Uganda Development Bank has announced a Shs150 billion financial commitment earmarked to provide affordable and patient financing to Ugandan contractors.
Dubbed the Ugandan Contractors Financing Initiative, the financing complemented by Business Advisory and Project Management advice services will support Ugandan contractors to access bid bonds and guarantees at favorable terms and in a timely manner.
Addressing the press at the UDB Head office at Rwenzori Towers, Nakasero yesterday, Patricia Ojangole, the UDB Managing Director said limited access to patient and favorably priced working capital remains a key challenge to Ugandan contractors.
“The financing difficulties and delays coupled with sourcing funds from unconventional financing sources negatively affects performance and business growth, causes contract delays, and often leads to poor quality work among other challenges,” Ojangole said.
“UDB has identified the need to provide targeted financial support to emerging and existing Ugandan contractors to aid performance and contractor growth, a testament to the Bank’s commitment to champion development impact activities that are consistent with our mandate.”
Ugandan contractors have long been recognized as a vital segment of national development, responsible for turning plans and investments into tangible infrastructure, services, and facilities that benefit communities and the nation. UDB acknowledges the pivotal role they play in Uganda’s growth and development, hence creating a platform where contractors can be guided on how to capitalize on the existing opportunities.
On this basis, the Bank has made a call for Ugandan contractors to submit their Expression of Interest to participate in the Ugandan Contractors Financing Initiative.
The call is open to Ugandan-registered contractors where Ugandans have majority shareholding.
Eligible firms shall be those that undertake physical infrastructure projects within the Bank’s key priority sectors.
Under this initiative, Ugandan contractors will enjoy the following benefits:
Timely access to cheaper and patient capital.
Lower appraisal fees, grace periods of up to 12 months as well as lower than prevailing market interest rates.
Access to bid bonds, performance, and other guarantees at favorable terms and conditions, such as arrangement fees of 0.25%, security cover of between 50 – 100% of the bond amount, unsecured bid bonds of between 0.5 – 1 billion, and low commission rates of 0.5% per quarter.
Consideration of outstanding payment certificates as security to enable access of up to 70% of the required credit.
Consideration of security at market value as opposed to forced sale value – where required.
Business Advisory on technical and project management skills to enable capacity Building for the contractors.
For the seamless execution of the initiative, the Bank has partnered with the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers (UIPE) which will provide leadership and direction in all policies and matters of public interest that are of an engineering nature and the Uganda National Association of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors (UNABCEC) which will support in mobilization and the due-diligence processes.
“We remain firmly committed to the development agenda of Uganda and we believe the Ugandan Contractors Financing Initiative is a new dawn and anchor to infrastructure development in Uganda. I call upon all Ugandan contractors to embrace the initiative as we reshape financing for development in the country,” Ojangole concluded.
Expression of Interest is open starting tomorrow October 3, 2023 and will close on October 30, 2023. An evaluation committee will review the applications against the minimum requirements. Applicant(s) who meet the minimum requirements will be categorized according to pre-approved credit limits.
Police has mobilized sufficient manpower, both overt and covert, and logistical resources, to counter all forms of threats, vulnerabilities and eventualities, towards the 29th Uganda International Trade Fair (UGITF), will take place from the 3rd -10th, October, 2023, at the UMA show grounds.
Running under the theme, “Driving Manufacturing and Trade Efficiency through Digital Transformation and Innovation”, the annual UGITF is one of the biggest national calendar events that attract local, regional, and international manufacturers, traders, distributors, from various sectors, who showcase a variety of high quality products and services.
SCP Fred Enanga, Police Spokesperson said that this year, 2023, Police expects more than 300,000 visitors, including Heads of State, high profile businesspersons, politicians, celebrities, students, researchers and other participants, who will have an opportunity to tour all the exhibition centers, build partnerships and exchange ideas.
“Our security detail comprises of dedicated teams from General Duties, Field Force Unit (FFU), Counter Terrorism, Traffic, Joint Intelligence (ISO, CMI and Crime Intelligence), K9, Fire Brigade, Medical, ICT, CID, UPDF and SFC, among others, who will maintain a heightened presence, throughout the event,” Enanga assured.
He added, “As always, the Joint Security Agencies have been an incredible partner to the UMA growth. Despite the few existing threats, in the country, we would like to inform the organizers and the public that there are no specific threats directed towards the event. Public safety and security is guaranteed.”
