Stanbic Bank
Stanbic Bank
18.9 C
Kampala
Stanbic Bank
Stanbic Bank
Home Blog Page 336

Man arraigned to court for possession of Mabira Forest produce

By
Francisco Adongo
-

The Anti-Corruption Unit in collaboration with police has arraigned a one, Sembwa Rabinson before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court on charges of illegal possession of forest produce.

The accused was found in possession of over 200 pieces of timber cut from Mabira forest following a search at his stores near the forest in Najjembe division, Lugazi Municipality.

“Sembwa is a notorious illegal logger who has repeatedly been arrested and charged over the same. He has been remanded until October 12, 2023,” The Anti-corruption Unit stated.

The Anti-corruption Unit commenced investigations into the illegal destruction of Mabira Forest following a directive from the president, to stop the illegal activities in Mabira Forest.

The president has always been vocal against this vice and on one occasion, he said “whoever destroys forests is an enemy of the country because forests work as a system and when one part of the system is tampered with, the entire system is affected.”

It is estimated that over 500,000 acres of forests are cut annually throughout Uganda, this is equivalent to deforesting 43 football fields every hour.

In 2021, Uganda lost 49,000 hectares of tree cover, equivalent to 23.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

The Anti-corruption Unit added, “Investigations which are still ongoing have so far revealed a number of illegal activities; encroachment for agriculture, logging, charcoal burning and creation of titles on forest land.”

 “We need to safeguard our forests if we are to preserve our indigenous species and mitigate the effects of global warming. All culprits will be brought to book, to protect our forests,” they urged.

Stories Continues after ad

CNOOC sends Ugandan students to China for further their education 

By
Simon Kabayo
-

Uganda Limited has sent off Uganda students to further their studies in China. The students will pursue a Bachelor of Petroleum Engineering at the China University of Petroleum-East China.

The scholarship program is aimed at enhancing capacity building and skills development in the oil and gas industry, promoting and ensuring National Content participation in the oil and gas industry, and further demonstrating that CNOOC Uganda Limited values its area of operation and communities in it. 

 Since 2014, CNOOC Uganda Limited has so far sponsored a total number of eight Ugandan students, 5 at the bachelor’s level and then the master’s level to undertake studies at China University of Petroleum (East China). These will continue in their footsteps to become our future drilling engineers, production engineers, and completions engineers in the Ugandan oil and gas sector.

Jean Remmy Amanya, one of the beneficiaries of this prestigious scholarship expressed gratitude and joy as he thanked CNOOC Uganda Limited, and everyone involved in awarding him the scholarship. He also acknowledged his fellow scholarship winners and their collective commitment to a brighter future, emphasizing the importance of education as a transformative tool for Uganda and the world.

 Amanya reaffirmed their dedication to academics and the opportunities in China, concluding with congratulations to his fellow scholarship winners and blessings for their pursuit of academic excellence. 

Mr. Liu Xiangdong, President of CNOOC Uganda Limited, expressed immense pride and honor in bidding farewell to these remarkable young scholars. 

He emphasized the company’s unwavering commitment to education, capacity building, and national content development in Uganda. The three scholarship recipients, consisting of one female and two males, were chosen through a highly competitive selection process, highlighting their exceptional academic prowess and dedication. 

Mr. Liu also conveyed his heartfelt congratulations to the scholarship recipients, recognizing their dedication to their studies and their potential to be future leaders of Uganda. He also extended gratitude to the parents, guardians, and families present for their unwavering support and emphasized their crucial role in the student’s success.

CNOOC Uganda Limited has a broader commitment to capacity-building initiatives within Uganda, including The Best Performers Awards, and Vocational Skills training programs This is just one of the ways through which CNOOC Uganda Limited is empowering youth and contributing to the nation’s development.

Stories Continues after ad

URSB launches mass business registration campaign to promote formalization

By
Francisco Adongo
-

Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), the national business registry, has launched its mass business registration campaign aimed at promoting formalization among entrepreneurs and small business owners. This initiative seeks to simplify the registration process, raise awareness about the benefits of formalization, and drive economic growth.

Dubbed “kiri easy, formalize today”, the initiative targets registering an additional 873,546 businesses by 2026/27.

