Stanbic Bank
Stanbic Bank
18.8 C
Kampala
Stanbic Bank
Stanbic Bank
Home Blog Page 361

Pioneers of Progress: MTN ACE Tech’s brightest minds set to shape future of technology

By
Our Reporter
-
ICT State Minister Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo presided over the ceremony.

Uganda’s ICT landscape is set to witness a new wave of talent and innovation, as MTN Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance’s National ICT Innovation Hub and Centenary Technology Services, proudly announces the graduation ceremony of the MTN ACE Tech Program.

On 7th September 2023, the participants of the MTN ACE Tech program will graduate in a ceremony that will be held at National ICT Innovation Hub.

MTN CEO Mulinge Sylvia, State ICT Minister Hon. Joyce Ssebugwawo, Permanent Secretary Dr. Aminah Zawedde, BPO Innovation Council Chairman Prof William Bazeyo, Cente-Tech’s Peter Kahiigi pose for a picture at the launch of the MTN ACE program in December 2022

Bright stars have emerged from the program – a solid cohort of 51 graduates armed with highly specialized technical skills in Python and JavaScript. These individuals, honed by the best and driven by a passion for technology, stand ready to champion the evolution of the ICT sector.

Furthermore, in what is a testament to the program’s holistic approach, 20 budding SMEs/enterprises have been incubated. These enterprises, fresh yet fierce, are set to bridge the gap between innovation and service delivery within both public and private institutions.

The partnership, beyond fostering individual skills and nurturing startups, has also taken a tangible step in uplifting the technological landscape. State-of-the-art ICT equipment has been set up at the National ICT Innovation Hub, a symbol of the commitment to further propel technology advancements in the region.

The fruits of this collaboration don’t end at equipment and skills. Job creation is an essential facet of the MTN ACE Tech Program. It embodies the shared vision of MTN Foundation and its partners – building a self-sustaining ecosystem where knowledge meets opportunity.

MTN CEO Mulinge Sylvia addresses the MTN ACE participants in Dec 2022

The graduation ceremony promises to be more than just a celebration of achievements. It will be a confluence of ideas, innovation, and inspiration. Participants, guests, and tech enthusiasts will witness the rise of a new technological era, underscored by the dedication and hard work of each graduate.

Set to be streamed online, the public is invited to join in and hearld the champions of tomorrow, today!

Stories Continues after ad

Ereemye Mawanda replaces Karemani at Judiciary as Spokesperson

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
James Ereemye Mawanda.

The acting Registrar Magistrates Affairs and Data Management, James Ereemye Jumire Mawanda has been named as the new Public Relations Officer of the Judiciary.

He was appointed by the Chief Justice, Alfonse Chigamoy Dwiny-Dollo.

“In exercise of the Dowers conferred upon the Chief Justice under Article 133 of the Constitution and in accordance with Section 3(a) of the Administration of the Judiciary Act, I hereby assign you as Public Relations Officer of the

Judiciary, in addition to your duties as a Registrar, “the letter read in part.

He replaces Justice Jamson Karemani Karemera who until his recent elevation as Judge of the High Court was serving both as Deputy Registrar and Public Relations Officer, a position he held since 2019.

Mawanda now takes on the Registry of Communications and Public

Relations to supervise a team of professional communications officers.

He will also deputize the Chief Registrar as the spokesperson of the Judiciary.

The Chief Registrar Sarah Langa Siu welcomed the appointment saying the new PRO will be instrumental in fostering public awareness and the image

of the Judiciary in line with the Judiciary Strategic Plan V.

She also applauded justice Karemani for the great job done as PRO of the Judiciary.

Mawanda is a career Judicial Officer whose experience spans 27 years; growing through the ranks from Magistrate Grade Ill Trainee, Magistrate Grade Il, Magistrate Grade l, Chief Magistrate, Deputy Registrar and Acting Registrar.

