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Don’t be duped by Busoga University – Minister Muyingo warns parents, students

By
Trevor S Baleke
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Minister Muyingo addressing the press over issues of Busoga University. Photo credit, T.S Baleke/eagle.co.ug

Parents and students have been warned not to be duped by anyone at Busoga University to get deceived that there is studying going on at the defunct university.

State Minister for Higher Education, Dr.John Chrysostom Muyingo has told reporters in Jinja that no business in line with academics is expected to be going on at the University as of now.

Dr. Muyingo who was also appointed by the president to chair the Busoga University Transitional Committee says that, currently government is carrying out an audit at the defunct university on whose recommendations it shall be based.

The team carrying out audit, the minister said, are from the Auditor General’s office who will also seek to establish the university’s financial management, staffing and student population records.

At the beginning of last year, President Museveni ordered the takeover of the university after it was closed by National Council of Higher Education (NCHE) for lack of minimum standards.

The university leaders have since been embroiled in a bitter row of words with the NCHE.

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Minister Mbayo to RDCs: Stop indulging in partisan politics

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Minister Esther Mbayo, who is the area woman MP

Minister for Presidency, Esther Mbayo, has implored Resident District Commissioners (RDC) to stop indulging in partisan politics but instead work towards the improvement of service delivery in their respective areas.

Speaking at the official opening of RDCs retreat at Kyankwanzi National Leadership Institute, Mbayo, said RDCs report to the office of the President and thereafter, action will be taken on non-active commissioners.

“There is anti-graft committee formed to fight against corruption, It will make sure the RDCs are doing proper coordination of government programs and services, “that is the reason you were appointed into office,” she added.

“You should make sure that government Programs and Projects are helpful to people at district level for instance and make sure the input goes to the right people, not yourselves. One RDC sometime back gave himself a cow instead of the residents,” She said.

She called on them to communicate government programmes using rightful language asserting that the public needs to be reminded day in day out about government projects so that they understand and get involved for transformation of their regions.

Mbayo revealed that the relationship between RDCs and local governments is worrying, “You should work on it. I only defended you because you hadn’t been inducted. Now we are on it, I won’t do it again,” she added.

She called on them to join the fight to end the battle against HIV/Aids adding that government has enough drugs so tell people to test and those infected should be sensitized to get treatment.

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Gulu, Mbarara 2019 Martyrs Day friendly games on this weekend

By
Our Reporter
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KAMPALA – The archdiocese of Gulu will this weekend play friendly football, netball and volleyball games with the Archdiocese of Mbarara, represented by their Kampala association (AMDA) in games intended to raise awareness for preparations for the Uganda Martyrs Day Celebrations 2019.

Archbishop John Baptist Odama of Gulu will be the Chief Guest at the games that will be played at the Uganda Institute of Communication Technology (UICT) playground Nakawa, (Post Office Nakawa) on Saturday, February 23 starting at 2p.m.

AMDA head coach Mr Martin Byamukama instructs one of his players in a previous game (COURTESY PHOTO)

Archbishop Odama will thereafter on Sunday February 24, preside over Mass for the two groups at Kitante Primary School, in Kampala, starting at 10 am.
The archdiocese of Gulu has been selected by the Uganda Episcopal Conference to lead the 2019 Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations, with Archbishop Odama set to be the main celebrant.
According to Archdiocese of Mbarara Development Association (AMDA) Chairman Dr. Gaston Ampe, the friendly games between the two sister archdioceses is a great initiative that will foster unity in diversity brought through the intercession of the Uganda Martyrs.

