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Jambojet airline adds Uganda to its destinations

By
Badru Kasadah
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The Jambojet aircraft

Jambojet is set to expand its wings in East Africa with the launch of a double daily flight between Entebbe and Nairobi on February 14, 2018.

This will see the Nairobi-based airline become the first regional low cost airline with an introductory fare of USD 116 (incl. taxes) one-way, and officials say customers will initially be able to purchase tickets from the airline’s booking portal – Jambojet.com, as the airline rolls out the other booking channels.

Further, officials say Jambojet will operate double daily flights with departures from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at 09.10hrs and 17.30 hrs, while the flight from Entebbe International Airport for Nairobi depart at 11.00hrs and 19.20hrs daily.

“We are delighted to launch direct service to Entebbe, a much-anticipated addition to our network where we will offer frequent and new flyers even more affordable fares. This new route will connect businesses in Kenya and Uganda while also appealing to leisure travelers, offering them the opportunity to experience the ‘Pearl of Africa’”, Willem Hondius, the CEO Jambojet said.

Mr. Hondius further noted that the airline has seen an upward trend on its domestic traffic: “We are optimistic that the regional flight will spur the airline’s growth as well as foster regional integration at a national level,” he added.

The airline currently operates a relatively small fleet of four Dash 8 Q400 aircraft, but the route will be served with the recently acquired 78-seater Bombardier Next Gen Q400 as it plans to venture to other regional destinations.

The barely four-year-old airline which currently operates to Eldoret, Kisumu, Malindi, Mombasa, Nairobi and Ukunda has achieved undeniable business growth; increased numbers of routes from four to six, increased frequency of flights due to fleet expansion and flown over two million passengers.

A report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in 2017 revealed that African airlines’ traffic was expected to grow by up to 9.9 per cent annually. The report noted African airports continue to record positive performance, welcoming an increase in international arrivals that currently stands at 14 per cent.

 

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DTB joins Interswitch ATM service

By
Our Reporter
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MrVerghese Thambi (CEO Diamond Trust Bank, Mr. Olumuyiwa Asagba(4th left), CEO Interswitch East Africa and Mr. Omar Hussein (3rd left), Head of IT at DTB and other bank officials while at the launch interswitch ATM service

Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) has announced the launch of its Interswitch ATM service. The Interswitch service will link DTB customers to over 500 ATM locations all over Uganda.

 

DTB and Interswitch officials at the launch interswitch ATM service

 

“The launch of the interswitch ATM service will bring a convenient and reliable service to our customers, thanks to increased accessibility through the already existent network with other core member banks. Our customers will be able to suitably access their funds all over the country within a network of over 500 ATM locations,” says Mr. Varghese Thambi, Chief Executive officer DTB.

Mr. Olumuyiwa Asagba the Chief Executive Officer at Interswitch East Africa welcomed the entry of DTB into the Interswitch family saying this partnership adds value to customers on the network and is also a secure way to conduct operations.

“We commend DTB for taking the strategic decision to join Interswitch and in providing their customers and those of other banks on the network greater convenience and access to services their banks offer,” Asagba said.

He further said that they strongly believe that by leveraging the Interswitch network, financial institutions will be able to make financial services more affordable and accessible to their customers.

This partnership is an indication of Interswitch and DTB commitment towards using technology to enhance service delivery.

The Interswitch is a national switch that enables customers to access their accounts using other member Banks’ ATM outlets.

Member banks that have previously joined the interswitch network include; Cairo International Bank, Centenary Bank, Commercial Bank for Africa, dfcu Bank, Diamond Trust Bank, Exim Bank, Finance Trust Bank, FINCA, GTBank, Housing Finance Bank, NC Bank, Opportunity Bank, Orient Bank, PostBank, Top Finance Bank and United Bank for Africa.

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Bayimba Festival relocates from National Theatre

By
Badru Kasadah
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Bayimba Festival Director Faisal Kiwewa

After ten years of stay at the National Theatre, the Bayimba International Festival will this year move to a spacious new home in the midst of a leafy environment on the shores of Lake Victoria.

“We have been thinking about the long-term viability of the festival so that we can continue to go on for another 10 years. We have been exploring different approaches to sustain our annual festival and are extremely excited to have been able to acquire an amazing location,” says festival director Faisal Kiwewa.

