Leaders under their umbrella, the Interparty Organization for Dialogue (IPOD), led by its current Chairman and Secretary General of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, yesterday paid their last respects and eulogies to the members and supporters of the Democratic Party for the loss of their former President-General, Dr. Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere, who died last week.
The Secretaries-General, who represented NRM, Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), JEEMA, and People’s Progressive Party (PPP), eulogized Dr. Ssemogerere at the DP headquarters at Balintuma Road in Mengo, Kampala.
On behalf of the IPOD, Rt. Hon. Todwong described Mzee Ssemogerere as a great pillar in the politics of Uganda who not only inspired DP members but also mentored and trained many young people on how to practice politics of principle.
“We come to join you in this painful loss that did not only affect you as a political party but also affected all of us as a country. The late stood tall amidst challenges that Uganda faced during his time, and so the nation has lost an icon,” Todwong said.
“He stood. He was sacrificed. He was abused. His victory was stolen, but with all this, he maintained calmness and peace for the sake of the country,” Todwong added as he praised the former minister.
Ssemogerere died on Friday, 18 November 2022 aged 90 years and was laid to rest on Monday, 21 November 2022 at Nattale- Nkumba, in Entebbe, Wakiso District.
He contested twice for the presidency – in 1980 and 1996, losing both to Dr Apollo Milton Obote and President Yoweri Museveni respectively. After a decade of service, he retired from active politics in 2005 but remained a senior figure in the Opposition until his death.
He led the DP for 25 years after replacing Benedicto Kiwanuka who was murdered in 1972. Dr Ssemogerere handed over the party leadership to the late John Ssebana Kizito 2005, the former Kampala City Mayor.
Sheema District leaders before the Parliamentary Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation
Sheema District Local Government has petitioned the Parliamentary Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation over the mismanagement of the Silkworm project at Rubare Farm.
While meeting the committee chaired by Remigio Achia on Wednesday, 23 November 2022 at Parliament, the district officials led by Sheema LCV Chairperson, Jemimah Tumwijukye Buhanda, blamed the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNSCT) for failing to supervise the project.
In 2017, Sheema District signed a grant-funded Memorandum of Understanding with UNSCT to set up a commercialised sericulture (silkworm farming) project at Rubare Farm.
However, the district leadership has faulted UNSCT for ‘irregularly’ appointing a private firm, Tropical Institute of Development Innovations (TRIDI) as the project manager, whom they have accused of mismanagement, exploitation and fraud.
“It was alleged that UNSCT designated TRIDI as per section 3.1 of the MoU as the Project Manager. However, neither UNSCT nor TRIDI has ever provided to the District proof that TRIDI was designated to work on the behalf of the district and UNSCT. There is also no document on terms and conditions under which TRIDI was supposed to work,” Tumwijukye said.
According to Tumwijukye, the project manager-TRIDI has no capacity to sustainably develop the project.
“The District Monitoring and Evaluation Team found out that the project performance was at 21 per cent which is far below the acceptable performance level,” she said.
TRIDI is also accused of breaching the profit-sharing clause and improper management of mulberry leaf gardens which silkworms feed on.
In their recommendations, the district wants the services of TRIDI terminated immediately and UNSCT under the Office of the President Secretariat takes over the station. They also want the project to be handed over to Sheema District for project management.
Dr Joshua Isiko, who represented the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation told the committee that whereas UNSCT does not have any legal instrument to legitimise their dealings with the project manager, the secretariat is waiting for guidance from Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, over the same project.
“We do not have any document introducing TRIDI to Rubare Farm. We only have the MoU between UNSCT and Sheema District…But a report has been submitted to the Prime Minister and her response will guide us on the next step, however, we do not want to terminate this project,” Isiko said.
Abim District MP Janet Okori-Moe echoed that the silk project is a game changer with immense benefits to the community if put to good use. “We the ladies are interested in this project. We would not be buying silk gomesi [colourful floor-length dress] from Dubai if this project was up and running,” she said.