Formalization plays a pivotal role in the success and sustainability of businesses. By registering their firms, and complying with legal and regulatory frameworks, businesses gain legal protection, access to financial services, and opportunities for growth. URSB’s mass business registration campaign aims to empower entrepreneurs and small business owners to transition from the informal to the formal sector.

Through streamlined procedures and targeted outreach efforts, this campaign will make the registration process more accessible and attractive to entrepreneurs. Leveraging technology and a user-friendly platform, the kiri easy campaign provides comprehensive support and guidance, ensuring a seamless and efficient experience for entrepreneurs. By simplifying the process, the campaign will increase the reach of registration and encourage more businesses to formalize their operations.

The minister of Justice & Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao who was the keynote speaker said that by fulfilling its role in formalizing Uganda’s economy, URSB contributes to several key outcomes. “This initiative, which we are launching today, represents high expectations in our ongoing efforts to bolster economic growth, stimulate entrepreneurship, and enhance the ease of doing business in Uganda”

The Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Ramathan Ggoobi, said formalization encourages economic growth by attracting investments, stimulating entrepreneurship, and creating employment opportunities. “This mass business registration initiative represents a positive step forward in our quest to make Uganda a hub of innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic prosperity. I am confident that it will unleash the untapped potential of our nation’s business community, driving economic growth, creating jobs, and improving the livelihoods of our people” he said.

Ambassador Francis K. Butagira, the Board Chairman said URSB continues to create awareness about the benefits of business registration to enhance the country’s competitiveness and drive private sector growth. “URSB will deploy tested means of mobilization of masses to embrace business registration. These involve camping in hard to reach business centers, or any other area where our physical office may not be able to provide the required registration support service”.

“Formalization is a critical step towards building a thriving business ecosystem,” said Mercy K. Kainobwisho, the Registrar General. “Our mass business registration campaign is designed to empower entrepreneurs and small business owners by providing them with the necessary tools, resources, and support to formalize their operations. By doing so, we aim to drive economic growth, enhance legal protection, and promote social and financial inclusion.”

Stories Continues after ad

How Top NRM Boss, Driver brought Kayihura to his knees

By
Our Reporter
-
Abdallah Sowedi

It is now five years since the once powerful Inspector General of Police was removed from office, incarcerated, thrown out of the system with his entire team and confined in his countryside home in Kashagama, Lyantonde District.

It has been established that Gen. Kale Kayihura and his powerful team of (Nickson Agasirwe, Herbert Muhangi and Richard Ndaboine) were betrayed and sacrificed by their colleagues due to greed, intrigue and internal bickering. In today’s intelligence briefing, we reveal the role played by Mohamood Masaba Mutenyo aka Bicupuli and his driver Abdallah Sowedi in the downfall of the UPDF’s four-star General.

Muhamood Masaba

The latest intelligence reveals that Kayihura met Masaba through the State House channels after the latter fabricated a report alleging that the former Prime Minister John Patrick Amama Mbabazi gave him money to procure 4000 Toyota Premios from Kampala Modernity Bond to coordinate his political activities across the country. Masaba and his driver used their ways to ‘leak’ the information to the president. Due to too much pressure, the president reportedly linked Masaba to the then IGP to handle the situation. This was an opportunity for Masaba to enrich himself. Whenever he ran out of cash, he would access Kayihura’s office and unlike other people who were refrained from entering the IGP’s office with their cellular phones, Masaba freely entered with his phones. On several occasions, he threatened to revert to the president and let him know that there was not enough facilitation from police to coordinate his activities. This would throw Kayihura in utter panic and millions would be mobilized to facilitate the man from the Bamasaaba land.

Nickson Agasirwe

This peddling of lies in the political situation became a thriving business and since Sowedi’s supervisor SCP Geoffrey Musana had lost his office, the former switched to driving Masaba. This became an opportunity for Sowedi to access police secrets which Masaba would discuss freely with the then IGP in order to streamline the political strategies.