The immediate advantage of the new location includes on-site parking, which will eliminate this logistical challenge faced thus far, as well as room for on-site accommodation, Kiwewa says.

Artistic programming will also benefit from the new space, with plenty of room to spread out and an inspirational environment that lends itself for some innovative design and layout, a great opportunity to refresh and revitalise what the festival has been offering its fans.

The festival will however stay truthful to its promise to stimulate and inspire creativity, innovation and collaboration, and thus to contribute to developing the arts sector at large.

“In terms of programming we will be very similar to what our audiences are used to – exciting multi-arts programming at various stages for people from all ages and strata – just in a different location with more breathing room,” underlines Kiwewa.

New dates

Because of the move to the new location, the dates of the festival will change as well.

Whereas the festival was traditionally held during the third weekend of September, it will now be held during the first week of August, to work in sync with climatological realities and to attract an increasingly varied audience.

“Although it will be a challenge to get the new spot ready for the 11th edition of the festival – with a couple of month to bring our plans to life – we are excited to embark on this adventurous journey, together with a growing list of equally exciting partners. And we invite old and new friends and fans to join us in this adventure,” says the festival director.

Part of a larger vision

With this move, BAYIMBA is pushing towards the urban edges of the growing Kampala metropole. Although this will present numerous challenges, the upside is a much larger long-term vision of BAYIMBA.

Not only will the new location host its flagship event, but over time a new and unique ecologically sensitive cultural ecosystem will come to life at this exceptional setting: a home for the arts with an exciting range of physical spaces for arts training, production, performance and exhibition combined with multiple opportunities for eco-cultural tourism.

“The time is right to move out of the city centre and establish a home of our own – the move is a logical step in the evolution of BAYIMBA,” says Kiwewa.

“While we will continue to work and partner with the National Theatre for multiple events and activities, as an organisation we need to guarantee the sustainability and growth of our programmes and activities,” Kiwewa says.

He adds that the decision to move is driven by the desire to continue to be a relevant driver of and continue to add value to creative sector development in an ever growing vibrant environment.

“We want to create a convivial village atmosphere that gives arts practitioners year-round space to create and innovate and fans and visitors plenty of opportunity to experience and explore.”

Practical information

The new location is well away from but easily reached by road from Kampala (42 km) and Jinja (60 km) while it will also be reachable by boat.

 

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Government to take over two private varsities

By
Isaiah Mwebaze
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President Yoweri Museveni has been urged to retire by Mr. Barnabas Talemwa who is a member of the first family.

President Yoweri Museveni has directed the Minister of Education Janet Museveni to start the process that will lead to the takeover of two private universities.

In the, the President directed Mrs. Museveni to ensure Mountains of the Moon and Busoga University become public higher learning institutions.

“I am writing to direct you to take over two private universities which some of our people acting in good faith, started many years ago. The two universities are Mountains of the Moon and Busoga University,” Museveni’s letter to the education minister, reads in part.

According to Mr. Museveni the takeover of the two universities will boost higher learning opportunities in the country.

‘We have already started public universities in West Nile Acholi, Lango, Teso,Ankole, Bukedi, Kabale and Kampala. This covers 10 of the 18 zones. Taking on the Mountains of the Moon and. Busoga University would increase the coverage to 12. Of course we already have Namasagali as a breach of Busitema. Therefore, in the new effort, we would have to link Namasagali with the Busoga University,’ the President wrote.

However, the President expressed dismay at the way the private universities have been operating, blaming some of them for admitting inadequately qualified first year students.

‘I heard of the talk that some of the private universities admit unqualified entrants into first year and that they contract unqualified debts. The debts should be audited by the Auditor General. The unqualified entrants should never have been allowed even when the universities were private,’ he said.

Mr. Museveni added: ‘Neither public nor private institutions are allowed to admit under qualified entrants. This is the job for Council for Higher Education. If necessary, we shall seek a supplementary budget to cope with this issue’.

 

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Monitor sacks editors, entire sales department as restructuring take shape

By
Isaiah Mwebaze
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Tony Glencross, the Nation Media Group (NMG) MD for Uganda.

Monitor Publications Limited, the publishers of Daily Monitor under the Nation Media Group (NMG) has started its restructuring process, with three Editors sacked today.

One of the three is Mr. William Lubulwa, the Trade and Finance Editor who was reportedly demoted to a lesser position but has offered to resign and leave the company.