Persons With Disabilities Representative, Alex Ndeezi, supported the recommendation of government to terminate the ‘contract’ with TRIDI and if possible sign a new MOU with clear terms of preference.
The committee chairperson said they would interface with TRIDI and the Minister of Science. He decried the continued blocking of Sheema district officials from inspecting and monitoring the project.
The Leader of Government Business, also the Prime Minister, has urged to expeditiously present a comprehensive report on the progress of financing of the Students’ Loan Scheme.
Speaker Anita Among made the directive following media reports on the challenges affecting students in higher institutions of learning, including failure to sit for exams due to non-payment of tuition as a result of delayed disbarment of loans.
“We need to help these students and that is why we are here. We are the voice of the voiceless so we should speak for them. We should make sure they do exams and we will expect a report on this matter,” Among said.
The scheme is implemented by the Higher Education Students’ Financing Board (HESFB) established in February, 2014 by an Act of Parliament with a mandate to provide loans and scholarships to Ugandan students to pursue higher education.
The Speaker, who chaired the plenary sitting on Wednesday, 23 November 2022, also directed that the report should address matters of equity in access to the loan scheme.
Earlier on Tuesday, 22 November 2022, Youth Representative Northern, Boniface Okot, raised concern about delayed disbursement of funds by the Ministry of Education and Sports to the scheme.
Okot noted that in the 2022 academic year, the delay rendered all financially incapable students unable to register with their respective universities and they risked not writing their exams.
“The ministry should also explain how they will guarantee equity in the students’ loan and subsequently table names of beneficiaries to this House,” Okot prayed.
The Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, said that there was overwhelming demand from students seeking to access the loans and went ahead to commit that the education ministry would present the report as guided by the House.
The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, has tasked the Committee on Gender, Labour and Social Development, to work with the line ministry to investigate companies involved in the export of labour to the Middle East.
This follows the rampant and unclear deaths of many casual labourers, especially girls working in the Middle East.
The Woman MP for Kayunga District, Idah Nantaba, presented a petition to Parliament on 09 November 2022 concerning the repatriation of the remains of Lydia Ayila, her constituent who died in Saudi Arabia.
Nantaba said that the family of the deceased was distressed because they were in the dark about the cause of death of their loved one and that they would not have the opportunity to bury her back home.
Speaker Among then directed the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to compel the company which hired the late Ayila to foot the repatriation expenses.
Nantaba, however, noted that the ministry had only managed to pay US$1,000 out of the US$3,400 repatriation costs and that the authorities in Saudi Arabia would proceed with burying the deceased if the repatriation costs were not paid by 23 November 2022.
When Nantaba, accompanied by the late Ayila’s mother, raised the matter of the US$2,400 balance in a meeting with the Speaker before commencement of the plenary, she [Speaker] promptly mobilised and the money was remitted to save the deceased from being interred in Saudi Arabia.
During the plenary, the Speaker proposed that the ministry ensures that the companies involved in export of human labour meet such costs whenever the cases arise.
“I gather that the companies involved in this trade must pay Shs100 million for a license; some of this money should be used to meet such costs,” Among noted.
The Speaker asked that an in-depth analysis is conducted of the companies that export labour to the Middle East into their operations and ownership and directed the committee to report back to Parliament.
The Busiro County East MP, Medard Sseggona, added that government must have a clear policy and bilateral relations with the countries it resolves to export labour to mitigate these issues.
“This incident has come out because it has been brought to you. However, we deal with these cases almost on a daily basis especially when it comes to repatriation of our dead children,” he said.
Sseggona said that labour relations world over are the responsibility of the state and therefore, government must be fully involved in anything to do with exportation of labour.
He expressed his unwavering backing for the Speaker’s ruling on the matter and asked for the halting of transfer of labour to a country with which the government has no bilateral relations.
There are two sides to every story and no-one will ever know the full reasons for Cristiano Ronaldo parting ways with Manchester United. There was, however, one clear issue that would have made a contribution.