However, in the background Sowedi was determined to continuously build his blackmail strategy against the former IGP. It was not until when Sowedi was captured on camera by the staff of Col. Herbert Nabimanya at the State House quarter guard that he realized some of his delivered reports were going back to police. Sowedi claimed that he did this out of frustration due to his failure to be regularized in the police force despite serving for a long time. He felt that he was deprived of earning handsomely which made it very difficult to sustain the family needs. The situation got out of hand when some senior police officers reportedly took the advantage of his financial constraints and started messing up with his wife Annet Kadyoli who is also a police officer attached to Ministry of Labour under VIPPU, a section of personnel who safeguard VIPs who are high risk principals usually high ranking public officials or security officers.

Out of frustration, Sowedi implicated and turned swords against some senior police officers who included Commissioners Laban Muhabwa (retired) and Herman Owomugisha. At some point, Sowedi reached a level where he could not control his wife. Under the VIPPU section, she was earlier deployed at Uganda Revenue Authority (URA). The situation totally ran out of hand since she started dining with URA rich men including one Ambrose Pule who even took up the education and medical upkeep of her children. When the suspicion escalated, Sowedi seized the medical cards of his children that indicated Pule as their father. All this piled a lot of frustration on Sowedi and matters became worse months ago when Gen. Kayihura was cleared of his charges leading his people to be retained in police. At the same time, Sowedi, a man who for a long time had postured as an Assistant Superintendent of Police was sent to Kabalye for training so as to regularize his position in police as a police constable (SPC). Little did he know that this was a systematic move to make him lose his stance at the training. He was put in the same dormitory with the people he had all along blacklisted and reported to various offices as criminals. This forced him to abandon the course and as we write this, he has been allocated a police truck on a special assignment of delivering firewood. He was recently overheard bragging that it’s time for him to quit the police docket and join higher ladders following his contacts with top echelons in the country. 

Sowedi’s life at police

Sowedi, a renowned critic of the former IGP recently penned a missive showing his experience at police under the Kale’s leadership and it has since leaked to the media as reproduced verbatim hereunder. In the missive, Sowedi clearly indicates that he has been sidelined but forgot that he is not a trained police officer. In 2007, he started a revenge campaign that saw him make several reports on lifestyle, office issues against the entire team that was formerly supervised by Nickson Agasirwe.

Despite writing hate reports against the former IGP and his team, some of which reached Kale’s confidant David Gonyi, nothing was done. Although Sowedi thought that his reports would earn him access to police nominal rolls without going through the process of recruitment and training, things did not work his way. As a driver to the former Deputy CID Director, Geoffrey Musana, he thought it was easier for him to enter the police not knowing that his boss was very close to the Kayihura team due to the nature of work which directly fed into CID directorate. On learning this, he turned guns to his immediate supervisor who eventually became a victim in the murders of the Muslim clerics. Sowedi was raised under the hands of an Islamic school in Mbale and with that background it was easier for him to manipulate the Muslim community, the fact that he was always by the side of the deputy CID Director. They raised allegations against the deputy CID director which later saw SCP Musana being removed from CID. Eventually, Sowedi made it look like the Kayihura team knew what was happening with the killings of Muslim clerics and fabricated reports which he personally delivered to the State House quarter guard.

IN HIS HEY DAYS: Nickson Agasirwe consulting his boss IGP Gen. Kale Kayihura.

    

 Sowedi’s retrieved missive verbatim

“It was during the CHOGM deployment when I was deployed at Katonga Bridge on Masaka road by Nickson Agasiirwe, the then special operations Commander under Kale.

This was an insult to me. One wonders how I could be deployed in Katonga when the Queen was not even going to use that part of the country.

That marked my hatred for the entire police leadership and I vowed to fight and undermine Nickson until when God made it, a prayer well Answered.

I moved to whoever wanted to hear and exposed the rot which was in the police under the blue-eyed boys. Sometimes I wonder why Ugandans continue to believe that Kale helped the police.

He mismanaged public funds in an effort to sustain intelligence units………,” the missive reads in part.

“I recall the Day I made a report to the president and I knew it was going to reach but it hit my minds when the then Director of Intelligence Col. Nabimanya and team took my photo at the quarter guard in Entebbe and before I could return to Kampala, General Kale and Team had my face and report.

This endangered and compromised my personal Security but still I survived under hardships.

My life at the police changed to worse and deployments became a big challenge.

I kept surviving on handouts from friends like Mayor Masaba currently representing Mbale Industrial Area Division.