The others include Edna Kyokunzire, a Sub-Editor on business desk, and

a senior editor whom we cannot reveal but who had stints with New Times in Rwanda, who leaves the editorial department with experience of over eight years.

Meanwhile, sources at the Namuwongo-based newsroom reveal that the sales department is most affected by the layoffs, with almost all staff there sacked.  The sources further revealed that the axe is now focused on reporters in the paper and the two radio stations before moving onto senior managers.

Last week the Nation Media Group made changes in the two companies, naming Anthony Craig Glencross as the overall group Managing Director in Uganda, heading both Monitor and NTV.

AS Group MD for Uganda Glencross will oversee the entire NMG platform in the country, while NTV’s outgoing Managing Director Johnson Omollo has been named as a General Manager in charge of television.

The NMG also named three other General Managers among them Daniel Kalinaki for Daily Monitor Editorial, Moses Ssesanga, former Monitor Manager for Human Resources who was elevated to General Manager for Human Resources and Sam Barata, who was  appointed General Manager Sales and Advertising.

 

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Improve Uganda’s budget execution in works and transport sector financial year 2018/19

By
Guest Writer
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UDN Director of Programmes Julius Kapwepwe

By Julius Kapwepwe

The National Budget Framework Paper (NBFP) FY 2018/19 was formally released recently by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development in compliance with Section 13 (2) of the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act 2015. The NBFP stipulates that government is to run a budget of about Shs 29.274 trillions of which only Shs12.744 trillion (43.5%) will be available for service delivery excluding budget and project support, debt repayments and domestic refinancing.

The Auditor General report 2016/17 shows that Government has Shs2.908 trillion as outstanding commitments by the end of June 2017. Of this Shs27.755bn was not supported with adequate information as such a possible leakage onto which IGG needs to swing into action.

The key strategic objective for the Works and Transport Sector is to: “Promote Adequate, Safe and Well Maintained Works and Transport Infrastructure and Services for Social Economic Development of the Country. The sector has 3 strategic outcomes:  improving the condition of the road network (both paved and unpaved), ensuring safe and efficient construction works and ensuring safe, efficient and effective transport infrastructure and services for the people of Uganda.

The sectoral allocations are projected to reach Shs6 trillion in FY 2018/19 representing 24% nominal increase in the allocations from FY 2017/18. UNRA continues to account for the last share (63%) of the works and transport sector with the projected allocations of Shs3, 820.28 billion for FY 2018/19. The fastest nominal increment is to the Works and Transport vote reflecting the increased allocations to Standard Gauge Railway, airport development and capacity enhancement as well as increased undertakings on Bukasa and Port Bell ports.

The coverage of paved national roads increased by 100kms in 2016/17 reaching 4,257km compared to 3,264kms in FY2010/11. However, the added kilometers (KMs) in 2016/17 are less than the average annual KMs over the last 4 years, not commensurate to the increases in allocations to the sector for road network. The proportion of paved national roads and for unpaved roads in fair to good condition respectively reached the targeted 80% and 70% in FY 2016/17.

Road maintenance budget was increased to UGX 417.4 billion compared to FY 2016/17 outturn of Shs 343.7 billion and is expected to continue increasing however, the road maintenance backlog continued to grow in excess of USD 1 billion. The sector met the target on routine maintenance of unpaved roads (mechanized) and 160km of the paved roads were rehabilitated to reinstate their service ability continued to grow in excess of USD 1 Billion.

While the transport sector predominates as the largest share of the budget, absorption and implementation challenges continue to prevail. Despite not fully spending less than Shs3 trillion in FY 2016/17, the sector budget is expected to reach Shs 6 trillion. The key challenge will remain on the effective utilization of the increased allocations which are externally financed.

Absorption of loans signed over the last decade for the sector is only at 40%. Local content remains a challenge and the NBFP is not explicit on the modes of addressing this challenge. The front loading of projects exacerbates the sub -optimal absorption of resources but also raises question on the economic viability of the key infrastructural projects in the short term for example the undertaking of both the Bukasa and Port Bell in land ports.

The revival of the national carrier requires holistic stakeholder engagement. The passing of the draft roads bill that provides for the collection of road tolls will be imperative. The NBFP makes no mention of road safety yet the fatalities are on the increase.