United boss Erik Ten Hag no longer saw Ronaldo as an automatic starter and that must have hurt one of the greatest players of all time. That viewpoint leaves a question as to what happens next in CR7’s career.
Staying Relevant
He may be 37, but a footballer of Cristiano Ronaldo’s quality will want to perform at the top level for as long as possible. That means looking for a club that is competing for the biggest trophies in the domestic game.
Chelsea could offer that choice, and they are the favourites to sign the player once the 2022 World Cup comes to a close. The Blues have made it through to the knockout stages of the UCL and they remain competitive in the English Premier League.
There’s also talk of a return to former club Real Madrid. Ronaldo previously helped the Spanish side to four Champions League titles and they are the current trophy holders in this competition.
Each of those sides could offer what Cristiano Ronaldo wants but do those teams want Cristiano Ronaldo? Former teammate Wayne Rooney hinted that CR7 might just be struggling with the thought that his playing days may be coming to an end.
If there is any substance to that theory, then it may be difficult for the player to find his perfect destination.
International Focus
Before any domestic playing issues can be sorted, Cristiano Ronaldo has a World Cup to concentrate on. His Portugal team are among the favourites for success in Qatar, but they will need their greatest ever player to be focused and on top form.
Following the early upset that saw Argentina lose to Saudi Arabia, those outright World Cup betting markets have adjusted. The Argentines have slipped slightly while others, including Portugal, are attracting more interest.
All sportsbooks mentioned on the website are available around the world as well as Thailand and Asia as a whole. Odds are provided and will be constantly updated throughout the World Cup, while there will be other reading material in place.
News articles and opinion pieces are published while each sportsbook linking to Asiabet will be extensively reviewed. Having taken that information on board, visitors are welcome to sign up with any of those betting operators if they wish.
Each Thai bookmaker is open to eligible players in their own country and most can also be accessed around the world. After a secure online registration form is complete, many will release a generous welcome promotion.
There will be a choice of funding providers that will facilitate deposits while customer services can assist if required. Moving forward with future bets, there should be live markets, mobile apps and a choice of additional sports.
It’s a one stop shop for football betting and those odds will include markets for Cristiano Ronaldo’s next club.
Other Options
Any interested clubs will also have to consider the cost of bringing Cristiano Ronaldo into their squad. While there may be no transfer fee to negotiate, there is still the question of his considerable wage bill.
This was the issue concerning Sporting Lisbon who gave Ronaldo his debut in professional football as a teenager. There has been talk of an emotional return to Sporting, but the club have admitted that they simply can’t afford their former player.
One division that doesn’t have a shortage of financing is Major League Soccer in the United States. The signing of Gareth Bale was a big coup for Los Angeles FC, but could this year’s MLS Cup winners be tempted to go in for Bale’s former Real Madrid team mate?
MLS is an option and there will be other clubs from cash-rich leagues queuing up. Cristiano Ronaldo will want to stay playing at the highest possible level, but can he find a team who will back him and provide a platform for those ambitions?
The shilling has maintained its upper hand against the dollar having opened at the 3760/3770 levels and touched highs of 3739/3746 comfortably breaching below the 3750 psychological level.
According to Catherine Kijjagulwe, the head of Trading at Absa Bank Uganda, Corporates were remitting mid-month taxes during the week and this impacted activity on the demand side. On the other hand, the market continued to receive healthy inflows from NGOs, commodity exporters and some offshore remittances that helped the shilling maintain its momentum.
“With taxes out of the way, we may see some demand creeping back into the market, however, as we draw close to the year-end, the market also anticipates continued healthy remittance flows though these may not be as significant as previous years due to the global economy. But, we should still see some pockets that may keep the unit within the 3700 – 3770 trading range in the short term,” she said.
Money Markets were fairly liquid during the week with overnight yields ranging between 10 percent and 11.50 percent. Bank of Uganda today held a Shs285 billion Treasury Bill auction and a 5-year and 20-year Treasury Bond auction next week on Wednesday 30th November 2022.
