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URA in drive to develop medium term revenue strategy

By
George Mangula
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URA Commissioner General Doris Akol addressing participants

The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has organised the Open Minds Forum 2017 where top officials from government and the private sector discussed ways of how the Agency can develop a medium strategy that enhances domestic taxes and also boosts investments.

Addressing  participants at the event held today at the Kampala Serena Hotel under the theme: ‘Developing a Medium Term Revenue Strategy for Uganda. Understanding your role in domestic Revenue Mobilisation’ , URA Commissioner General Doris Akol, said that when developed, the strategy would require Ugandans to support it by engendering a positive taxpaying culture.

“A revenue strategy will require a changed mindset across the country and taxpaying culture which is positive,”  Akol said.

She added that the strategy was necessary as the country works to grow into a middle income status by 2020 and prosperous nation by 2040 .

The State Finance Minister, David Bahati, who graced the function as chief guest commended URA for plans to develop the strategy and reiterated government support.

He said Uganda had come a long way in the process of revenue collection. “We (Uganda) are on a journey and this journey where we are today is not where we were. We have made progress,” he said.

The Executive Director of the National Planning Authority (NPA), Dr Joseph Muvawala, while speaking at the same function urged URA to be cautious as they formulate the strategy saying: “We need to double check the tax policies that we want to implement before passing them.”

Dr Muvawala recognised the impact Uganda’s informal sector can play in revenue generation and advised that they be incentivized to formalise. “The informal sector is our biggest employer; formalise them through incentives,” he said.

Speaking at the Forum, the Executive Secretary of the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), Logan Wort, commended URA for consulting with stakeholders in an effort to develop the strategy.

He also lauded the Agency for the growth of the revenue administration over the past 20 years but called on URA to automate its systems for effective revevenue mobilisation in the future.

Wort, who is in Uganda for the ATAF conference, used the event to castigate African governments for giving tax incentives to investors who the capacity to pay the taxes. “Africa is facing the problem of wasteful tax incentives given to the so called investors,” he warned.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Representative to Uganda, Ms Clara Mira said that her Agency would support URA in developing the strategy she added would boost the collection of taxes.

The last financial year saw URA make a shortfall of Shs457.51 billion, out of the 13.177 trillion it hard targeted to collect. For the financial year 2017/18 It intends to collect Shs15.06 trillion.

 

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Uganda Cranes off to Rwanda for CHAN tie

By
Our Reporter
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DEPARTURE: The Uganda Cranes off to Rwanda

Uganda Cranes interim coaches Moses Basena and Fred Kajoba have named the final squad traveling to Rwanda for the return leg of the final round of the Total CHAN 2018 qualifiers against Rwanda’s Amavubi Stars.

The 18-man team has set off for Kigali today afternoon and expected to land in the evening and then hold a training session at the venue tomorrow.

Martin Kizza and Timothy Awanyi, who missed the first leg due to their trials in South Africa, have been included in the squad to Kigali, and the Cranes now only need a draw to confirm their place in the CHAN tournament that will take place in Kenya next January.

The first leg in Kampala in match played at Vipers SC home ground St. Mary’s stadium ended in a deserving victory for Uganda over Rwanda, thanks to a brace from Muzamiru Mutyaba and one goal from Derrick Nsibambi.

The second leg of the qualifier will be played at the Kigali Regional Stadium, Nyamirambo in Kigali on August 19.

 

Traveling team:

Goalkeepers: Ismael Watenga, Benjamin Ochan

Outfield players: Nico Wakiro Wadada, Deus Bukenya, Isaac Muleme, Martin Kizza, Bernard Muwanga, Timothy Awany, Paul Musamali, Muzamir Mutyaba, Shafic Kagimu, Tom Masiko, Paul Mucureezi, Milton Karisa, Simon Sserukuma, Moses Waiswa, Erisa Ssekisambu and Derrick Nsibambi

 

CHAN 2018 Qualifiers

Rwanda Vs Uganda

Saturday, 19th August 2017

Kigali Regional Stadium, (4 pm)

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Kanyamunyu bail ruling set for Aug. 23

By
Geoffery Serugo
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FLASHBACK: Mathew Kanyamunyu appearing in court

Justice Yasin Nyanzi has set August 23 as the date for hearing and ruling on Mathew Kanyamunyu’s bail application, after the latter was charged with the murder of social worker Kenneth Akena on November 12 last year.

Mathew Kanyamunyu, the Executive Director of Quantum Express Logistics, his brother Joseph Kanyamunyu and girlfriend Cynthia Munwangari were in January committed to the High Court by the Nakawa Grade one magistrate Noah Sajjabi after prosecution averred investigations into the murder case were complete.

