Job Lakal, a Research Analyst with EPRC explains the BCI findings for the Northern region in Arua
Micro economic factors, electricity hiccups, low demand, substandard products and tax policy have been listed as key business constraints in Northern Uganda for the period spanning between 2016 and 2017.
This was revealed during the Business Climate Index (BCI) dissemination held in Arua District recently by Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC).
Job Lakal, a Research Analyst with EPRC’s Macroeconomics Department while sharing the BCI findings for the Northern region said taxes were a major impediment to business registration. Uganda is ranked 108/190 in Protecting Minority Investors’ (shareholders) rights.
Reactions from participants drawn from Northern Uganda were in line with EPRC findings. Taxes and electricity woes were their biggest challenge in doing business.
Jackson Lee Atima the Chairperson Uganda chamber of Commerce, Arua District and proprietor Hilltop Hotel believes that taxes are unfairly charged. “Am a serious victim, my account was frozen due to a 4 million shilling debt without notice,” he said.
He added that many businesses are left un-assessed and unregistered making the tax body dwell on a few that are registered something which strains turnover.
Atima also decried lack of industrialization in West Nile. “You don’t see industries in West Nile, you don’t see them in Arua, that is a very serious drawback for us,” he said urging government to connect West Nile to the national electricity grid.
According to Atima, power outages have affected small business like salons and printing hubs. This phenomenon does not spare Gulu district either. On November 20, 2018 police dispersed demonstrators in Gulu municipality who were protesting against persistent power outages.
Arua Resident District Commissioner, Nahori Oyaa encouraged the locals to demand for electricity and called for exploitation of solar energy to enable continuous running of industries and general businesses.
Paul Lakuma, a Research Fellow with EPRC, notes that in the past the challenge was lack of electricity but government intervened producing 250-megawatts in excess capacity.
The prevailing paradox however, pertains to stability of power and the cost. “Ugandans pay 15 percent more for power compared to neighboring countries like Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania” Lakuma said.
He called for more even distribution to ease cost sharing once the greater portion of the population is accessing power. So far about 20 percent of Ugandan households use power from the national grid.
World Bank, Sustainable Energy for All reported 26.7 Ugandan to have had access to electricity by 2016. Uganda is ranked 173/190 in terms of cost of getting electricity.
Other BCI issues raised during the dissemination include limited structural transformation. Industrialization contributes 22 percent to GDP. The agriculture sector, which has continued to lag- although absorbing 40 percent of the labour force, yields only 26% to GDP.
To raise agricultural productivity, participants called for mechanization and irrigation as well as value addition to increase earnings for local farmers.
The BCI summary for Northern Uganda indicates that momentum in business environment did well for most of 2017 across Northern Uganda; it dropped below potential in early 2018 subduing turn over and profitability.
The cost of inputs remained high while new employment is below potential, and in decline. Optimism is below potential and continues to decline.
A similar dissemination was held in Tororo district in November 23, 2018 involving stakeholders drawn from select districts of Eastern Uganda. Gayathry Venugopal, a Research Analyst with EPRC’s Macroeconomics Department shared the summary of BCI findings for Eastern Uganda.
Majority of the business constraints shared with the Northern Uganda community remerged. These include substandard products, unfair taxes among others.
Wazemba David, the in charge Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Malaba Office called for transparency, pooling of efforts and more awareness to expedite tax collection and ease tensions. This followed an outcry that some URA officials were rude once faced with inquiries and during inspections.
Business owners also complained of unending extortion at the border and on roads leading to the border. For instance, one may encounter 14-16 roadblocks from Malaba to Busitema.
Much as the aim is to maintain security and check on bad trade, some unscrupulous security personnel use these stoppages to extort money from traders.
During the Eastern Uganda BCI dissemination, it was also raised that whereas no Ugandan can cross into Kenya with merchandise, Kenyan traders along the border were easily accessing Uganda soils and trading freely.
George Etyama the District Commercial Officer, Tororo District says government was implementing the village agent model where agents are positioned in villages to connect farmers to traders who have access to exporters. This he hopes will check on standards and ease access to regional markets for local producers.
Access to favorable loans still a challenge
During interactive sessions of the BCI dissemination, inadequate access to soft loans was a matter of concern for both Eastern and Northern region.
This participants say, has bred dubious loan dealers who are often quick on taking over borrowers’ property incase of nonpayment. This is said to be one of the causes of untiring domestic violence.
At least borrowing from commercial banks does not favor most local entrepreneurs.