Masaba knew how to play on IGP’s physiology as he was connected to Mbabazi and Kale wanted to ensure the two don’t remain friends.

Masaba exposed Mbabazi political schemes to the President and that’s how he became close to the IGP.

In fact, even at the time when the IGP was arrested by the military, I was at Kashagama where I had driven Masaba to meet Gen. Kale and a few days later after his arrest he was charged at the military court in Kampala, Uganda, on August 24, 2018. Uganda’s former police chief was released on bail after 76 days in military custody on charges of failure to protect war materials and aiding and abetting kidnaps. We saw all these issues related to the charges a long time ago but the intelligence was on his payroll. My suffering at police is entirely due to hatred from Nickson and team………,” the missive goes on.

Stories Continues after ad

Police arrest 20-year-old man over raping 80-year-old woman

By
Emmanuel Okello
-

Police in Aswa West and Amuru District have arrested a 20-year-old man for allegedly raping an 80-year-old woman in an incident that happened last Wednesday, September 20, at around 5 am.

Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga identified the suspect as Oyet Sunday, a peasant farmer and resident of Okojo-Andara Village, Labala parish, in the northern Uganda district.

Preliminary police investigations indicate that on the fateful day, the suspect pushed the victim’s door, which was supported from inside with a stone, proceeded and grabbed the victim by the neck and threatened to kill her if she made an alarm.

“The victim was raped and left with serious injuries. She narrated her ordeal to the neighbours, who immediately traced the shoe prints of the suspect in the muddy soil and arrested him. His underpants were recovered and found with suspected blood stains for DNA comparison,” said the police spokesperson.

In a separate development, Police in East Kyoga and Soroti West are actively searching for 15 suspects, who gang raped, a 23-year-old female adult on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at around midnight at Odeke cell, Nakalunya ward, Western division in Soroti City.

Facts gathered indicate that on Monday, before the incident happened, the unnamed victim after work went and visited her boyfriend at Camp Swahili, until 10 pm, when she left to return to her home.

Along the way, Enanga explains that the victim met her two cousins, Isaac and Nathan, who took her for a drink at a bar in wire cell till around midnight, when they left to return home.

“On their way home, they were joined by a group of around 13 men, shortly afterwards, the two cousins drew knives and threatened to stab the victim if she did not remove her clothes. She was gang raped by her two cousins and 13 others,” Enanga explained.

“Her cousins also robbed her phone, cash of Shs200,000/= shoes, vest, bra and knickers,” he added before strongly condemning the acts of abuse and sexual violence towards women.

“The UPF strongly condemns such acts of elderly abuse and maintains its zero tolerance for all acts of sexual violence against vulnerable women,” Enanga stated.

 “We are going to charge the 20-year-old for Rape, and relentlessly pursue the suspects behind the gang rape.”

Stories Continues after ad

 NSSF announces 10% interest rate for FY 2022/23

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
NSSF top management, board and the ministers.

The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has announced the interest payable to savers of 10% for the financial year 2022/23.

This new rate which equals Shs1.591 trillion shillings in total has been declared by Matia Kasaija, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

Last Financial Year, the 10-year average rate of inflation was 4.2%. The rate that has just been declared is 5.8% above the 10-year average, which means that the Fund has once again delivered on its promise and surpassed it by almost 3.8%.

Speaking at the event, Matia Kasaija, congratulated the NSSF Board and Management for posting a remarkable performance on almost all the Key Performance Indicators.

“I am especially glad that the Fund’s assets registered growth again from Shs17.26 trillion in Financial Year 2021/22 to Shs18.56 trillion in Financial Year 2023/24. Many naysayers did not imagine the possibility of growing this Fund to Shs20 trillion. That you will achieve that strategic objective a year ahead of schedule is laudable,” Kasaija said.

He added, “The second KPI I am interested in is the money you generated during the year because that shows the productivity of the investments that I approved during the year. I am therefore glad that the total realized income earned increased by 15% from Shs1.9 trillion in the Financial Year 2022/22 to Shs2.2 trillion in the Financial Year 2022/23.”

Kasaija revealed that this is very commendable given the turmoil in Europe due to the Russia-Ukraine war, investor flight from most of the developing markets back to the US, reduction in value across all East African stock markets and the increased scrutiny that the Fund underwent in the 3rd quarter of the just concluded financial year.