The Kenya shilling is still weak, however, there was some reprieve for dollar buyers on when the Central Bank sold intending to support the Oil sector. There were also some NGO flows. Tax payments are expected during the coming week. There are still outstanding demand tickets in the market that continue to keep the unit within the 122.00 – 126.00 levels – a range that is likely to continue in the coming week.
The dollar shed some of its losses during Thursday’s session as jobless claims printed at 222k, marginally lower than the expectation of 225k and also a favourable rise in housing statistics.
The Euro also lost steam as the dollar strengthened on Thursday. The unit slipped to touch lows of $1.0303 and closed the session at $1.0367.
The Pound also followed suit as the UK Finance Minister announced restraint on public spending and increased taxes in the UK to curb inflation. It closed the session at $1.1867 (Shs 4,439) after touching lows of $1.1765 (Shs 4,400).
Crude oil prices edged lower on Thursday with a reduction in demand since China has not fully reopened yet and easing geopolitical tensions as reports from NATO confirm that the missile fired in Poland was not from Russia. West Texas Intermediate traded at $81.91 (Shs 306395) a barrel and Brent Crude traded at $89.81 (Shs 335946) a barrel.
The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) in partnership with MasterCard Foundation has earmarked over Shs7.6 billion seed funding to 100 indigenous women-owned businesses under the third cohort of their NSSF Hi-innovator programme, an innovation initiative.
This was revealed at the launch of the third funding round for NSSF Hi-Innovator dubbed NSSF Hi-Innovator Women Accelerator during the Uganda Innovation Week which runs from 22nd to 24th November 2022, at Mestil Hotel, in Kampala.
Speaking at the launch, Patrick Ayota, the NSSF Deputy Managing Director said that the funding is aimed at giving women entrepreneurs an opportunity to improve their business skills and grow their businesses whilst readying them for future investor funding.
“We have noticed the low participation of women entrepreneurs’ business initiatives. Whereas Uganda is ranked the second country in the world with the highest number of women business owners (38.4%), according to a 2021 MasterCard Index of Women Entrepreneurs, a 2019 World Bank stated that women-owned microenterprises in Uganda generate 30% lower profits than their male counterparts.”
“Through our women-only funding round of the NSSF Hi-Innovator, we will provide opportunities for women entrepreneurs to reverse the trend. We will avail Shs75 million as seed funding for each women’s business and our target is to fund at least 100 businesses this round,” Ayota said.
The NSSF Hi-Innovator Women Accelerator is open to all women entrepreneurs in all economic sectors across the country until the end of January 2023.
Adrian Bukenya, the MasterCard Foundation Country Director expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership. “Our vision is to play a catalytic role in supporting partners to spur change built on a shared vision and values, equity, and accountability. Our approach is holistic, emphasizing resilience and coordination among local implementing partners. Therefore, we are excited to be partners with NSSF on the Hi-innovator program,” he said.
He added that through the NSSF Hi-Innovator Women Accelerator, MasterCard Foundation aims to support highly impactful and scalable small and growing businesses to access seed capital and technical support for their businesses.
“With this intervention, and by decentralizing and democratizing investment, more start-ups can receive funding and technical assistance to enable them to scale and create work opportunities,” Bukenya added.
In addition to the seed funding, the selected businesses will have unlimited access to customized business courses on the Hi-innovator Business Academy – an online learning platform, with tailored technical support, mentorship, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
Applicants will first receive entrepreneurial skill training through the Hi-innovator business academy, then pitch to an expert panel of judges. It is through pitching that successful businesses will be selected.
Explaining the criteria, Richard Zulu, the Outbox Team Lead, said that participating businesses must have over 50% female ownership or have at least 70% women in top management, must be legally operational in Uganda for at least two years and, employ at least 2full-time staff, among others.
The Hi-Innovator programme, initiated by NSSF in partnership with MasterCard Foundation aims to create an environment where indigenous Small and Growing Businesses can be supported to mature into viable businesses. Outbox Uganda is the lead implementing partner.
