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Kasaija disowns Amongi’s Shs6 billion request from NSSF

By
Our Reporter
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Finance Minister, Matia Kasaija

The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Matia Kasaija has said that Shs6 billion request by the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Betty Amongi from the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) was irregular.

On February 2, 2023, Amongi told the select committee investigating the alleged mismanagement of the fund that her request was made in accordance with Section 29 of the NSSF Act which mandates her to amend the fund’s budget.

She said her request came after she identified that the fund’s 2022/2023 Financial Year budget did not provide for activities to implement the amended NSSF Act which introduced voluntary contributions.

Kasaija who also appeared before the same committee on the same day however, said that the request came to his attention but he disagreed with it because the ministry operates its own budget. 

The NSSF Amendment Act paved way for dual supervision of the fund and Kasaija said that it is irregular for a minister supervising the fund to request for money.

“They should request for money from the Treasury. Please, let us be clear, this money is not our money,” he said.

The Secretary to the Treasury, Patrick Ocailap told the committee that the Shs6 billion request by Amongi was not approved in the NSSF budget.

“We sent a budget to her to approve and in considering approval of the budget that is when she gave that counter proposal of re-allocation. From the Treasury where I sit, I did not approve that money, it is irregular,” Ocailap said. 

This prompted the Committee Chairperson, Mwine Mpaka to ask Kasaija why the fund had no challenges in the past 10 years, until recently when dual supervision started.

Kasaija explained that it is because he had a good working relationship with NSSF’s former Managing Director , Richard Byarugaba and the Board. 

“When the MD or Board Chairperson would get a challenge, they would come to me and if I felt that there was something I did understand, I would summon them to explain. For all purposes, I had no issue of substance with Byarugaba that is worth mentioning here,” said Kasaija.

Byarugaba who also appeared before the select committee said that the corruption allegations against him were baseless.

“How wild can this be that I received five percent of the contract value on Pension Towers and I wired the money through a bank in Mauritius and in Barclays? All these allegations are very wild, there is no evidence,” he said.

Byarugaba’s woes started after Amongi wrote a letter questioning his reappointment, following expiry of his contract in November 2022.

The NSSF Board approved Byarugaba’s reappointment for another five year term and consequently, Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja asked Amongi to implement the Board’s decision.

Amongi instead called for an investigation into the conduct of Byarugaba, accusing him of abuse of office and mismanagement of investments.

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Activity is expected to pick up in the coming weeks as schools reopen

By
Our Reporter
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It was a quiet week with the shilling trading within a narrow range between the 3680/3690 levels as residual month-end flows filtered into the market but were comfortably balanced with pockets of Corporate demand. Activity is expected to pick up in the coming weeks as schools reopen and business activity gains momentum. The unit is likely to trade within the 3650-3750 trading range in the short term.

Money Markets were fairly liquid this week in comparison to the previous week with overnight yields trading between the 11.50% – 12.50% levels. Bank of Uganda held a Treasury Bill auction and yields in the 91-day, 182-day and 364-day tenors cleared at averages of 10.384%,10.461% and 12.502% respectively.

On Wednesday February 8, 2023, Bank Of Uganda will hold a Bond Switch auction for the bond maturing on the 13th of April 2023.

The Kenyan market continues to see more demand than dollar supply which continues to keep the unit weak. This trend is likely to continue with the unit trading between the 124.00 – 132.00 trading range.

On Wednesday, the Fed raised its benchmark rate by 0.25% as per the market expectations. PMI printed at 47.4 versus an expectation of 48. A continued rise in employment numbers further strengthened the case for the dovish outlook by the Fed and a slowdown in the magnitude of rate hikes in the coming months.

The Euro weakened on Thursday as the European Central Bank raised its benchmark rate by 0.50% and also indicated further tightening cycles in the coming months. The unit reached a 10-month intraday high of $1.1033 (Shs 4103), and ended the session weaker at $1.0910 (Shs 4057)having touched an intraday low of $1.0883 (Shs 4047).