“In 2013, the Fund made a commitment to pay savers a real annual return, that is, at least 2 percentage points above the 10-year rate of inflation. I am happy to note that the Fund has consistently delivered on this commitment,” he said.

Kasaija noted that as provided for in the NSSF Act, as amended, this new rate will be calculated and credited to the balance outstanding on the members’ accounts as of 1st July 2022.

Benefits paid to qualifying members increased by 1% from Shs1.189 trillion in the Financial Year 2021/22 to Shs1.199 trillion in the Financial Year 2022/23.

The cost-to-income ratio improved from 11.7% in the Financial Year 2021/22 to 9.4% in the Financial Year 2022/23 Cost Management – our cost of administration reduced from 1.18% of total assets to 1.02%.

“NSSF is committed to broad value creation; value beyond numbers. On that note, we are launching our first Sustainability Report, which is integral to our strategy, which is working with the community,” Kimbowa said.

Patrick Ayota, the NSSF MD, said despite the internal disruptions, the Fund remained strong and resilient.

“Last year, members entrusted us with Shs1.5 trillion. This year that number went up by Shs200 billion to Shs1.7 trillion” he said.

Ayota said the Fund has 2.20 million registered members; 1.6 million have a balance, and 704,000 are active.

He also assured the savers that their savings are secure.

“The model is simple. We collect 5% from you and 10% from your employer. Then we invest it in real estate 9%, equities 13% and fixed-income 78%.  78% means that if NSSF closed today, we would pay 78% of our members within three months,” Ayota said.

“NSSF’s vision is to be the social security provider of choice. It’s important that we have the word choice there because, in our minds, we want when someone saves with NSSF, and they go back to bed, they say thank God, I saved with NSSF,” he added.

The Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Betty Amongi, who co-supervises NSSF with the Minister of Finance, hailed the Fund for remaining resilient amid the difficult economic conditions in the country over the last year.

She, however, challenged the Fund to innovate and create more value for members’ savings.

“We must keep doing what we are doing very well but be brave enough to embrace and seek out new opportunities. For instance, how can the Fund innovate around health and childcare benefits, education, and insurance solutions that offer protection across the life cycles of members and their dependents?” she wondered.

“How can the Fund play a more active role in providing opportunities to the farmer, a market vendor, women, and youth groups to improve their ability to access social protection? Fortunately, the law gives the NSSF Board of Directors latitude to provide solutions to the challenge I have put forward,” she said.

Martin A. Nsubuga, the CEO of Uganda Retirement Benefits Regulatory Authority (URBRA), said return benefit schemes today hold Shs21.6 trillion of assets, of which NSSF holds Shs18.5 trillion while occupational schemes hold 3.1 trillion.

“We continue to remind members that retirement savings are long-term; likewise investment decisions should be long-term in nature. Unfortunately, this market is dominated by short-termism that determines decision-making,” he said.

Stories Continues after ad

The Casino’s Edge: Why the House Always Wins

By
Our Reporter
-

Enter the dazzling realm of casinos, where lights flash, dice roll, and fortunes are made. Whether you’re a seasoned gambler or just feeling lucky for the night, there’s an undeniable allure to placing bets and chasing that big win. But have you ever questioned why the house consistently comes out on top? In this blog post, we’ll dive into the intriguing world of casino mathematics and examine how casinos utilize their edge to remain profitable. So buckle up and prepare to uncover the mysteries behind The Casino’s Edge: Why the House Always Wins!

The House Advantage: Understanding the Odds

When you step foot into a casino, it’s important to understand that the odds are stacked against you. The house always has an advantage, and this is known as the “house edge.” This edge ensures that over time, the casino will make more money than they pay out. Refer to a reputable bookmaker online-casino-kenya.com.

When you step foot into a casino, it’s important to understand that the odds are stacked against you. The house always has an advantage, and this is known as the “house edge.” This edge ensures that over time, the casino will make more money than it pays out. 

So how does this work? Well, it all comes down to probability in gambling. Each game has its own set of rules and odds, carefully calculated to give the house an advantage. Whether you’re playing slots or table games like blackjack or roulette, there’s always a mathematical formula at play.

