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Tools to drive you to promote yourself in business

By
Guest Writer
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By Martin Zwilling

Too many people, young and older, let their career and their lifestyle happen to them, rather than proactively making things happen based on their personal passions, skills, and interests. Others make decisions based on someone else’s interests, such as the father who wants his son to take over the family business, or dreams openly of having a doctor in the family. Neither of these approaches is likely to lead to a satisfying career or personal happiness for you.

These days, with the instant access to information and experts in every field around the world, and the wealth of personal assessment tools available on the Internet, there is no excuse for not exploring and evaluating the alternatives before you make a step forward. A very credible starting point is the classic book ‘Promote Yourself: The New Rules For Career Success’ by Dan Schawbel, managing partner of Millennial Branding, a Gen Y research and consulting firm.

Among other things, he outlines some of the popular assessment tools that I also often recommend as a mentor to entrepreneurs, including the following:

MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) Myers Briggs is one of the most widely used and recognized career assessments in existence, and does an excellent job of identifying your personality type so you can connect it to the right career and lifestyle. It can also help you better relate to others and become more self-aware.

Gallup’s Clifton Strength Finder. The focus of this tool is to help you discover your top five strengths and learn how you can use them to excel and perform at a higher level. The creator, Dr. Donald O. Clifton, is widely recognized as the Father of Strengths-Based Psychology, and has helped millions of people around the world discover their strengths.

Marcus Buckingham StandOut Assessment. This one builds on the positive premise that the most effective method for improving people is to build on their strengths, rather than correcting their weaknesses. It’s the one to use if you have tried other assessments that claim to tell you who you are, but don’t tell you what you can do with that information.

Career Key. This one helps you identify careers and even college majors that match your set of interests, traits, skills, and abilities. It was developed by Lawrence K. Jones, a professor Emeritus in the College of Education at North Carolina State University, who specializes in the areas of school counseling and career counseling and development.

MAPP™ Career Assessment. The MAPP career assessment is perfect for students, graduates and working adults. You’ll get a wealth of information to help find the right career that matches your unique assessment profile. The MAPP career test was one of the first comprehensive career tests online for consumers, with over 8 million customers.

Leadership Motivation Assessment. This one tells you how motivated you are to be a leader. After all, it takes hard work to become an effective business leader; and if you are not prepared to put this work in, or if, deep down, you’re not sure whether you want to lead or not, you’ll struggle to lead people effectively, and not be happy doing it as well.

If after taking one or more of these, you are still stuck on what domain you fit best into, whether you should be an entrepreneur, and how to get started, the following questions should help get those introspective juices flowing into action:

  • When have you been the most committed and passionate toward something in your life?
  • What talents do you use the most and what are your strengths?
  • Which roles and activities did you like and dislike in the past?
  • What aspect of those roles did you like the most and least?

After you get your own thoughts and assessment results together, it helps to get some feedback from people you respect, including parents, industry experts, and mentors. An outside perspective can be incredibly valuable as well, and help you narrow down what may seem like a long list, and relate that to the real world. Something you feel passionate about that doesn’t put food on the table, for example, may not be sustainable.

But the time to start is now. The most important point is to plot your own path, rather than be a victim of unpredictable circumstances and someone else’s whims. Don’t let other people be winners at your expense.

 

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Susan Magara body found

By
Geoffery Serugo
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The late Susan Magara

The body of Susan Magara, a middle-aged lady who went missing has been found dumped along the Southern By-pass.

Ms. Magara, a 28-year old, was kidnapped about three weeks ago while on her way home in Lungujja, Lubaga Division, and a few days back the family said it was losing hope of finding her alive.

The deceased lady worked at a family business owned by her father John Magara.

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Busoga young professionals turn to WhatsApp to promote region’s education