Today, Mathew Kanyamunyu, the prime suspect in Akena’s murder, had presented Moses Karuhanga, his uncle Julius Kanyamunyu, Timothy Tumusiime and Stella Barungi Karuhanga as his sureties but the State objected to the bail application saying nothing has changed to compel court to change its earlier decision.

Mathew Kanyamunyu has spent 165 days on remand in Luzira prison, while his co-accused, brother Joseph and Ms. Munwangari, were granted bail by Justice Nyanzi on March 28 this year.

 

 

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She Cranes draw tough opponents for Commonwealth Netball Games 2018

By
Our Reporter
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She-Cranes-at-Africa championship-kickoff

Africa netball champions, the She Cranes, has been drawn in the same pool as England, Malawi and the world number two side New Zealand, for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The She Cranes will be competing in their first ever Commonwealth Games after they won the Africa Championship in July, which saw them rise to ninth in the International Netball Federation world ranking list.

All of the top 12 ranked teams on the list, as of July 1 2017, earned places at the Commonwealth Games scheduled for next year.

Australia, ranked number one, is the defending champions of the Commonwealth Netball championships after defeating New Zealand in the 2014 final. The tournament took place in Glasgow, Scotland.

Australia has three Commonwealth Games crowns and are the defending champions. New Zealand has won two. No other country has beaten the two powerhouse netball nations in the Commonwealth Games.

The Preliminary Rounds will be played at Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, while the Finals will be played at Coomera Indoor Sports Centre.

Each team will feature a maximum of 12 players, and a total of 144 athletes set to participate.

The Games take place on Australia’s Gold Coast from April 5-15. ­­

Pool A: Australia, Jamaica, South Africa, Barbados, Fiji, Northern Ireland.

Pool B: New Zealand, England, Malawi, Wales, Scotland, Uganda.

 

Uganda’s fixtures

5th April 2018: New Zealand Vs Uganda

7th April 2018: Uganda Vs Malawi

8th April 2018: England Vs Uganda

10th April 2018: Wales Vs Uganda

11th April 2018: Uganda Vs Scotland

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Rwanda to host 41st Annual World Tourism Conference

By
Agencies
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Mount gorillas are a major tourist attraction to Uganda

The opportunities tourism brings to world will be highlighted when Ugandan and other African leaders, international investors and travel professionals meet for the 41st Annual World Tourism Conference, in Rwanda next week.

Hosted by the Africa Travel Association (ATA), a division of the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) and the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the conference will highlight the economic and job opportunities being fuelled by the sector’s continued growth.

In less than 15 years Africa’s travel and hospitality industries have quadrupled in size, and the continent remains one of the world’s fastest-growing tourist destinations, second only to Southeast Asia.

The Corporate Council of Africa President and CEO of  Florizelle Liser, says the organisation plans to use the conference to encourage investments and policies that contribute to the tourism sector growth.

“The tourism conference will highlight opportunities in the tourism sector and intersecting sectors such as infrastructure, ICT, health, real estate development, and finance. Through strategic partnerships, we will also offer capacity building workshops for travel professionals of all levels,” she said.

This year will be the first time ATA’s Tourism Conference will be hosted in Rwanda, one of East Africa’s premier tourism destinations and one whose sector continues to grow. According to the Rwanda Development Board, the country’s tourism sector generated US$303 million in revenue, in 2014 up three percent in the previous year.

On the sidelines of what is expected to be a packed agenda, ATA is working with Facebook to deliver training to SMEs.

The ‘Boost Your Business’ is a training initiative, developed by Facebook and facilitated by Digify Africa, designed to train and upskill small business owners on how to leverage digital tools to grow their businesses,” reads a statement. The training will be held on August 26 at the Kigali Serena Hotel.

The conference also aligns with Kwita Izina, Rwanda’s annual gorilla naming ceremony, a national celebration creating awareness of the country’s efforts to protect the jewel of Rwanda’s tourism crown: the mountain gorillas and their habit.

 

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Over 1.3 million living with HIV in Uganda

By
Geoffery Serugo
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US Ambassador to Uganda Deborah Malac

Over one million adults and children in Uganda are living with HIV/Aids, a report released today has indicated.

According to the HIV Survey Report, HIV prevalence was higher among women at 7.5 per cent compared to 4.3 per cent among men. It was also higher among residents of urban areas (7.1 per cent) compared to 5.5 per cent in rural areas.

Further, the report indicates that HIV prevalence among young people of between 15 – 24 years was 2.1 per cent (0.8 per cent in men and 3.3 per cent among women) and among women, HIV prevalence is highest in the age groups of 35 to 39 years and 45 to 49 years, at 12.9 per cent and 12.8 per cent, respectively.

The report that is based on research conducted from August 2015 to March 2016 in all districts of Uganda, also indicated that 60% of the people living with HIV in Uganda have suppressed viral load which means that treatment programs are successful.

16,670 women and 12,354 men aged 15-64 years were interviewed and tested for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B, the report adds.