The Pound lost ground on Thursday as the Bank of England hiked its benchmark rate by 0.50%. The Pound touched lows of $1.2219 (Shs 4544) and closed the day at $1.2223 (Shs 4546).

A build-up in U.S. crude oil inventories led to a marginal drop in crude oil prices during the week. Brent Crude traded at $81.88 (Shs 304,550) a barrel and west Texas Intermediate at $75.57 (Shs 281,080) a barrel.

Gold traded at $1912.98 (Shs 7,115,267) an ounce.

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NBL appoints Adu Randa as new Country Director

By
Simon Kabayo
-

Nile Breweries Limited (NBL) has appointed Mr Adu Rando as the new Country Director in Uganda. He replaces Mr David Valencia, who has been the company’s country director for Uganda and South Sudan since 2020.

Rando has been part of the ABI-InBev for the last twenty years, having served in Brazil, China and most recently, Tanzania.

“This is an enormous responsibility that I am honored and privileged to hold. Working in Uganda with the leading brewer and the support of a competent team is a great opportunity for me personally and professionally,” Mr Rando said.

“I look forward to interacting with lovely people, enjoying a beautiful climate, and very diverse and tasty food and I cannot wait to meet more of the team, partners and stakeholders who are key to the success of this brewery,” he added.

As a results-driven international business leader, Rando has extensive experience in sales, operations, digital sales systems platforms, e-commerce, sales structure and process optimization. His long sales and operations experience in different channels on three large and diverse continents and his unique expertise in driving technological change across markets have provided him with a solid base for the present leadership job as Country Director for Uganda.

Onapito Ekomoloit, the Legal and Corporate Affairs Director of Nile Breweries Limited, welcomed Mr Rando while also thanking Mr David Valencia for his input to the brewer’s success over the last two years.

“We welcome Mr Adu Rando to the Pearl of Africa. We are certain he will have a lovely time leading our team towards more growth across our brands and portfolios. We also want to thank Mr David Valencia and wish him the best as he takes on a new challenge,” he said.

Mr Valencia will be serving as Commercial Strategy Director, Africa Zone for ABInBev, Nile Breweries’ parent company. “Leading Nile Breweries has been fulfilling. Our commercial focus and execution delivered strong results and our resilience is unmatched. Even in the toughest of circumstances we have been a beacon of solidarity because we have a purpose: To create a future with more cheers,” said Valencia.

“My gratitude goes to the very able great team I leave behind, the staff of Nile Breweries, our private sector peers, government stakeholders and various partners who made my journey worthwhile,” he added.

“We have a company that is extremely solid and will be here for the next 100 years. Stay tuned for some great innovations to come soon!

Mr Rando, who has been in the country undergoing induction and onboarding in his new role expressed delight at his reception so far:

“The warm welcome by the NBL team and the hospitality of the most Ugandans I have interacted with so far humbles me. I look forward to having a good working relationship with my colleagues here at NBL, authorities and other stakeholders in the beer sector in Uganda. I feel energized, inspired and empowered to achieve our shared ambitions as a team,” Rando said.

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IGP Ochola promotes 19 police officers

By
Our Reporter
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IGP Okoth Ochola

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Martin Okoth Ochola has promoted 19 subordinate officers, to various ranks of Inspector of Police (IP), Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) Sergeant (SGT) and corporal (CPL).

According to the Deputy Uganda Police Spokesperson, ACP Claire Nabakka, “Those promoted to the rank of IP from AIP are two, SGT to AIP one, from CPL to SGT two and 14 from the rank of Constable to Corporal.”

“The key criteria were based on transparency, openness and objectivity to ensure fairness and equity of the process. These include among other factors the following; performance, current responsibility, leadership abilities, command abilities, time spent on rank, discipline, patriotism and integrity, length of service in the force, highest level of education, career courses attended, record of service, exemplary performance among others,” she said.

