The construction of Shs32 billion National Drug Authority (NDA) Laboratory Tower has begun, with the ground breaking ceremony on Lumumba Avenue being officiated on Thursday by the Minister of Health, Jane Ruth Acheng.

Speaking at the function, Minister Acheng said the plan to construct the facility demonstrates government’s dedication to save human lives, especially those of Ugandans.

“Congratulations NDA on this milestone of embarking on the construction of the Quality Control Laboratory tower. We are excited that National Drug Authority (NDA) can finally have a quality control laboratory to check the efficacy of the drugs we use in the country,” she said.

The minister said the facility would be the best in East, Central and Southern Africa, with the construction funds generated internally by NDA.

The Chairperson of NDA, Dr. Medard Bitekyerezo, lauded President Museveni and minister Achieng for the continuous support. “I would like to name one tower ‘Museveni Tower’ and another tower ‘Jane tower’ to show appreciation for their support,” he said.

Dr. Bitekyerezo said, the construction of the building would be completed in 24 months.

Ag. Secretary, David Nahamya said that all foods for export will be tested at the facility when completed, adding that locally manufactured and imported cosmetics will also be tested in the facility.

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Rwanda has insisted Uganda supports rebel groups that want to bring the Kigali regime down even though a week ago the government of Uganda said it was a mere allegation.

A statement by Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said of the presence of armed groups and terrorist organisations in Uganda hostile to Rwanda, including RNC, FDLR and others. It said the groups are supported by Uganda in their activities, including recruitment, by institutions and officials of the Government of Uganda. “The details of these concerns have been repeatedly communicated to the Government of Uganda,” the statement said.
The statement alleges Uganda has killed, arrested, incarcerated without consular access and tortured its nationals. The statement alleges that close to 1000 Rwandans were illegally deported by Ugandan authorities to Rwanda in inhumane conditions.

“The targeting of ordinary Rwandan citizens involved in regular business and trade activities, within the framework of the East African Community and the hampering of the free movement of goods, including perishables, to and through Uganda,” it says.
It alleged that the recent statements issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uganda including the one dated March 13, 2019were diversionary and do not address fundamental issues raised by Rwanda.

“It is not possible to have free trade including free movement of goods if traders are killed, tortured, extorted and their property are illegally seized. These are the fundamental issues that need to be addressed. Claims that Rwanda has instituted trade embargo on Uganda are as untrue as they are diversionary,” it further says.

“The Government of Rwanda calls upon the Government of Uganda to address the key issues stated above and as already repeatedly communicated in bilateral settings,” it says.

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Uganda’s zeal to become the “meetings capital of Africa” has gone a notch higher with the latest approval from a Zimbabwean London-based and Africa’s eighth billionaire- Strive Masiyiwa that the facility becomes ‘Official African Conference Centre’ in Africa.

The tycoon who is the Founder and Chairman of global telecommunications group Econet Wireless and valued at US$2.3 billion by Forbes, talked good of Speke Resort Munyonyo and the Commonwealth Resort, saying the expansive structures are the best he has seen anywhere in Africa.

“Why don’t we declare this venue; this site, the official African Conference Centre?” Said Masiyiwa who was applauded by guests at the just ended Africa Now Conference 2019 which was opened and closed by President Museveni.

The conference that run from March 12-13, was jointly hosted by Speke Resort Munyonyo and the adjoining Commonwealth Resort, Munyonyo under the theme, “Towards a secure, integrated and growing Africa”. It attracted over 1,000 delegates that included among others, President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed of Somalia; William Samoei Ruto, the Vice President of Kenya and Samia Hassan Suluhu, the Vice President of Tanzania.

Other high profile guests and speakers included Mr Rob Shuter, CEO MTN Group, and Mr Tony Elumelu, a Nigerian economist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.

“I go all over Africa to conferences and in big hotels and we go to the basements and we come to this amazing venue…thank you very much for organizing it. I will come every year if you want,” said Masiyiwa.

Built on an expansive 100 acres by the breezy shores of Lake Victoria, both Speke Resort Munyonyo and Commonwealth Resort, Munyonyo have 450 tastefully finished rooms and 25 international standard conference rooms.

“I go all over Africa to conferences and in big hotels and we go to the basements and we come to this amazing venue…thank you very much for organizing it. I will come every year if you want,” he said.