And speaking at the launch of the report, the US Ambassador to Uganda Ms Deborah Malac pledged more support to government to combat HIV/Aids prevalence in the country and Africa in general. She disclosed that since 2004 her government has donated US$3 billion to the government of Uganda to procure anti-retrovirals (ARVS) for the infected persons and also invested in championing preventative measures such as condoms.

“We need to make sure that the successes (in the fight) of Mother to Child transmission are not reversed. We must make sure that Ugandans do not perish because they did not have the information,” Ms. Malac said at the function at the Media Centre.

She advised public planners and officials from the ministry of health to use the findings to overcome the burden of HIV/Aids.

“We cannot rest on our achievements; the burden of HIV infection in the country is still unacceptably high even though Ugandan youth especially the girls carry the burden of HIV infections,” she said.

In her speech the Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng lauded the US government for helping Uganda in fighting HIV/Aids pandemic.

 

 

 

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Diego Costa vows not to return to Chelsea

By
Our Reporter
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FINED: Diego Costa

Diego Costa has told Chelsea that he will not return for training as the striker continues to force for a possible transfer to Atletico Madrid.

Costa officially released a statement to Chelsea saying: “My destination is already set. I must return to Atletico Madrid next season.

The Spaniard was allegedly stunned when Blues boss Antonio Conte ditched him by text message at the start of June that he won’t be part of his plans this season.

Chelsea had expected Costa, who is back home in Brazil, to return to London and make himself available for selection if the striker is to seal a move back to Atletico. The striker’s refusal to return to London prompted the Blues to already fine him two week’s wages worth £300,000.

Costa aged 28, scored 20 goals in 35 league appearances in their title-winning campaign last season. He has won two premier league titles and one league cup since he joined in July 2014.

The striker wants to return to his former side Atletico Madrid where he played between 2010-2014, even though it means sitting out the first half of the season because they are on a transfer ban.

Chelsea replaced Diego Costa with Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid for £70m, and the new signing scored in their 3-2 loss to Burnley on his premier league debut at Stamford Bridge last Saturday.

 

Costa’s statement to Chelsea Football Club:

 

“My destination is already made. I must return to Atletico Madrid.

 

It turns out that there is the impasse that Chelsea does not want to release me.

 

But I believe that this situation will be resolved now on my return to Spain.”

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NGO urges government to reduce public debt

By
George Mangula
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Uganda Minister of Finance Matia Kasaija displays the briefcase carrying National Budget.

A civil society group, the Uganda Debt Network (UDN) has urged the government to be cautious about external borrowing, saying that there is now limited possibility that the country could be forgiven of her debt.

“Given new debt architecture such as new creditors like China and Korea, there is only up to limited possibility of future debt forgiveness today, unlike in 1990s and shortly after,” UDN, which tracks government public debt, urges in its latest weekly update.

The NGO wants the government to engage in discussion for more prudent and accountable management of all public resources, including debt resources with view to slowing down the rate of borrowing.

Statistics show that Uganda’s public debt has reached US$ 9.8 billion in 2017/18 compared to US$ 8.4 billion in 2016/17. The increase in public debt is as a result of increase in borrowings to finance the ambitious infrastructural developments.

UDN also argues that government must track performance outcomes and ensure efficient use of available domestic resources before it can borrow from domestic or external sources.

Further, UDN says there is a need for a gradual reduction in stock of public debt, before it reaches critical proportions and debt distress for Ugandans.

It argues that Uganda’s future debt service obligations are increasing at a rate that is faster than Economic growth of 3.9 percent in 2016/17 though economists say it will grow at 5 to 5.5 percent in 2017/18.

‘We ought to be candid in highlighting the implications of current trends on Uganda’s Economic Development. Then we can together seek feasible strategies for sustainable Debt and Accountable Governance in Uganda’, it says.

The NGO says that government needs to ensure that matters of debt acquisition, structure, usage and sustainability come to the fore in light of the financial crisis of 2008 and debt that triggered an economic crisis and global recession that has persisted longer than predicted.

It further says that the potential risks associated with exchange rate depreciation and volatility, lower global growth trends, persistent decline in global commodity prices, corruption and mismanagement, somewhat cast doubt on Uganda’s economic development trajectory.

Government public finance experts say that although the public debt has increased at a higher rate compared to past trends, it is sustainable in relation to the size of the economy.

They argue that current debt to GDP ratio of 39% is below the Public Debt Management Framework threshold and the East African Community Monetary Union convergence criteria requirement of 50 percent.

Uganda’s total budget of Shs29 trillion for the financial 2017/18, had Shs4,999 billion go to refinancing of maturing debt; Shs949 billion was to meet external debt repayments, Shs2,675 billion was for interest payments while Shs300.86 billion was for settlement of domestic debts.

