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Ugandan, Oman officials negotiate to sign a bilateral labour agreement

By
Geoffery Serugo
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State Minister,Esther Anyakun.

The government of Uganda is in negotiations with the government of Oman over the externalization of labour, Eagle Online has learnt. 

The negotiations follow the signing of a bilateral labour agreement with the Saudi government. The agreement was signed last month. 

The negotiations are led by State Minister for Labour, Employment, and Industrial Relations Esther Anyakun and other ministry officials.

The team is currently in Muscat to negotiate with the state of Oman on a bilateral agreement on labor issues. This is as Uganda explores more lucrative employment opportunities abroad for the country’s skilled labor force to curb unemployment. 

In 2018, Uganda suspended labor exports to Oman over mistreatment of its nationals. Ugandans we beaten often deny meals and pay checks at the end of the end of the month, while others were killed. 

As of June, last year, there were 235 licensed private recruitment companies. Every two years, each company pays Shs2 million in license fees. Annually, the government collects $1.3 billion globally from labor export businesses; the Middle East alone sends in $700 million.

Last year, the Minister of Finance, Matia Kasaija, said that during the #Covid-19 pandemic, the country was surviving on remittances. The contribution of remittances amounted to $1.3 billion in 2022, compared to $1.1 billion the previous year.

The government collects $30 (Shs110,000) in job order fees for each eternalized worker. That money is wired directly to the Uganda Revenue Authority accounts. From August 2021 to August 2022, the government collected over Rs12 billion from job orders.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs says they process 10,000 passports every month, and the biggest percentage goes to individuals seeking to work in the Middle East.

According to the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, there are over 150,000 Ugandan migrant workers in Saudi Arabia. Most Ugandans are employed in the informal sector as housemaids, gardeners, cargo handlers, and other jobs.

In 2021, Uganda externalized 89000 Ugandans, of whom 79000 went to Saudi Arabia. Of the 79000, 75000 were female. By June 2022, Uganda had externalized 50,000 nationals, and a high percentage went to Saudi Arabia.

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Creatives to participate in the Africa Creatives Challenge by MoTIV 

By
Our Reporter
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MoTIV Africa has announced the Africa Creatives Challenge, an exciting competition aimed at sparking transformative innovation within Africa’s creative landscape. 

The challenge, according to Marie-Franz Fordjoe, Lead -MoTIV West Africa, is designed to empower creatives across disciplines including art, media, tech, fashion and design, especially those in the early stages of business development. 

Fordjoe said, “The Africa Creatives Challenge targets creatives with innovative projects or ideas but lacks the necessary technical and financial support to bring them to life.” The Challenge will support the top two projects with a $6,000 grant each.

Following its successful launch in Ghana in 2023, this year’s edition targets creatives in Uganda.

Uganda’s creative landscape continues to grapple with multiple challenges, including limited access to financing, an unsupportive policy environment, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of professional capacity.

 These factors continue to contribute to the sector’s lag. This is compounded by the unawareness or disregard for the sector’s potential to significantly contribute to economic development.

This year’s Africa Creatives Challenge presents a unique opportunity for individuals, teams, and organizations across Uganda to showcase their innovative ideas and contribute to shaping the continent’s creative sector. 

In addition to the prize package, the winners will have access to various capacity building sessions at MoTIV Uganda, mentorship, networking opportunities, and venture development tools to give their ideas the best chance at morphing into sustainable, profitable businesses.

“I urged all creatives across the country to submit their compelling pitches outlining how they would utilize the grant funding to bring their projects to life and contribute significantly to the growth of Africa’s creative economy.” Fordjoe said 

Adding, this challenge is more than receiving a grand but rather building a vibrant community of creatives who can inspire change and drive innovation in the creative economy. 

“Engagement with Uganda’s talented creatives through the Africa Creatives Challenge should be enlightening and wildly innovative. We look forward to receiving dozens of impressive proposals,” Fordjoe said.

MoTIV remains committed to building a resilient creative sector in Uganda by creating pathways that provide essential tools, skills development, and financial opportunities. These initiatives are designed to remove barriers and foster an environment of support, providing access to resources hence unlocking their full potential, driving innovation and growth within the sector.

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Gen Muhoozi applauds retired officers for commitment towards servicing Uganda

By
Simon Kabayo
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Gen. Muhoozi at the ceremony.

The Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has lauded retiring senior officers for their commitment to serving Uganda throughout their time of service in the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces.

 “For Uganda, our fatherland, no sacrifice is too great. Officers and men have demonstrated the commitment to serve the country over decades and through countless operations,” said Gen Kainerugaba.

He made the remarks yesterday at the retirement of 150 Senior Officers from the Rank of Major to Colonel under Batch 13B at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) Headquarters, Mbuya.  They included 33 Colonels, 78 Lieutenant Colonels and 39 Majors.