“We thank our brothers and sisters from Gulu for this initiative and pledge to work with them for the success of the 2019 Martyrs Day celebrations this year,” Dr. Ampe said.
AMDA Chaplain Rev. Fr. Darius Magunda said:
“Of all the communities and groups in Kampala, that Gulu Archdiocese under the leadership of Archbishop Odama chose our AMDA community, is a sign of the love they have for us and the solidarity existing between the archdiocese of Gulu and that of Mbarara. We hereby reciprocate that gesture and pledge our solidarity and support. We shall render support where we can in the preparations for the 2019 Uganda Martyrs celebrations at Namugongo, animated by Gulu Archdiocese”.
Archbishop Odama said:

“I thank all the members of Archdiocese of Mbarara Development Association (AMDA) for inviting me and my faithful of the Archdiocese of Gulu to share with you these two days in the context of celebrating the Uganda Martyrs Day 2019. Through your Chaplain, Fr. Darius Magunda, I thank my Brother Archbishop Paul K. Bakyenga for welcoming us and making this historic visit possible”.

Archbishop Odama said the theme of this year’s celebrations will be , “Obey God Always and Everywhere (based on Acts.4:19), as a rallying call to all pilgrims who annually come to honor the Uganda Martyrs and indeed all mankind, to come back to God and be loyal to Him.
“The pilgrimage to Namugongo is a celebration of the renewal of our faith, hope and love in God. This demands that we become conscious of the consistent presence of God among His people,” he said.

Archbishop Odama called on their faithful to support preparations for Uganda Martyrs Day 2019.
“I call upon all of us to use our resources to support the celebrations honoring the Uganda Martyrs in obedience to God. We thank all those who have come up to support this cause of celebrating the victory of God in the lives of the martyrs which rallies millions of people to God. We thank the people of the Archdiocese of Mbarara for this spontaneous initiative to come to play and pray together with our faithful. This is also a clear sign of and concrete expression our community as Church,’ he said.

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BoU saga: Conflict of interest case against city lawyers pushed to March

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Chairman of Ruparelia group of companies Sudhir Ruparelia and his son who is the Managing Director of Crane Management Services, Rajiv Ruparelia take questions from the press at Commercial Court.

The Commercial Court has pushed to March the hearing of the case in which city tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia wants the new lawyers hired by Bank of Uganda (BoU) also declared conflicted, and therefore unfit to represent the central bank in the commercial dispute with businessman.

The case was pushed to March following the falling sick of the David Wangutusi, the Head of the Commercial Court.

Ruparelia, in a suit filed in December last year at the Commercial Court, argued that Sebalu and Lule Advocates should not be representing BoU and Dfcu Bank since it has already represented Crane Management Services that owned Crane Bank which was controversially sold to Dfcu Bank in January 2017.

Crane Management Services sued DFCU Bank demanding rental arrears amounting to Shs2.9 billion and US $385,728.54 in respect of tenancies of suit properties that were formally owned by Crane Bank Limited (CBL).

“In view of the advocate-client relationship between the applicant (Crane Management Services sued Dfcu Bank) and the 1st respondent (Sebalu & Lule advocates), the latter’s continued participation as defence counsel for the 2nd respondent (Dfcu bank) herein, which is the defendant in High Court Civil Suit (HCCS) No. 109/2018 against the applicant/plaintiff, is prejudicial to the applicant’s head suit,” the petition reads in part.

Ruparelia also wants the court to issue a permanent injunction, restraining Sebalu & Lule Advocates from appearing as defence counsel for dfcu bank in the other court case that the two principals are battling out.

In December 2017, the Commercial disqualified Masemmbe and Mpanga from the sh397 billion Sudhir Ruparelia’s case against Bank of Uganda (BoU), citing conflict of interest.

In his ruling delivered on December 21, 2017, the head of the commercial court division, Justice David Kutosi Wangutusi stated that David Mpanga of A.F. Mpanga Advocates and Timothy Masembe of MMAKS Advocates acted in violation of the Advocates regulations.

Section 4 of the regulation says that an advocate shall not accept instructions from any person in respect of a contentious or non-contentious matter if the matter involves a former client and the advocate as a result of acting for the former client is aware of any facts which may be prejudicial to the client in that matter.

Court documents further indicate that when Dfcu Bank took over the assets and liabilities of Crane Bank, it also took over occupation and use of the said rented properties from which the real estate company wants to recover accumulated rent arrears from Dfcu bank.