Police has also profiled the surrounding areas and mapped out routes for patrols, on foot, motorcycles, vehicles as well as aerial surveillance, using UAV and have opened up a command center, with CCTV, that will monitor all movements of persons and motor vehicles, 24/7 throughout the 7-day, Trade Fair.
The Inspector General of Police, Okoth Ochola has encouraged all Ugandans and visitors, to attend this years’ Trade Fair and celebrate our entrepreneurs.
Customers and Visitors have been cautioned not to forget that criminals also mark the calendars for these action-packed events, with vast quantities of merchandise in one place.
The Kenyan betting market is very saturated. Both local and international companies attend it. It may seem that there is no place for small companies focused exclusively on the local population next to the global giants. But is this really so? Let’s find out using PlayaBet as an example.
PlayaBet Overview
To understand how viable this platform is, we will analyze its activities based on key indicators.
Official Site
The design and interface of the site are pretty modest, and compared to competitors, the resource looks outdated. Essential functions are available to the user and suggested sports and additional links are placed in the side menu. The interface is straightforward and intuitive. It is challenging to get confused. If you have any questions, you can ask them in the chat, which is available at the bottom of the page. Registration and login are also very simple. You can read about them in more detail in the article on registering on playabet.com.
Offer
The choice of sports for betting is relatively modest. However, users will find the most popular disciplines on the site, such as football, basketball, tennis, boxing, cricket, and some others. The bookmaker also provides the most popular markets, such as total, handicap, over/under, double chance, etc. The number of options depends on the sport type and the event’s popularity. The platform only provides sports betting and does not have a casino section.
Mobile Betting
The service does not have a mobile application, which is a serious drawback because mobile betting is prevalent nowadays. However, the site works well on mobile devices due to its simple design and the absence of bulky elements.
Bonuses
The bookmaker offers a risk-free bet to all new users. It means that if your first prediction turns out to be incorrect, the service will return 100% of the bet amount. There are also offers for loyal users and a 50% boost to accumulator bets. After several stakes, bettors receive bet insurance. In general, the offer is not bad but entirely limited compared to industry leaders.
Service Features
Despite its simplicity, the platform provides users with several exciting features.
Cash-Out
If your prediction turns out to be wrong and the field worsens, you can save money by cashing out your bet. In this case, the system closes the bet based on the currently valid odds.
SMS Betting
SMS betting is still in demand in Kenya. International platforms do not provide this opportunity, so this method is a significant advantage for PlayaBet.
Jackpot
You can win a significant amount in the jackpot. To do this, you need to correctly predict the outcome of events on the cards provided by the bookmaker. In this case, you can use the automatic filling of the coupon, in which the system will place the bet using a random number generator.
Pros and Cons of PlayaBet
Let’s see how PlayaBet can compete with its competitors and what aspects require improvement.
Pros
Cons
✅Simple and intuitive interface ✅SMS betting ✅Cash-out ✅Attractive odds
❌No mobile app ❌No casino ❌Limited payment options
PlayaBet Perspectives
As you can see, PlayaBet is significantly behind the market leaders in some aspects. It would seem that this calls the continued existence of the service into question. But it’s more complicated.
Firstly, most bettors use several platforms simultaneously, choosing the most suitable odds. Therefore, even modest platforms get enough users. Secondly, top platforms operating worldwide are little focused on local markets. It is where small Kenyan bookmakers have an advantage because they know the needs of their users better.
In addition, not all bettors are delighted with modern technologies and modernization. Some people prefer to place bets in the usual way, for example, using SMS. It is not easy for such users to adapt to changes in the site interface, so they continue to use familiar platforms.
In addition, the reputation and reliability of the bookmaker should not be underestimated. PlayaBet has all the necessary licenses and permits to operate in the Kenyan market and an excellent reputation among users, unlike some leading Kenyan sportsbooks. Therefore, many people prefer this platform, knowing there will be no problems with receiving money. As such, many users prioritize reliability over the abundance of features.
Conclusion
As you can see, many Kenyan users have good reasons to use PlayaBet’s services. It is a genuinely reliable and legal bookmaker that provides a sufficient number of functions for betting. Despite the apparent advantages of market leaders, local bookmakers better understand users’ needs. This fact allows them to stay afloat and maintain a loyal audience. Therefore, we can be confident that competitors won’t soon push PlayaBet out of the market. Of course, the service should monitor trends and think through ways to improve. But at present, it has its fans and continues to work.
