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EU donates Shs270m for Ebola preparedness in Uganda

By
George Mangula
-
Christos Stylianides

In response to the 10th outbreak of Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo,the European Union is reinforcing preparedness in Uganda with a donation of Shs270 million (€60 000) in humanitarian funding to reinforce interventions aimed at detecting cases and preventing transmission.

“We have to be extremely vigilant and never let our guard down when dealing with health threats such as Ebola. The European Union has been at the forefront of efforts to help people affected by the virus and contain outbreaks,” said Commissioner of Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides.

The official said they have mobilised the EU emergency response mechanisms and provided logistical support for the recent and current outbreaks in DRC, and also contributed to vaccine development. “Our support to the Uganda Red Cross will help to take much needed action to help the country prepare better,” he said.

Health experts have warned there is a real risk of Ebola spreading to Uganda due to intense cross-border movements between the two neighbouring countries. Should Ebola hit Uganda, it will not be the first time. The deadly disease has hit the country in the past on more than one occasion.

The EU funds will allow the Uganda Red Cross to reinforce preparedness and prevention in 7 of the most at risk districts bordering DRC (Ntoroko, Bundibugyo, Kasese, Kisoro, Kanungu, Kabarole, Bunangabo) and 18 points of entry. Staff and volunteers will be trained in contact tracing, informing and engaging with communities, and carrying out safe and dignified burials.

Others will be taught how to take infection, prevention and control measures and provide psychosocial support to affected people. The activities will reach 149 000 people over the next 3 months. They are in line with Uganda’s preparedness plan and complementary to actions of other partners on the ground.

The funding is part of the EU’s overall contribution to the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

The Uganda-DRC border sees daily movements of displaced populations, traders and miners. Insecurity and community resistance in eastern DRC are hindering efforts to contain the disease. 244 000 Congolese refugees have arrived in Uganda in the first half of 2018 as a direct consequence of inter-communal violence in North Kivu and Ituri provinces. Since this outbreak was declared on 1 August 2018, 151 cases of Ebola have been reported in eastern DRC.

The EU and its Member States are the world’s leading donor of humanitarian aid. Relief assistance is an expression of European solidarity with people in need all around the world. It aims to save lives, prevent and alleviate human suffering, and safeguard the integrity and human dignity of populations affected by natural disasters and man-made crises.

Through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian aid Operations department (ECHO), the European Union helps millions of victims of conflict and disasters every year. With headquarters in Brussels and a global network of field offices, the EU provides assistance to the most vulnerable people on the basis of humanitarian needs.

Meanwhile, the European Commission has signed a €3 million humanitarian delegation agreement with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support the Federation’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF). Funds from the DREF are mainly allocated to “small-scale” disasters – those that do not give rise to a formal international appeal.

The Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) was established in 1985 and is supported by contributions from donors. Each time a National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society needs immediate financial support to respond to a disaster, it can request funds from the DREF.

For small-scale disasters, the IFRC allocates grants from the Fund, which can then be replenished by the donors. The delegation agreement between the IFRC and ECHO enables the latter to replenish the DREF for agreed operations (that fit in with its humanitarian mandate) up to a total of €3 million.

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Gov’t to set up cancer treatment centres in Arua and Mbale

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Minister Sarah Opendi

Government will set up cancer treatment centres in Arua and Mbale referral hospitals for treatment of various types of the catastrophic disease in the country.

According to the Minister of State for Health Sarah Opendi, the move is in line with the World Health Organization recommendation to adopt a planned response to the cancer crisis by initiating a Comprehensive National Cancer Control Programme.

Arua and Mbale caters will supplement the already operational cancer treatment center in Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital and Uganda cancer institute in Mulago.
“These facilities aim to help in decentralizing cancer treatment services as well as decongest the Uganda Cancer Institute,” said Opendi.
Wamanga Wamai (Mbale Municipality) asked the Minister to explain what the government was doing to mitigate the rampant increase of cancer cases in the country.

“When a person is screened and found to have cancer, they are usually told that it is at an advanced stage. That is why very many of our people are dying of cancer,”
She noted that government is set to have a Comprehensive National Cancer Control Programme that will include care delivery with a National Cancer Centre of Excellence at the centre, cancer service network, cancer research, and a national policy on cancer.