He is also a member of the Judiciary Council representing the

Lower Bench. The Judiciary Council is an advisory body to the Chief Justice established under the Administration of the Judiciary Act,2020.

He is also a member of the Law Council and the Disciplinary Committee of the Law

Council, a Committee Member on the Executive of the Uganda

Judicial Officers Association as a representative of Registrars.

Stories Continues after ad

ATMIS to withdraw 3,000 troops from Somalia in September

By
Boses Muhinda
-

The ATMIS Force Commander Lieutenant General Sam Okiding has today confirmed that the second phase of 3,000 troops will be withdrawn from Somalia by the end of September.

Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding made the revelation while briefing the media on ATMIS military gains, support to Somali Security Forces and the ongoing offensive against terrorist groups.

“Preparations for the second phase of the withdrawal of 3,000 ATMIS troops by the end of September are underway,” Gen. Okiding revealed.

The Force Commander said ATMIS will continue working closely with the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), United Nations Support Office in Somalia and other partners to ensure a smooth transfer of security responsibilities to Somali Security Forces.

He reiterated that ATMIS will also put in place measures to avoid a security vacuum when it exits Somalia by the end of December 2024.

The first phase of 2000 troops was successfully withdrawn at the end of June and six Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) handed over to the Somali Security Forces (SSF).

Around 14,000 troops will remain in Somalia as mandated by the UN Security Council Resolutions 2628 and 2670, which require the ATMIS to gradually hand over security responsibilities to Somali security forces ahead of the exit from Somalia on Dec. 31, 2024.

The United Nations Support Office in Somalia will ensure the equipment and other facilities handed over to the Somali security forces by exiting ATMIS troops are in good condition and the Somali forces are capacitated on how to use them.

Stories Continues after ad

African health ministers mobilize against dangerous threat of antimicrobial resistance

By
Our Reporter
-

African health ministers today endorsed a regional strategy to ramp up action against antimicrobial resistance, which is estimated to have directly contributed to 1.27 million deaths in sub-Saharan Africa in 2019.

The region faces a high burden of antimicrobial resistance, which occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines, making infections harder to treat. Globally, around 10 million people – including 4.1 million in the African region – are projected to die of antimicrobial resistance by 2050.

While most African countries have national action plans to address antimicrobial resistance, there is poor implementation due to lack of political commitment, inadequate antimicrobial surveillance, including insufficient laboratory capacity, limited capacity to ensure optimized antimicrobials use and promote awareness and understanding of the threat posed by antimicrobial resistance. Poor infection prevention and control measures, and inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene services also pose challenges.

 “The growing threat of antimicrobial resistance requires scaled-up and sustained action by all – from governments to individuals and across all sectors,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa. “The commitment made today comes at a crucial time. WHO will continue supporting countries to reinforce measures for an effective response against antimicrobial resistance.”

The resolution adopted during the Seventy-third session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in Gaborone, Botswana, aims to strengthen coordination and governance of action against antimicrobial resistance, improve awareness and understanding, step up surveillance of antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial use, and reinforce applicable national regulations and laws.

The regional strategy targets that, by 2030, all countries will have a functioning “One Health” approach – encompassing human, animal and environmental health – on priority antimicrobial resistance actions. All countries should also have a monitoring and evaluation system, be conducting national awareness programmes, and have enrolled in a global portal for standardized approach to data collection, analysis, interpretation and sharing. Additionally, all countries should implement measures to optimize responsible use of antimicrobials in health care facilities by 2030.

 In the African region, the burden of antimicrobial resistance is also exacerbated by lack of enforcement of prescriptions and selling regulations, misuse and overuse of antibiotics in human and in animal feed, leading to spread of antibiotic-resistant strains.

The inappropriate use of antimicrobials in human, plant and livestock increases the risk of infections with microbes that are resistant to available treatments, potentially resulting in severe illness and death.

