Vivo Energy Uganda, the company behind Shell-branded products in Uganda, recently concluded its “Join & Win” promotion, leaving a trail of happy customers in its wake. Launched in October 2023, the program aimed to celebrate and reward loyal Shell Club members by offering them a chance to win exciting prizes.

Throughout the promotion, customers who participated in the Shell Club program were entered into a draw for a chance to win two grand prizes: brand new Toyota Hiace vans, and a total of seven motorcycles. Additionally, instant rewards like shopping vouchers and branded merchandise were available through special “happy hour” activations at Shell stations across the country.

The grand finale, held on February 5th, 2024, and televised on Bukedde TV, saw three lucky winners emerge victorious. Kasigala Samuel, a coaster driver from Jinja, drove away with the coveted grand prize – a Toyota Hiace van. Speaking at the event, Samuel expressed his excitement and plans to utilize the van to launch his own commercial transportation business, fulfilling a long-held dream.

Two other winners, Kabale Kenneth and Mukiibi Herman, also received brand new motorcycles during the ceremony held at the Shell Banda service station.

Johan Grobbelaar, Managing Director at Vivo Energy Uganda, praised the positive impact the promotion had on participants’ lives. “We are thrilled to have seen so many loyal customers participate in the ‘Join & Win’ campaign,” he stated. “This initiative was designed to show our appreciation for their continued support, and we are delighted to have been able to make a real difference to the lives of our winners.”

Hellen Bwengye, Vivo Energy Uganda’s Head of Marketing, concluded the festivities by thanking all Shell customers for taking part in the program. She encouraged everyone to continue using the Shell Club loyalty program to accumulate points and unlock future rewards.

The “Join & Win” promotion serves as a testament to Shell’s commitment to rewarding its loyal customers while driving positive change within the Ugandan community.

Below is the list of the winners of the Shell Club ‘Join and Win’ promotion:

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The Constitutional Court has ruled that the 1993 law that restituted and restored traditional institutions in Uganda doesn’t violate the constitution, as has been alleged by different people, including the state minister for land, Sam Mayanja.

The ruling arose from a constitutional petition number 9 filed by Prince Kalemeera Kimera, a grandson of Daudi Chwa II, where he wanted the court to nullify the 1993 traditional rulers’ restitution law, asserting that the law had unconstitutionally vested properties of the late Kabaka Daudi Chwa II, of which he is a beneficiary, into the Kabaka of Buganda, depriving him of his property rights.

Prince Kalemeera argued that the law was unconstitutional as it contravened articles 26 and 21, which guarantee the right to own property and protection from compulsory deprivation or right over property.

The petitioner wanted the court to declare that sections 2 and 3 of the Traditional Rulers’ Act are inconsistent with articles 2, 21, 26, and 246(3)(a) and (b) of the constitution and are to the extent void. The prince also, in his petition, wanted the court to award him and other beneficiaries of the late Sir Daudi Chwa II $60 million as compensation for what he called the deprivation of their property.

In their ruling, the three justices—Richard Buteera, Catherine Bamugemereire, Mutangula Kibeedi, Irene Mulyagonja, and Oscar Kihika—ruled that the petition of Prince Kalemeera was incompetent as the sections of the 1993 law it sought to annul were not unconstitutional. It therefore dismissed the petition with costs to the Kabaka of Buganda and the Attorney General of Uganda.

Commenting on the court’s ruling, the attorney general of Buganda, Owek. Christopher Bwanika, at a press conference held in Bulange, welcomed the court’s ruling and said that the ruling will go a long way toward warding off people who have made it a habit to sue the Kabaka of Buganda, alleging to own his property. He said that the ruling clearly showed that the 1993 law was constitutional and that the return of properties to the Kabaka was rightly done. He warned people to stop wasting Kabaka’s time and resources in court since his time and resources would be better utilized in serving the people of Buganda.