Gen Kainerugaba assured the retirees that the young Officers left behind serving in different operations like Operation Shujaa, Somalia and Karamoja would carry forward the noble tradition and proudly follow in their footsteps as they continue to carry the banner of the Peoples’ Army.

Juxtaposing the army with monks and priests, Gen Kainerugaba said the army is not a job but a vocation and calling and urged the retiring officers to use the UPDF offices to notify the authorities about essential developments in the country because they remain open to them.

“You do not hear of a monk or a priest retiring, but they can step back from a full-time retirement because theirs is a life commitment to the church. Similarly, we are priests, and our church is Uganda. Our mission to have a secure, peaceful and prosperous Uganda does not end because we stop wearing Uniforms. In civilian life, you remain our listening posts and ambassadors,” said Gen Kainerugaba.

On continued economic engagement, the CDF said that the UPDF will continue supporting veterans economically after retirement by expanding cooperation through veteran SACCOs that are already giving a helping hand to the Chieftaincy of Welfare and Production.

The Deputy Joint Staff – Human Resource Management Brig Gen Kaweesa Kigozi observed that retirement is an important milestone that one can use to throw themselves into their favourite hobby, start new adventures and enjoy more time with family, among others.

“As we strive for the professionalisation of the Force, retirement of personnel is fundamental since it ensures a balance in having an effective Force. Retirement, therefore, is an institutional way of rejuvenating the forces by replacing seasoned and experienced guards with young guards. It allows smooth career progression, assures force continuity, ushers retirees life after the military and not only network with the civilian community but also invest their retirement package wisely when still capable,” said Brig Gen Kigozi.

Col Jaffari Kasirivu, who spoke on behalf of the retiring officers, paid tribute and acknowledged the critical role played by the fallen heroes, both combatants and civilians, in support of having paid the ultimate price of the people who are mutual as well as sympathising with the innocent souls that lost their lives to the brutal regime.

He thanked the President and Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF, H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who led the liberation of Uganda, the UPDF leadership and the people of Uganda for allowing them the opportunity to serve the nation in the military, especially when the country needed them most.

“Our achievements are yours, built on the foundation of new solicited ideas and shared commitment. As we retire, therefore, we carry forward the legacy of patriotism and service, having fulfilled the historical mission of our generation,” Col Kasirivu said.

He called upon his fellow retirees to use their packages carefully and wisely per the guidance during the retirement sensitisation and documentation exercise, adding that retirement comes with complications and costs.

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Health Ministry to consider nationwide malaria walk

By
Francisco Adongo
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Minister of Health Jane Ruth Aceng.

The Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng has promised to ensure the nationwide strategy of eliminating malaria.

Aceng’s remarks follow Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa’s call that the Ministry of Health should come up with a strategy on a countrywide spraying against mosquitoes so as to eliminate malaria in order to save lives and reduce the high costs of treating malaria.

“I want you (Minister of Health, Dr. Ruth Aceng) and World Health Organisation (WHO) to reconcile your positions on spraying because countries which have eliminated malaria have sprayed. We don’t need to go and invent the wheel, let us make a decision as a country that we are going to spray and we Parliament we shall give you that money to spray. Because a person from Mitooma doesn’t know your negotiations and politics of you disagreeing with WHO, they don’t even know WHO though it is our biggest partner, what they want is eliminating malaria,” said Tayebwa.

Tayebwa added, “The other time, Parliament said we can’t spray, now this is a new Parliament, we are going to take charge. We are going to push it on the floor, we shall provide the money and Parliament will not interfere as long as you feel that is the right thing to do. If Rwanda has sprayed, if Kenya has sprayed, if Tanzania has sprayed and malaria has gone, you scientists, agree with each other.”

Aceng assured the public that the ministry will carry out a nationwide strategy and also called for increased funding to malaria elimination using locally generated resources in order to cover the gap that will be left by donors who have indicated plans to reduce funding to Uganda in order to focus on more global challenges.

“Re-planning requires that we identify a safe chemical that can be used so that we can carry out the spraying and bring down this burden of Malaria and we stop putting ourselves as number three in the race against donating Malaria. As a Ministry, we shall go back and re-plan and develop the strategy and present it to Parliament. That will be after presenting it to the Cabinet because it has to start from the top,” said Aceng.

She added, “We are very much aware that funding for malaria is levelling off from all our partners. Recently, when they called a meeting from the 10+1 countries, which are the countries with the heaviest burden of malaria in the world, and Uganda is number 3 in donating, following Nigeria and Democratic Republic of Congo, we are number 3. In the conference, we all signed a commitment to end malaria in our own countries using our own domestic resources. It is for Uganda to mobilize its own domestic resources to end malaria.”

Malaria Walk was held in Kampala and it comes at the time the World Health Organisation ranks Uganda 3rd on the list of global burdened countries with at least 12 million malaria cases reported annually, while the 2021 World Malaria Report ranked Uganda as the 5th top contributor to global malaria deaths.