Acknowledges the burden, threat of cancer and other noncommunicable diseases, Opendi said Ugandans had ignored advice from the ministry and partner health programmes to go for early cancer screening, but instead some of them had resorted to traditional methods to try treat the disease.
“We have trained midwives across the country to detect cancer [of the cervix], such that one does not need to move to the cancer institute or a regional referral hospital to carry out cancer screening,” Opendi said.

She implored parents to take their children for vaccination against Hepatitis B, which she said poses a risk of cancer of the liver and Human Papillomavirus

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World Bank commits US$1 billion for battery storage to upgrade renewable energy

By
Our Reporter
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Solar power

The World Bank Group has committed $1 billion for a new global program to accelerate investments in battery storage for energy systems in developing and middle-income countries. The program is expected to help these countries upgrade their use of renewables – particularly wind and solar power – improve energy security, increase grid stability and expand access to electricity.

The $1 billion financing is expected to mobilize another $4 billion in concessional climate financing and public and private investments. The program aims to finance 17.5 gigawatt hours (GWh) of battery storage by 2025 – more than triple the 4-5 GWh currently installed in all developing countries.

“For developing countries, this can be a game changer,” said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim. “Battery storage can help countries leapfrog to the next generation of power generation technology, expand energy access, and set the stage for much cleaner, more stable, energy systems.”

Currently, batteries used in energy generation systems are expensive, and most projects are concentrated in developed countries. The “Accelerating Battery Storage for Development” program, in response to demand from countries, will finance and de-risk investments such as utility-scale solar parks with battery storage, off-grid systems – including mini-grids – and stand-alone batteries that can help stabilize and strengthen grids.

The program will also support large-scale demonstration projects for new storage technologies suitable for developing countries’ needs – such as batteries that are long-lasting, resilient to harsh conditions and high temperatures, and that present minimal environmental risks.

“Batteries are critical to decarbonizing the world’s power systems. They allow us to store wind and solar energy and deploy it when it’s needed most to provide people with clean, affordable, round-the-clock power.” Dr. Kim said. “We call on our partners to join us and match the investments we’re making today. We can create new markets for battery storage in countries with high wind and solar potential, growing energy demand, and populations that still live without reliable electricity.”

The World Bank Group is putting $1 billion of its own funds towards this new program and will fundraise another $1 billion in concessional climate funds through channels such as the Climate Investment Funds’ Clean Technology Fund (CTF). The program is expected to raise an additional $3 billion from public and private funds and investors.

The new program will also convene a global think tank on battery storage, bringing together national laboratories, research institutions, development agencies and philanthropies to foster international technological cooperation and training that can develop and adapt new storage solutions tailored for the needs and conditions of developing countries.

The World Bank Group has been working with countries to support the deployment of batteries together with solar and wind power for several years, with projects currently underway in Africa, South Asia, and the Pacific. The Bank Group has financed roughly 15 percent of the stationary battery storage capacity already deployed or currently under development in developing countries, mostly through mini-grid projects and in island states to improve resilience.

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54% of Ugandans blame laziness as cause of poverty

By
George Mangula
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laziness

The latest research findings released by Twaweza, a regional NGO, indicate that 54 per cent of Ugandans interviewed in the survey say that people are poor because of laziness or lack of personal effort.

In the findings, external factors such as social injustice (29 per cent), luck (16 per cent) and unemployment (11 per cent) are mentioned by fewer people.

But three times more people (62 per cent) say that hard work is the route to getting ahead in life or improving one’s status as compared to education (20 per cent). Most citizens (80 per cent) also believe that hard work makes it easy to acquire wealth.

The findings are the latest to be released by Twaweza in a research brief titled: The haves and the have nots: Ugandans’ opinions on poverty, fairness, and inequality. The brief is based on data from Sauti za Wananchi, Africa’s first nationally representative high-frequency mobile phone survey. The findings are based on data collected from 1,925 respondents across Uganda in May 2018.
Click to read report
SzW-UG-2018-Inequality-FINAL-print
According to the research findings, many Ugandans also have an unclear sense of relative poverty and where they might rank. This is especially true in urban areas where 8 out of 10 urban residents (78 per cent) are considered to be in the richest 40 per cent of the population while only 1 out of 20 urban citizens (4 per cent) consider themselves to be in this wealth group.