Stories Continues after ad

NSSF kickoffs workshop to sensitize Energy sector stakeholders on bolstering adherence to social security regulations

By
Our Reporter
-

The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development has joined various participants and stakeholders from the energy sector for a sensitization workshop aimed at bolstering adherence to social security regulations in light of the NSSF Act as amended in 2022.
The workshop is being held at Fairway Hotel in Kampala and will end on Friday under the theme; “Enhancing Stakeholders Knowledge and Practical Actualization of the Mining Legal Framework for Compliance and Development”.
This new law mandates all employers to duly register their companies and fulfill social security contributions, irrespective of the number of employees.
This workshop is an essential platform to consolidate and operationalize the partnership, following productive dialogues that have taken place between the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development, NSSF, and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, alongside relevant agencies and stakeholders with the overarching goal of advancing social security compliance within the Energy, Oil &Gas, and Minerals Sub-Sectors.
Agnes Isharaza , NSSF Secretary and Head of Legal Affairs said that this workshop is for stakeholders and participants in the energy sector to appreciate how they fit into this Social Security story, and how the employer and employees relate with the Fund in this whole process of compliance.
“It is expected by the government that member organizations have social security arrangements in place for their citizens. It is the obligation of the state to ensure that its citizens are able to spend for themselves as far as the basic requirements to live and survive are concerned,” Isharaza said.
She added, “Our law requires that every month the employer deducts 5% from the employee’s gross salary, tops that up with 10% and remits it to the Fund. The Fund then has an obligation to invest this mandatory contribution.”
Isharaza further revealed that one of the mandates of the Fund, tasked to the board is to ensure that they preserve and grow members’ savings. When the Fund gets the 15%, they invest and grow it so that the member gets a better return when they become eligible to claim their benefits. Right now the Fund invests in 3 asset classes; Fixed Income, Equities and Real Estate.
“Under equities, we invest in listed companies principally and from those, we earn dividends depending on how the companies are performing.  If you see the listed companies doing well as a member, you get excited when they’re not doing well, then you know there’s a dump on your return. We can also invest in private equity but private equity comes with a lot of challenges, mainly around governance,” she noted.
The Fund also invests in Fixed Income, government securities which are the largest and safest and most profitable asset class. The third category is real estate where the Fund earns income through rental income or purchase of some of our projects like Solana that you see being advertised.
Patrick Ayota, NSSF Managing Director said that about 25 years ago, the average life expectancy in Uganda was 43. At that point, it was a glamour saying, no NSSF, you can’t tell us to come and get our benefits when our life expectancy is 43 because it didn’t make sense. However, now we are at a life expectancy average of 63. Interestingly enough, the ladies are at 64 and the men are at 62. So for some reason, the ladies are living longer than us.
“We are beginning to live longer, if you think about it, in your village, there are more 70-year-olds walking around. Some of your uncles, aunts and grandmothers are even 100; we now have more 100-year-olds than we did 20 years ago. The danger is that if you retire and claim your savings at 55 and you are going to live for another 20 years, what happens to you,” he said adding, “That is the problem we have as a nation. The question is how will we live in a society where we have many aging friends but no savings or Social Security? We are all responsible for changing this.”
Ayota added that the Fund has an obligation to look at Uganda today and begin investing for Uganda tomorrow and nobody can do it but stakeholders. The long-term savings are at 11%, 10% of that is with NSSF and those are low. As a country, something must be done.
“As NSSF our job is to see what we can do to turn the situation around. What can you do in your company to turn this situation of a low savings culture around? Remember, this is not just about your life. Many of you have children. They are going to be here when you are not, so you begin to think what do I need to be doing today? Where I am? Bring the change,” he urged.
He further said that in order to accelerate the interest of Uganda to join the Club of Africa economic giants, at a minimum long term savings must be encouraged.
“So what are we doing in NSSF? We’re now moving on a couple of grounds. The first one is to increase the willingness to save, through education, awareness, and partner shifts like the one we are having here,” he noted.
Speaking on the same event, the Minister of State for Mineral Development   Hon. Peter Lokeris has said the Minerals have increased foreign Direct Investments in the sector from $5m in 2003 to $800m.
“We expect to implement the Mineral Resources Infrastructural Development Project this financial year” said Hon. Peter Lokeris

Stories Continues after ad

This time I harshly disagree with Mr and Mrs President. Why invite homosexuality advocates to your Excellency’s golden anniversary of your marriage!