Table games also have their own set of odds. In blackjack, for instance, players must try to beat the dealer without going over 21. However, even if you play the perfect basic strategy every time, the house still maintains a slight advantage due to certain rules and payouts.

Understanding these odds doesn’t mean that winning is impossible – luck can certainly come into play! But it’s crucial to recognize that in the long run, statistically speaking, the casino will come out on top.

While it might be tempting to think that there are foolproof strategies for beating the house consistently – unfortunately there isn’t one! Casinos aren’t built on luck alone; they rely on mathematical models designed specifically in their favor.

So instead of trying to find ways around this inherent disadvantage when gambling at casinos, focus on enjoying yourself responsibly. Set limits for yourself before entering a casino and stick with them. Remember, gambling should be viewed as entertainment rather than a surefire way to make money.

How Casinos Make Money

Entering a casino can be mesmerizing with its dazzling lights, lively slot machines, and electrifying vibes. However, have you ever considered how these establishments generate revenue? It all boils down to one concept: the house edge.

As businesses, casinos need to maintain an advantage over players in order to stay profitable. This percentage is known as the house edge and varies for each game.
For instance, slot machines have a high house edge ranging from 2% to 10%, meaning that for every dollar bet, players may lose around 2-10 cents on average.

Similarly, blackjack or roulette also have their own odds which contribute to their respective house edges. These can range from less than 1% for blackjack with an optimal strategy to over 5% for certain roulette bets.

But why do people continue to gamble despite knowing about these odds? Well, psychology plays a role as well. Casinos create an immersive environment that keeps players engaged and entertained for extended periods of time. They offer complimentary drinks and extravagant amenities because when people feel relaxed and at ease, they are more likely to continue playing. Additionally, loyalty programs and rewards systems incentivize players based on their betting activity. Furthermore, casinos use psychological tactics like variable reward schedules or the illusion of control to keep players coming back for more.

When it comes to popular casino games, there is no shortage of options to choose from. Each game has its own unique set of rules and strategies, but they all have one thing in common: the house always has an edge.

Slot machines: The return to player (RTP) percentage is what determines how much of your wager will be returned to you over time. In the long run, you can expect to lose at least 20 cents for every dollar you bet. Some machines have high RTPs, others as low as 80%.

Blackjack and Roulette: A house edge of 0.5% can be achieved in blackjack if you apply basic strategy and make optimal decisions at every turn. However, if you deviate from this strategy or play hunches instead of relying on statistics, the advantage shifts back to the casino.

Roulette: The European version offers better chances for players than its American counterpart due to having only one zero instead of two zeros on the wheel. This small difference reduces the house edge from around 5% to about 2.7%.

Crap: In order to increase their chances of winning, savvy players place bets with lower house edges such as Pass Line or Don’t Pass Line rather than riskier propositions like Any Seven or Hardways (which have significantly higher house edges).

Poker: The casino takes a small share of each pot as a “rake” but most of the game’s edge comes from the players. Depending on your skill level and the skill of your opponents, you can have an advantage or a disadvantage in poker.

Finally, there are games like keno and bingo, which offer large jackpots but also have some of the highest house edges. These games are based purely on luck, so there is no strategy that can give you an advantage.

Strategies for Beating the House

When it comes to beating the house, many gamblers are on an eternal quest for that elusive winning strategy. While there may not be a foolproof plan that guarantees victory every time, there are some strategies you can employ to increase your chances of coming out ahead.

First and foremost, it’s important to understand the games you’re playing. Each casino game has its own set of rules and odds, so take the time to learn them inside and out.

Second, set limits for yourself before you even step foot in a casino. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of gambling and lose track of how much you’ve wagered. By setting strict limits beforehand, you can protect yourself from going overboard financially.

In addition, consider taking advantage of any bonuses or promotions offered by casinos. These incentives can provide extra value and potentially give you an edge over the house. From free spins on slot machines to match deposit bonuses for online casinos, these perks can help stretch your bankroll further.

Furthermore, employing a strategic betting system such as the Martingale or Fibonacci method might also be worth considering. These systems involve adjusting your bets based on previous outcomes with the goal of maximizing winnings while minimizing losses.

However, remember that no betting system is foolproof and they do come with their own risks.