Paul Lakuma attributes the high interest rates to monopoly saying that 4 banks own 80 percent of banking assets in Uganda. “To protect their interests, such banks can always collude and have a mark up on the price of their products,” he noted.
A few local entrepreneurs have been able to harness and properly manage low interest government loans channeled through avenues like the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme and the Youth Venture Capital Fund.
Aswa Region confirmed 48 places across Acholi sub region that shall display fireworks, Jimmy Patrick Okema the police public relation officer for Aswa River Region while addressing journalists in Gulu during the news conference said the places that have been granted to display fireworks must advertise widely using local media in order not to mislead and disappoint community.
He added that the fireworks to be displayed must be of 1.5 types and should only take five minutes and all the area district police commanders have the authority to stop the display if not satisfied with the guideline they have to adhere to.
The fire work materials will be kept at the central police stations and shall be escorted and supervised by counter terrorism personnel in the respective places of displays and any firework materials not displayed must be handed to the counter terrorism and the display must be conducted by a person with explosive plaster licenses to avoid injuries while tasking the public against making too much alarm as they usher in to the new year since it confuses police who will be on duty making them to be suspicious .
A total of 762 fireworks will be displayed country wide this year.
Museveni signs controversial age bill into an Act, January 2, 2018
President Yoweri Museveni signed the controversial age limit bill into an Act after majority of NRM MPs voted to remove both the upper and the lower presidential age limit caps of 75 and 35 years, beyond or below which, respectively no individual would run for the position president in Uganda. Over 317 legislators voted for removal of age limit while 97 Voted against as two MPs abstained. The private members bill was drafted Igara West MP Raphael Magyezi and seconded by MP Moses Balyeku
Minister Amelia’s husband Kyambadde released from Luzira, January 9, 2018
Wilson Kyambadde, husband to trade Minister Amelia Kyambadde was released from Luzira Prison after spending six months there. On July 10 last year Mr. Kyambadde had been on July 10, 2017 sent to prison by the High Court after he failed to pay a debt of Shs1 billion to city businessman Amdan Khan. The businessman had accused Kyambadde of defrauding him in 2012 of US$300,000 (about Shs1 billion), as down payment claiming that President Museveni had given him a house and was selling it. But the house never existed.
DEAD: Former Archbishop Livingstone Nkoyoyo
Former Archbishop Nkoyoyo dead, January 5, 2018
Retired Anglican Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo passed on. The 79-year prelate died months after he had just returned from London for treatment in June 2017, he died at Kampala Hospital. Nkoyoyo, the fifth head of the Anglican Church (Church of Uganda), fell ill in November 2016 and was at one time admitted at a private hospital in Kensington Central London in December of that same year.
Flamboyant and untouchable cop, Aron Baguma.
DPP clears former CPS boss Baguma of murder charges, January 10, 2018
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) withdrew all murder charges brought against the former Central Police Station (CPS) District Police Commander (DPC) Aaron Baguma, charged in relation to the murder of businesswoman Donah Katushabe. Superintendent of Police (SP) Baguma was facing the murder charges with among others, Muhammad Sebuwufu, a used car dealer, who was allegedly owed Shs9 million by Ms. Katushabe. While appearing before High court judge Justice Flavia Anglin Ssenoga, Principal State Attorney Alex OJok presented a letter signed by DPP Justice Mike Chibita withdrawing charges against SP Baguma.
OUSTED: Former Jinja East MP Nathan Nabeta Igeme
Nabeta thrown out of parliament, January 12, 2018
The Jinja East parliamentary seat hitherto held by MP Nathan Igeme Nabeta was declared vacant by a panel of three appellant court judges. In 2016 Nabeta was declared as the duly elected Member of Parliament by the Jinja district returning officer Anthony Mwaita who would later be forced to resign after he postponed the declaration of the winner of the election. In their ruling he three appellate judges: Steven Kavuma, Richard Butera and Paul Mugamba ruled that Nabeta was wrongly declared MP in the 2016 elections and ordered for fresh elections which he lost to Paul Mwiru.
Mulago cancer machine commissioned, January 19, 2018
Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda commissioned the new Cobalt- 60 radiotherapy machine at the Uganda Cancer institute (UCI) in Mulago. The Shs2 billion came in at the time when the old one had served over 22 years crashed in April 2016.
