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Finance Ministry launches budget strategy for FY 2024/25

By
Simon Kabayo
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Finance Minister Matia Kasaija.

The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has unveiled the Budget Strategy for FY 2024/25, indicating that the resource envelope will be Shs52.722 trillion.

Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, while unveiling the strategy at Kampala Serena Hotel on Thursday, 14 September 2023, said the preliminary domestic revenue is projected to slightly increase to Shs29.957.9 trillion in FY 2024/25 from Shs29.672.3 trillion.

Due to debt servicing costs, he said, the resources available for allocation have reduced to Shs21.734.2 trillion for FY 2024/25 from Shs25.205.2 trillion this FY.

He also warned that the government will cut back wasteful spending in the event of the World Bank’s suspension of loans to Uganda.

 “As we start the budgeting process for FY 2024/2025, we should be cognisant of the resource limitations, including domestic revenue and limited space for borrowing. Therefore, the ministry will be unable to accommodate all MDA priorities,” the minister said.

Next year’s budget theme will be: ‘Full monetisation of Uganda’s economy through commercial agriculture, industrialisation, expanding and broadening services, digital transformation and market access.’

Slightly over Shs6.7 trillion in project and other development financing has been snuffed out by the freeze.

But the minister also remained confident of future prospects despite prevailing difficulties

“The implementation of strategic interventions such as the Parish Development Model, development of the minerals sector, agro-industrialisation and manufacturing, among others, will spur economic growth to 6 percent by end of FY2023/24, and to 6.5% in FY 2024/2025,” he said.

Mr Kasaija said they project an average economic growth rate of at least 7 percent over the medium term. The minister said this will largely be driven by growth in industry, services and agriculture sectors.

According to the budget working document, the government promises to continue maintaining macroeconomic stability (keeping inflation low and debt sustainability) through implementation of fiscal consolidation interventions. Boosting household incomes and microenterprises through the Parish Development Model and commercialising agriculture to enhance production and improve competitiveness is also repeated in the plans for next year.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, who closed the conference on behalf of President Kaguta Museveni said faster socio-economic transformation will be achieved by doing business differently, with accountability, fighting corruption, coordination and effectiveness. The President said the budget must be repurposed to high impact growth areas.

“Our major task now is adherence to effective implementation of Uganda’s fiscal consolidation agenda, which includes the following: effective implementation of domestic revenue mobilisation strategy; effectiveness and efficiency of public expenditure management; and controlling non-concessional borrowing through effective implementation of the Medium -Term Debt Reduction Strategy,” she said.

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NRM’s Uthuman Mugisha wins Hoima LC5 by-election, replaces his late father

By
Boses Muhinda
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The National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate, Uthuman Mugisha Mubaraka, has been declared as the winner of the Hoima District LC 5 By-election held on Thursday 15.

According to the final results were officially announced on Thursday night by Hoima District Returning Officer, Ms Merab Kasande, Mugisha, announced candidate who is also the son of the late LC5 Chairperson Kadiri Kirungi, with a victory of 18,353 votes, (52% of the total votes cast.)

Muhumuza Vincent Savana (Independent – who lost in NRM primaries) came second with 12,020 votes (34%) while Aguuda Moses (National Unity Platform-NUP) came third with 3972 votes (11%).

Other candidates included; FDC’s Musinguzi Patrick (271 votes) and Mugume Lennox (Independent) with 179 votes.

Ms Kasande declared that the total number of 34,795 votes was counted as valid, 724 were deemed invalid and 56 spoiled in the Thursday by-election. In total, there were 35,519 ballot papers used.

“I want to work for the people of Hoima District. Many people have been grappling with land-grabbing issues, which I am committed to addressing. I will reach out to the relevant authorities and ministries to ensure that land titles are issued, and those in need of compensation receive their due,” Mubaraka said.

The Electoral Commission Chairperson, Justice Byabakama, noted that the election process was largely free and fair, despite some disruptions caused by rain in the morning.

“This has been one of the best by-elections we had. In other elections, we always received several calls and complaints but this time there were minor issues. I personally received one call. For those who have lost, they should wait up to 2026,” he said.

The NRM Director for Mobilisation, Ms Rosemary Sseninde, attributed Mugisha’s win to youth involvement in the exercise saying as a party they have discovered that they need to keep working closely with the youth.

The Hoima District LC5 seat fell vacant following the death of then Chairperson, Mr Kadir Kirungi, who perished in a tragic motor accident on March 17, 2023.

The late LC5 chairperson, together with his bodyguard was involved in a collision with a Fuso truck along the Hoima-Kampala Road in Mataagi village, Bukomero town council, Kiboga district.

The by-election victory marks a pivotal moment in the political landscape of Hoima District as Uthuman Mugisha Mubaraka takes office, aiming to continue his father’s legacy and address the pressing issues facing the community.

