In 2023, MTN Uganda launched a thematic campaign dubbed “Together, we’re unstoppable,” anchored on celebrating the resilience and creativity of Ugandans and providing a platform for them to showcase their skills. For Twaha Kakaira, a budding entrepreneur building his profile within the marketing communications world through his advertising agency, CTA Space, this campaign spoke directly to his mission of supporting brands and businesses in maintaining a firm rooted in consumers’ minds. His passion led him to partner with M&C Saatchi Abel during the pitching process for the MTN account across the continent.

In April 2024, MTN Group announced M&C Saatchi Abel as its new marketing partner across all operating companies on the continent. For Twaha, this was a David and Goliath situation, as the advertising behemoth TBWA, which had implemented MTN’s marketing activities globally (including in Uganda), was set to hand over to new partners, with CTA Space taking over within the Ugandan market. However, Twaha’s excitement and strategic plans were short-lived when he learned that CTA Space had been rejected by MTN’s procurement and the local Ugandan business unit.

The communication from Nival Maharaj, a new business project director at M&C Saatchi Abel, read, “As we have now had the opportunity to engage directly with the MTN OpCo, concerns were raised about the scale of CTA Space and current capability and quality to deliver against 360-degree work. Even with the willingness to scale up the agency and skills for MTN, MTN wants to start with an agency that is more established in this regard.”

David Case, Founding Partner of TBWA Uganda (former MTN Uganda advertising agency) and majority shareholder of Creatabuzz Communications.

When Twaha reached out to Jacques Burger, CEO of M&C Saatchi Abel, to seek redress and inquire about the decision-making process, he was met with a stark clarification. Jacques stated explicitly, “The MOU doesn’t commit to any obligations from ourselves beyond putting yourselves forward as our affiliate partner in the Uganda market. It does not guarantee a contract or success, nor does it make any financial commitments.”

Jacques further added, “With regards to the pitch itself, you contributed or delivered no work in terms of strategy or creative development. You submitted a rate card that had to be updated several times due to incorrect information and a credentials document. It is important to note this as you have not invested any creative or strategic pitch hours towards the pitch opportunity.”

Jacques Burger, CEO of M&C Saatchi Abel.

MTN Uganda had thoroughly reviewed CTA Space’s credentials and deemed the agency unsuitable for the Ugandan market. However, Jacques noted that “We have spent time understanding MTN Uganda’s point of view and following our additional assessment based on our experience around your rates submission, market research, and reviewing your credentials again, we are aligned to their view. Please note, we are not saying that you are not a good agency, but you are not an ideal partner for MTN in Uganda.”

As Twaha sought to understand the situation and save his dream fully, he learned that M&C Saatchi Abel had instead contracted Creatabuzz Communications, an outfit previously called Limelight and an affiliate of TBWA. This agency had previously handled the MTN account in Uganda and across the continent.

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Uganda Breweries has launched an initiative to support local farmers and promote sustainable agriculture, donating five threshers worth Shs5 million to benefit 1,000 smallholder farmers across the country. This donation aims to improve the efficiency and productivity of farmers, who are the backbone of Uganda’s agricultural sector.

The threshers will be distributed to farmers in five districts, including Kween, Bukwo, Kapchorwa, Rwenzori, and select districts in Northern Uganda. This initiative is part of Uganda Breweries’ Spirit of Progress sustainability strategy, which seeks to create a positive impact in the Environmental, Social, and Governance spheres.

By reducing post-harvest losses and increasing earnings for farmers, Uganda Breweries is investing in the long-term sustainability of Uganda’s agricultural sector.

While handing over the threshers to representatives of the beneficiary farmers in Luzira, the Uganda Breweries Managing Director Andrew Kilonzo said that by supporting local farmers, the organisation is not only contributing to the growth of the agricultural sector but also ensuring a sustainable supply of raw materials.

“Today, we are not just donating threshers to farmers, we are investing in the future of agriculture in Uganda. We believe that by empowering smallholder farmers with the right tools and technology, we can unlock the full potential of our agricultural sector and create a more sustainable future for our business and the communities we serve,” he stated.

Kilonzo said that the donation of threshers is part of Uganda Breweries’ broader commitment to supporting farmers under the program dubbed “Farm for Success” which seeks to address farming challenges related to the quality of inputs, and best agricultural practices.

Under Farm for Success, the organisation invests Shs52 billion annually into farmer communities that supply raw materials used in the alcoholic beverages production process, benefiting 50,000 farmers in the value chain.

Solomon Odongo, who represented farmers at the handover of the threshers applauded Uganda Breweries for the donation, saying that the brewery also provides them with good quality seed, training, and being on Frontline champion of youth inclusion in agribusiness.

“The quality of the grain will improve since threshers make work very fast compared to using sticks which are time-consuming. Use of threshers is also cheap and affordable to the farmers,” said Odong who is also a youth sorghum grower in Bukedea

The Manager of Agribusiness at Uganda Breweries Joseph Kawuki said the donation is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) gesture, supportive move to drive to the quality agenda in terms of better-quality grain as well as a move to reduce the hard labour farmers go through to produce quality grains for Uganda Breweries.

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Traders under their umbrella bodies of the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA), Uganda Cargo Consolidators, and Kampala Rice Traders have announced countrywide closure of businesses effective from tomorrow.

According to Isa Ssekitto, the Spokesperson for Kasita, the closure is aimed at seeing President Yoweri Museveni address their challenges, including the implementation of the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS).

“We shall close our businesses effective from Wednesday until President Museveni sees sense in meeting or communicating with them in a dignified way,” he said. 

Their stance follows calling off their planned meeting with President Museveni. The meeting was scheduled to happen tomorrow. 

The meeting aimed at assessing the processes implementing EFRIS. City traders decried over taxations and penalties arising from failure to remit VAT and the Chinese invasion of the local markets.

The business community protested the system, closing shops in Kikuubo and downtown, claiming double taxation and lack of information about the system. They stated that the system is costly in terms of implementation since it requires devices like computers or smartphones and a gadget for printing receipts.

They contend that high import values (old ones) are making it hard for traders to clear their goods and that the high cost of living means that most of the essential goods are becoming unaffordable to the common man.

Uganda Revenue Authority started implementing EFRIS in 2021 to address tax administration challenges relating to business transactions and the issuance of receipts. The system helps URA assess the right taxes using accurate and authentically generated information. It also enables businesses to thrive with improved record-keeping and monitored stock and sales, among others.

The implementation of EFRIS will ensure not just equity in tax collection, especially VAT, but also transparency. The system is expected to double total VAT collections from Shs3.5 trillion to about Shs7 trillion.

Tanzania and Rwanda adopted EFRIS over 10 years ago. These countries collect 33% and 30%, respectively, of their total tax revenue through VAT. Uganda is currently collecting about 15% VAT of its total tax revenue, and this amounts to Shs3.5 trillion.

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