RIP: Musician Moses Sekibogo Nakintije aka Mowzey Radio
Singer Mowzey Radio dead Feb 1, 2018
Singer Mowzey Radia real name Moses Nakintijje Sekiboga died after being brutally beaten by the bouncer Godfrey Wamala aka Troy in De Bar in Entebbe. Radio died at Case Hospital where he had spent almost two weeks on treatment. His tormentor would on February 7, 2018 be remanded to Kigo Prison by Entebbe Magistrate’s Court.
The late Susan Magara
Susan Magara body found, February 27, 2018
The body of Susan Magara, who had been kidnapped by goons demanding money from the father was found dumped along the Southern By-pass. Ms. Magara had been kidnapped while on her way home in Lungujja, Lubaga Division. Some of the individuals suspected to have killed the youthful lady are in jail while others are believe to be at large.
RIP Teddy Seezi Cheeye
Cheeye is dead, March 1, 2018
Veteran journalist Teddy Seezi Cheeye passed on after he was knocked dead by a Boda Boda cyclist in Nakawa. A Nairobi-trained journalist during the 1980s, Cheeye was running the Confidential newsletter. Police would later arrest suspect identified Roger Kirya who was hiding in Mbuya after a serious manhunt. Cheeye, who served as the Director of Economic Monitoring in the President’s Office, had spent 10 years for embezzlement.
Former IGP Kale Kayihura handing over to his sucessor Okoth Ochola. Looking on is new Deputy IGP Brig. sabiti Muzeyi.
Former IGP Kayihura hands over to Okoth Ochola, March 15, 2018
Eleven days after being relieved of his duties as Inspector General of Police (IGP), General Kale Kayihura handed over office to his successor Martin Okoth Ochola. At a function held at Police Headquarters in Naguru, Gen. Kayihura, clad in full military attire, congratulated IGP Ochola and his deputy, Brigadier Sabiiti Muzeeyi. Kayihura said then that he was satisfied with his performance as IGP which, among others, included a drop in crime rates across the country.
Embattled former Executive Director in charge of Supervision at Bank of Uganda Justine Bagyenda.
MTN apologizes to Bagyenda over leaked Shs500m mobile money transactions, April 5, 2018
Mobile Telecommunication giants MTN apologized to former Executive Director in charge of Supervision at Bank of Uganda Justine Bagyenda over leaked account details of her mobile money transactions. Eagle Online exposed the account details of Ms. Bagyenda with particulars indicating that she had transacted ‘Shs500 million in three years on her mobile money account.
“We however, wish to clarify that the alleged incident of breach of confidentiality has been extensively investigated internally. The allegations of abuse and unlawful disclosure of confidential information relate to mobile money transaction records of Ms Justine Bagyenda. Reads the apology.
Paul William
UK MP implores Museveni to quit, April 19, 2018
The United Kingdom Member of Parliament (MP) for Stockton South Dr. Paul Williams urged President Yoweri Museveni to leave power, saying that the Ugandan leader is ‘a barrier’ to development. Dr. Williams asked the UK International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt to use the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to tell President Museveni that it’s time to go. President Museveni is in United Kingdom for the 25th Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meetings (CHOGM)
: Makerere University Senior Administrative Assistant Edward Kisuze has today been granted shs2 million cash bail by Buganda road magistrate Eremye Mawanda
Makerere University suspends Administrative Assistant over leaked sex video, April 17, 2018
Mr Edward Kisuze, a senior administrative assistant in Makerere University was suspended over allegations that he sexually harassed Ms. Njoroge Rachael Njeri. His suspension follows a viral picture of him purportedly licking Ms Njeri’s private parts in his office. The female had finished studies at the university and decided to leak the sex photos on social media, accusing the administrator of harassing her sexually.
Al Hajj Ali Akbar Adoko Nekyon
Former Minister and Obote cousin Adoko Nekyon dead, May 4, 2018
Veteran politician Al Hajj Ali Akbar Adoko Nekyon passed on at Nsambya Hospital aged 86, reports indicated. A cousin to former president Milton Obote, Adoko Nekyon was the first post-Independence Minister of Information, Broadcasting and Tourism in the 1960s. He also served as Minister for Health and Minister of Rehabilitation and Social Services between 1988 and 1990, under the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.
WARNED POLICE OFFICERS AGAINST TORTURE: IGP, Okoth Ochola.
IGP Ochola dissolves Flying Squad as Elly Womanya bounces back to CID, May 8, 2018
The Inspector General of Police Martins Okoth Ochola disbanded the notorious Flying Squad Unit of the Uganda Police. The officers in the unit had been under Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Herbert Muhangi, who now heads the Human Power Audit Department of Police.