Denis Bugaya, the spokesperson of the Buganda Land Board, equally weighed in, welcoming the ruling and warning people who drag the Kabaka to court on flimsy grounds that the kingdom will not have mercy on them as it recovers its costs whenever it wins against them in court. 

The Kabaka was represented by K&K, Buganda Royal Chambers, and the legal department of Buganda Land Board who were greatly appreciated for the work done.

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The Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Gen David Rwabakuba Muhoozi, has revealed that Ugandans living in the diaspora will be able to register online for new or renewed National IDs when mass enrollment for the exercise commences in June this year.

The government has commenced the processes leading to mass enrollment and renewal of National Identity Cards (IDs), with the recruitment of a workforce slated for this month.

“The new system provides for online pre-registration and registration at embassies. NIRA will carry out outreach exercises in selected countries with populations of Ugandans exceeding 10,000,” said Gen. Muhoozi.

To mitigate the chances of foreigners who flout the process and register for Ugandan IDs, Muhoozi said the relevant security officials, such as Government Security Officers (GISO) and Professional Intelligence Officers (PISO), will be deployed.

“The district citizenship verification committees are being put in place to scrutinise persons whose citizenship is in doubt. I call on the extra vigilance of the public because this is at times compromised,” he added.

On the concerns for people with disabilities, such as those without fingers, the minister said other biometrics, such as iris and face, will be captured to allow every eligible Ugandan to get an ID.

For Ugandans of Rwandan origin, Muhoozi said they are recognised as citizens of Uganda in the constitution and will be enrolled as per the guidelines of the constitution.

The minister warned against using IDs as collateral by money lenders, saying it is illegal and should be punished.  He mentioned that the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) is in the process of securing and improving the verification of cards and letters by third parties who seek to determine the identity of persons, which will render the need for retaining IDs redundant.

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The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has revealed that the geo-mapping of household and enumeration area boundaries stands at 90.3%. Geo-mapping is aimed at creating an interactive map that will be used in the census exercise.

The technologically driven National Population and Housing Census (NPHC) 2024 will be carried out from May 10–19, 2024. The first day of enumeration, which is set for May 10, 2024, was approved a Census Public Holiday by the Cabinet and declared by the President to ensure easy recall of the Census Night during the period of enumeration.

“The field teams are currently mapping up the areas that were previously not covered and the cities around the country. The team is set to complete the exercise in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA), comprising Kampala, Mukono, and Wakiso districts, by the end of March 2024,” Chris Mukiza, the Executive Director of UBOS, said.

He said the development of digital maps is now underway to generate area maps for the whole country. The area maps will facilitate an understanding of the area boundaries.

The National Population and Housing Census was last conducted in 2014. At that time, Uganda had a population of 34 million people. The census is carried out every 10 years, and this year’s exercise was expected to take place on August 24 and 25, but it was postponed due to the delayed procurement of tablets.

UBOS needs 120000 tablets costing Shs132 billion to carry out the national census. After the census, 30000 tablets will be given to the National Identification Registration Authority (NIRA) for mass registration of people and verification of voters by the Electoral Commission.

Local governments will retain others to pick up data for community information systems. This will later be picked up by UBOS for the generation of statistics for better planning for the country.

Currently, Uganda is estimated to have 45 million people. The figures can only be verified after the national census. Currently, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS)

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BrighterMonday Uganda, the leading talent and recruitment company has unveiled its strategic partnership with the Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU). This collaboration aims to foster mutual growth, enhance public relations practices, and contribute to the overall development of the employment sector in Uganda.

Through this strategic partnership, BrighterMonday Uganda and PRAU will collaborate on various initiatives to promote employment opportunities, facilitate networking opportunities, and share valuable resources with job seekers and employers. This collaboration will include joint events, workshops, and knowledge-sharing sessions, all aimed at empowering individuals in their job search and enhancing the overall recruitment process.