The governments of Uganda and Algeria have established a business council that aims at eliminating exploitative middlemen as the two countries engage in direct trade.
The business council is contained in an agreement signed between Francis Mwebesa, Uganda’s Minister for Trade and Cooperatives, and his Algerian counterpart at the inaugural Uganda-Algeria business forum, which kicked off in Kampala on Saturday.
According to Mwebesa, the business council, which comprises 20 members, led by private sector organizations from both countries, with significant contributions from their respective Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), immediately begins work.
“Middlemen have quietly hindered Uganda’s bilateral trade links for far too long. Eliminating their role in this new alliance with Algeria marks a resounding victory for ordinary Ugandans,” he said
As part of the comprehensive trade arrangement, Algeria has committed to providing vaccines, agricultural equipment, and various products spanning multiple sectors, promising mutual benefits for both economies.
Additionally, Algeria has pledged to establish direct trade routes by sea and air, eliminating intermediaries known for inflating prices, which will ultimately benefit both nations.
Algeria currently ranks 13th among Uganda’s trading partners, and Minister Mwebesa urged Ugandans to seize this trade opportunity wholeheartedly to rectify the current trade balance, which favours Algeria.
Alintuma Nsambu, Uganda’s Ambassador to Algeria, expressed concern about the underutilization of these opportunities by Ugandan businesses.
“To demonstrate the quality of Ugandan products in the Algerian market, I became a ‘Mutembeyi’ (hawker) and successfully introduced Ugandan milk to Algeria. It’s disheartening that only Amos Diaries underwent a vetting process, and thank God it was approved. I implore our entrepreneurs to seize these opportunities; they are designed to propel your growth.” Cherif Oualid, the Algerian Ambassador to Uganda, highlighted the collaboration’s focus on eliminating intermediaries, as stipulated in the bilateral pact.
He emphasized that both Algeria and Uganda are committed to adding value to their products, gaining effective access to each other’s markets, and potentially serving as gateways to other markets.
Odrek Rwabwogo, the presidential adviser on exports and industrial development emphasized the surge in consumption and the vast potential for the future. He urged Ugandans to be prepared to capitalize on upcoming opportunities, highlighting Uganda’s comparative advantages in various sectors.
To address the trade deficit, Rwabwogo mentioned Uganda’s ambitious targets and aggressive strategies for increasing exports, particularly to Algeria, which currently accounts for a 1.5% share of Uganda’s exports.
Minister of Agriculture Frank Tumwebaze encouraged large-scale farmers to seek partnerships with Algerian investors and leverage each other’s capabilities to produce sustainably for export markets.
He emphasized Uganda’s agricultural potential, climate, and available arable land, stressing the importance of value addition. “The potential for this partnership is evident, with Algeria already importing Ugandan coffee and milk. Through this collaboration, Ugandans can tap into the prospect of exporting finished products, thus propelling our country’s economic growth even further,” he asserted.
Tumwebaze highlighted the significance of this collaboration, stating that it allows Ugandans to export finished products, contributing to Uganda’s economic growth. He also noted that while Uganda has 80% arable land, only 36% is currently cultivated, indicating untapped potential.
The formation of the business council between Uganda and Algeria signifies a significant milestone in their bilateral trade relations. It presents lucrative opportunities for Ugandan businesses to access the Algerian market and beyond, potentially boosting economic growth for both nations.
Miss Ndstefai Khaoula from the Algerian Investment Promotion Agency guided Ugandan traders through the company registration process for trading with Algeria, including the duration of the investment period offered to licensees. “The Algerian Investment Promotion Agency is actively engaged in promoting investment, providing information, streamlining registration procedures, and managing the associated benefits,”she said.
Currently, there is an ongoing fight between the World Bank and the government of Uganda. The in-fights stem from the World Bank’s decision to suspend its new funding to Uganda after the latter enacted the Anti-Homosexuality law.
The law protects the traditional family by prohibiting any form of sexual relations between persons of the same sex and the promotion of such acts.
“Our goal is to protect sexual and gender minorities from discrimination and exclusion in the projects we finance. No new public financing to Uganda will be presented to our Board of Executive Directors until the efficacy of the additional measures has been tested,” the Bank said in a statement. This publication has established that in July, the US embassy declined to issue visas to various Ugandan diplomats mainly from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who were meant to travel to the US for a conference.
Sources at the World Bank intimated that the Ugandan official’s passports were sent to the US embassy with diplomatic notes however they were not granted visas.