Col. Ibrahim Abiriga
MP Ibrahim Abiriga gunned down, June 8, 2018
Col Abiriga and his brother, who was doubling as bodyguard, Said Kango were showered with live bullets by unknown gunmen a few meters to his home in Kirinnyabigo, Kawanda the outskirts of Kampala.
MP Abiriga laid to rest as Museveni promises to end killings, June 11, 2018
The slain legislator for Arua municipality Rtd Col Ibrahim Abiriga was laid to rest at Rhino camp in Lukudu Village, Lower Madi Constituency.
Col. Abiriga and his brother, who doubled as his bodyguard, Said Kango were on Friday showered with live bullets by unknown gunmen a few meters to his home in Kirinnyabigo, Kawanda the outskirts of Kampala.
Confirmed Former IGP, Gen Kale Kayihura, in picture with black beret, arriving at Court Martialarrested, June 13, 2018
The former Inspector General of Police, Gen. Kale Kayihura was arrested and detained at Makindye Military Barracks until he was produced before the Military Court Martial. He would later be given bail on account of his poor health. He was also accused of failing to protect war material by issuing arms to unauthorised persons including Boda Boda 2010 members led by jailed Abdallah Kitatta between 2010 and 2018. His case is still pending.
Museveni commissions Entebbe Express Highway., June 15, 2018
President Museveni and the deputy Premier of china Wang Yang commissioned 49.5 kilometers Kampala -Entebbe expressway that was constructed by China Communications Construction Company (CCCC).
The construction of the ShsUS$476m expressway project began in 2012. Museveni said the expressway was part of the measures to de-congest the Central Business District to enhance trade movement through, within and out of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.
Former LoP Winnie Kiiza
Winnie Kiiza dropped as the LoP as Mafabi bounces back, August 3, 2018
Forum for Democratic Change has dropped Kasese Woman Member of Parliament Winnie Kiiza as the Leader of Opposition in Parliament in a reshuffle announced by party president Patrick Amuriat. MsKiiza was replaced by Gulu Woman MP, Betty AoL Ochan. Kira municipality MP Ssemujju Nganda has been maintained as the Opposition Chief Whip in Parliament.
The party also dropped Bugweri County MP Abdul Kamuntu and appointed Kawempe South legislator Mubarak Munyagwa to head Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) deputized by Rubaga North MP Moses Kasibante.
Police confirms arrest of Bobi Wine being arrested by police officers plus three MPs, August 14, 2018
Police confirmed the arrest of Kyadondo East legislator Robert Kyagulanyi and others following a scuffle in during the Arua municipality by-election where one of president Museveni’s motorcades was pelted with stones. The president was in the town to campaign for NRM candidate in the race to replace the late Ibrahim Abiriga. The Independent candidate Kassiano Wadri won the race even as the voting happened while he was in prison. Other MPs arrested then were Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake, Ntungamo Municipality MP Gerald Karuhanga, Jinja East MP Paul Mwiru, former MP Michael Mabikke, a one Fred Nyanzi, Wadri and others. The politicians would later be produced in court and then given bail.
RIP: Muhammad Kirumira.
Muhammad Kirumira shot dead, September 8, 2018
Former Buyende District Police CommanderMuhammad Kirumira was killed in hail of bullets alongside one Resty Nalinya by unknown assailants travelling on motorcycles as he proceeded to his home after attending a party of a senior police officer. He was driving motor vehicle UAJ 228V Toyota Corona. Some of the suspected killers of Kirumira are in jail as investigations continue.
TURNEB AROUND CITY: KCCA former Executive Director Jennifer Musisi Semakula
KCCA ED Jennifer Musisi resigns, October 15, 2018
The Executive Director for Kampala Capital Authority, Jennifer Musisi Ssemakula resigned. Musisi would officially leave office on December 15, 2018. “This is to submit my resignation from the position of Executive Director, Kampala Capital City Authority with effect from December 15, 2018. Your Excellency, over the last seven and half years, we have made progress towards transforming Kampala and below are some of our performance highlights” Musisi wrote.
I warned: Gen. Sejusa.
Gen. Museveni retires Gen. Sejusa from army, October 30, 2018
Former Coordinator of intelligence services Gen David Sejjusa aka Tinyefuza was cleared to retire from the army, UPDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Deo Akiiki confirmed. Sejusa’s retirement was ordered by president Museveni. Sejusa is expected to be included on the list of retiring officers in 2019.