The promoted officers are;

AIP TO IP

1. MUHANYA RONALD

2. BETEGYERIZE APOLLO

SGT TO AIP

SGT OKIA ROBERT

CPL TO SGT

ANEBO CHRISTINE

MADADA MAGOMU

PC to CPL

1. MUHINDA RODNEY

2. GIDUDU HASSAN

3. TUMUSIIME ROBERT

4. TUGINEYO WYCIIF

5. AMUTUSIIMIRE BRIDGET

6. AHUMUZA TALENT

7. HIRYA JOEL

8. EMALU FELIX

9. AMUTUAIRE DIANA

10. IMEN BRENDA GIFT

11. KUSEMERERA CHARITY

12. OKIROR JOSEPH

13. AGABA ANDREW

14. AKANDWANAHO PETER

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Rural agribusiness communities to benefit from Nexus Green Solar Powered Irrigation systems

By
Simon Kabayo
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600 Ugandan rural agricultural communities in various parts of the country are set to benefit from an innovative solar-powered irrigation system designed by Nexus Green to reduce the cost of farming and curb the effects of climate change in Uganda. According to Mr. Rikki Verma, the CEO at Nexus Green, the Nexus Solar Irrigation Systems are also expected to revolutionize and professionalize Uganda’s agricultural sector by easing access to water for farmers and rural communities through affordable and premium solar products. “We are blanketing the country with over 600 sites of Solar irrigation systems to create wealth within the agriculture sector by introducing smart-agriculture practices and agribusiness development to move the small scale farmers from subsistence cultivation (majority at present) into modern commercial farming which would increase production, productivity and farm income,” Verma said while announcing the renewable energy solutions in Kampala.

 “With the increasingly unreliable rainfall patterns, the need for investment in irrigation and climate resilience has become of paramount importance, and the Government of Uganda recently ranked irrigation as the third most important infrastructural investment that will facilitate economic transformation of the country as envisaged under Vision 2040. This project produces a perfect response to tackle the adverse effects of climate change in the agricultural sector, by providing water to mainly water stressed communities in Uganda for domestic use, farm use – animal and smallholder crop farming. It will also support community training on sustainable agricultural practices, developing resilience to climate change, protection of environments near swamps and water bodies, enhancing food security, promoting proper sanitation and developing rural community livelihoods,” he added. Nexus Green was founded in October 2015 as a solar energy company that specializes in designing, supplying, manufacturing, and delivering affordable solar-powered solutions that reduce carbon emissions and provide cheaper and cleaner energy. 

According to Mr. Verma, Nexus Green is also introducing the latest state-of-the-art Solar Solutions which are also expected to greatly transform and significantly profit Uganda’s commercial and industry sector by easing access to renewable energy for companies and institutions through affordable and premium solar products.  “From a financial standpoint, it’s becoming very costly for businesses connected to the national electricity grid to run their operation because energy prices keep going up. “The obvious alternative route for a replacement is renewable energy. The grid and diesel generation are not reliable. Power cuts and the cost of fuel to keep operating the generators cost a lot. Using Solar with batteries is cheaper as there is no need to rely on the grid anymore,” Verma noted. “Power instabilities can have serious implications on food security and the social stability in the agricultural sector. Electricity is essential in modern farming practices, and load shedding disrupts farming operations. Solar energy provides a sustainable solution for such problems enabling farmers to have a continuous smooth running of all operations especially those in rural areas,” Verma added. 

According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, about 70% of Uganda’s working population is employed in agriculture. During the Financial Year 2021/22 agriculture accounted for 24.1% of Uganda’s GDP and 33% of export earnings, according to the ministry of finance, planning and economic development. Majority of Ugandans heavily depend on the agricultural sector for food and income. Solar-powered irrigation systems are therefore expected to lower the operational costs for both large and small-scale farmers in the long run and improve crop yields even during the dry seasons while at the same time reducing carbon emissions and greenhouse gases. Verma noted that Nexus Green is committed to working hand in hand with the Government of Uganda to realize increased adaptation of solar energy across the energy by introducing cutting-edge technology to allow villages and small towns to connect to energy using mini-grids. “The East African region presents enormous opportunities in the energy sector. We are excited to have our hub in Uganda which is land linked to so many countries,” he concluded.