As a prominent player in the job market, BrighterMonday Uganda has been dedicated to connecting job seekers with prospective employers, facilitating career growth, and driving economic development in Uganda. With this partnership, BrighterMonday Uganda seeks to leverage the expertise and network of the Public Relations Association of Uganda to further elevate its position as a trusted source for employment solutions.

Arnold Akampulira, Marketing Manager at BrighterMonday Uganda, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to align our efforts with the Public Relations Association of Uganda. This collaboration presents an exciting opportunity to synergize our strengths and promote the growth of the job market in Uganda. By combining our resources and expertise, we aim to provide even greater value to job seekers and employers alike.”

The Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) is a professional body that represents public relations practitioners in Uganda. PRAU plays a vital role in promoting the highest standards of public relations practice, offering professional development opportunities, and facilitating knowledge sharing among its members. By joining forces with PRAU, BrighterMonday Uganda aims to benefit from their wealth of experience and industry insights, ensuring that their communication efforts are aligned with best practices and industry standards.

Through this strategic partnership, BrighterMonday Uganda and PRAU will collaborate on various initiatives to promote employment opportunities, facilitate networking opportunities, and share valuable resources with job seekers and employers. This collaboration will include joint events, workshops, and knowledge-sharing sessions, all aimed at empowering individuals in their job search and enhancing the overall recruitment process.

Tina Wamala, President of the Public Relations Association of Uganda, added, “We are delighted to work hand-in-hand with BrighterMonday Uganda, a leader in the employment sector. This partnership will enable us to create a positive impact on job seekers and employers through improved communication strategies, networking opportunities, and knowledge exchange. Together, we can empower individuals to achieve their career goals and contribute to Uganda’s economic development.”

Both organizations are eager to begin this collaboration and are confident that their joint efforts will strengthen the employment landscape in Uganda, foster professional growth, and drive positive change within the job market.

About PRAU;

PRAU was founded in 1976 as a membership-based professional body of Public Relations (PR) practitioners in Uganda. The association is affiliated to regional and global bodies such as the East African Public Relations Association (EAPRA), the African Public Relations Association (APRA) and the International Public Relations Association (IPRA).

PRAU’s mission is “To nurture and advance PR excellence through training, mentorship, and enforcement of a professional code of conduct.” while it’s vision is to create “A community of Public

Relations practitioners that uphold the highest standards of professional practice in Uganda”

About BrighterMonday Uganda;

BrighterMonday Uganda was established in 2014 and has grown to become Uganda’s leading recruitment and HR services platform. We have numerous candidates and employers, successfully using the platform to get access to the right opportunities.

At BrighterMonday Uganda, we fully understand the Ugandan market and have developed a portfolio of relevant and value-adding products that make recruitment simple, quick and effective. We ensure that we find the perfect match for our users.

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The Parliament’s Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (COSASE) has summoned the top leadership of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), led by Lord Mayor, Elias Lukwago to explain why the Council has failed to operationalize the 2019 Outdoor Advertising Ordinance that would mandate KCCA to collect revenue from billboards around the city.

“Is it your duty to pass ordinances, is it an audit query?  And do you agree with me that this isn’t the first time it is raised? Do you also agree with me that there is a court ruling which made us lose money? How will you explain it? For that reason, the standard practice is going to be, when you come here, to account, we want your political leadership. I will not be prejudiced by what I hear and know regarding the politics at KCCA, but here everybody must come here and carry their cross,” noted Medard Lubega, Chairperson COSASE.

Dorothy Kisaka, Executive Director-KCCA however said that it is not her duty to invite Lukwago and his Council to Parliament meetings because the practice has been for the technical and political wings of KCCA to receive separate invitation letters to Parliament.