Similarly, in rural areas, 1 out of 10 (8 per cent) see themselves in the richest 40 per cent of the population while in reality 3 out of 10 (29 per cent) are.

Nonetheless, 95 percent of the Ugandans interviewed think that the gap between rich and poor is too wide, with a large majority (81 percent) saying the government is responsible for reducing this gap.

Further, 7 out of 10 citizens think inequality is an urgent problem. They call on government to provide free quality social services (41 per cent), lower taxes and less regulations on small businesses (37 per cent), and increased funding for social safety nets (37 per cent). But only 3 out of 10 (28 per cent) feel the government is showing sufficient urgency in addressing the problem.

Further, 60 percent of those interviewed agree that inequality motivates people to work hard while 4 out of 10 think that social benefits make people lazy (44 percent) and that it is shameful to receive them (benefits) without working (37 percent).

Attitudes to women’s roles are worrying: 3 out of 10 think boys’ education should be prioritised over girls’ (32 per cent), 4 out of 10 think that men should be given preferential access to jobs, sources of income and resources in times of shortage (38 per cent) and 5 out of 10 (51 per cent) think that it is better for the family when the woman is primary custodian of the household.

But, encouragingly, Ugandans have deep faith in the justice system: 9 out of 10 citizens agree that ordinary people (91 per cent) and wealthy people (85 per cent) will both be punished according to the law if they commit crimes.

Marie Nanyanzi of Sauti za Wananchi at Twaweza, said: “Ugandans’ attitudes towards women’s access to resources and opportunities are slightly disappointing. But their strong faith in the justice system to handle cases objectively is positive. Although citizens seem to place a lot of the responsibility for poverty at their own and their peers’ doors, they are unequivocal in calling for strong systems of government support and lower obstacles for small businesses; they want their government to provide an environment in which they and their businesses can thrive.”

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I have no issues with Dr. Besigye- Gen Muntu

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
Gen. Muntu

Former Forum for Democratic Change party president rtd Major General Mugisha Muntu said he has no issues with former presidential candidate Dr. Kiiza Besigye despite believing in different political ideologies.

Gen. Muntu and others quit the Najjanakumbi based party, over what he says different party ideologies. Muntu is said to be front building of party structures as opposed to defiance fronted by by Besigye and Najjanakumbi faction.

Muntu who believes in building party structures noted that, they had two options of leaving the party or staying and remain locked to Amuriat’s agenda of defiance, and keeping at the party to initiate their motives.
“I have no issue with Dr. Kizza Besigye and we shall meet because we are all actors in the political environment. I don’t mix things. We don’t become enemies after we compete,” he noted at Africana Hotel.

Gen Muntu says their decision to leave was reached after countrywide consultations which saw them interact with Ugandans across all sub regions. He contends that the consultations showed that the party was divided basing on two ideologies of defiance and building party structures to favorably compete in the election.

“I was also called a mole when I was in the bush. We do things differently, that’s why people misunderstand us,” said Muntu.
Muntu emphasized that those that allege that he has been meeting President Museveni seem not to understand him I last met face to face with President Museveni in 2004 after the PAFO meeting in Mbale. I say this and I know no one can challenge it. Integrity is one of the most central values of my existence as a human being,” Gen. Muntu said.

Muntu who quit amid criticisms, revealed that their departure is in good faith believing that it is consequential to both the party and could mark the beginning of cooperation between opposition parties and leaders.

The group is however, set to have a participatory process of defining their agenda, core values and motives for the yet to be formed political party.
“We must be willing to recognize that One Uganda One People cannot be achieved without truth and justice. That peace, unity and transformation cannot happen without People’s Power being our power,” he added

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World leaders commit to bold targets and urgent action to end TB

By
Agencies
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Uganda's 2018 delegation to the UN General Assembly led by Prime Minister, Dr. Rugunda.

World leaders meeting at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly have committed to ensure that 40 million people with tuberculosis (TB) receive the care they need by end 2022. They also agreed to provide 30 million people with preventive treatment to protect them from developing TB.

“Today is a landmark in the long war on TB,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization. “These are bold promises – to keep them partnership is vital. WHO is committed to working with every country, every partner and every community to get the job done?”