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Uproar as South African Tourism gives Tottenham Hotspur R1 billion sponsorship

By
Agencies
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Idea is an insult to workers and South African taxpayers in general – Cosatu

THANDISIZWE MGUDLWA

CAPE TOWN — South African stakeholders have attacked moves by the South African government, through the department of SA Tourism (SAT), which is the verge of sealing a deal worth almost R1 billion to sponsor one of England’s elite soccer clubs, Tottenham Hotspur.

Information about the proposed deal were first reported by the Daily Maverick.

Sources also reveal that the SA Tourism has proposed a three-year sponsorship deal worth £42.5 million (about R900m) with Tottenham Hotspur.

And in exchange for the investment, SA Tourism will receive kit branding, interview backdrop branding, match-day advertising, partnership announcements, training camps in SA, and free access to tickets and stadium hospitality.

This week, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) said it was joining all properly adjusted South Africans to call on the South African government to scrap the proposed R1 billion football sponsorship of an English Premier League team by the South African Tourism and Department of Tourism. 

 Sizwe Pamla, Cosatu National Spokesperson said, this would amount to more than a third of the budget allocated to promote South Africa’s tourism sector.  This comes against the background of many small tourism operators struggling to recover from COVID-19 and hoping for some financial relief from the Department in vain.

“This is a misguided vanity project that will contribute nothing to fix the ailing tourism industry that has not only suffered from COVID-19 but is also sabotaged by electricity cuts and high crime levels.”

Moreover, the Federation is concerned by the number of wrong-headed and cartoonish ideas produced by government departments, and bizarrely even championed by their Ministers, on how to fix this ailing sector of the economy.

Cosatu also noted, this comes after the Department of Arts, Culture and Sports proposed a ludicrous and absurd plan to blow about R22 million on a 100-metre flag monument.

According to Cosatu, South Africa needs to organically create a tourist friendly environment and abandon these artificial and mechanical ideas. Throwing money that we do not have on a problem will only sink this country deeper into the abyss.

“It is a fact that South African government is becoming less and less able to meet its obligations through taxation and has resorted to dangerous levels of inflationary borrowing instead. Throwing borrowed money on these futile ideas while, at the same time, gutting state institutions through budget cuts is senseless.

The same government that wants to sponsor a rich European soccer team has imposed a vicious wage freeze on nurses, doctors, teachers, police officers and other hard working public servants since 2020. This has left these workers struggling with their wages eroded and repealed by inflation.”

Cosatu added that this puerile idea is an insult to workers and South African taxpayers in general.

“The Presidency, Treasury and the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation need to intervene, stop this wastage, and scrap this waste of taxpayers’ hard-earned money.  The President would do well to take such nonsensical and offensive episodes into account when he reviews the performance of his Ministers and applies his mind on the need for their continued stay in Cabinet. “

Meanwhile, News24 says it understands that the finalisation of the proposal has to be settled before the imminent Cabinet reshuffle by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

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NSSF defends its performance and real estate investments

By
Our Reporter
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NSSF Deputy Managing Director, Patrick Ayota

The National Social Security Fund-NSSF has defended its performance over the last 10 years. Appearing before the Parliamentary Select Committee investigating NSSF and the appointment of the Managing Director and Deputy Managing Director.

The Committee is chaired by Mwine Mpaka, the Member of Parliament for Mbarara City South. Other members of the committee include Workers MP Charles Bakkabulindi, Mr. Karim Masaba (Industrial Division, Mbale City), Mr. Michael Kakembo (Entebbe Municipality), Ms. Fortunate Nantongo (Kyotera District Woman), Ms. Laura Kanushu (Persons with Disabilities), and Mr. Amos Kankunda (Rwampara County).

The NSSF Ag. Managing Director Mr. Patrick Ayota said that the Fund’s growth in asset base, contributions, benefits, and membership growth has been growing steadily over the last 10 years.