The Psychology of Gambling Addiction

Gambling addiction is a multifaceted problem that impacts countless individuals worldwide. It extends far beyond the mere thrill of winning or losing money, delving into deeper psychological factors. The casino environment, with its glitzy lights and alluring sounds, is meticulously designed to captivate and entice players.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed the well-known concept of the casino’s edge, which guarantees that the establishment will always come out on top. Familiarizing ourselves with the odds and probabilities involved in different games can shed light on why it is so difficult to beat the house.

Stories Continues after ad

UWRSA in drive to boost grain standards

By
Francisco Adongo
-
DCIM100MEDIADJI_0143.JPG

KAMPALA, September 25, 2023 -Under the public private partnership (PPP) arrangement, government has extended support to private warehouse operators to offer grain storage and standardisation services to farmers and farmer groups across the country.

“The move is part of government’s effort to improve the quality of Ugandan grain and make it more competitive in the region and ensure better returns for the farmers,” said Deborah Kyarasiime the managing director Uganda Warehouse Receipt system Authority [UWRSA].

She made the remarks days ago during a site visit at the Tonga Investment grain facility in Mubende district which is under renovation with support from government through the UWRSA.  The facility will be used by farmers to store their grain, and also have it graded before delivery to the market.

Under the warehouse receipt system, farmers collect their produce, sometimes through cooperatives, and store it in a gazetted licensed warehouse where they are issued with a receipt which they can use to look for markets or stake it as collateral in financial institutions to access funding.

Kyarasiime noted that the warehouse receipt system offers a good platform through which the non-bankable in the country, especially farmers can be brought into the money economy for the benefit of households and the wider economy. 

Robert Mwanje, the managing director Tonga investment and also the chairman the Grain Council of Uganda [TGCU] lauded government for the support and stressed the importance of the partnership in driving the grains quality agenda, which he said is key in helping Uganda firm its position as a major food basket for the region.

“We have embarked on a journey of standardising this facility [Tonga Investment grain facility] and the actual winner is the farmer who will have a good facility to keep and preserve his produce,” he said.

He said that Uganda is endowed with good soils and rainfall which many times support better harvests, however failure to preserve what is harvested undermines this advantage.

“Drying the produce, processing it and keeping it is always a challenge to the farmer,” he said, adding that the facility will help deal with this challenge.

Part of the support extended to Tonga Investments include a dryer, a weighbridge, and paving of the facility which will be open to farmer farmers in the greater Mityana area.

The latest development comes at the time when dealers and importing countries like Kenya and South Sudan have raised concerns over the quality of Ugandan maize.

Stories Continues after ad

Six-year-old tour guide named Brand Ambassador of Africa Tours

By
Simon Kabayo
-

The six-year-old tour guide Nicholas Tukwasibwe who went viral on social media for his appealing guiding skills has been named brand ambassador of Home To Africa Tours.

Nicholas, the youngest tour guide in Uganda, captured the hearts of many with his deep passion for tourism and community engagement.

Nicholas’s journey to becoming a brand ambassador for Home To Africa Tours began when he started guiding tourists in Rubirizi, leaving an indelible mark on those who made stopovers in the area. His dedication and enthusiasm did not go unnoticed, as Bravo Shoes Community Support Organisation identified him and reached out to support his endeavours, recognizing the potential for positive change he represents.

Home To Africa Tours has made a commitment to take charge of Nicholas’s welfare, education, and mentorship, aiming to nurture his talent and bring him closer to his dream. This initiative aligns seamlessly with the agency’s ethos of responsible tourism and giving back to the communities that enrich travelers’ experiences.

Aryanyijuka Elias, Managing Director of Home to Africa Tours, emphasized the agency’s dedication to responsible tourism and community engagement, stating, “We believe that travel should not only be about exploring new destinations but also about giving back to the communities that make our journeys memorable. Our partnership with Bravo Shoes is rooted in this spirit of responsibility and community enrichment.”

He further added, “Our collaboration with Bravo Shoes Community Support Organisation is geared towards making a meaningful difference in the lives of the tourism communities we engage with. Our shared commitment to social responsibility is the cornerstone of this partnership, and we envision a collaboration that enhances the well-being of local residents while contributing to the sustainable development of these regions.”