The works and transport sector is one of the well-funded sectors in Uganda, however, there is need to increase efficiency and effectiveness to address leakages in the financial flow within the sector. Weak public investment management, particularly with project preparation, underscores the need for sequencing of projects based on the readiness.

 

The Writer is Director of Programmes, Uganda Debt Network

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CHAN 2018: Cranes seek to finish on a high

By
Our Reporter
-
The Uganda-Cranes

Uganda Cranes play Ivory Coast in the last match of the group B TOTAL CHAN 2018 championship taking place in Morocco.

Both countries failed to qualify from the group but the Cranes look forward to finishing on a high and securing the third spot in the group.

“The game against Cote D’Ivoire is not a friendly match. We need every player to give in 100 percent commitment to make sure Uganda finishes third in the group. The evaluation of players continues and with the football exhibited in the first two matches, this will be a good stepping stone to continue with the team,” Sebastian Desabre said in the pre-match conference.

Uganda lost to Namibia 1-0 and 3-1 to Zambia while like Ivory Coast lost 1-0 and 2-0 to same opposition respectively.

“We are demanding the same positive energy from the players like in the earlier two games at CHAN 2018 as we finish up the group games on Monday.” He added

Cranes go into the match without central defender Timothy Awany due to suspension while Muhammad Shaban returns from injury. Goalkeeper Saidi Keni remains a doubt for the game due to illness.

Uganda has finished third in the previous two CHAN tournaments held in South Africa and Sudan but finished bottom of the group in their first ever edition in Sudan.

Zambia and Namibia, who are also in the same group, will face off at the same time to find out who tops the group.

 

January 22, 2018

Uganda Vs Ivory Coast

Stade de Marrakech (10 pm)

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Shs75 m raised for Albino centre in Uganda

By
George Mangula
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Speaker Rebecca Kadaga (middle in blue trousers) leads other participants during the charity walk

Parliament Week 2018 kicked off Sunday with an estimated Shs 75 million raised in cash and pledges towards the establishment of a centre for people living with albinism in Uganda.

The funds were raised during the Charity walk flagged off by the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, on Sunday.

The charity walk was part of the several activities to mark this year’s Parliament Week which runs from January 21-25, 2018. Participants including Members of Parliament and the general public were led by the Speaker and the Leader of the Opposition, Winifred Kiiza. They walked from Parliament Building into the city centre and back to the starting point.

Kadaga urged MPs to prioritise the debate on Albinism when House resumes. She noted that although the Constitution clearly states the right to health, there is no enabling law that addresses the issue of people living with albinism.

“The time is now to stand up for those who have no voice, let us be their voice and ensure that we have that debate, and come up with resolutions,” she said.

She directed the Clerk to Parliament to ensure that relevant ministries including that of Health, Justice and Constitutional Affairs and Education and Sports participate in next year’s charity walk, arguing that they play an important role in addressing the issues of People living with albinism.

The Speaker also revealed that the Parliamentary Commission will be implementing a decision to employ people living with albinism.

“I am happy to report that last year, I made a pledge that we shall employ people living with albinism; this year, we shall employ at least one person living with albinism in Parliament,” Kadaga said.

The People living with Albinism applauded Parliament for providing them with a platform to address their grievances.

The Executive Director of the Association of People Living with Albinism, Jude Ssebyanzi appealed to Kadaga as Speaker of Parliament to ensure that skin cancer and sunscreen are included in the current draft Cancer Policy. He said that due to the omission of sunscreen in the Cancer Policy, it is categorised under cosmetics, making it costly.

“The current Cancer Policy is worse than Ebola for people living with albinism because it doesn’t mention skin cancer which is affecting persons with albinism, as a result, people with albinism are dying of skin cancer,” said Ssebyanzi.

He said that the Universal Primary Education, Universal Secondary Education and Special Needs programs are discriminatory.

“These programs do not cater for people with albinism and as a result, teachers do not know how to handle us and this has led to high school drop out of people with albinism,” said Ssebyanzi.

There are 375,000 people living with albinism in Uganda. As such, Parliament started a Charity walk last year to fundraise for establishment of a centre for people living with albinism which saw Shs 35 million raised. The plan to establish the centre for persons living with albinism is a five year project.