Gorilla is one of Uganda’s tourism attractions.
Uganda named among top four African places with rich tourist attractions, December 5, 2018
Uganda was listed among the four African destinations that have made it to National Geographic Traveler’s Cool List of 2019. The list has 19 places a tourist would not miss in 2019. The list, according to a US based magazine, places feature everything from futuristic cityscapes and modernist architecture to pristine rain-forest and rehabilitated wildlife. The magazine indicates that Eritrea, Kwazulu-Natal, Uganda and Zimbabwe make up the list which also looks at the destinations around the globe that will drive tourist numbers in the coming year, 2019. Other Places include: Setouchi, Antarctica, Pittsburgh, Corsica, Cambodia, San Miguel de Allende, West Yorkshire, Hong Kong, Guyana, Oslo, Bhutan, Dundee, Matera, Indonesia, and Sibiu.
Electoral Commission and CCEDU officials
EC to spend Shs868b in 2021 elections, December 11, 2018
The chairperson of Electoral Commission Justice Simon Byabakama confirmed that a total of Shs868 billion is required to conduct the 2021 general elections that will take place between 10th January and 8th February 2021.
Speaking at the launch of electoral road map, justice Byabakama said, there was a slight increase in electoral body’s budget by Shs368 billion due to continuous improvement in the electoral process, comprehensive voter education and sensitization of stake holders, inclusion of Supreme Court recommendations, price changes and exchange rate fluctuations.
He said their budget is also alluded to increase in the number of districts from 112 to 141, municipalities 80 from 39, sub counties 2000 from 1398, parishes 9500 from 7431, villages 65200 from 57, 842, polling stations 35,000 from 28, 000, Registered voters 19,400,000 from 15,277,198.
CHARGED IN COURT MARTIAL: Abdallah Kitatta has a case to answer-Gen. Gutti, December 17, 2018
The chairman of Makindye General Court Martial (GCM), Lt. Gen. Andrew Gutti ruled that the embattled patron for Boda-Boda 2010 Abdullah Kitatta had a case to answer in the criminal charges leveled against him. Kitatta was on Jan 20, 2018 arrested by a joint force of Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and Internal Security Organization (ISO) and is currently facing five counts including failure to protect war material and being in unlawful possession of military stores contrary to the UPDF Act.
After the conclusion of prima facie session, court established that Kitatta, Sowali Ngobi, Ibrahim Sekajja, Joel Kibirige, Hassan Ssebata, Hussein Mugema, John Ssebandeke and Amon Twinomujuni have a case to answer. Gen. Gutti acquitted three of the suspects and these include Johnson Kayondo, Hassan Ssengoba, and Sunday Ssemwogerere on grounds that they were not involved in any activities conducted by the group.
Andrew Kitaka
Andrew Kitaka appointed Acting ED for KCCA, December 18, 2018
Minister for Kampala, Betty Olive Namisango Kamya appointed Eng. Andrew Kitaka Mubiru as the Acting Executive Director for Kampala capital city authority (KCCA).The appointment proceeds the resignation of Jennifer Musisi Semakula after serving for seven years since her appointment in 2011.
The in-fights within the Forum for Democratic Change party could undermine the good work of Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE).
Just months after assuming the office of Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Ms Betty Aol wants to assert her powers but the assertion could as well undermine the already fragile internal politics within the FDC given that just months, former party leader, Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu and a host left for a new party.
Ms Aol wants to have control of the party wing at parliament and that means she must have troops that are loyal to her but at whose expense does she serve? Is it for the party or the country that pays her and her colleagues? Basing on the above, Ms Aol ought to appreciate the played by other players before she was named in as LoP. Her current showdown with the Speaker over whether to extend the tenure of COSASE is basically looking at two people, Abdu Katuntu and Anite Among.
The party differences shouldn’t be dragged to parliament at the expense of national interests. The recent change of Commissioners in parliament from being appointed by party to election could justify why party interests should suffocate national interests.
Ms Aol, named Kawempe South legislator Mubarak Munyagwa as the chairperson of COSASE with Rubaga North’s Moses Kasibante as his deputy, However, the changes are good for the operation of the party and opposition in general as they show maturity and rotation of leadership roles. Nevertheless, Ms Aol should not be used to target moderates that don’t entirely agree with the status quo at Najjanakumbi.
Why would LoP refuse to grant extension of time for the committee to accomplish its work even after the Speaker of Parliament has requested? The Katuntu, Anite Among plus other committee members should be granted an extension to finish their work without necessarily indulging the Munyagwa committee into affairs they didn’t start.