Home To Africa Tours and Travel Ltd is a registered tour & travel company with the Head Office in Kampala, Uganda. The company has experts in tailored safaris in East Africa and have unmatched knowledge of the major destinations in the region with a passion, understanding of the region which makes it unique.

Yesigye Brian Bravo, the Executive Director of Bravo Shoes Community Support Organisation, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, saying, “This partnership holds immense significance for the Bravo Shoes Community Support Organisation. Our mission has always been to transform the lives of vulnerable children across the country, and Nicholas represents one of the remarkable talents we aim to support. We aspire to shed light on the plight of more children like Nicholas and are committed to identifying and assisting one child per month. This ambitious goal becomes more attainable with strategic partners like Home To Africa. We’ve also identified social enterprise projects for various regions covered by our MOUs, and we look forward to launching initiatives that empower children, youth, men, and women.”

Aloysious Kasoma, Head of Communications, highlighted the organization’s achievements, stating, “Bravo Shoes Community Support Organisation has identified over 25 children from districts such as Kaberamaido, Pallisa, Luuka, Kasese, Wakiso, Terego, Budaka, KCCA, among others. We’ve also entered into MOUs with several districts, solidifying our commitment to making a positive impact.”

The partnership between Home To Africa Tours and Bravo Shoes Community Organisation signifies a union of shared values and goals, aiming to uplift communities, empower youth, and create a brighter future for all.

Stories Continues after ad

Gov’t, refugees meet to implement IGAD Kampala declaration on livelihoods

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
Refugees

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) yesterday concluded the Uganda national level meeting on the Kampala Declaration on Jobs, Livelihoods and self-reliance for refugees, returnees and host communities for Uganda.

The meeting brought together refugees and refugee representatives, the Refugee Investment Network, representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister, Interior and Immigration, refugee hosting district administration, Foreign Affairs, Refugee Affairs, Labour, Social Protection, Planning, Finance and Treasury, Agriculture, Education/TVET, the private sector and particularly banking services providers and microfinance institutions engaged in displacement setting.

It aimed at engaging government and private sector counterparts, the Washington, DC-headquartered Refugee Investment Network (RIN) and IGAD for the purposes of developing roadmaps that provide practical steps that government refugee departments and private sector actors can take to promote refugee economic inclusion and empowerment.

Otto Lucy, Principal Social Development Officer at Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development said: “Government of Uganda is committed to make the realization of self-reliance and resilience of refugees, returnees and host communities a reality through providing a conducive environment for them and implementation of the Jobs and Livelihood Integrated Response Plan with the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Refugee Hosting Districts, Private Sector, Partners and Refugees themselves. We are currently working with partners to develop minimum standard indicators for measuring Self-reliance of refugees and host-communities in Uganda.”

Yemisrach Benalfew, Coordinator for the Strengthening of the IGAD Migration Policy Implementation Project (SIMPI) declared Kampala declaration is a holistic commitment made by IGAD member states in 2019 to find durable solutions in the IGAD region. The national consultation is a testament of the role of various key stakeholders –government offices including from refugee hosting areas, private sectors, banks, refugee led organisations, and partners – to support the self-reliance of refugees in Uganda.

The national meeting will highlight national achievements, priorities, and opportunities to invest on refugees in Uganda. The government of Uganda, with the largest refugees in the IGAD region, is also a country with various innovative approaches on livelihood and self-reliance. IGAD is pleased to collaborate with the Government of Germany through GIZ and Refugees Investment Network (RIN) for this national meeting in Uganda.

Milena Adnyanata, Advisor at the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) sais German government through the GIZ walks hand in hand with IGAD in implementing the Kampala Declaration since its signing in 2019. We support IGAD in holding the annual regional Kampala Declaration Forum and the first round of national consultations like the one happening here in Uganda. These exchange platforms allow different line ministries as well as private sector, CSOs and refugee representatives to engage in meaningful discussions and puts the whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach into practice. Currently, the German development cooperation backs IGADs efforts in developing a comprehensive M&E Framework that enables IGADs member states to track the implementation progress of the Kampala Declaration in a systematic way.”

Stories Continues after ad
1...335336337...2,407Page 336 of 2,407

© Eagle Online. All rights reserved.

About Us

Popular Category

Editor Picks