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Kampala: A WhatsApp group, Busoga Think, has launched a campaign to raise Shs10, 000,000($2700) to buy books for the ten worst performing primary schools in Busoga.
Dubbed #BuyABookForBusoga, the campaign was sparked from a challenge within the group go move beyond rhetoric to having tangible solutions for the problems in the region. The campaign moved from the group to other social media platforms including Twitter and Facebook.
“Busoga is faced with very problems; in education in particular, some schools don’t have teachers. Some don’t have classrooms. But we have chosen to start with the low hanging fruits.
“Some of us never had personal copies of The Nile English Course in primary but our village schools had copies and that is how we learnt some good English. We strongly believe the books will go a long way in helping those vulnerable children,” Mr Isaac Imaka, the lead mobilizer of the campaign said.
The books to be bought, according to Mr Imaka, are text books on syllabus and UNEB question pamphlets.
“We are looking for only shs10M to cater for 10 schools. We cannot target the entire Busoga. But in case we collect more money we shall cover more schools,” he said.
Despite the improved performance in some regions over, 75 per cent pupils failed exams and Five of the 10 bottom ranked districts were from the Eastern region especially Busoga.
Jinja municipality was ranked the 5th best performing district salvaging the image of the region, Namutamba district led the pack of failures as three quarters of pupils in Buyende, Iganga and Mayuge districts failed.
A willing contributor to the cause is required to mobile money shs20000 ($5.4) to +256772668626 or +256702681058 both in the name of Ms Sarah Bawaye, the campaign’s treasurer.
“We want those who believe in the cause to talk about it on their social media platforms. It does not end with through the shs20000. We call up on all contributors to tweet and Facebook about the campaign,” Mr Imaka said.
Mr Imaka, is also the co-founder and Editor at Eagle Online.
By the time of publication, the campaign had raised shs520, 000($140).
Started two days ago, the campaign is planned to go on for three weeks.

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Three million Ugandans at the risk of hunger in March- Security Report

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Map of Africa showing hunger areas.

Kampala: The 2018 Munich Security report envisages that up to three million Ugandans will suffer hunger this year between the months of February and May.
Under the subtheme Africa: Young and Restless, the report, which was released at the just concluded Munich Security Conference, notes that African countries with over 1 million inhabitants projected to be in acute need of emergency food assistance during 2018.
The reports also show that Uganda’s neighbors, Kenya will not do any better. It has a similar famine projection.
South Sudan, where a civil war and hyper-inflation led to extreme levels of food insecurity, and Somalia, where, the report notes, consecutive droughts have been exacerbated by the actions of jihadist group Al-Shabaab, also remain at risk of famine despite US $3.2 billion in food assistance provided through the UN. Up to seven million and five million people are projected to be at risk in both countries respectively.
It seems it will be a region of hunger as The Democratic Republic of Congo is also projected to have up to seven million hungry people and so is Ethiopia.
Deputy Head of government information seat, Col. Shaban Bantariza, however, dismissed the Munich report saying Uganda can’t go hungry because it has just harvested between January and December.
“Where has food gone, that is their research, despite the influx of refugees into the country, the country has enough,” deputy government spokesperson Col. Shaban Bntaliza added.
He noted that government agencies such as operation wealth creation under the ministry of agriculture are yet to start the distribution of seeds from the next planting.
Last year More than 10 million Ugandans faced hunger and were only saved following the distribution of relief food from government and international agencies.
Trends from 1992 through to 2006 show that Uganda has only managed to register marginal improvements in food security; the problem reducing from 83 percent in 1992/93 to 59 percent by 1999/2000; but rising again to 63 percent by 2002/03—this remained more or less the same in 2005/06.
But Col. Bantariza remains dismissive of the Munich report.
“That is their [Munich Security Conference] research,” he said.
Government is quick to point to the introduction of many agricultural programs—National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), Operation Wealth Creation—to help answer the food question but those have remained paper tigers.
According to Food and Agriculture Organization, Uganda needs a food reserve agency that will backstop food security and protect farmers and consumers from the extremes of food price volatility.
The Munich Security Conference sat last week to
The conferences report pointed a grim picture about the future of Africa, poking holes in the Africa’s century narrative and instead pointed out the need for more job creation for the young Africans.
“The “African Century” narrative appeared to be in full swing when African countries’ financial resources peaked in 2012. Since then, they have been declining, and Africa’s expected “demographic dividend” seems less likely to materialize.
“We must create greater economic opportunities for our youth right at home. If African countries fail to do so for the approximately 20 million youths entering the continent’s labor force every year, a ballooning youth population – deprived of quality education, gainful employment, and political voice – could well lead to widespread unrest and destabilization instead of boosting productivity,” the report reads in part.

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‘Tycoon’ SK Mbuga’s arrest: Brother speaks out

By
Badru Kasadah
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The family of jailed Kampala socialite, Suleiman Kabangala Mbuga also known as SK Mbuga has blamed his woes on ‘enemies in Uganda’.

 

SK Mbuga’s brother Abraham Luzzi , said the flashy tycoon committed no crime but is in jail ‘simply because of a few Ugandans who don’t wish him well’.