By
Guest Writer
-
LEFT-HANDED: Former US President Bill Clinton

On November 8,1998, President Bill Clinton publicly addressed a gay and lesbian civil rights organization, and thereafter a new report described the President’s presence at that meeting as “a nod to the growing political power of the gay rights movement. I wrote a protest opinion and disagreed with President Clinton when he visited Uganda in the same year and for that opinion I was denied a study VISA to the USA. I thought I had only disagreed with Clinton but now realize that the entire western world is satanic and the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) are sanctuaries of Sodom. I still insist that Westerners “Bazungu” are already living in Hell.

Here is why

The gentiles in the first century were very wicked and sinful. They refused to believe in God. They made idols and worshipped them. “Therefore, God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves.” (Romans 1:20-24). They sank so low that they practiced the perversion known as “homosexuality”. For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. And likewise, also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due (Romans 1:26-27).

Some today are telling us that homosexuality is a human right and normal. Our Lord tells us what is normal and right in sexual relationships. “And he answered and said to them, have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So then, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate (Matt 19:4-6). Many religious leaders defend the practice of people have sexual relations with those of the same sex. The united Methodist church in the USA recommended that their members regard homosexuals as “persons of sacred worth” and accept them into fellowship.

The Evangelical Lutheran church of the Netherlands says that homosexuals can become ordained ministers in their domination.  Many other dominations have also fully accepted homosexuals without requiring them to repent of their sin. There is much confusion today about the different between right and wrong. This was also true in the days of Isaiah, the prophet Isaiah wrote “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil, who put darkness for light, and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20). Just because America and Europe say homosexuality is right, does not make it so. Some say that we should not discuss homosexuality because it is a political issue. However, it was a moral issue long before it became a political one. The bible teaches that homosexuality is sin, period. If a person does not repent of it, he/she will be lost eternally. The first example of homosexuality was found in the city of Sodom. The wickedness of this city is described in Genesis 19:4-7. Men, both young and old wanted to have sexual relations with Lot’s male visitors. The New Testament mentions these shameful events and confirms it is true account (Matt 11:23-24, Jude 7, 2Peter 2:6-8). God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of this vile perversion. The sins of these two cities serves as the standard to which other sins are compared (Isaiah 3:9, 13:19, Jer 23:14, Matt 11:23-24).

The law which God gave to Israel at Mt. Sinai condemned the practice of homosexuality. “You shall not ly with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination. Do not defile yourselves in any of these things, for by all this the nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you “Levit 20:13”. there shall be no ritual harlot of the daughters of Israel, or a perverted one of the sons of Israel. You shall not bring the wages of a harlot or a price of a dog to the house of the lord your God for any vowed offering, for both of these are an abomination. (Deut 23:17-18). The word “dog” is a name the people of ancient Israel used to describe a homosexual prostitute.

NABENDEH WAMOTO S.P (0776658433)

EMAIL: simonwamoto@yahoo.co.uk               

Stories Continues after ad

When will Nelson Chamisa learn to accept defeat and move on?

By
Guest Writer
-
President Emmerson Mnangagwa casting a vote.

Dr David Nyekorach – Matsanga 

Harare

I told you that Nelson Chamisa and his CCC have been all along on a social conditioning expedition, a poison laced campaign to poison the minds of their supporters to reject the victory of President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa. But again, this failed. 

In Zimbabwe laws you seek recount in 48 hours that passed yesterday without any application of the same. Is it because he was consulting the masters in America who were still asleep? I leave that Zimbabweans to ask?