It targets to impact over 75,000 entrepreneurs, provide seed funding to 500 budding businesses and create over 132,000 jobs over 5 years.
Since its launch in May 2021, 32 businesses have received seed funding and technical assistance worth over Shs4.6 billion through the Hi-Innovator Programme, helping to sustain and improve over 20,000 work opportunities for young people in Uganda. 78 businesses that were selected for seed funding last month are currently undergoing due diligence prior to receiving their Shs5.9 billion funding.
Mayuge Health Centre IV has received universal anesthesia machine worth Shs100 million. The donation was made to the Spirited Women employee group at Uganda Breweries Limited. The donation is part of the corporate society of safe motherhood campaign, spearheaded by Stanbic Bank, which seeks to support and build awareness for maternal health, providing hospital equipment to select health facilities and donating mama kits for the welfare of mothers in underserved hospitals.
UBL Spirited Women network is an employee resource group within UBL established to engage, retain and develop female employees in the business, providing them with a platform to thrive and make an impact.
Speaking at the handover ceremony at the Ministry of Health offices, Corporate Relations Director Juliana Kagwa, applauded the medical doctors at the health center for their dedication towards providing quality antenatal care for all the expectant mothers that come to the facility.
She also applauded the midwives for their unwavering commitment to helping mothers in labor have a safe delivery.
She called upon Ugandans to prioritize maternal health in all spheres of influence.
“As women at UBL, donating this maternal health equipment offers us an opportunity to support women in Uganda and make an impact in society, which also contributes to the broader UBL agenda on promoting inclusion and diversity under our Society 2030 sustainability strategy,” said Kagwa.
According to the Uganda Health and Demographic Survey, maternal mortality reduced from 418 per 100,000 live births deaths in 2006 to 336 per 100,000 in 2016. Even then, some 6,000 women and adolescent girls still die every year from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. For every woman or girl who dies, an estimated 20 or 30 suffer injuries, infections, or life-long disabilities, including obstetric fistula.
According to UNFPA, providing the recommended level of maternal health care would cut maternal deaths by approximately two-thirds.
The UBL Spirited Women network comprises 147 female staff in UBL who are dedicated to creating and strengthening connections, supporting each other in career planning and personal development, as well as make an impact by raising awareness on various health topics.
Spirited Women also take part in other initiatives which support other women in the communities in which UBL operates and beyond.
Under Uganda Breweries’ ‘Society 2030 Spirit of Progress Agenda’, UBL continues to champion inclusion and diversity throughout its value chain to see that women have equal opportunities in the workspace.
The brewery rolled out an apprentice program for women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) to shift the gender representation within the sector. This program aims to absorb 10 of the 30 trainees every year. At the most senior level, the board is made up of 44% women, and their goal is to have their senior leadership team 50% female by 2030. The brewery was also the first corporate company in Uganda to provide six months of Maternity Leave, fully paid to its female employees.
“We celebrate corporates like UBL for being businesses with a purpose. They find needs in the communities and utilize their resources to address them,” said Diana Atwine, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Health.
“We thank UBL for the generous donation we’ve received today. It brings us so much joy and confidence to take care of mothers experiencing labour at the facility. I believe that mothers are now more confident to come and deliver from this facility, unlike when some mothers opted to travel to Kampala, where such services were readily available. We are now more equipped to handle complicated cases for mothers who will be giving birth through C-section,” said Dr. Sedawula Mike, Senior Medical Officer, Mayuge Health Centre IV.
The universal anesthesia machine has been uniquely designed with a monitor, vaporizer and ventilator. It can work both manually and automatically with a 6-hour backup in case of any power outage. The machine also has a seamless transition to room air when compressed oxygen is unavailable.
In line with the Bank’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) agenda, Housing Finance Bank operated with an environmental preservation activity of tree planting across its branch network
Every October organizations world over celebrate Customer Service Excellence. This year, most organizations dedicated a week, dubbed “Customer Service Week”, to showcase how important customer service is to their businesses.