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ICT regulators meeting of Northern Corridor Integration Projects kick off in Rwanda

By
Francisco Adongo
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Uganda's delegation at the event.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Regulators meeting of Northern Corridor Integration Projects (NCIPs) to review the implementation of the One Network Area (ONA) has kicked off in Rwanda.  

The member states of the Northern Corridor Integration Projects are Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, and Kenya.

The meeting is expected to review the emerging issues from the implementation of the ONA including review of roaming charges within the region, SMS and Data frameworks as directed during the 14th Summit of Heads of State in 2018.

The Uganda delegation is led by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of ICT and National Guidance-Dr. Aminah Zawedde and includes; Ag. Executive Director of Uganda Communications Commission (UCC)-Eng. Irene Kaggwa Sewankambo, the National Coordinator of the Northern Projects-Amb Richard Kabonero, and Amb. Margret Kedisi-Charge D’Affares a.i and Deputy Head of Mission-Uganda High Commission, Kigali. 

The Rwanda Delegation is led by the Permanent Secretary of ICT and Innovation- Mr. Yves Iradukunda who is accompanied by staff from the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authurity (RURA). South Sudan delegation is led the Director for Planning and Business Development-Eng. Simon Philip Ali, while the Kenya delegation is led by Ms. Eva Mwasho, Senior Interconnection Tariff Officer of the Communications Authority of Kenya.

The two-day European Union-facilitated meeting is expected to make recommendations on issues affecting the full implementation of ONA as well as the harmonization of payment systems in the region

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Over 450 students graduate from Victoria University

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Graduands of Victoria University 7th graduation ceremony interact with Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa who represented First Lady and Minister for Education Janet Museveni.

At least 458 students have graduated in various disciplines from Victoria University.  

Speaking during the 7th Graduation Ceremony that took place at Kololo ceremonial grounds, Dr. Lawrence Muganga, the Vice Chancellor said the university has taken a unique approach to ensure that students do not just leave with credentials, but also with the practical experience necessary to thrive in the competitive job market. 

“We have made it a priority to equip our students with essential digital skills. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our graduands for their remarkable journey at Victoria University, which has been marked by nothing but exceptional achievements. I commend them for their outstanding determination and resilience, which have brought us to this momentous day,” he said.

He emphasized that the education they have acquired at Victoria University goes beyond being a mere transcript; it serves as a passport, empowering them to confidently navigate the future, whether it is within or outside the country, regardless of the challenges they may encounter.

He said at Victoria University, they place a strong emphasis on experiential learning, firmly believing in the idea of learning through practical experience.

Representing the Minister of Education and Sports, the Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa said to urged granduands to be resilient, embrace life-long learning, keep yourselves informed, and endeavor to live a life of service to God as you pursue your passion and goals.

His Excellence Sheikh Manssour Bin Mussallam the Secretary General of Organization of Southern Corporation shares his wisdom and inspiration with Victoria University Vice Chancellor and another guest.

“To navigate your career path, you must keep in tune with emerging technologies, adopt innovative approaches, and learn a wide range of skills that will enable you to thrive,” he said.

” I request that we focus on innovation. We do not want to keep importing these gadgets and equipment. We want to innovate and have them produced in Uganda. Home-grown technology is what is sustainable,” he said.

Victory University is owned by city tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia and has progressively grown ever since its inception hardly ten years ago.

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Salva Kiir jets in Uganda for peace talks with Museveni

By
Francisco Adongo
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President Kiir being seen off by Vice President Dr. Riek Machar at Juba Airport being boarding for Entebbe.

President of South Sudan Salva Kiir has jetted in at Entebbe State House this morning on a one-day state visit where he is expected to hold talks with President Yoweri Museveni on bilateral relations and regional peace, according to his press office.

“The two leaders will also discuss regional peace and security, particularly the crisis in Sudan and the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo,” the press office added in a statement.

According to South Sudan’s presidential Affairs minister, Barnaba Marial Benjamin said the two principals will further explore the Revitalized peace agreement that ended the civil war in South Sudan.

An estimated 450,000 people were killed and over two million displaced during the war.

The president was seen off Juba International Airport by the First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny and other senior government officials.

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Makerere University gets Shs5.5b to support automated mobile microscopic diagnosis of malaria, cancer and tuberculosis

By
Geoffery Serugo
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Makerere University has received $1,500,000 (Shs5.5b) to support its Ocular project that is undertaking research on usage of Artificial Intelligence to enhance the diagnosis process of Malaria, Tuberculosis and Cervical Cancer in Uganda.

The Ocular Project was officially launched on September 13, 2023, by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications Technology and National Guidance (MoICT & NG), Dr. Aminah Zawedde.