Ofificials from the Office of the Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs and Health. Government Departments and Agencies were also represented and these included; Uganda National Bureau of Standards, National Housing Corporation, Bank of Uganda, Kampala Capital City Authority and National Forestry Authority attended the function.

Represented of UMEME, Barclays Bank, Centenary Bank, Bank of Baroda, Diamond Trust Bank, Bank of India, Tropical Bank, ABC Bank, Bank of Baroda, Equity Bank, GTBank, Jomayi Housing Estates, AAR insurance and UAP insurance participated.

Uganda Joint Christian Council also participated in the charity walk as well as the media. Four universities-Makerere University, Kyambogo University, Uganda Christian University, Victorious University and the East African University also participated.

An ecumenical thanksgiving service is slated for today and departments in the Parliamentary Service Commission will be exhibiting their services in the Parliament South Wing.

 

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Security vows to crash criminal gangs

By
Geoffery Serugo
-

Ugandan security agencies have today vowed to continue with joint operations following the arrest of Boda Boda 2010 group members who have been arresting and terrorizing fellow motorcyclists in the city.

Over the weekend the joint force of the police, Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and Internal Security Organization (ISO) conducted an operation that led to arrest over 30 Boda Boda 2010 members including their leader Abdallah Kitata. The suspected thugs are currently held at CMI headquarters, while security officers are recovering motorcycles which were reportedly confiscated from other cyclists.

In a press briefing held at Uganda Media Centre, UPDF Deputy Spokesperson Lt. Col. Deo Akiiki said security agencies, working on precise intelligence, joined hands to bring the criminal activities of Boda Boda 2010 to an end.

“We are continuing with operations, some people are still at large but we assure you we shall get them no matter who they are as long as they are still living,” Lt. Col. Akiki said.

He added: “In this operation, there were attempts to interfere with the arresting officers, by a group of some people tried to obstruct the arrest of these suspects, closing roads, using the media to call people to act against the security forces.”

In a related development, police has arrested Kitata’s brother in an operation linked to the death of Francis Ekalungar, a former employee of Case Clinic who was kidnapped and later murdered on Tuesday January 2, 2018. Mr. Ekalungar body, found by Kajjansi police, was burnt beyond recognition. His car was later to be found at the home of one of the suspected Boda Boda 2010 members.

Meanwhile, police has this morning dispersed Century Boda Boda group members who were jubilating the arrest of Kitata over the weekend. Jubilations saw the burning of Boda Boda 2010 at different offices in Bukesa and Wakaliga.

Century Boda Boda claim Kitata’s group has been conducting various arrests of other boda boda cyclists, detaining and torturing them in ungazetted places.

“They pledged to stand as witness in case they are produced before court, they have killed, tortured confiscated our motorcycles and caused grievance harm to most of our fellow cyclists,” the jubilating cyclists said.

As a result police spokesperson Emilian Kayima has asked Ugandans to be vigilant to ensure peace and stability

‘’Unfortunately, some people are taking the law in their hands destroying property of  Boda Boda 2010; we ask Ugandans to respect rule of law and let the law work,” Kayima said.

 

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UNBS warns against contaminated infant milk products

By
George Mangula
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The product ranges of contaminated Lactalis milk

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has warned the Ugandan public that Lactalis Group, a French firm dealing in processing of dairy products, has notified its customers about a recall of its products believed to be contaminated with Salmonela, an organism which can cause fatal infections.

The brands mostly affected include Picot, Milumel, and Celi powered infant milk. “UNBS would like to advise consumers to avoid buying the mentioned brand until the product recall has been completed,” says a notice.

UNBS says it is carrying out market surveillance inspections to ensure that affected products are removed from the market.

‘All UNBS imports inspectors at border points have been notified to withhold consignments with dairy products from Lactalis Group until such a time when we are satisfied that the product recall has been completed’, adds that notice.

The notice also indicates that UNBS will continue to perform its mandate of enforcing standards to protect consumer health and safety and the environment against dangerous and sub-standard products.

Lactalis Group says about 7,000 tonnes of formula may have been contaminated and the company thinks the salmonella outbreak can be traced to an evaporation tower – used to dry out the milk – at a factory in the town of Craon in northwest France.

Health officials confirmed 26 children in France have become sick and have ordered a recall in Britain, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sudan.

Lactalis is one of the world’s biggest producers of dairy products and is marketed globally under a host of brand names, including Milumel, Picot and Celi.

 

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