“The practice has been that we receive an invitation which is addressed to the Executive Director and the Executive Director comes with the senior management team to Parliament. We haven’t received an invitation to the political side, usually, they receive their own invitation and it isn’t the Executive Director who invites them, but if there is an invitation, we have no objection whatsoever” said Kisaka

This followed the failure by the political leadership of KCCA, to attend a meeting called by COSASE for the Authority to respond to several audit queries raised in the December 2023 Audit report, yet there were queries faulting the Authority for putting in place advertising ordinance that would enable KCCA  to collect revenue from outdoor advertising.

National Outdoor Advertising and Contractors Association Ltd dragged KCCA to court protesting the decision by KCCA to impose advertising rates on their business, describing the practice as illegal, irrational, and unlawful and also asked the Court to force KCCA to refund Shs13.226Bn collected from advertisers since 2011.

Court ruled in favour of the advertisers & in December 2020, Shs8.228Bn was formally proved in court as decretal, Shs2.653Bn as taxed costs and interest thus bringing total to Shs10.882Bn and since April 2020, KCCA hasn’t collected revenue from advertisers in the city.

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At least 10 Ugandan golfers have left for the 2024 Magical Kenya Open. The contingent’s participation in the prestigious tournament will happen next week, from February 21st to February 25th, at the Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi, Kenya.

The team of one professional and nine amateurs emerged as the best performers during the Absa-sponsored Pro-Am tournament of the 2023 Uganda Golf Open. The continent’s flights and accommodation for the qualifying amateurs and some of its clients are financed by Absa Bank. The professional will receive a total contribution of USD 4,745 to cover his early travel to Kenya for practice and to participate in the full tournament programme. The bank has injected Rs. 130 million.

Michael Segwaya, Absa Bank Uganda’s Executive Director, said, “We are proud of the many accomplishments made by Uganda’s golf community as our players continue to demonstrate Uganda’s golf potential on the world stage. We are once again honoured to support their professional growth as part of our commitment to the advancement of the game of golf in Uganda in line with our purpose, which is to empower Africa’s tomorrow together, one story at a time.”

The golfers include: Michael K. Musiime, Paul Habyarimana, Ivan Arinaitwe, Patricia Mbabazi, Emma Tayebwa, Wendy Angu’deyo, Michael Tumusiime, Alex Mango, and Bob Matsiko. The amateurs will play on February 21, 2024, at the Pro-Am, while Ronald Rugumayo, the only professional golfer in the group, will play in the men’s professional tournament from February 22 to February 25, 2024.

Rugumayo is qualifying for the tournament for the second year in a row and is set to depart for Nairobi to commence his practice rounds on February 14, 2024, and the rest of the team will join him on February 21, 2024, at the Pro-Am.

He qualified for the Magical Kenya after posting a stellar performance in the just-concluded Safari Tour at the Karen Golf Club in Nairobi last week, bringing him to a total of 112 points after completing four out of the six tournaments in the tour.

Rugumayo expressed optimism for his performance in this year’s Magical Kenya Open and appreciated the bank for once again covering his and the rest of the contingent’s participation costs.

“I am very much looking forward to this year’s tournament, as I took this last year to perfect my game so as to represent Uganda to the best of my ability. We are excited for the opportunity to give it our best and make the nation proud,” he said.

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The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has announced that the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) 2023 examination results will be released tomorrow Thursday, 15.

“The Minister for Education and Sports Mama Janet Museveni has confirmed that she will release the UCE2023 results tomorrow, Thursday, February 15th, starting at 11:00am and the venue will be State House, Nakasero,” UNEB announced.

UNEB added that the release of UCE 2023 followed a briefing session by UNEB to the Minister today morning.

A total of 349, 459 candidates registered for the 2023 UCE Examination as compared to 364, 467 in 2022.

UNEB further revealed that the 2023 candidates were the last cohort of learners that sat for the UCE examination under the old curriculum and during tomorrow’s release the committee will announce arrangements to facilitate the smooth transition from the old to the new curriculum.

This is the second batch of the national examinations to be released by the minister and the Uganda National Examination Board (UNEB) after releasing the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) results last month.

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