Some of the properties cited include; Crane Bank branches at plot 9 on Market Street, plot 1-13, Jinja Road, plot 47, Republic Road-Mbale, Speke Hotel (1996), Pot 19 Cooper Road (Crane Plaza), plot 20, Kampala Road –Crane Bank ATM.

Sudhir told journalists at court that it is pure conflict of interest and greed.(The reason we are here is for the ruling but it has been pushed to March 1 and we wait as we get more details, it is a simple case of conflict of interest”.

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UPDF piping ceremony: Joy and bitter memories as both old and young generals are decorated

By
Isaiah Mwebaze
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On Tuesday February 19, 2019, the Ugandan People’s Defence Force held its official piping ceremony that saw a good number of long serving officers receive their hard earned and highly anticipated pips with much gusto and cheer from their comrades, families and well-wishers who had gathered to witness the occasion.

The ceremony that was held at Mbuya army headquarters was attended by many high ranking officials including Ministers, Elly Tumwiine, Bright Rwamirama, Jeje Odongo and Katumba Wamala as the acting chief guests.

Before we go any further, it is important to note that what became a blessing for millions of Ugandans was also a curse to thousands of Ugandans who lost loved ones and suffered in the fight for freedom. In 1986, when the NRA finally came into power, praise and adorations were the order of the day as citizens all over the country cried for joy at the new hope Museveni and his boys brought with them, the young and charismatic former rebel who neasily won over the hearts of millions of Ugandans as he set out to right all that was wrong with Uganda’s politics, beginning with the construction of the Uganda Railway line.


However, little is spoken of the price many, including the Commander in Chief himself had to pay or endure to attain this freedom that they so vigorously fought for.
A good number of officers were lined up to be decorated that day; among them was a rather cheery and robust officer by the names of Leopold Kyanda. In 1982 like their predecessors, Kyanda and his school mates escaped from Ntare to join the army and never looked back, a feat that became a trend amongst the youths of that time whose conviction and obligation to their country’s call far outweighed any fear or remorse they might have harbored during the ongoing war against Obote’s regime.
Miles away from the school other boys and young men across the nation continued to tear themselves from their families, friends and all that they knew and held dear in order to sojourn into the great unknown- a dangerous and perilous undertaking that would continue to strip them of their innocence, sanity and even their comrades-turned brothers. This war would later go on to be referred to as the great “BUSH WAR” as commonly termed by those in power.

Thirty two years later and these same ‘freedom fighters’, well, those that lived to see this day sat in the tents awaiting their turn to be decorated as survivors of the struggle. When the Minister of Security, Gen. Elly Tumwiine spoke, a war veteran himself, he profoundly thanked the newly decorated soldiers for staying alive and seeing the benefits of their struggle. A statement that wouldn’t hold much weight for the ordinary civilian but to the military minds it spoke volumes of unseen pain, nostalgia and perhaps regret. The Minister’s speech undoubtedly reverberated in the hearts of many of his comrades and family members in attendance as many still continue to seek some kind of recompense for the lives they lost during the struggle for freedom.

Theirs was a journey few could endure; with nearly half of their comrades either dead or in retirement for some decorated officers such as Gen. Ivan Koreta. Gen. Joram MUgume, Gen. Pecos Kuteesa, Gen. Elly Kayanja and the jovial Gen. Otema, their promotions couldn’t have been timelier or even long overdue given the standing ovations that ushered them to the front on reception of their pips. The Minister announced the introduction of an investment club for veterans also further encouraged the newly promoted soldiers on the need ‘to be good ambassadors of a disciplined force in order to enjoy a good future.’
The prestigious ceremony was highlighted by the decoration of Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, despite much talk and controversy surrounding the president’s son’s quick accent to the helm of the military institution, one cannot hide the obvious fact that he holds within him the same passion and enthusiasm his father holds when it concerns the country’s security and general welfare of Ugandans. Other public figures to join the security advisor in being decorated also included generals: Don Nabaasa, head of Special Forces Command and Assistant Inspector General of Police Muzeeyi Sabitti.