Recently, Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo and Speke Resort Munyonyo won the coveted 2018 World Luxury Hotel Awards regional and country categories respectively.

The Ruparelia Group recently announced plans to construct a 5-star Speke Resort and Convention Centre, in Entebbe.

When it is completed, the facility will be a exquisite addition to the group’s portfolio of other luxury and hospitality facilities that include: Speke Resort and Conference Centre, Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort, Kabira Country Club, Speke Hotel, Dolphin Suites, Tourist Hotel, Forest Cottages, Speke Resort Bujagali Falls and the recently expanded Speke Apartments.

In the past years, Uganda has seen a sharp rise in tourist arrivals from 945,899 in 2010 to 1,322,522 in 2016 translating into a 107 percent increment in earnings, from US$662 million to US$1,371 million targets to earn US$2.7 billion by next year.

Among other tourism sub-sectors, Uganda is looking to become the “meetings capital of Africa” earning a chunk from the lucrative meetings, incentives, conferencing, and exhibitions (MICE) market, but is facing considerable competition from Kenya and most recently Rwanda.

Uganda’s hotel sector has recently had a rise of new high end and mid-level facilities and according to Jean Byamugisha, the Executive Director at Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA) by end of 2018, there was an estimated over 6,000 accommodation facilities in the country offering about 410,000 rooms and 487,000 beds.

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The Managing Director of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), Dr. Silver Mugisha has urged members of the Federation of Uganda Employers (FUE) to advocate for transformation of organizations as a catalyst for excellent performance.

Eng. Mugisha was speaking AT the launch of the Employer of the Year Awards 2019 at Sheraton Kampala Hotel under the theme “Transforming organizations to optimize productivity.”

He urged members to be advocates of change and take the lead in the transformation of their organizations.
“I urge you all to think about news ideas for your organizations during meetings. Most employers spend productive time in refresher courses reminiscing what they have forgotten! Let’s embrace innovative and transformational brainstorming sessions in our organizations. No organisation can move from good to great without undergoing transformation,” he said.

According to Mugisha, great organisations should not just improve staff productivity, they should design enabling tools performance incentive systems, continuous staff development programmes, benchmarking, periodic positive working environment, technology, conducive work environment, motivation among others.

He explained to the audience some of the transformation changes at NWSC that include; technological changes, research and development, enhanced monitoring and evaluation, aligning the organisation values with staff, propagating a culture of continuous improvement, setting up of a strategic direction, a corporate plan constituted a long the balance score card, performance contracts, smart technology for service delivery among others

He said transformation of organisations should have incentive systems linked to qualitative targets, appraise good performers and caution poor performers.

He urged the organisers to exercise high level of professionalism, value proposition, and good corporate governance, appreciate technological changes in innovations and other transformations as they organize the awards.

He said NWSC in a period of 5 years has witnessed radical changes such as:
•Reaching 240 towns of operation from 23, five years ago.
•Customer base has grown from 300,000 customers to now over 615, 0000 customers
•Network length to a tune of 15,000kms
•From 80kms of water mains extensions per year to now over 2000kms of water mains extensions per year
•Grown assets to Shs1.75 trillion from 650 billion among others.

The Employer of the Year Awards are geared towards encouraging decent work through promoting best Human Resource Management/Business practices which in turn enhance productivity, organizational competitiveness and corporate sustainability in the country

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Makerere University has lifted the suspension of the Chairperson of Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA), Dr. Deus Kamunyu Muhwezi after both parties agreed to amicably settle their issues outside court.

Dr. Kamunyu was in January suspended from the University over allegations of taking part in actions that disrupt and injure the reputation of the Institution.

His suspension came after President Yoweri Museveni had just lauded Makerere University administrators for expelling and suspending lecturers over indiscipline and participation in unlawful activities.

The controversial lecture ran to court challenging his suspension and the disciplinary processes that were instituted against him by at the University.

According the a statement issued by former MUASA chairperson currently the communications manager of Makerere University Dr. Muhammad Kigundu Musoke, the University has entered a consent settlement with Dr. Kamunyu in full and final settlement before court and each side will its own costs.

“As part of the consent, the suspension of Dr. Kamunyu has been lifted and he shall submit to the eternal disciplinary process before the appointment board,” reads in part of the statement.

The University management reassured all staff and stakeholders that the handling of any disciplinary matter shall adhere to principals of natural, fairness and equity.

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