But according CCC and ilk, democracy only means Chamisa winning and anyone else loosing. However, they need to be reminded that democracy cannot survive when one side believes there’s only two outcomes to an election; either they win, or they were cheated.

Worse still, it’s shameful that election observers who we know too well, that have become convenient guns for hire seem to lean towards the lame narrative that stands on nothing but stilts. 

Chamisa and his CCC cannot bastardize the just concluded election on the basis of President Mnangagwa’s victory, but still appreciate and recognize the elected Members of Parliament under its banner.

We know too well that these observers are on the payroll of some Western nations which has been financing the opposition, thence they are joined at the heap like Siamese twins. 

If the opposition alleges that the elections were not credible, the observers too have to cave in and please their paymasters, for he who pays the piper calls the tune. It was expected, there’s nothing new under the sun.

However, be as it may, let them go to the court and seek redress and explore other peaceful means. But one thing is, as sure as the sun will rise again tomorrow, the case will be thrown out. 

A second defeat beckons if they choose that route, and it’s because the case will be weak, frivolous, and lacking locus standi. 

 I have been in Political opposition for 0ver 39 years and what has kept me alive is that I believe in timing and good judgement of every situation.  

Will Rogers said: “Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment”.

Then Martin Luther King Jr said: The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people. 

The good people as from the above are the ones who are not advising Advocate Nelson Chamisa to seek Peaceful ways of body politic of Zimvabwe. For us whom he hates are the ones saying loud.

Thanks 

God bless Zimbabwe and Africa 

The writer is Pan African, a political scientist and international relations expert with a bias in conflict resolution based in London United Kingdom.

He is a member of Royal African Society

Stories Continues after ad

Pope Francis congratulates Museveni upon his 50th marriage anniversary

By
Our Reporter
-

In a private audience with Speaker of Parliament Anita Among at the Vatican on Friday, 25 August 2023, Pope Francis congratulated President Museveni upon his 50th marriage anniversary.

“I send warm congratulations and wishes to His Excellency the President, and the First Lady Janet Museveni upon their golden Jubilee Anniversary, and for the President’s brilliance in leading the people through catastrophes such as the Covid-19 pandemic, and the belief in culture and values,” Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis also thanked President Museveni and Anita Among for protecting family values, urging them to continue on the same path to safeguard future generations since a family is the backbone of society, which deserves collective protection

“I thank you [Anita Among], Parliament and the people of Uganda for upholding family values; the family is the rock on which society stands,” the Holy Father said.

Pope Francis commended Among for her leadership of Parliament, encouraging her to remain steadfast in legislating to promote societal and godly values.

He urged Speaker Among to remain steadfast in protecting religious values.

“I urge you to continue standing by your strong Christian values and always promote legislation that will ensure freedom of worship, economic freedom and social justice as exemplified in the Bible; as a Parliamentarian always be sensitive to decisions and legislation that separates people from the will of God,” he said

The Pope also hailed President Museveni as a brilliant leader who has worked for humanity through the government’s protection of human rights and its welcoming stance towards refugees.

“I also thank Uganda for being a very hospitable nation as far as hosting refugees is concerned,” Pope Francis said.

Speaker Among thanked the Pope for his prayers and blessings towards her leadership, and extended greetings from President Museveni.

She appreciated Pope Francis for inviting and giving her private audience at the Vatican for the third time.

Stories Continues after ad

Court orders Airtel Uganda, Onmobile global to pay Shs817 million to Jamaican singer

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
Airtel MD- V.G Somasekhar

The commercial division of the high court has ordered Airtel Uganda, Onmobile Global Limited, Mtech limited to pay Shs29.1 million to Jamaican singer Garfield Spence aka Konhens for severely infringing his copyright.

In 2015, Konhens dragged Airtel to court for infringing his copyright and unlawfully accessed his songs and availed them as caller tunes to its subscribers at Shs600 every month.