“You all know that wherever the UPDF has gone whether internationally or regionally it is recognized for its discipline, discipline has been one of our core values…” said Rwamirama, the state Minister for Veteran Affairs, who also noted that many of the newly appointed soldiers were of the retirement age and therefore, in need not only of a retirement package but also a retirement plan. Rwamirama blamed the veterans for living lavishly after retirement implored the officials to make better use of the retirement packages by investing in their future outside of the military.

The Minister also celebrated the professionalization of the UPDF, acknowledging the president whose contribution has allowed the army to be one of the most disciplined and meticulous institutions in Uganda.

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New diagnostic tools to help in the fight against HIV in Eastern and Southern Africa

By
Our Reporter
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The Aptima® HIV-1 Quant Dx assay

Hologic, Inc. has announced the launch of new HIV diagnosis tools in Uganda and other countries in Africa. The Aptima® HIV-1 Quant Dx assay will provide new approaches to make it quicker and easier for laboratories to diagnose and monitor HIV infections in the country.

The assay – the technical term for a laboratory test – has received two new CE marks. First, certification to use for early infant diagnosis to qualitatively detect HIV-1 RNA as an aid in diagnosing HIV-1 infected infants under 18 months. And second, testing of dried blood spots to monitor viral load and disease progression in HIV-1 infected individuals.

The Aptima HIV-1 Quant Dx assay is the only test to have both these CE marks. In line with the 95-95-95 goals from UNAIDS, this high performance, accessible and flexible test will help governments and NGOs scale up the fight against a virus that continues to infect over 3,000 people daily in sub-Saharan Africa with 1.7 million children and adolescents (0-19 years) already infected.

In Uganda there are estimated to be over 95,000 children under the age of 14 living with HIV and an estimated 7,600 children were newly infected with HIV in 2017. Early infant diagnosis is essential to improve prevention and treatment interventions, as peak mortality occurs between six weeks to four months of age for children who have acquired HIV infection.

High-performance and accurate testing

The Aptima HIV-1 Quant Dx assay is a highly sensitive test which can use plasma, serum or dried blood spots to get an accurate HIV diagnosis on the fully automated PantherTM system. Thanks to its flexibility and accuracy, this integrated diagnosis solution will help overcome multiple challenges faced by local laboratories. The new DBS sample solution will improve the collection, preservation and transportation of samples from testing centres to laboratories.

The Aptima HIV-1 Quant Dx assay was awarded World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification for in vitro diagnostics using plasma samples on December 21, 2017, which allows global health organizations to consider the Aptima HIV-1 Quant Dx assay for public sector procurement in resource-limited countries.

A less costly viral diagnostic solution for governments, NGOs and laboratories

Following the recent Hologic Global Access Initiative, launched in partnership with the Clinton Health Alliance Initiative (CHAI) and MedAccess the HIV-1 Quant Dx assay will be available at a price of $12, with no upfront cost or capital expenditure in nearly 50 nations including Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

“We designed the Aptima HIV-1 Quant Dx assay and the Panther system keeping in mind the specific needs of viral diagnosis laboratories in Africa, ” said João Malagueira, Hologic’s vice president, Europe South and Indirect Markets.

Through this integrated testing solution, “we want to partner with local authorities and international organizations to help the fight against HIV in east and southern Africa. With 25 million people infected with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa alone, there continues to be an urgent need for accessible and reliable testing, which is crucial for managing care and reducing the spread of the infectious disease.”

The PantherTM system is designed to be modular and scalable, accommodating the needs of large labs and smaller ones alike, in urban and rural areas, with minimum infrastructure requirements. It offers the highest throughput per square meter of any comparable molecular diagnostic instrument – up to 320 results in 8 hours in less than 1m2 of space – which can make a big difference in smaller rural labs.

The next step in the fight against HIV

East and Southern Africa is home to the largest number of HIV-infected people in the world, with 19.6 million people living with the virus in 2017. Despite this, the region continues to make significant gains towards meeting the 95-95-95 goals. Between 2010 and 2016, new HIV infections among children (aged 0-14) declined by 56 per cent, while new infections among adults declined by 29 per cent.