Heads of state and government attending this first-ever UN High-level meeting on TB agreed to mobilize US$ 13 billion a year by 2022 to implement TB prevention and care, and US $2 billion for research. They committed to take firm action against drug-resistant forms of the disease; build accountability and to prioritize human rights issues such as the stigma that still prevails around TB in many parts of the world.

They acknowledged that the current rate of progress was endangering prospects of meeting global targets to end TB. Today, TB remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease: it killed 1.6 million people in 2017, including 300 000 people with HIV. In the same year, 10 million people fell ill with TB.

“The political declaration proposed for this meeting sets a roadmap for accelerated action to end TB in line with the vision and targets for 2030,” said H.E. Ms Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, President of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly. “We have before us the opportunity for a clear win – a chance to save the lives of millions, to preserve billions in resources, to demonstrate the success of the Sustainable Development Goals, and to reaffirm the utility, efficacy and necessity of multilateralism and the UN System. Let us not miss this opportunity.”

The political declaration is the culmination of recent leadership commitments at global and regional level – including the 2017 Moscow Declaration to End TB – to drive universal access, sufficient and sustainable financing, intensified research and innovation, and accountability across all sectors.

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Sadolin launches wallguard paint on Ugandan market to address high humidity concerns

By
George Mangula
-

Ugandans will now do away with worries of the bad effects high humidity to buildings and other structures as Sadolin Paint, first founded in 1907 has launched a new exterior paint-Wallguard that provides the best protection against the damaging effect of humidity and mould.

The first of its kind on the Ugandan market, Sadolin Wallguard, unlike other brands, offers the smooth finish and colour expected from high quality paint but also features unique Mouldex Moisture Resist technology.

Developed by an international task team to meet the harsh local climatic requirements, Sadolin Wallguard’s Mouldex Moisture Resist has a dual purpose. The paint now available in hardware stores countrywide allows harmful trapped moisture to escape while creating an impermeable barrier that stops outside moisture from getting in. “This breakthrough technology makes Sadolin Wallguard’s performance superior to other paints and provides the assurance that the paint work will resist mould attack for longer.

Commenting on the new product, Nathalie Sweeney, Marketing Director AkzoNobel Sub-Sahara Africa said the company was thrilled to launch the new paint on the market. “We are thrilled to launch Sadolin Wallguard, leading to a comprehensive range of protective paint for walls, roofs and exterior surface preparation to address the damaging effects of humidity,” she said.

Sweeney added: “Humidity and mould can really make a house look old before it’s time but now with the new Sadolin Wallguard with Mouldex Moisture Resist, walls will look cleaner and mould-free for longer.”

Deon Nieuwoudt, the Commercial Director East Africa at AkzoNobel said that as Grand Masters of Protection since 1907, Sadolin does not only provide exceptional colour and finish to customers but also meets the modern exterior protection needs required from premium paint products.
“The new Sadolin Wallguard with Mouldex moisture resist specially made for Uganda offers ultimate protection and it gives longer lasting protection in extreme humidity,” said Mr. Nieuwoudt.
The new range of exterior paint products also boasts Sadolin Roofguard, a pure acrylic paint that offers roof tops excellent protection and durability; Sadolin Rainshield, a flexible, fibre-reinforced water and crack reistant surface preparation waterproofing product for areas prone to water leaks and Dampshield, a low-odour, quick drying water based preparation product that stops the destructive effect of rising and penetrating damp.

These four new specialist exterior products together with well-known Sadolin Weatherguard take exterior protection in harsh and humid climates to a whole new level.

AkzoNobel-previously known as Nobel Industries –acquired Sadolin& Holmbland in 1987 and is the proud custodian of the Sadolin brand in East Africa and across multiple markets internationally. The company produces other paint brands like; Dulux, Sikkens, International, Interpon and Eka.

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DFCU workers in mass exodus

By
Our Reporter
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William Sekabembe Dfcu-Bank-Uganda’s-Chief of Business and-Executive Director-William-Sekabembe

All isn’t well at Dfcu bank as the restructuring by management has seen more employees are fleeing the bank.

Sources within the bank told Eagle Online that at least over 70 workers in the last two months have left the bank under unclear circumstances. They further say even the human resource department that used to announce entry and exists at the bank have this time refused to announce exist because it is alarming.