Ayota was appearing before the committee alongside the Fund’s senior management team to interface with the committee on Fund’s performance, governance, and stakeholder involvement in the Fund’s decision making among others.

“In 2010, the Fund was worth Shs 1.7 trillion in Assets under Management. As at end of FY 2021/22, the Fund was Shs 17.3 trillion in assets, a 10-fold growth. This is a growth of 10x. As of December 2022, the Fund’s assets stood at Shs 18.8 trillion,” Ayota said.

The NSSF Board, led by Dr. Peter Kimbowa had earlier in the day interfaced with the same committee.

Dr. Kimbowa was quizzed about the Shs 6 billion that the Minister of Gender, Labour& Social Development allegedly asked the Board Chairman in a letter to provide for in the Fund’s budget for the Financial Year 2022/23. He told the committee that the Minister’s letter was irregular.

On contributions, Ayota said the member contributions have steadily increased from annual collections of Shs 556 billion in 2012 to Shs 1.491 trillion in 2022.

On member recruitment, Ayota said that the current membership size stands at 1.3m with a historical annual growth rate of 140,000 more members, while the current employer base is 27,628 with a historical annual growth rate of 2,685 more employers.

Regarding real estate, Ayota clarified wrong information that the Fund’s real estate investments do not provide a return to members and are out of reach of the majority of NSSF savers.

He said that the Fund earns rental income and capital gains from its investments in real estate. He also said that the Fund’s Real Estate offering targets three groups of consumers.

These are the high-end income bracket catered for under the Citadel Place Project (sold out), Solana Lifestyle and Residences – Lubowa Housing Project; middle-income bracket – catered for under Kyanja Housing Project and Temangalo Housing Project, and affordable Housing income bracket – catered for under the Temangalo Affordable Housing Project.

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NWSC, UPDEAL sign Shs6.9b contract to upgrade Awoja water treatment plant

By
Our Reporter
-

National Water and sewerage cooperation–NWSC and UPDEAL Uganda Limited have signed Shs6.9 billion contract to upgrade Awoja water treatment plant.

The water treatment facilities at Awoja were upgraded in 2006 to a production capacity of 7.5 million litres per day with a 15-year design horizon.

Because of the hydraulic constrictions within the plant and conveyance systems, the areas can only produce up to 5 million litres per day. This has created a demand and supply gap which was recently made worse with the establishment of the Soroti Industrial Park.

Currently, the people of Soroti and Kaberamaido rely on a conventional water treatment plant and intake located at Awoja, in the Kyoga catchment.

According to Dr. Eng. Silver Mugisha, the two areas have a demand of about 8 million litres per day which the current production facilities cannot meet. In a bid to improve water supply services for Soroti and Kaberamaido and the surrounding areas, NWSC has committed funds towards the improvement of the water abstraction, treatment and conveyance infrastructure at Awoja.

He said the intervention encompasses upgrading of the Awoja treatment plant and intake from the current design capacity of 7.5m litres per day through the construction of an additional 2.5m litres per day production line and upgrading the raw and treated water pipelines to match the new plant throughout.

Under the project, the contractors will upgrade the intake and raw water pump house pipe intersections and electromechanical equipment at Awoja to increase the abstraction capacity to 11m litres per day, lay steel raw water pumping main and associated pipework fitting and civil works.

“The contractor will construct an additional 2.5M litres per day water treatment line at Awoja water treatment plant comprised of flucculator chamber, clarifiers, rapid sand filter, pump house and general water treatment plant site works,” he said.

He said the contractor will supply and installation of associated electromechanical equipment comprised of pumps, blower, surge vessels, standby generators and their associated electrical panels.

Under the signed contract, the contractor will lay a new 13.5km steel-treated water pumping main and associated pipe work fittings and civil works and a 6.5km distribution main.

The upgraded project will benefit the people of Odudui, Dakabela, Aloet, Arapai, Pioneer, camp Shwahil, Kichinjaji, Madera, central, Akisim, Moruapesur, Kengere, Nakatunya, Oderai Majengo, Pamba and senior quarters sub-counties.  