In retaliation, Mukami Kariuki, Country Manager of the World Bank imported a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) however the government of Uganda declined to clear it. “I don’t know how this Uganda – World Bank inflights will end. Mukami imported a car but the Uganda Revenue Authority declined to release it. They are supposed to clear and give it diplomatic number plates but URA officials are reluctant,” the source said.
In the same vein, on Sunday, August 20, 2023, the Vice President of the World Bank jetted into the country. He was however made to wait at the airport after the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) declined to accord him VIP Treatment. After a long time of waiting, he was allowed to access the VIP section and later cleared. This publication understands that there are ongoing discussions between the government of Uganda and the World Bank. The discussions are aimed at paving the way for how marginalized communities can benefit from the projects funded by the World Bank. According to Kizito Sewava Kiyingi, a communications Specialist and Financial Inclusion Advocate, the World Bank needs Uganda more than Uganda needs it “The World Bank has a huge staff and lends to developing countries to justify its existence but developing Countries have other sources of finance, such as China, which doesn’t impose many conditions. He argued that if the Bank did not lend to Uganda, there would be equally valid reasons for it to not lend to numerous other developing countries that do things that are not approved of by the West. But if that were the case, who would be left for the World Bank to lend to, and then what would happen to its entire redundant staff? He stated that the World Bank has annual targets for disbursements. If those targets are not met it affects the World Bank’s own existence and mandate (to fight poverty) as an institution.
“There is a reputational issue for the World Bank; including its standing with other low-income countries so the threats against Uganda won’t be effective. They will backfire. Subsequently, the World Bank will have to work behind the scenes with the technocrats to put in measures that will bring its projects back on track in Uganda. It might take months, but the World Bank will certainly fund Uganda again,” he stated.
A whistleblower who operates on Nasser Road in Kampala has written to the Bank of Uganda (BoU) claiming customer deposits at Bank of Africa could be at risk of being stolen by staff.
Writing on September 30, 2023, to the BoU Governor, Moses Mukasa, the whistleblower, said he was cleaning the office, he landed on garnish orders from Bank of Africa, which to him was strange.
“I work from Nasser road here in Kampala. But as I was sweeping our office, I landed on the attached draft document. And from this document, it seems that there is a problem at the Bank of Africa in Uganda. I have personally seen several people on this Nasser Road premises processing fake court garnish orders to be used in Bank of Africa Uganda,” he said.
Another whistleblower, Abubaker Kiberu who claims to be a senior manager at the bank (Bank of Africa) seems to confirm Mukasa’s fears, alleging that the managing director Arthur Isiko mistreats, and underpays staff, causing an exodus of the human resource and that about Shs700 million has been stolen from dormant accounts.
“The MD of Bank of Africa- Uganda, mistreats, and underpays staff this is why there is a big and abnormal exodus. We are really paid so little by this man, we need help from Allah. As if that is not enough, his poor people management skills are driving the unavoidable collapse of the bank. It’s just a matter of time if he doesn’t step aside. We need new management,” he said.
He added: “Staff leaving would be okay, but those who have stayed have resorted to stealing customers funds. What do you expect when you pay peanuts and yet staff handle billions every day? Imagine counting billions when you cannot afford transport to work. The bank is asking you to either stop working or to quit.”
According to Kiberu, both tellers at the counters and senior staff at the bank are all involved in siphoning depositors’ money. “It’s not only tellers who are stealing. Even some top officials are involved in these games. Conniving with and asking for cutbacks on customer loans is the norm. I won’t mention names but Kiddawalime and Great Lakes are incidents I can’t keep silent about. Look into these cases.”
Alleges that Isiko wants to cause the collapse of the bank. “So many senior staff are leaving because of his bad actions. Many staff have got internal loans above their thresholds. So many staff are stealing money from the bank using internal rackets.”
He alleges that the newest racket involves the bank’s legal team and some senior staff who work with tellers to identify and steal funds from dormant customer accounts using Nasser road forged court garnishee orders.
Shs700 million stolen
Kiberu says over Shs700 million could have been stolen so far.
“Over Shs700 million has been systematically siphoned. At the moment, there is an internal audit on a case of Shs500 million stolen using forged Nasser road garnish orders, but nothing positive will come out because the internal auditors are on huge MD pay cheques. There is need for an independent external audit on these forged garnish orders that have been used to siphon billions of shillings from dormant accounts in the bank.”