Could FDC be playing in the hands of Bank of Uganda? The acts of LoP can indirectly mean that as a party, FDC isn’t interested in positive results but just having another of their own to steer the committee. The fact is that Abdu Katuntu like any other person has short comings but those short comings shouldn’t be used to purge him and his committee at the crucial time.
Despite the two sides having arguments over the extension of the committee, Katuntu has emerged as one the best level coolheaded legislator in handling matters related to investigations and whether the executive and parliament implements or doesn’t, that is none of his business because his is to see through the inquiry and make recommendations.
Yes, Munyagwa isn’t being loathed because of him being a failure but it isn’t good for him to start from nowhere especially on a matter like BoU probe.
Katuntu is leading the probe into BoU’s closure and sale of seven commercial banks following an Auditor General report that pointed and possible corruption among BoU officials and beneficiaries of the takeovers.
The banks are Teefe bank, International Credit bank ltd, Greenland bank, The Cooperative bank, National Bank of Commerce, Global Trust bank, and Crane bank.
The probe discovered that some banks were sold via mobile phone, using archaic laws and passing on “confidential information to would be buyers. In the case of Crane Bank, Shs478 billion was spent by BoU to keep the bank operational for three months before it was taken over by Dfcu Bank. The same bank needed a capitalisation of Shs157 billion.
Whether Katuntu or Munyagwa, what is needed is fine report at the end of the day.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit in partnership with officials from the Office of Auditor General on Wednesday raided the Wakiso district zonal lands offices over allegations that officials there connive with brokers to fleece government of taxes in form of stamp duty as well as denying the public quality services.
The Wednesday raid was led by Lt. Col. Edith Nakalema helped by detectives of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The operation is said to have been sanctioned by president Museveni after receiving reports on the rot in the land offices of the district.
Sources say staff in the lands office connivance with middlemen to place low values on the land transacted so as government receives less revenue while the remainder is shared between them.
Ms Nakalema was told a senior lands officer has closed her officer for one month as she son her annual leave. Meanwhile the investigators ordered all staff out of their rooms so they could carry out a search on documents and others.
Museveni launched State House Anti-Corruption Unit over a week ago to enable the people to call directly to report cases of corruption in public offices. The unit works hand in hand with other agencies like the IGG and CID.
Makerere University has released a four-day schedule for the forthcoming graduation ceremony where 10,216 students are expected to graduate, having fulfilled all the requirements such as passing exams and paying all the tuition fees, graduation fees and others.
Dr. Alfred Masikye Namoah, the Academic Registrar, says the ceremony will begin on January 15, 2019 with the graduation of students in the colleges of; Natural Sciences, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Education and External Studies and that of Health Sciences.
On January 16, 2019 students from the College of Business and Management Sciences, College of Computing and Information Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resource and Bio Security will graduate.
Over 3000 students from Makerere University Business School (MUBS) will be passed out on January 17, 2019 after which the Colleges of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the School of Law graduate their students on January 18, 2019.
The students are also expected to go home with their transcripts immediately after graduation.
The Civil Division of the High Court in Kampala has ordered the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) to produce Enock Buntu National Youth Treasurer for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and also a former aide to former Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura.
Enock Buntu, reportedly went missing on July 9 after he was picked from his home in Mbalwa zone, Namugongo in Wakiso district forcing his brother to petition court over his disappearance.
On Wednesday, Justice Lydia Mugambe issued a habeas corpus in which she ordered the army through the Chief of Defence Forces and the Attorney General to produce Mr.Buntu.
“It is hereby ordered that a writ of habeas corpus is issued to the Chief of Defence Forces to have the body of Enock Buntu produced before Justice Lydia Mugambe at Civil Division of the High Court on the 22nd day of January 2019 to show cause why he should not be released,” the order reads in part.
In August, Bantu’s family members said a group of seven armed men picked Buntu at around 5 am having ordered him to hand over his phones. They also searched his house before driving off with him to an unknown place.
In their habeas corpus application, Buntu’s family said they later learnt that he was incarcerated at the Makindye Military barracks where he is still detained on allegations of being found in possession of a fire arm.
“Since his arrest, Buntu’s relatives have made necessary efforts to have him released on police bond but all efforts have not successful without any lawful justification,” said John Agaba in his habeas corpus application received by the court on October 25.
UPDF is still detaining at least six police officers and one soldier who were said to be close associates of former Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, for half a year without trial and for unknown offences.