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Museveni suspends EFRIS, directs traders to reopen their businesses

By
Our Reporter
-

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Friday, April 19 met and held discussions with the leadership of traders in Kampala and upcountry districts at State House Entebbe and indefinitely suspended the implementation of the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS) till further consultations are made.

The meeting followed a five-day strike by traders who closed their businesses, expressing their discontent against the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA)’s EfRIS system.

The discussions mainly centred on the taxation levied on their businesses, especially through the unpopular EFRIS system.

During the meeting, Museveni informed the traders that he would meet the technocrats from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and URA on the 24th, April 2024 for wider consultations.

“The President also noted that he will then meet with all the traders on 7th May 2024 at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds,” a press statement issued after the meeting indicated.

President Museveni further directed that all penalties should be suspended by the URA for the meantime to give room for wider consultations.

The leaders of the traders agreed to reopen their businesses as they continue to consult further with the government.

The delegation of 61 leaders was led by Mr.  Kabanda John, the leader of the Federation of Uganda’s Traders Associations (FUTA) and Dr. Musoke Thadeus Agenda, the leader of Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA).

The meeting was also attended by Mr. Issa Ssekito, the Spokesperson of KACITA.

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Sudhir, Nepali Residents Association in blood donation campaign

By
Our Reporter
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City tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia in partnership with the Non-Resident Nepali Association in Uganda have allied with the Blood Bank of Uganda for an annual blood donation drive to support efforts to have enough stocks of blood in Uganda’s health sector.

The drive is slated to take place on Sunday, April 28th, 2024 at Kampala Parents School, (from 8 am to 6 pm).

Supported by the Honorary Consul of Nepal to Uganda, city tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia, the Nepali community hopes to support the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services efforts to collect 300,000 units of blood every year needed to save lives in this country.

“Kindly support the campaign plus marketing the donation drive,” Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia Honary of Nepali alerted.

The Nepali Non-Residents Association conducts this activity every year.

International Nepalese Blood Donors Association (INBDA) is a humanitarian, non-religious, non-political and non-profit organization founded in 2014 A.D with the aim to increase regular Nepalese Blood Donors globally.

The main objective of the organization is to assist and motivate the Nepalese communities worldwide to regularly donate blood; to assist in organizing blood donation drive in various countries

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Ruto, Odinga mourn helicopter crash victim, Gen. Ogolla

By
Our Reporter
-

The president of Kenya, William Ruto and his processor Raila Odinga have mourned the fallen Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla. Gen. Ogolla died yesterday after a military helicopter crashed.

In a brief meeting, Ruto described Gen Ogolla  as a gallant officer who died in the line of duty.

Gen Ogolla was appointed by Ruto in April last year, after serving as the Commander of the Air Force and Deputy Chief of Defence Forces.

“Our motherland has lost one of her most valiant generals, gallant officers, service men and women,” Ruto mourned.

Ruto noted that Kenya will observe a three-day period of mourning, commencing on Friday 19 April. The flags in the Republic of Kenya and in Kenyan missions abroad will fly at half-mast.

Raila Odinga said that he was deeply saddened and profoundly shocked by the passing of General. Francis Ogolla, the Chief of Defence Forces.

“We join the nation in mourning his loss. Gen. Ogolla was a true patriot, a highly decorated soldier, and a consummate professional who served our country with unwavering dedication. Our hearts go out to his family, his colleagues in the KDF, and the entire nation as we grieve this immense loss.” Odinga said.

He added, “We also extend our very heartfelt condolences to the families of the KDF team who were accompanying Gen. Ogolla. We know that at this moment words will not be enough to console your tremendous grief. We pray the Lord may give you comfort.  May the souls of all those who have departed find eternal peace.”

Gen Ogolla first joined the Kenya Defence Forces on 24 April 1984, according to the Kenyan defence ministry’s website.

He began his career as a 2nd Lt in the country’s air force, where he trained as a fighter pilot with the US Air Force, the ministry says. In 2018, he became Commander of the Kenya Air Force – a role which he held until becoming the country’s military chief.

Gen. Francis Omondi Ogolla, died alongside 9 other military personnel following a tragic air accident in Elgeyo Marakwet County.

The two people that survived are in a critical condition and under intense treatment.

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Tibet Hima Mining Company petitions Parliament over Kilembe Mines

By
Simon Kabayo
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Tibet Hima Mining Company Ltd, a private firm based in China, has petitioned Parliament to investigate the circumstances under which the government terminated its contract to manage, rehabilitate and operate Kilembe Mines for 25 years.

The company which was tasked to resume copper ore mining in Kilembe Mines in Kasese district, presented a number of complaints accusing the government of frustrating the implementation of the 2013 concession agreement leading to financial loss.