RE: NIGERIA SHOULD BE SUSPENDED FROM THE COMMONWEALTH FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES & FOR EROSION OF DEMOCRATIC GAINS THROUGH A FRAUDULENT ELECTORAL TRIBUNAL.
Dear Baroness Patricia Scotland QC
Madam SG, I am a member of the Commonwealth. An Investigative journalist, a Pan African by birth, an international activist, an international watchman who defends MILLIONS OF THE VOICELESS CITIZENS. Therefore, what happens in any Commonwealth nation affects me. I was born in Uganda and I reside in United Kingdom the Headquarters of the Commonwealth; therefore, a better Commonwealth is s plus to me.
Madam SG you and I have struggled for people’s rights across the globe. In 1998 as the Attorney General you were instrumental in the formation of ICC to watch against Human Rights abuses in the world. In Britain we belong to the same Party of Labour Party which I have voted for three decades.
Madam SG, Nigeria with a population of 220 million people would have been a FRONT GATE for the entire Commonwealth &Africa. But something is very strange. It has never worked before and is not working now and it might not work in future unless a miracle comes.
Madam SG, since 1966 there has been a loss of democracy and latent encouragement of destruction of human Rights in Nigeria, and now from 2010 Nigeria has become a HAVEN of terrorists, killings, abduction of people, rampant corruption and now judicial electoral fraud that could breed violence in the country.
Madam SG, you are QC and you have been before many courtrooms in the world. It is in the doctrine of good law that an Election Petition needs to be approached differently from other litigation because it is not a dispute between the individual parties at court. But between each party at court and the entire country represented by the population that voted in the election.
Madam SG, any Tribunal or court applying technicalities in election petition adjudication commits an act of punishing the entire country for filing errors made by legal counsels. This certainly has no bearing with justice, fairness and good conscience.
Madam SG, it is an ant-people application of legal ‘punctuation errors’ to favour vested interests other than the people themselves. In democracy election of leaders must emanate from the choice of the people whether concluded at the polls or decided in the courtroom. The COURT in Abuja slaughtered all the rules of LEGAL fraternity.
Madam SG I want to inform you that I attended Chatham House meeting where the INEC Chairperson described to the entire world how WONDERFUL the PREPARATIONS for the February 2023 Elections were to be. I have also read the report of Commonwealth Observer Team and I concluded that Nigeria needs to be called out for HUMAN ABUSES.
Madam SG but democratic Justice can only be done at election petition when the Judges focus on extracting the will of the people already expressed in the disputed elections, from the evidence presented before it, not on any legal ‘punctuation error’, aka technicalities.
Madam SG, the Commonwealth law is very clear. It was sad that the 5Judges relied on technicalities for election petition rulings that throws up winners that suffer illegitimacy crisis that ultimately bear negatively on the country. This includes the courts and the entire judicial system.
Madam SG, it should be noted that in the recent times in Nigeria, you hear of expressions like ‘Supreme Court Governor’ or ‘Supreme Court Senator’, etc. these are peoples’ voices of rejection for such individuals; affirming that they were not elected by them but imposed on them by the court.
Madam SG President Tinubu is a “TRIBUNAL PRESIDENT “not peoples elected President. This of course debases the courts and reduces the confidence of the people in the Judiciary, and very likely further encourage electoral violence and conflicts by desperate politicians who will fight at all costs in the field since they no longer trust the courts to look at petitions on their merit.
Writer of the article David Matsanga.
Madam SG it has become a norm that employing technicalities in election petition adjudication is an easy way to compensate bad acts with good rewards. It is a way to encourage bad people with lots of money to venture into politics and grab power, knowing that even if they cannot win the peoples acceptance and votes, they can do so with violence, and then rely on the courts to validate their roguery.
Madam SG , this done with the gavel by simply inducing it to look for a technical error in the petitioners’ filing upon which to kill the possibility of hearing the substantial issues in the petition.
It is a recipe for enabling emergence of leaders who have no compassion for the citizens nor feel they owe anyone the duty of accountability. No country in the common wealth can make meaningful development this way.
Madam SG, if good conscience, honesty, integrity and democratic principles are elements for assessing the ruling of the Nigeria’s 2023 PEPC, then it will in no way pass the test of democratic worthless and of course not worth celebrating.