 

 

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Zambian opposition leader walks free in treason case

By
Agencies
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Hakainde Hichilema

LUSAKA – Zambian opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema was freed from prison on Wednesday after the state prosecutor dropped charges of plotting to overthrow the government, but a judge warned him he could be arrested again at any time.

Hichilema and five others were arrested in April and charged with treason after his convoy failed to make way for President Edgar Lungu’s motorcade. His release could help defuse tensions in the southern African country, where Lungu imposed a state of emergency in July.

High Court judge Charles Chanda told Hichilema and his co-accused that the prosecutor had terminated the proceedings but their discharge was conditional.

“This is not an acquittal as you can be arrested any time over the same offence. For now you are free to go home,” he said.

Hichilema’s supporters were jubilant, but he showed no emotion as he listened to the judge. He then drove from prison to the headquarters of his United Party for National Development (UPND) in an open-roof Toyota Land Cruiser and waved to supporters over the 5 km (3 miles) stretch.

In a speech outside the building, he called on the government to free several members of the party who are still detained over various charges.

“As of yesterday, some of our members were arrested. Even today, as I speak, others were arrested,” Hichilema told hundreds of supporters, without giving details of the cases.

“Zambia’s criminal justice system has broken down. I can’t say I am free when our members are in detention,” Hichilema said, adding “I am willing to go back to prison” if the arrests persisted.

Hundred of people celebrated outside the prison, singing, dancing and waving red and yellow UPND flags. Others marched outside the party’s headquarters, shouting Hichilema’s name and punching the air in victory.

“It is good he is out, but sad that he has been released conditionally. We would have loved him to be acquitted,” said Peter Simukonda, a 26-year-old University of Zambia student.

After the initial treason charge over the motorcade incident, Hichilema was later accused of plotting to overthrow the government.

The case has heightened political friction in Zambia, a major copper producer which is seen as one of Africa’s more stable democracies, after a bruising election last year in which Lungu’s Patriotic Front defeated Hichilema’s UPND.

A government spokesman said the release of Hichilema showed the state did not interfere with the courts.

“We accept what has happened today and respect the decision of the DPP,” chief government spokeswoman Kampamba Mulenga said. “This shows that the government does not interfere with the judicial system.”

Hichilema, an economist and businessman widely known as HH, mounted an unsuccessful legal challenge claiming the poll was rigged. His release could ease tensions in the run-up to elections in 2021, analysts said.

“It signifies the beginning of the reconciliation process, with the next elections being central,” said Alex Ng’oma, a political science lecturer at the University of Zambia.

Government and legal sources had told Reuters on Sunday that Zambia’s government would drop the treason charges and free Hichilema under a deal brokered by Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland.

Scotland visited Zambia last week and told reporters she had met Lungu and Hichilema separately and that the two leaders had agreed to a process of dialogue facilitated by her office.

In a statement, Scotland said she hoped the decision to drop charges would help Zambia “achieve political cohesion and reconciliation through dialogue”.

A Zambian official said the Commonwealth would be appointing a special envoy to facilitate the talks between Lungu and Hichilema along with other political players.

Last month Lungu invoked emergency powers to deal with “acts of sabotage” by his political opponents, after fire gutted the country’s biggest market. The powers allow police to ban public meetings, detain suspects longer than usual, search without a warrant, close roads, impose curfews and restrict certain people’s movements.

 

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Konde resigns as NTV MD

By
Badru Kasadah
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OUT-Agnes Konde Asiimwe.

Agnes Konde Asiimwe, the Managing Director of NTV-Uganda has resigned.

According to a source at Nation Media Group (NMG) Nairobi, Ms Konde tendered in her resignation last evening.

NMG Chief Executive Officer, Joseph Maganda is already in the country and is set to address NTV staff this morning and possibly name an acting person to take charge of the station.

According to sources, at the time of her resignation, Konde  has been appointed as Managing Director Msingi East Africa Limited.  According to their website, Msingi was established in 2016, Msingi is an independent, multi-decade organisation that is building East African industries of the future. However, it is important to note that by the time of her departure, Kondo wasn’t having a good relationship with Sam Barata whom NGM appointed as joint commercial manager for Uganda. Another person whom Konde didn’t want to have a say in NTV editorial work is Mr. Daniel Kalinaki who was appointed recently to oversee NMG editorial interests.

Ms Konde was appointed as NTV boss in February 2013 and took over from Mr Joe Munene, who had been at the helm of the television station for four years since 2009. Ms Konde has been a brand and marketing manager at Crown Beverages Limited, the manufacturers of Pepsi as well as market and circulation manager for Monitor Publications Limited. She has vast experience in the media industry although this will be her first assignment in broadcast.

Konde started her career journey as a truck sales girl for Madhvani Group selling soap, sugar and cooking oil in Fort Portal.

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