Experts say access to accurate testing is the first step in ending the spread of HIV. While more people are becoming aware of their HIV status, several factors continue to impede this progress. They include inadequate testing infrastructure and lack of access to laboratories are among others. “Use of dried blood spots for testing ensures that patients in areas with no testing facility can still access the services as the samples can be easily transported,” they say.

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Over 40 African countries sign continental free trade agreement

By
Our Reporter
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Latest figures indicate that 49 out of the 55 African Union (AU) member states have signed a Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.

AfCFTA is designed to create a single continental market for goods and services, with free movement of business persons and investments and acceleration of the establishment of the Customs Union.

The agreement presented in Kigali for signature in March last year is expected to expand intra-African trade through better harmonisation and coordination of trade liberalisation, facilitate instruments across the regional economic communities and across Africa, enhance industrial competitiveness and utilise opportunities for scale production, continental market access and better resource reallocation.

However, only 12 countries have ratified the agreement such as; Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Niger, Chad, Guinea, eSwatini, Uganda, Ivory Coast and most recently, South Africa, Mauritania and Republic of Congo – and an additional six countries have received parliamentary approval for ratification – namely Sierra Leone, Mali, Namibia, Senegal, Togo and Djibouti. We have given

All ratifications approved and deposited now stand at 18. 22 of the signatory states are needed for it to come into force.

Once into force, it will be the largest in the world in terms of participating countries since the formation of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

It is poised to boost intra-African trade by 52.3 per cent by eliminating import duties and doubling trade if non-tariff barriers are also reduced.

If all AU member states ratify AfCFTA, they will certainly broaden their national economic horizons and strengthen their regional groupings.

African leaders have also approved an action plan on boosting intra-Africa trade (BIAT), with seven priority action clusters: trade policy, trade facilitation, productive capacity, trade related infrastructure, trade finance, trade information and factor market integration.

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businessman asks Museveni to sack Mutebile, Kasekende and Minister Kasaija

By
Our Reporter
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Hot seats, Kasekende consults Mutebile in the COSASE committee.

By Our Reporter

A petitioner has asked President Yoweri Museveni as the appointing authority in the country to sack Bank of Uganda (BoU) Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile and his deputy Dr. Louis Kasekende as well as the Minister of Finance Matia Kasaija for the alleged mismanagement of the affairs at the Central Bank.

“It is in that regard that we humbly request that you exercise your powers as the appointing authority and fountain of honour by relieving the three parties namely Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile Louis Kasekende and Hon Matia Kasaija,” wrote Dr Paul Bamutaze.

Dr Bamutaze, a businessman, in his letter dated February 18, 2019 argues that Tumusiime-Mutebile and Kasekende have failed in their duties leading to the mismanagement of the affairs of BoU and illegal sale of properties of defunct banks such as Crane Bank Limited (CBL), Global Trust Bank Uganda (GTBU) and National Bank of Commerce (NBC).

He also argued that former BoU executive director of supervision MS Justine Bagyenda be prosecuted for what he called her heinous acts and abuse of office.

“The petitioner has been following the COSASE…proceedings and was surprised at shocking utterances by the Governor Bank of Uganda that liquidation reports were hidden away from him by his junior staff. This is so worrying as to whether the Governor Bank of Uganda still has any authority over the management and affairs of the Central Bank of Uganda,” Bamutaze wrote.

He says in his letter that Tumusiime-Mutebile, Kasekende and Finance Minister Matia Kasaija have failed to fulfill their administrative, managerial and supervisory roles, making them unfit to hold their positions.

“It is in this regard that we seek your intervention in the following matters and request that you prevail over the Governor Bank of Uganda, Deputy Governor Bank of Uganda and the Minister of Finance who have failed in their supervisory roles in the proper management of the affairs of the Central Bank,” he complained.

He continued that the actions of the three officials have caused so much instability and if not immediately well handled are likely to cause a financial crisis.