Airtel and the co accused failed to account for the proceeds from the caller tunes or pay him any royalties and asked court to compel them to pay him Shs1.3 billion.

In her ruling, Justice Patricia Mutesi ordered the three companies to pay Shs667 million ($180000) and interest of 15 % per annum from the date of filing the suit until payment in full.

“Airtel shall pay Shs20 million while Mtech Limited is directed to pay Shs30 million as exemplary damages for copyright infringement,” she ruled.

She also awarded interest of 10 % on exemplary damages per annum from the time of judgment.

Stories Continues after ad

MUBS develop Mobile App Hackathon to strengthen ICT usage in Masters’ research journey

By
Simon Kabayo
-

Makerere University Business School in partnership with the European Union have awarded students four million shillings for winning the competition of developing a Mobile Application Hackathon aimed at strengthening Uganda’s Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) capacity to use ICT in Masters’ research journey, quality management processes and devise Policy reforms for relevant high-quality research outputs (ICT-4 MRPQ).

The competition involved five teams of students from Makerere University, Makerere University Business School, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) and Makerere University Business School- Mbarara.

The project ran under the theme “To strengthen higher education institutions capacity to use ICT in Master’s research journey management process and devise policy reforms for relevant high- quality research outputs at HEIs in Uganda.”

The ICT-4MRPQ project focused on project interception and management, stakeholder mapping, profiling and engagement, national research and university policy reviews, developing research methods manuals for staff and students, developing E- supervision platform and staff mobility and capacity building.

The winners were students from Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) under their team name ‘The Scholar Track’ and later signed an agreement with the University.

The Scholar Track team won Shs4 million, Ubuntu Kwanza grabbed Shs2 million, Team Tucodinge Shs1 million, and Team Hackers were awarded Shs500,000.

Speaking at the event, Prof. David Katamba applauded the winners for the wonderful innovation and urged the other participants to keep their hopes high since the country is advancing to technology in the fields of social and economic transformation.

Prof Katamba said, “The project is student centered and will cater for the current and future references in research for Masters Students.”

He added that the App is aimed at improving the masters research projects and will be to track the students’ progress in their course of study.

Speaking about their victory, The Scholar Track group leader, Augustine Beilel revealed that the team realized that 86.2% of the students do not complete their programs because of adhered methods.

Augustine Beilel added that the team will require strictly three months for full upgrading the Application. He further revealed that they will need 12 million Uganda Shillings to implement it.

  The University Principal, Prof Moses Muhwezi appreciated the students and asserted that the main problem with the entire University was completion of programs in time but the Hackathon project will deal with this challenge.

“It’s a nightmare that many students don’t complete their studies. We have been in the Senate struggling with those who completed 2014 backwards whether to allow them continue or deregister them until we have final upgrade, they must be deregistered and they are very so completion time is very important,” Prof Muhwezi said.

 He added, “If this app is meant for that problem you have met what is required. The other challenge is dropout. When students gain 30% dropout by the time they graduate, that cohort which gives the right time for them to perhaps call the lose touches provider. They actually lose touch with institutions and for some obvious reasons, others are right, others are good reasons. Some people go to Africa, others go to Europe, and others can’t do that. Once you are able to link up with it, I imagine improving the completion time; I imagine that the Tamayinda macaroni going into research PhD and master graduate students will not be macari. They are progressively increasing the intake of graduate students.”

He further urged the mentors and the winners to make sure that the processes and skills are correct and all combine ideas of the other competitors so as to achieve the quality App to use.

The Ubuntu Kwanzaa leader, Bob Wesonge revealed that lack of quality communication has been hindering many students in Masters Classes and by graduation the rate of 14% in these classes is missing at Makerere University Business School.

Stories Continues after ad
1...360361362...2,420Page 361 of 2,420

© Eagle Online. All rights reserved.

About Us

Popular Category

Editor Picks