Housing Finance Bank seized this opportunity to re-emphasize its commitment to contributing to the betterment of the communities within which it operates with an environmental preservation activity of tree planting across its branch network. This is in line with the Bank’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) agenda.
Tree planting is one of the most effective ways to offset air pollutants as it improves the direct air quality, and this better air quality can lead to health benefits for the local communities.
“We conducted different activities hinged on the theme for the year 2022, “Celebrate Service”, where we celebrated both internal and external customers for their loyalty and commitment to the Bank. We thank all customers for supporting Housing Finance Bank and promise to continue offering Convenience, Affordability, Relevance, and Empowerment”, said Carolyne Agudo, the Head of Customer Experience.
The Head of Mortgages and Consumer Banking, John B. Kaweesi, also noted that the tree planting activity offered an opportunity to further improve the Bank’s relationship with their customers, the schools.
The Bank chose to work with schools in honour of World Teachers’ Day, which also falls in the month of October. The staff engaged different schools in the cities and districts of Mbarara, Gulu, Arua, Lira, Mbale, Jinja, Mukono, Tororo, Wakiso and Kampala.
Among the beneficiary schools were; Hillside Primary School in Kampala, Mbarara Junior school and Mbarara High school, Ambrosoli International School, and Kyebambe Girls School Fort Portal, to name but a few.
To crown the service month activities, Housing Finance Bank hosted a customer appreciation dinner at Protea Hotel by Marriot, Kampala on October 28, 2022, where long-serving customers were appreciated for their loyalty.
The dinner doubled as an opportunity to get feedback from the customers, which will be key in informing the actions the Bank takes to ensure an enhanced banking experience for its customers. Offering a stellar Customer experience is at the core of the Housing Finance Bank’s commitment to its esteemed customers.
While delivering his remarks to both the customers and staff present, the Managing Director, Mr Michael Mugabi recognized the contribution of the Bank’s employees in providing its promise to customers.
“At Housing Finance Bank, we are aware that many organizations struggle with the disconnect between business leaders and employees, which creates a siloed culture. If a business cares for its people, and they feel engaged and empowered, in turn they will care for the customers of that business,” he said.
In addition to this, he mentioned that the Bank continues to have an engaged, empowered, and satisfied workforce to offer customers an impeccable experience.
The Bank is continuously evolving and has embarked on a digital transformation journey that is focused on resolving the customer transaction processes. Among the latest digital solutions that have so far been implemented is the Online Securities Portal, a convenient way for customers to invest in Government securities.
A few weeks back, the Bank launched a new product to the market; Remote Account Opening, dubbed “Bwepwa”, which enables Ugandans to open an account with Housing Finance Bank using the HFB Mobile Banking App
This digital agenda will be a continuous process to periodically address customer pain points, as the Bank continues to take giant strides and innovate to augment Customer Experience. The digital transformation journey is aimed at empowering customers to access financial services at their convenience in order to focus their efforts on other activities.
Housing Finance Banks remains committed to its mission of enabling home ownership and financial independence, as well as its vision to be the preferred consumer and business bank with a focus on housing finance.
A team of officers at Nakulabye Police station has foiled an attempt to attack their Police station by unidentified persons.
According to the deputy spokesperson of Kampala Metropolitan police, Luke Owoyesigyire, the incident happened today Wednesday November 23, 2022 at about 4am.
“It is alleged that one of our officers (names withheld) was on duty as a station guard when he spotted an unidentified armed person approaching the station from the western direction,” said Owoyesigyire.
“The officer immediately discharged bullets towards the alleged attacker forcing him to flee, abandoning an AK47 Magazine with 5 rounds of ammunition.”
He said a team of investigators with the help of canines followed the direction the attacker took but unfortunately, they could not successfully trace them.
Owoyesigyire said investigations into the matter have commenced aided by CCTV cameras to try to identify the attacker and their movements and he also commended the Police officer on duty for the vigilance exhibited.