The officers are Lt. Col. Peter Musherure, ACP Herbert Muhangi (former Flying Squad Unit commander), SSP Richard Ndaboine (former head of Police Cyber Crime Unit), AIP Jonas Ayebaze, Sgt Abel Tumukunde (an operative in the disbanded Special Operations Unit) and Judas Tadeo, a driver of ACP Jonathan Baroza, who was the personal assistant to Gen Kayihura.
They were arrested between June 11 and 13 this year. Only Col Ndahura Atwooki, the former director of police crime intelligence, was arraigned and charged in a military court.
Relatives of the detained officers said they don’t know where their relatives are or the offences against them. UPDF says investigations against the officers are not yet complete.
In August, Gen Kayihura was also arrested and charged in the General Court Martial with two counts of failing to protect war materials contrary to section 122(1) (2) (d) of the UPDF Act and aiding the kidnap and repatriation of Rwandan nationals. He was later granted bail by the same court.
At a United Nations debate in New York, Isabel dos Santos, who is currently the richest woman in Africa spoke of the economic empowerment of African women as a key to transforming society. This and many of her other hopeful and encouraging messages have inspired many citizens in African countries, mainly young women, to pursue their ambitions in business.
Dos Santos believes that some of the most promising and successful businesspeople in the world have been African because of the continent’s entrepreneurial spirit. This spirit, however, has been weighed down by the stigmatization of women in the workplace. This has robbed the economy of valuable innovators and has barred women from achieving their ambitions. But by ensuring that young women can access the same education, job opportunities, and potential for growth as men, dos Santos believes that she can change this attitude and instill a national confidence in women.
This type of thinking falls in line with her more general philosophy of reform: “First the seed, then the future.” This dictum seems to urge against immediate change and, instead, encourages slow and steady growth. The seeds that Isabel dos Santos thinks ought to be planted are also tied up in the economic freedom of women – by creating jobs, providing training, and breaking sexist stigmas, she believes that women can experience increased financial stability while giving their home countries more influence in the international economy.
Dos Santos’ Vision of an Entrepreneurial Africa
Isabel Dos Santos has spent a lot of time planting these seeds in Africa, focusing her efforts in her home country of Angola where she meets with young people and speaks with them about the power of entrepreneurship. Sometimes, she visits them in small, personable rooms at universities and other institutions, other times in much larger ones during her speeches and debates. Most tellingly, she refers to famous African entrepreneurs as a “great family” and invites everyone with the motivation to work hard and come join them.
She often encourages young women to leverage the world’s increased reliance on technology and artificial intelligence, which she refers to as “digitalization”. She believes working toward innovations in technology is key to increasing Africa’s presence in the international economy while flooding the continent with unique employment opportunities. With just a computer and internet connection, unemployed or underpaid citizens can find more work, sometimes with the higher wages that are more commonplace in developed countries, to support their families and stimulate their local economies.
During a conversation with students at the University of Warwick interested in developing Africa, dos Santos tells a young woman who is eager to accomplish her ambitions “now” that she has to be patient and have not just a goal but a string of subgoals to reach it. She goes on to encourages the student to involve herself as deeply as she can in the decision processes that influence that goal, and also to understand that sometimes it’s important to just focus on school, other times on a career or starting a business. This type of advice for strategic hesitance can be found in many of her speeches.
Isabel dos Santos is the daughter of Jose Eduardo dos Santos, Angola’s long-time former president. Much of her wealth came from her investments and her previous position as the chairwoman of an oil company owned by the state called Sonangol. Dos Santos considers herself an independent businesswoman and investor and has become Africa’s first female billionaire. Forbes ranks her as the 9thwealthiest billionaire in Africa for 2018.
A Beacon of Hope in a Male-Dominated Market
For young businesswomen in various African countries, her success story has been a beacon of hope. But dos Santos has told various reporters that her rise to riches was marred by the sexism she had to endure in a male-dominated African business world. She has no shortage of stories concerning prejudice and discrimination based on her gender, such as during business meetings where the people she’s negotiating with would look to her male assistant, advisor, or lawyer for validation though she already stated her offer. She is also frequently asked what business her husband is in when her wealth is made clear.
Despite her tribulations in the business world, Isabel dos Santos has maintained a charitable and hopeful perspective on life and takes on many projects geared toward improving small communities and local economies. One of these projects was in Humpata, in the province of Huila, where dos Santos helped establish a strawberry field, “planting the seed” to empower citizens. This project gave 120 women a place to work and a new income. On her website, dos Santos says:
“Creating opportunities and employment for women means betting on the progress of the communities themselves. When they thrive, women invest their income in the family, health, and education. I value this as a sense of duty, commitment, and dedication. The impact that women create around them is powerful and transformative.”