Most those leaving are reportedly joining Housing Finance Bank and KCB bank.
“The situation is tense as you cannot tell who is next but we are only made aware that so and so has left when they don’t report for duty. The problem is that we aren’t allowed to discuss anything concerning what is happening.”
This website understands that what prompted the mass exists is that ongoing shakeups where seasoned managers and employees are being demoted and instead the young ones who are elevated to supervise their former bosses as heads of units. However, this come in with pay cuts which several employees are against and instead of waiting to be ‘humiliated’ most managers have opted to leave.
The restructuring was hired by the board after Dfcu tookover Crane bank. Dfcu started by firing all employees who had previously worked with Crane bank before moving in to downgrade in an effort seen as trying to get the old guards out.

However, other sources told Eagle Online that another reason why Dfcu is reducing on many power could be in line to downgrade and make saving of the huge salary so that the bank can realize liquidity. The abnk recently announced that it had run out of liquidity.
This development also comes at the time when Deepak Malik who has been a director on the board of the bank resigned and left the board.

Malik’s resignation as a non-Executive Director means the Dfcu board is now left with five other non-executive directors led by All Elly Karuhanga as Chairman. Others directors are; Albert Jonkergouw, Winifred Tarinyeba- Kiryabwire, Frederick Kironde Lule and Michael Alan Turner.

Analysts say the Malik’s decision to resign confirms reports that Arise B.V. intends to leave especially that Britain’s Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) Group intends to exit, following Dfcu Bank’s controversial acquisition of Crane Bank Limited in January last year at only Shs200 billion yet Crane Bank had assets worth over Shs1 trillion.

Reports indicate that CDC is leaving for various reasons which include poor economy but some sources say CDC wants to dodge paying taxes on its dividends.
Financial analysts say with the revelation by Auditor General that Dfcu acquired Crane Bank Limited and yet it was the valuer and at the same time a buyer could land top Bank of Uganda executives in trouble as big shareholders of Dfcu are spending sleepless nights. The situation is made worse as the case is also in court.

DFCU Shareholding percentages
Arise BV 58.71 per cent
CDC Group of the United Kingdom 9.97 per cent
National Social Security Fund (Uganda) 7.69 per cent
Kimberlite Frontier Africa Naster Fund 6.15 per cent
2 undisclosed Institutional Investors 3.22 per cent
SSB-Conrad N. Hilton Foundation 0.98 per cent
Vanderbilt University 0.87 per cent
Blakeney Management 0.63 per cent
Retail investors 11.19 per cent
BoU staff retirement benefit scheme is 0.59 per cent

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PHOTOS: Vipers SC launch refurbished St. Mary’s stadium

By
Our Reporter
-

Vipers President Lawrence Mulindwa officially opened the ‘new’ St. Mary’s stadium ahead of the 2018/19 StarTimes Uganda Premier League season that kicks off this Friday 28th September.

The stadium was refurbished with a newly laid artificial turf, improved stands and seats for the fans, a media tribunal and class dressing rooms for both the home and away teams.

Dressing rooms

Last season, CAF deemed the St. Mary’s stadium unsuitable for continental or international games, and this prompted the club to improve on the stadium before the Caf continental competitions start in November.

It becomes the third Astroturf stadium in Uganda after Njeru technical Center in Jinja and the StarTimes stadium in Lugogo.
Playing turf

Vipers will open their 2018/19 Uganda Premier League season campaign at the facility against newcomers Ndejje University and it will be live on TV.

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Kampala International School to hold Blood Donation camp

By
Our Reporter
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Flashback: KISU proprietor Sudhir Ruparelia joined by parents at the School's Open Day.

Kampala International School Uganda will hold its first ever Blood Donation Camp which will take place this Friday on 28th September 2018.
The blood drive will start at 9 am in the morning onwards in the School Auditorium. Teachers, students, auxiliary staff, parents and all members of the public are invited to save a life.

However, only people above the age of seventeen will be encouraged to donate the blood.
Those interested can receive a physical contract from the reception desk at the school, or confirm attendance through this website: (https://www.wejoin.com/sheets/zzwtr).

Kampala International School is located along Kyebando – Kisalosalo Road, Kampala in the neighborhood of Bukoto. It was formerly named Kabira International School of Uganda.
Uganda has of late faced blood shortage and this has sometime led to rationing of blood to patient that are dare need.

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