Mbuga was arrested in Dubai last month on allegations of fraud. Together with his wife, Angella Vivienne Chebet, 33, the couple is accused of fraudulent transfer of money amounting to 53m Kronor (about Shs23 billion) from a company account Chebet was running with her 71-year old Swedish boyfriend, Sten Heinsoo.

 

“A few Ugandans whom SK Mbuga will be naming when out are doing all they can to see that he rots in jail. All they are interested in is the trust he enjoys from his Swedish business partner (Sten Heinsoo),” Luzzi says.

 

It is against that background that they apparently rushed to Mbuga’s business partner Heinsoo and informed him that the latter was ‘blowing’ money on lavish parties, expensive cars and a dream wedding.

 

“But Mbuga was using his money. He has been rich for the past 15 years…..Go to South Africa and see for yourself, he has several businesses there in addition to what he has in Uganda and Dubai,” Luzzi said.

 

He further adds it’s the same ‘Mbuga’s competitors’ who are responsible for his arrest but his Swedish business partner is totally not interested in it.

 

“Mbuga was arrested and is currently in Awir Central Jail in Dubai though, he will be coming out soon,” he notes.

 

“According to the Dubai laws, one is supposed to be on remand for 9 months to allow time for investigations. However, if a suspect stays on remand for 45 days without any case brought against him, that person is supposed to be set free.

 

Currently, none has come forward to pin Mbuga on any case. His tormentors, the Ugandans who reported him to police also lack evidence to pin him yet his Swedish business partner is not interested in the case. Mbuga will be coming out of jail any time,” Luzzi reiterated.

 

 

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U-20 AFCON: Uganda draw South Sudan in qualifiers

By
Our Reporter
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The Uganda U-20 team, Hippos, pose for a photograph

The Uganda Hippos have been drawn against South Sudan in U-20 AFCON qualification campaign for a place in the 2nd round of the tournament.

The first leg will be played in Kampala between March 30-April 1, while the return leg is due in South Sudan over the weekend of April 20-22.

The winner between Uganda and South Sudan will play Cameroon in the second round. Second round qualifiers are scheduled for May.

In other first round fixtures, Mauritania will face Morocco, Guinea Bissau will face Sierra Leone, Algeria will face Tunisia, Liberia will face Benin, Gabon will take on Togo, while Ethiopia has been drawn against Burundi.

Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Sudan, Zambia, Congo, South Africa, Mali, Angola, Egypt, Gambia and Cameroon are the nations that have been given a ‘bye’ into the second round.

The Total U-20 Africa Cup of Nations is the main international youth football competition for CAF nations, and is competed for by under 20 year olds.

It is held every two years with the top four teams qualifying for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Niger will host the final tournament in 2019. The four semi-finalists qualify for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup, whose host will be announced next month.

Zambia are defending champions after winning the 2017 edition held in Lusaka following a 2-0 win against Senegal in the final.

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There must be full recovery of PTA loan funds

By
Guest Writer
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Patrick Tumwebaze ED, UDN

By Patrick Tumwebaze

The Uganda Debt Network (UDN) would like to commend the great work done by the Parliament of Uganda on questioning for the accountability of the US$200 million PTA loan.

Since the conception of the loan proposal, UDN has been closely following discussions, written a number articles and made presentations around it. We are grateful that this August House requested for the accountability on its utilization.

We are concerned that in 2016, Government through the Minister of Finance Planning and Economic Development tabled before the August House a request to borrow USD200m ( about Shs700 billion) from PTA Bank. Though the proposal was initially rejected by the 7th parliament, the objectives were later dubiously changed ostensibly for provision of medical supplies that were needed by the National Medical Stores.

It is unfortunate that the country last year went into medical supplies crisis yet the loan had already been acquired which prompted the Speaker, through the PAC committee, to investigate the matter.

UDN noted that government has continued to acquire loans on non-concessional basis which are expensive to the nation. Such loans are characterized with high interest rate payments, short servicing period, and sometimes from commercial lenders. We are also concerned that acquiring loans in such manner has increased the debt burden of Uganda, with the current debt stock in excess of Shs37 trillion as reported by of BOU State of Economy report December 2017.

We have clearly observed that for the past two Financial Years budgetary allocations for interest rate payments have taken 2nd and 3rd priorities respectively over and above sectorial allocations for the social economic sectors like education, health, among others.