Hon. Solomon Silwany (NRM, Bukooli County Central) presented the petition to Parliament during the plenary sitting chaired by Speaker, Anita Among, on Thursday, 18 April 2024.

According to the petition, the government failed to honor its obligations as per the agreement causing Tibet Hima Mining Company direct financial loss totaling to US$980 million between 2014 and 2017.

“The petitioner in implementing the agreement paid Shs4.2 billion to the government, directly employed 822 Ugandans, purchased equipment worth US$ 22 million and committed US$183.500 million to future investments in the resumption of copper ore production from Kilembe mines,” said Silwany.

Silwany noted that the government failed on a number of its mandates including handing over the Kilembe Mines site to the company and unlawfully terminating the contract.

“Government failed to hand over Kilembe Mines to the petitioner nine months from the date of entering into the agreement, reduced the concession period from 25 years to15 years and failed to provide the necessary permits and licenses,” Silwany said.

Tibet Hima Company further noted that despite the government’s failure to honor the agreement, it undertook a number of activities in preparation for the mining and processing of minerals including upgrading the existing operation facilities, underground mine dewatering, design of underground materials handling system and procurements.

They prayed that Parliament investigate the implementation of the concession agreement and establish whether both parties fulfilled their contractual obligations and reasons for site handover delays.

The petitioner also wants the government to halt the ongoing advertisement and subsequent procurement process related to Kilembe Mines.

Speaker Among referred the petition to the House Committee on Trade for consideration.

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NIRA takes over civil marriages registration dep’t from URSB  

By
Simon Kabayo
-

Parliament has approved the proposal to have the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) take over the civil registration (civil marriages) from Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), urging the transfer should be done in a phased manner so as to allow NIRA build capacity.

This comes at the time, MPs on the Defence and Internal Affairs Committee recently expressed concerns over the proposal to transfer civil registrations to NIRA, with many wondering if the current disruptions at Kololo Independence Grounds to pave way to host state functions will not leave many couples seeking to have civil marriage ceremonies stranded following the cancellations of their appointments, which is not the case at URSB.

Richard Oseku (Kibale County) informed Parliament of concerns raised by the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee about the readiness of NIRA to ensure a smooth transfer of the functions of URSB without disruption or without compromising on service delivery to the public.

“If the transition processes are not handled smoothly and in a coordinated manner, the public is likely to face challenges arising from the lack of readiness to deliver on the new. In order to build the capacity of NIRA to deliver on the new there is need for NIRA and URSB to coordinate the transfer of functions to NIRA in order to ensure that functions are only transferred to NIRA only where NIRA has obtained the capacity to deliver on the new mandate. This will require the commencement of the Bill to be staggered to enable URSB to continue providing the services as NIRA builds capacity to provide the services,” said Oseku.

In order to resolve the crisis, Parliament approved the proposal in the report of the 2024/25 ministerial policy statement for NIRA, to have additional Shs20 billion availed in NIRA’s budget to allow the entity acquire new office space and leave Kololo Independence Grounds.

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The splendid Paradise Island stands at 90 percent complete

By
Our Reporter
-
Paradise Island-Uganda.

Paradise Island, owned by Ruparelia Group can be regarded as a sophisticated hidden gem of Uganda, surrounded by peaceful and calm fresh waters of Lake Victoria. Project managers say construction works currently stand at 90 percent. It is expected to put the tourism industry to another level.

The hideout is just 10 kilometres off the shores of L. Victoria, in a sublime fascinating location, and can only be accessed by a speed boat departing from Speke Resort Munyonyo Marina because of its exceptional setting.

The private island planned to have 21 nestled bedroom cottages lined up at its shores with a breathtaking view of Lake Victoria.

Each cottage will have a nook, hammock, and a swing or an outdoor bathtub on the balcony.

These include 13 Deluxe 2-bedroom cottages with a private pool, kitchen, kids mezzanine nook, and an outdoor bathtub.

Executive 4-bedroom villas with outdoor and indoor kitchens, fishing and sunset viewing, private pool, private BBQ lawn, private beach, and an outdoor shower.

The facility offers spectacular lake views, open skys, and sunset moments for a perfect destination for holiday and vacation escapes.

The enchanting island offers everything from quiet, relaxing, and intimate locations for family getaways, party destination weddings, honeymooners and couples to a great deal of time to themselves.

The facility will offer guest accommodation rooms, conference facilities, meeting facilities, a spa and salon, gym, restaurant and bar, wedding venues, and a chapel.

The hangout is for those who want to relax and enjoy the calm atmosphere with a drink at the poolside deck or participate in swimming, bird watching, beach walks, boat cruising, beach restaurant, fishing around the island, beach games like volleyball, beach soccer, camping, zip lining, island cycling and many more, Paradise Island is a place for you who want to experience a new adventure.

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