Madam SG there are those celebrating it – for whatever reason I don’t know. Nevertheless, it is only a matter of time before those who celebrate become victims of the comeuppance of such an anti-people legal validation of an obvious outcome of a fraudulent process.
The Judiciary owes Nigeria and humanity a duty to rectify the wrongs of this ruling. The onus lies on the higher court to either reset this normalisation of the abnormal or sustain it.
Madam SG whichever way the higher Court adjudicates in future, all Nigerians of goodwill and conscience that have remained resolute standing with the truth, especially those going through persecutions for that sake, must keep their faces up and celebrate their courage in standing with the truth at a time they are the most endangered species in Nigeria’s sociopolitical economy.
Madam SG North or south, East or West, truth is truth, it does not change. In the man that truth dies, living is nothing less than a putrid existence. To turn the truth into a lie for money is to have sold one’s soul and essence at that amount.
Madam SG your team of Observers might have seen what they wanted to see or observe. But under the circumstances that prevailed and the way the courts have shown the world true colours of justice I personally will not hide behind the cloak of ‘fake patriotism’ to ask people to move on in error.
Madam SG you as a senior counsel of highest bar you know it well, that no good will ever come from persistence in error. Error plus error is more error. To think that abundant good will sprout from bad is nothing but delusion. Nemo dat quod non habet – no one can give what they don’t have.
Madam SG, Zimbabwe was suspended from the commonwealth on alleged grounds of fraudulent election in 2002. Why has the commonwealth not reprimanded Nigeria for all the bad deeds of election fraud and abuse of human rights using judiciary.
Madam SG, I draw your attention to the fact Nigeria is the only country in the Commonwealth still HOLDING POLITICAL PRISONERS on trumped up charges up now.
Madam SG, why have you in your own capacity as SG of Commonwealth not intervened to ask why a man is kidnapped from one Commonwealth country to another and the Commonwealth is silent on the matter?
Madam SG, I have written this open letter to alert you about the deteriorating human Rights records in both Nigeria and Cameroon (Biafra & Ambazonia) that are member states of the Commonwealth. Britain the head of Commonwealth stands for values of humanity. It cannot head an organization which watches of human Rights abuses and call itself a COMMONWEALTH OF NATIONS?
Madam SG, this letter seeks to remind you about the time of campaign for the first term of office where our CORE value was to bring peace and harmony to the nations of COMMONWEALTH. It is a letter to make my position clear that most of us campaigned for you in the African Commonwealth because we wanted accountability in the Commonwealth.
Madam SG, in conclusion I put it to the public that Nigeria’s May 2023 Election was a SHAM and if the Commonwealth gave it legitimacy then God is the SAVIOUR for all of us. Such a democratic deficit could brew into a future conflict for the leading Commonwealth state in
Africa.
Madam SG, Nigeria should have been SUSPENDED from the Commonwealth for eroding the very principles of democratic foundation that Commonwealth stands for. The weak oversight roles have led to the destruction of democratic space in most Commonwealth states of Africa.
Madam SG, perhaps the Commonwealth should think of starting CIVIC education on matters of democracy and Elections in most Commonwealth Africa. Apart from Tanzania and South Africa where tension has been low on Presidential SLOTS due to the use of SIMPLE majority system other states with 50+1 systems have had ROUGH after elections.
Madam SG, I leave a question for you and those who will read this historical letter: In Nigeria 94 million Registered voters were recorded by INEC, out of this 68million did not come out to vote and only about 26million cast their vote, then a COURT of 5 Judges who were appointed by the ruling party sat and decided a matter of UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE of the over 200 million people ON A TECHNICALITY NOT ON SUBSTANCE -SO WHERE IS THE RATIONALE?
We all get it. An active lifestyle is beneficial. But let’s face it, the journey isn’t cheap. From gym memberships to sports gear, the costs add up. Yet, staying active doesn’t have to break the bank. Let’s dive into how you can embrace an active routine without sweating over your wallet.
Gym Memberships: Are They Worth It?
Many people consider joining a gym. But not everyone has the budget for it. A monthly subscription can easily make a dent in your wallet. And that’s just the beginning! You might need a personal trainer, and perhaps even some specialized classes. Ever looked into the cost? According to The Expense Of Sports, you might end up paying hundreds, if not thousands, per year.
The Affordable Alternative: Home Workouts
Guess what? You can work out at home! All you need is some space and basic equipment. You’d be surprised how effective home workouts can be. And with so many online tutorials available, who needs a personal trainer?