She calls on other African entrepreneurs to give back to their countries by investing in similar projects. Though they seem small-scale, she believes that with enough support, this type of philanthropic work can create a value chain large enough to impact the national economy. As a result, smaller communities will have more prosperous citizens and influence. Should those new entrepreneurs be African women, then dos Santos hopes that their success will help chip away at the stigma that women are less competent than men.
This is all part of one of Isabel dos Santos’ larger goals to increase the prosperity of African countries as a whole. She plans to accomplish this by working from the ground up, focusing on the individual, such as the promising young men and woman of various African countries. By empowering them, she is, in turn, empowering their communities. This creates value within towns that have historically not had the chance to prosper, and by strengthening local economies, the national economy itself is bolstered.
“This is the true transformation of a country,” she says. It starts with a little hope and promise, with planting the “seeds”, and then, through the hard work of a community’s individuals, a brighter future can be earned.”
Parliament’s committee on Commissions Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (Cosase) has directed that the Auditor General John Muwanga carry out a special audit on how BoU spent Shs478.8 billion on Crane Bank Limited (CBL) as liquidity support and other intervention costs.
The directive followed the failure by BoU officials to explain how the money was spent. The officials failed to present convincing documents showing how exactly the money was used as it took over the management of CBL between October 2016 and January 2017.
BoU closed Crane Bank on account of being insolvent. It would later sell its assets to Dfcu Bank at Shs200 billion, paid in installments. Dfcu Bank has paid about Shs98 billion of that money.
The committee has been probing BoU for almost a month over the closure and sale of seven commercial banks. The MPs on the committee are using the Auditor General’s report revealed irregularities in the sale of the banks-CBL, Global Trust Bank, Greenland Bank, International Credit Bank, Cooperative Bank, National Bank of Commerce and Teefe Trust Bank.
BoU officials days ago were not on the same page when asked how much undercapitalised Crane Bank was before they took a decision to shut it down. Governor Tumusiime Mutebile admitted he didn’t have the right figure while Ben Ssekabira, the Director Financial Markets Coordination, said it was Shs157 billion
Of the Shs478.8 billion Shs12.20 billion was paid to the providers of legal services, IT services, surveyors’ services among others. However there is Shs 720,406 billion spent on ‘special exercise (CBL). BoU claims Shs 4.8 billion was used to pay terminal benefits of former CBL workers.
Cosase Chairman Abdu Katuntu said BoU should say where the money came from and whether it was properly utilized. He said the documentation so far provided by BoU staff make no sense in as far as accountability and transparency are concerned. “Was this money utilized properly? This is the query here,” he said. “Where did this money come from?” He asked.
Documentations for purposes of verifying. What we got were names schedules and figures.
Katuntu also said his committee want to know whether the Shs478.8 billion was required given that CBL only needed Shs157 billion to stabilise its operations. “Was that money actually required? Did that money pay the customers?” He asked
The BoU deputy governor Dr. Louis Kasekende said the institution welcomed the special audit of Shs478.8 billion.
The FIFA monthly rankings of December 2018 have been released today by the world football governing body.
Uganda Cranes will end the year placed at 75, maintaining their position from last month and 16 on the continent.
Neighbours Kenya also remained at 105, while Uganda’s next 2019 Afcon qualifiers opponent Tanzania also remained at 138, Burundi came at 139 and Rwanda at 137.
The top five countries in Africa are; Senegal (23), Tunisia (26), Morocco (40), Nigeria (44) and Congo DR (49).
Belgium will begin 2019 at the top of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, having preserved their single-point lead over France at the table’s summit and emerged as the Ranking’s ‘Team of the Year’.
Brazil (3rd, unchanged), Croatia in fourth and England complete the best five countries in the world.
The month’s biggest movers are Guyana (177th, up 3) whose CONCACAF Nations League qualifier draw against Barbados in September was recently reclassified as a forfeit win due to the Barbadians fielding two ineligible players.
Barbados was the worst mover, dropping by 3 places to position 162.
Europe accounts for 31 of the top 50 teams – two up from December 2017. Asia has also boosted its top-50 numbers from two to three, with these rises coming at the expense of Africa, which saw its representation drop from eight to five.
The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on 7th February 2019.