Meanwhile the out-going parliamentary Com­mit­tee on Com­mis­sions, Statu­tory Au­thor­i­ties and State Enterprises, (COSASE) let by Chairperson MP Abdu Katuntu is on Wednesday expected to file its final report following the conclusion of its probe into Bank of Uganda over the controversial closure of seven commercial banks such as CBL, GBTU, NBC, Teefe Trust Bank, Greenland Bank, Cooperative Bank and International Credit Bank.

The report will be presented to parliament for debate where recommendations to improve bank of Uganda operations are expected to be aired out by the MPs.

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Finding new ways to lend more to health SMEs in Africa

By
Agencies
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Bart Schaap, Chief Financial Officer.

Home to 15 per cent of the world’s population, Sub-Saharan Africa receives just 1 percent of global expenditure on healthcare. Governments in the region are increasingly aware that this inequity is hurting economic growth and are embracing universal healthcare to promote a healthy and productive population.

Bart Schaap, Chief Financial Officer at Medical Credit Fund (MCF), notes that public insurance is just one part of the solution for improving health. “It’s one thing to offer universal healthcare to your citizens. But the next question is ‘okay, where can I go?’” The region suffers from a dearth of healthcare facilities, especially ones that provide quality care. For Schaap, the solution is obvious: “If you want to address the great need in Africa for increased capacity—for doctors, beds, facilities—and greater quality in healthcare, you need to provide businesses with funding opportunities and operational advice. You need to look at the supply side.”

It was with this mindset that PharmAccess, a foundation that has been a pioneer in improving access to quality healthcare in Africa, founded Medical Credit Fund (MCF) in 2009. MCF’s mission is to expand lending to small- and medium-sized healthcare enterprises (Health SMEs) to help them grow. Headquartered in Amsterdam, it forges partnerships with local banks to help it manage the loans. A key component of MCF’s approach is delivered through a sister organization, SafeCare, that works with borrowers to improve the quality of healthcare provided. To date, MCF has disbursed some 2,900 loans to hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centers, laboratories, pharmacies, training institutions, and equipment providers in Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda and Tanzania for a total value of $51 million.

DIGITAL SOLUTIONS LOWER ING LENDING COSTS

As many of the loans it provides are relatively small, MCF is continually looking for ways to lower administrative costs. Digital technology has been a real boon. With more and more patients in Africa paying for health services via smartphone apps like Kenya-based M-PESA, MCF developed a loan product tailored for the digital era. As Schaap puts it: “We take a percentage of the companies’ digital revenues and this automatically repays their loan. Three months later they get a message saying the loan has been repaid and asking if they want a new one. They repay without even thinking and don’t have to bring cash to the bank.”

A crucial complement to MCF’s loans is the partnership with SafeCare and the technical assistance their experts provide. “For some businesses, it is easy to understand what to buy—a car, a tractor, for example. Healthcare can be more difficult,” says Schaap. “Take medical equipment: ultrasounds range in price from five thousand dollars to fifty thousand dollars. Which model should you buy? What is a good investment?”

With a mission so closely aligned to its own, IFC in 2016, jointly with the World Bank’s Global SME Finance Facility, decided to support MCF by approving a $4.5 million loan. This support helped MCF secure a larger financing package from a variety of investors, including the development finance agencies of the UK and French governments and several other impact- oriented investors. According to Natalia Donde, the IFC investment officer who led that transaction, “MCF is attempting to create a sustainable business model in the healthcare SME lending space, which is essential for increasing access to quality healthcare for a population that needs it most. It is a difficult space and MCF’s work is extremely inspiring as it is truly changing the lives of many people in Africa.”

Lending to healthcare SMEs in Africa brings many challenges. Schaap highlights one that may not be so obvious to those operating outside the sector. “Banks can be reluctant to finance a healthcare business because of the damage it can potentially cause to their reputation,” he said. “If you finance a healthcare facility and they don’t repay, what do you do? Are you going to shut them down and sell their assets?” Schaap says “banks often decide to avoid that reputational risk by simply not financing them—but of course that is not very humane either. MCF’s credit risk appraisal in combination with SafeCare’s quality assessments often gives them the comfort to co-invest in healthcare businesses.”