According to the Project Principal Investigator Dr. Rose Nakasi, The Ocular Project aims at building   a standardized point-of-care mobile microscopy for disease diagnosis with a specificity of up to 99%. The solution’s current focus is on malaria, tuberculosis and cervical cancer in Uganda.

Dr. Nakasi noted that the project team benched on the rampant challenges faced by the laboratory experts while undertaking diagnosis procedures.

“In our interaction with some experts from the health sector, we found out that it was indeed straining for health centres in Uganda to manage the escalating number of patients that seek for laboratory screening tests. In addition, the team noted that the country is also blessed with a few trained laboratory technicians to support the diagnosis process using the microscope,” she said.

“We therefore took advantage of the existing technologies such as the smartphone and the availability of at least a microscope in every health centre across the country to develop a 3D printable adaptor that was attached to an eye piece of the microscope. The 3D adapter was also slotted in the smartphone to capture images. With the capabilities of Artificial intelligence through computer vision, images can be processed and this directs the experts where the pathogens are,” she added.

According to Dr. Nakasi, this process shortens the diagnosis process making it more accurate, quicker and easier to diagnose health conditions and potentially reducing screening time by over 80%. With the new funding support from Google therefore, Dr. Nakasi said that the project will seamlessly expand to other conditions such as sickle cell anaemia, intestinal parasites and be scaled up in different pilot hospitals in Uganda.

Dr. Aminah Zawedde, the permanent secretary of the ministry of ICT said the Ocular we are launching today is an innovation and with support, we can scale it up into a commercial product that can be used not only in Uganda but across the continent.

“This makes me appreciate the goodness of God and the fact that Makerere University is doing amazing things. It is hard to tell how good home is until you leave and then make a return,” she said.

Dr. Zawedde, commended Makerere University for the grounds and foundation it has given to different generations that have stood tall to support the development process of this country in different capacities. “Everyone would like to support research that is impactful and speaks to our problems as the community. Given the zeal that Rose Nakasi had during her studies, there is a need to celebrate her,” she said.

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Police suspend NUP country-wide mobilisation activities citing violation of guidelines

By
Simon Kabayo
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Police have suspended mobilisation activities of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) party, citing blatant bleaches of the given guidelines.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, Deputy IGP Maj Gen Tumusiime Kasigazi said they will not look on as the “country burns” due to NUP’s violent rallies that have at times led to loss of lives while at the same time promoting sectarianism.

“While we completely support the right of individuals, groups and other citizens to peacefully gather or assemble, and make their views on matters of public policy, we have noticed that, in all areas where the NUP mobilization activities have been carried out, there have been total breaches to the guidelines, thus causing public disorder, unnecessary traffic jams, loss of business, malicious damage to property,” the statement by the Deputy IGP reads in part.

He said, for instance in Mbarara City, NUP “rowdy” supporters vandalized a Toyota Hiace, caused and traffic accidents, including a fatal one in Hoima City, on September 11, 2023, where Norman Mugisa and 10 others got serious injuries during the party convoy.

“Furthermore, in Kasana, Luwero District, the mobilization activity, was used to incite violence, promote sectarianism, make illegitimate calls for the removal of an elected government, and issuance of defamatory statements against the Person of The President of the Republic of Uganda,” Kasigazi added.

He explained that the Police mandate is to regulate public meetings under section 32(1) of the Police Act, they have to uphold rule of law, in liaison with other stakeholders and will respond appropriately, against all perpetrators of incitement to violence that can lead to civil unrest throughout the country.

“In view of the above blatant breaches of the guidelines, the activities of the NUP are immediately suspended. This announcement is a follow-up to our communication of the 12.09.2023 to the NUP leadership, halting the planned mobilization activities and opening of offices, until such a time that they are ready to comply with the guidelines and rule of law,” he said.

“We are sending this strong message, that our country, Uganda, will not wait for its villages, towns, urban centres and cities to burn, before taking action to protect its citizens and property. We are going to put an end to the mob mentality, bullying and intimidating tactics of NUP radicals, against innocent civilians and law enforcers,” he added.

However, the suspension came in when NUP was concluding its first phase of the country-wide mobilisation activities.

“Today has marked the end of the first phase of our country-wide mobilisation activities. From the West to the East, and lastly, the North, we have been traversing several districts, informing the people of the realities in regards to the misgovernance of their country and also reminding them of their cardinal duty in these critical times,” NUP alerted yesterday.

“We have been received warmly in all the places we’ve been. The people are speaking one language in all these regions; they want change. In due course, we will be communicating our plans for the second phase of our activities, particularly in the central,” NUP added.

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Tayebwa commends King Oyo for inspiring Youth

By
Our Reporter
-

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa has commended His Majesty King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV of the Tooro Kingdom for being a role model for the youth and the people of Tooro.

Speaking at the 28th Coronation Anniversary of King Oyo held at the Karuzika Hill, Fort Portal City, Tayebwa also praised the youthful king for protecting the traditional values of Africa and Tooro.