Ali Kisitu, the director of UPDEAL Uganda Limited applauded NWSC for considering local contractors and promised to deliver on time.

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Secrets why Kyanja-based Kampala Standard Primary School emerged the best in 2022 PLE

By
Our Reporter
-

Kyanja-based Kampala Standard Primary School topped all schools and had all the candidates who sat 2022 PLE came in first grade with a single digit aggregate. The best had 5 aggregates and last had 9 aggregates making it the only school where all the pupils scored less than 10 aggregates.

Today we shall reveal top secrets why Kampala Standard Primary School-Kyanja posted excellent results in its maiden year of sitting PLE exams.

The Head Master Mr Simon Mugaaju, said KSP maintains a small number of pupils per class to enable the pupils concentrate better and excel. “This enables the teachers to concentrate on all the pupils and give the maximum attention,” said Mugaaju.

Besides academics, Mr Mugaaju said Kampala Standard Primary School-Kyanja has special programs for children in collaboration with UK and USA based schools and organisations, the programs include exchange visits between UK, USA and Ugandan teachers and pupils.

“KSP as Kampala Standard Primary School-Kyanja is popularly known has young Engineers program that helps to boost pupil’s critical thinking and lots of co-curricular activities that include swimming, scouting, sports, agriculture value addition among others,” he added.

While Kampala Standard Primary School-Kyanja teaches Uganda’s national curriculum, they blend it with international content in order to make it holistic for children to learn with ease.

Director Kampala Standard Primary School-Kyanja Dr Aggrey Kyobuguzi also posted on his twitter handle that in February 2023 a team from EDL and  little children of Jesus Christ based in Sacramento, California USA will visit Kampala Standard Primary School-Kyanja and Kentim School of Health sciences to interact with pupils, students and management while in August 2023 a soccer  team from Kentim Sports Academy and Kampala Standard Primary School-Kyanja will play a friendly match in football camp in London, UK.

Deputy HM academics Master Samson Katubeeho said, “All the above activities supplement teaching to ensure that pupils access holistic education and excel”.

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LOP Mpuuga wants Parliament to investigate pension fund management

By
Simon Kabayo
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Leader of the Opposition in Parliament (LOP) Mathias Mpuuga

The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament (LOP), Hon Mathias Mpuuga, wants Parliament to institute an inquest into the management of the pensions fund for retired civil servants.

Meeting members of the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Social Protection who called on him on Wednesday, 01 February 2023, Mpuuga said that it is important for Parliament to interest itself in the management of the budget allocations for the fund since cases of de¬layed pen¬sion payments or em¬bez-zle¬ment of pen¬sion funds are on the increase.

“What we handle in the budget is to show how much more the Government is going to commit, and it is not that whatever they commit goes instantly. So on which account is that money? How is it spent?” Mpuuga wondered further adding that the pension fund is one of the most abused public resources.

“There are complaints from different corners and it is shocking that pensioners take ages without getting their pension money,” the LOP said.

The meeting in the LOP’s boardroom at Parliament House was intended for the forum to share its position paper on social protection financing in the National Budget Framework Paper for the Financial Year 2023/2024 with the Opposition leadership in Parliament.

The forum’s chairperson, Hon. Flavia Kabahenda (NRM, Kyegegwa District Woman MP), said that they looked forward to the Opposition’s support for a parliamentary vote to task the finance ministry to revoke the blanket 80 per cent cut on subventions which has mostly affected social protection interventions.

Besides, the forum also calls for a policy shift in the management of support to people with disabilities and children in remand homes to allow for local procurement and avoid misuse of public funds through unrealistic procurement processes.

“Parliament should not be used by people seeking to fill their pockets,” Kabahenda said, adding, “The food for the remand homes [across the country] is bought in Kampala and then transported to [the various remand homes] but the fuel and per diem is more than the food they are carrying to those areas.”

The forum also wants Parliament to compel the government to reinstate the Shs 121 billion budget meant for the Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) to meet the demands including payment of arrears amounting to Shs 5.1 billion.

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