Default rates for healthcare businesses in Africa is relatively low. Through its history, MCF has had a non-performing loan rate of between three and five percent. “These people don’t disappear just like that. They want to run their business properly,” says Schaap. There is one area, however, where they have a serious knowledge gap. “While other SMEs know how to talk to banks and financiers, very few doctors know the language. That’s why we started MCF— to bridge the gap so they can speak the languages of healthcare and business,” he says.

As for MCF’s future development plans, Schaap believes that tech-enabled solutions hold great promise, given their potential to cut administrative costs and make lending less risky. “We first developed our digital product in Kenya and we plan to expand to other countries. Technology is really changing the landscape. I hope to see many more banks entering this market of social importance,” he says.

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Businesses without a website are the “Walking Dead”

By
Guest Writer
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Martin Zwilling

By Martin Zwilling

These days, if your startup does not have an Internet home base up and running, you are not ready for business or potential investors. Customers go there to check on the details of your offerings and verify that you are not a scam, investors look there to check out your management and sales approach, and suppliers expect to find contact information.

There should be no doubt that an Internet presence is as basic to success in business today, as brick and mortar was a hundred years ago. Yet I am amazed to see from recent data that nearly 36 percent of small businesses today still have no web presence at all. These are soon to be the walking dead, and the competitors you can beat today.

In fact, you need to have at least a prototype web site published several weeks before you expect anyone to find yours, since it takes that amount of time for the web search engine “spiders” to find you and index your content. I still remember my disappointment the first time I published my website, did an immediate Google search on the name, and it said my company didn’t exist.

There are many practical reasons for going to work early on your web site. Here are a few:

Register domain name and set up hosting. I’ve said many times that the Internet domain name should be reserved at the same time you incorporate your company name – they need to be the same, or highly related. Yet I still hear stories of companies being well down the road on products and collateral with a given name, only to find out that everything has to be changed because of a domain name conflict or availability problem.

Websites do take time to get done right. I’ve also known startups who have worked for months on the infrastructure of their business – front office, manufacturing, product design, marketing, personnel, and sales – then started work on a web site in parallel with their “grand opening.” Two months later they still didn’t have a web site, and didn’t have a customer. You should allow three months for the design, building, and rollout of your first site, and you can actually build it yourself these days.

Finalizing the web site validates your product plan and sales strategy. Many founders find that building the web site forced them to commit on the product design, set final pricing, define ordering and delivery procedures, and actually schedule and staff the marketing events that they had in mind.

Viral marketing needs a website. Everyone knows that word-of-mouth advertising is an effective and important part of any small business. But word-of-mouth and viral marketing doesn’t work without a web site. On the other hand, don’t assume that viral marketing is the only marketing you will need.

The website can be a source of revenue. If your business and product are as attractive as you believe, the traffic to your web site will build quickly. Now you should monetize that aspect of your business through the use of Google AdSense to display ads for related products and businesses, and get paid for the “click-throughs.”

Your web site will promote your business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Like you probably do, many people search for products and services on the weekends and in the evening. They are busy business people and very often this is the best time for them to concentrate on researching a new product or service. As a business owner, there is nothing more satisfying than having several orders and email inquiries waiting for you when you get up in the morning!

In fact, you can set up a web presence these days on social media alone, by creating a company page on Facebook, company profile on LinkedIn, or a free blog with static pages on WordPress. These may not have the globally recognized www.companyname.com domain name, but will certainly put you in touch with the new Internet generation.

I’ve heard all the excuses for not stepping up to this requirement – like I don’t have the time, skills, or money. But believe me, the costs these days are trivial, compared to the benefits. For the first time you have at your disposal the whole world market for whatever product or service you happen to provide. It’s time to turn the light on, and let the world know you exist.

The writer is a veteran startup mentor, executive, blogger, author, tech professional, professor, and investor. Published on Forbes, Entrepreneur, Inc, Huffington Post.

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