“I want to thank you for being a role model to the youth and the kingdom. Now young people know they can fight aids because of you. They know they can protect the environment because of you. I have seen you’re planning to plant over ten 10 million trees, parliament pledges support. We are going to support you so that you can achieve this,” the deputy speaker said in a speech.

He urged King Oyo to help his people move out of poverty through commercial agriculture. This will help to create a sustainable kingdom, Tayebwa said. “We need you as a partner in fighting poverty in the world”.

Quoting the 2022 Global Wealth Report by Credit Suisse, Tayebwa said that income inequality in the world is alarming with the latest figures indicating that 52.5% of the world population now own less than 1.25% of the global wealth.

“It’s a time bomb. We have to work hard to overcome this. Your majesty, we know if we work with you, the parish development model will help to reduce this kind of income inequality,” he said.

Tayebwa said the issue of land fragmentation in the Kingdom had hindered government efforts to overcome poverty through modern agricultural projects and asked King Oyo to rein in his subjects.

He urged the king and his leadership to sensitize the people against land fragmentation saying the practice, rampant among the predominantly agriculture-dependent communities, threatens food security and is a source of poverty.

“Land fragmentation is a big problem. If not well addressed, it is the source of poverty,” Tayebwa said.

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Fire guts NMS warehouses, interrupts mosquito distribution across the country

By
Our Reporter
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Firefighters trying to put out fire at Entebbe airport.

Fire has gutted one of the private warehouses rented by National Medical Stores (NMS) in Entebbe adjacent to Entebbe airport. The incident was confirmed by Sheila Nduhukire, the spokesperson of National Medical Stores.

It happened at a time when the government is distributing 28.5 million Long Lasting Insecticide treated mosquito Nets (LLINs) across the country. The exercise is part of the efforts to reduce Malaria morbidity and mortality.

Nduhukire said the private warehouses we had rented for storing mosquito nets. We are currently assessing the extent of the damage caused by the fire and are working closely with the relevant authorities to investigate the cause.

At the outbreak of fire, she said emergency Fire services were promptly notified and firefighters are working tirelessly to extinguish the fire.

“NMS extends its deepest appreciation to the Uganda Police fire brigade and the Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (ARFFS) for their swift response and professionalism during this incident,” she said.

She stated thought mosquito nets were comprehensively insured to minimize any unexpected loss, NMS has activated its Business Continuity Plan to ensure uninterrupted supply of mosquito nets to Ugandans.

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Parents to win Shs100m in Stanbic back-to-school campaign

By
Simon Kabayo
-

At least 200 lucky parents stand a chance to win cash prizes worth Shs100 million when they pay school fees for their children through FlexiPay or Stanbic Bank agent banking channels, courtesy of a six-week back to school cashback promotion aimed at supporting guardians returning their kids to school.

The back-to-school promo also allows salaried parents to access up to Shs250 million in advances to pay school fees for their children. To stand a chance of winning Shs500, 000 in cashbacks, parents must pay school fees through agents or FlexiPay.

For school owners, they can apply for an unsecured school bridge Finance Loan of up to Shs500 million or allow for 100 percent collection of the school fees through Stanbic and enjoy free comprehensive insurance cover.

Mr. Sam Mwogeza, Stanbic Bank Uganda’s executive head of personal and private banking said the campaign is a timely intervention for its personal banking clients grappling with the challenge of finding resources to return children back to school.

“We acknowledge that behind the over 15 million learners who must return to school this week, there is a parent stressed about school fees during what we know to be a challenging economic environment.

Through this promotion, we are offering parents and guardians an opportunity to access cash advances of up to Shs250 million, to get them through this season,” said Mwogeza. 

Mwogeza explains that the salary loan comes with up to 75 days initial repayment holiday and a long repayment tenure of up to 84 months as well as access to medical cover worth up to Shs18 million for as low as Shs 600,000.

The offer also includes a one-year option for a hospital cash cover worth Shs1.5 million for a monthly premium investment of as low as Shs2,500.

Emma Mugisha, Stanbic Bank Uganda’s executive director, and head of business and commercial banking said the bank’s school owning clients can also take advantage of the promo to secure affordable credit to finance operations.

“We know that many parents are unable to pay the full tuition at the start of the term. Our back-to-school promotion allows school owners and administrators to access up to Shs500 million in unsecured credit and manage any cash flow constraints at the start of the term,” said Mugisha.

Parents and guardians who pay school fees using FlexiPay or through a Stanbic Agent over the next six weeks will automatically be included in weekly draws where they stand a chance to be picked among the 200 lucky winners to win Shs100 million in cashbacks.

Eight winners per region will be drawn weekly and announced on selected radio stations with each walking away with up to Shs500, 000.

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