sanitation have resolved to adopt the ISO standard on drinking and waste water services. In this case, drinking water refers to treated piped water.

The Standard (DUS ISO 24510:2007) aims at improving user experience and compelling utility companies to be responsive to customer needs. It gives power to customers and users to raise complaints against a service provider if the guidelines stipulated in the standard are not met.

The standard was revised to include guidelines on satisfying users’ needs and expectations and clarity of billing and response to billing complaints. Other guidelines adopted include: managing wastewater utilities, treatment of wastewater and residues removed from wastewater, service assessment criteria and related performance indicators, among others.

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Former IGP Kisembo dead

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Late John Kisembo

Former Inspector General Of Police John Kisembo has passed away. The deceased was the IGP from 1998 to 2001.

Mr. Kisembo died at Platinum hospital where he was admitted for treatment. He replaced  John Cossy Odomel and joined Police in 1980 as a graduate.

 

Below is the police statement on the passing on of former IGP

 

The police are mourning the sudden and un expected passing of former IGP John Kisembo, which occurred today, 18th, July 2019, at 3:15 pm, at platinum hospital, Kampala

The late was IGP from the year 1999 to 2001, and we will never forget the excellent leadership he gave to the Uganda Police Force during the many years he served. At the time of his death, he was the Ag Director UNAFRI.

The IGP has reached out to the family of the deceased, and extended his prayers and thoughts to them during this time of sadness. We would like to thank all members of the UPF, UNAFRI, and the public who have reached out to the family in this time of sadness. We ask them to continue praying for family.

The IGP has further tasked the Director Welfare and Production to work with the family to ensure he is honoured in a way befitting his life and position in the UPF.

We shall progressively, update the public and all mourners on funeral arrangements.

May the soul of former IGP John Kisembo rest in eternal peace.

 

CP Fred Enanga

PRO Uganda Police Force.

18th July 2019 .

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