Save Big on Gear
Now let’s talk about the gear. The retail prices are not always pocket-friendly. But did you know you can use voucher codes to get discounts? Websites like Love Discount Vouchers offer a plethora of codes you can use to save some serious cash. Need new sneakers? No problem. How about a yoga mat? Got you covered.
The Community Factor
Join local sports groups. It’s fun, it’s healthy, and it can be free. Whether you’re into running, cycling, or even frisbee, there’s a community out there for you.
When To Splurge
Sometimes it’s good to invest a bit. Quality gear can last longer and improve your performance. But remember, always look for deals. Seasonal sales, clearance events, and yes, voucher codes, can make those big-ticket items more affordable.
Don’t Forget Nutrition
An active lifestyle is incomplete without proper nutrition. And guess what, eating healthy doesn’t mean shopping exclusively at high-end stores. Local farmers’ markets can offer fresh produce at lower prices. Plus, bulk buying can also save you money.
Plan and Prioritize
Planning is key. Make a list of what you truly need. Stick to your list, and you won’t make impulsive buys. Make sure you prioritize items that will most contribute to your active routine.
Final Thoughts
Staying active isn’t just for those who can afford expensive gym memberships or top-of-the-line gear. With some clever planning, anyone can make it work. Remember, it’s not about how much you spend, but how wisely you spend it.
So, the next time you’re thinking about upgrading your gear or joining a new fitness class, consider these tips. Your body, and your bank account, will thank you.
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has announced that all used motor vehicles imported between 23rd September 2023 and 1st November 2023 will undergo destination inspection at a cost of $140 prior to their release from the customs-controlled areas.
According to UNBS, this is in line with the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (Inspection and Clearance of Imports) Regulations 2022.
“Please note that no surcharge will be paid at the port of entry. Effective 2nd November 2023, all imported used motor vehicles coming from Japan, the United Kingdom, Singapore, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and other countries must undergo PVoC with UNBS-approved PVoC service providers prior to importation into Uganda,” they said in a statement.
According to UNBS, motor vehicles arriving in Uganda without Certificates of Roadworthiness shall be subject to a penalty of 15% CIF value and will also be subjected to destination inspection prior to issuance of Import Clearance Certificate.
Analysts say the new regulation is part of government efforts to restrict used-car imports. Used cars comprise 80 percent of the cars on the road.
East African countries have recently tightened rules on importation of second-hand cars into the region as part of the efforts to encourage local assembling and protect the environment.
Tycoon Sudhir conducting a site interview with the media at the construction site of Convention centre.
As the country gears up to host the Non-alignment conference early next year, many facilities are being finalized and among them is the 4400-seater auditorium, the convention centre at Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo.
Earlier last month city tycoon and proprietor of the facility Sudhir Ruparelia, said construction of the one-of-a-kind 4400-seater Speke Resort Convention Centre is on schedule and will be completed in time for the summit. However, latest photos show progression on the facility was on course.
“Ruparelia Group, through our two subsidiaries, Speke Hotels and Meera Investments, is sparing no effort to ensure that we deliver this key strategic national facility on time,” he told the media.
The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was founded in 1961 with the view to advancing interests of developing countries in the context of Cold War confrontation. In its first three decades, the Movement played a crucial role in decolonization, formation of new independent states, and democratization of international relations.
The Non–AlignedMovement (NAM) is a forum of 120 countries that are not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. After the UN, it is the largest grouping of states worldwide.
In addition to the 4400-seater auditorium, the convention centre will also have a multipurpose hall, 12 high-end conference/breakaway meeting rooms and a floating restaurant that can host more than 900 guests, with an extraordinary view of Africa’s largest freshwater lake⏤ Lake Victoria.
The Speke Resort Convention Centre is being developed on a 105-acre luxury resort complex that already has two luxury lakeside resorts; Speke Resort Munyonyo and Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort, also owned by the Group.
The three iconic properties combined, bring to Uganda’s hospitality sector about 40 indoor meeting and banqueting facilities of various sizes, with a capacity to host 19,000 people! This is in addition to several other outdoor venues. Away from meeting venues, the complex boasts 476 accommodation rooms, including 54 presidential suites and 3 ballrooms.
“All these occurrences, necessitated us to raise the grounds adjacent to the lake and secure them against any possibility of flooding. This has however been done in liaison and in compliance with all the relevant environmental and municipal regulatory authorities and laws,” said Dr. Ruparelia.