We therefore call upon our Members of Parliament to discuss this crucial matter to bring all those who misguided the country to account, support the Auditor General in the scrutiny of the utilization and acquisition of this loan in addition to reviewing other loans that could have been obtained in that manner.

We look forward to your successful deliberation while handling the PTA loan issue for the benefit of our country.

 

The Writer is Executive Director, UDN

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Over 400 to attend Audit Conference

By
George Mangula
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Jenitha John, the Chief Executive of FirstRand Group and Vice Chairperson Professional Practices for The Global Institute of Internal Auditors USA

Over 400 delegates are expected to attend the 13th Annual National Internal Audit Conference 2018 to be held in Uganda between April 18 and April 20.

According to Reuben Mupadha, the Executive Secretary, the Institute of Internal Auditors Uganda, the conference will be held under the theme: ‘Internal audit rise up, reinvent and propel your value’. It will attract Internal Auditors, Audit Committee members, Finance Managers, Risk Managers, Risk Officers, Public accountants.

The conference to be held at the Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo will have Jenitha John, Chief Executive of FirstRand Group and Vice Chairperson Professional Practices for The Global Institute of Internal Auditors USA, as keynote speaker.

 

 

 

 

 

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Over 10, 000 Ugandan youth to train in entrepreneurial skills

By
George Mangula
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A new programme dubbed ‘Feed the Future’ will see the training of more than 12,000 Ugandan school children aged between 10 and 14 in entrepreneurial skills as way of preparing them for future employment.

The programme is part of the US Government’s Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative, and according to a February 26 press release, the twenty weeks’ programme will focus on workforce readiness skills such as financial literacy, leadership, critical thinking, health literacy communication and entrepreneurship skills.

The program targets pupils in primary four, five and six and will cover 80 schools in districts of Mbale, Mubende, Masindi and Gulu.

The Feed the Future Uganda Youth Leadership for Agriculture Activity funded by USAID is to partner with the Private Education Development Network (PEDN) and Aflatoum International to provide the training.

“There is no better time than the early years of education to start developing human capital,” says Marcos Moreno, Chief of Party, Feed the Future Uganda Youth Leadership for Agriculture Activity. He says the program gives chance to break the cycle and socially prepare young people to connect to an “empowered future.”

The implementation of the program to promote entrepreneurship will have PEDN work with head teachers, teachers, districts while Aflatoum International will review the program materials and lesson plans as well as provide analysis and report on lessons learned to scale and benchmark future interventions.

Feed the Future supports partner countries in developing their agriculture sectors to spur economic growth and trade that increase incomes and reduce hunger, poverty and undernutrition.

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Posta Uganda revenues slump

By
George Mangula
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Posta Uganda Head Office in Kampala

The tough economic hardships that hit the country in the financial year 2016/17 left the government-owned Posta Uganda with a drop of 6.7 percent in revenue as it earned Shs19.04b compared to Shs20.4b posted in FY2015/16, the Auditor General Paul Muwanga says.

According to the statement, Post Uganda realized a gross profit of Shs1.22b in financial year 2016/17, lower than Shs1.39b it earned in the previous financial year. During the reporting period, the company wrote off bad debts worth Shs7.43b compared to financial year 2015/15 where it did not write off any bad debt.

The company records show that profit grew consistently to Shs1.39b in financial year 2015/16 from Shs161m in financial year 2013/14. The company’s total assets came down to Shs96.78b in financial year 2016/17 compared to Shs104.63b in the previous financial year.

Part of the reasons for the decline on value of non-current assets, is that property worth Shs1.00b was ceded to UNRA under compulsory acquisition for construction of the Clock Tower Road Project.

The report further show that total indebtness of the company reduced by 17.01 percent in financial year 2016/17, largely due to sustained efforts to bring down liabilities which among others include paying to NSSF monthly contributions.

“Total expenditure shrank by 6.19 percent, a further reflection of management’s resolve to keep spending within budget to guard against sliding in debt again,” reads part of the report, adding that the elimination of erroneous book-keeping has facilitated accurate financial reporting and analysis.

The company management reports that it has developed a strategic plan aimed at a minimum of 7 percent growth in annual turnover within the next five years. The company, as reported, stands on solid ground is well poised for long-term survival and growth.

“As Accounting Officer I am comforted by the long journey of steady progress, and rest assured that Posta’s future is secure,” says Muwanga. Posta Uganda deals in delivery of parcels and transportation among other services. Being a government-owned company it has had stiff competition from private players who have launched competing services.

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