Youth MP for Northern Uganda Boniface Okot is set to table a private member’s bill on startups in the country.  

This announcement was made during the national stakeholder consultative meeting organized by Private Sector Foundation Uganda, Start-up Uganda, Mastercard Foundation and the Innovation Village at Imperial Royale hotel during the commissioning of the Regulatory Impact Assessment report on the challenges affecting the start-up ecosystem in Uganda.

In his remarks, Okot said, the Start-up Act is one of the progressive legislative interventions and incentives for young people to actively participate in matters of socio-economic transformation. “We have seen countries like Nigeria whose start-up ecosystem have leading entrepreneurship hubs in the continent thanks to a conducive start-up regulatory environment.”

Okot said, “Ugandan entrepreneurial ecosystem consists of young people whose businesses have failed due to lack of capital, stiff competition amidst declining demand, high cost of inputs, Covid-19 disruptions, and heavy taxation. The private member’s bill on startups to be drafted will cater for regulation, tax incentives and relief financing that is required to foster business resilience, increase economic activities and provide for innovative interventions that will promote sustainable growth of start-ups.”

Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Zackey Kalega, the commissioner for the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives said, the Regulatory Impact Assessment report will provide strategic direction to interventions to unlock the existing social, economic, and regulatory bottlenecks hindering the establishment, growth, and sustained performance of established start-ups in Uganda.

 “The RIA report will provide evidence-based guidance on the right course of action to pursue the private member’s bills. Beyond designing interventions, we ensure the implementation of these interventions especially in ensuring that the ecosystem is conducive,” Kalega said, adding that the National Development Plan III aims to strengthen the private sector to create the much-needed employment opportunities for the population and drive social economic transformation.

 Eric Ssempambo, Investment Specialist Business Environment at Private Sector Foundation Uganda said, “the deliberations for today’s consultative meeting will greatly contribute towards guiding the technical working team in the right direction and interventions which the RIA could take.

“We appreciate the steps taken by  Okot to move a private members bill on Start Ups to parliament. As representatives of the private sector, we remain committed to continuously pursuing the formulation and implementation of the Startup Act and I believe with collaboration, we will jointly make this ecosystem a better place for establishment, innovation, and growth.”

Further noting, Hellen Mukasa, LegalTech Lab Lead at Innovation Village said, the startup Act will be very instrumental in defining what a start-up is, provide the creation and management of a National Start-up Database, provide comprehensive incentives for startups, convene the disintegrated startup ecosystem player, and regulate venture capitalists and investor interactions with startups. 

“If enacted, the Startup Act will foster the growth of innovation, attract increased venture capital investment, better global innovation index score, create employment opportunities for the youth and social economic benefits from innovative products and services,” Mukasa said.

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The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has summoned the Prime Minister and party leaders in the House to discuss and try to resolve the unending allegations of human rights violations in the country.

The meeting scheduled for Friday, will also involve the Ministers for Security and Internal Affairs, the Leader of the Opposition and the Government and Opposition Whips and the Shadow Minister of Security.

Tayebwa’s decision follows a concern over continued human rights violations raised by the Leader of the Opposition, Mathias Mpuuga, during plenary sitting on Wednesday, 28 September 2022.

Mpuuga, said that despite several concerns raised on human rights violations, forced disappearances and torture seem to be getting worse. 

He said that no action has been taken since May when he presented names and contacts of persons reported missing, and asked government to at least declare them dead and avail their remains.

He added that the ministers responsible for Security and Internal Affairs have not reported on the same despite orders by the House to do so.

“From the Opposition side, in the first and second sessions, the most critical matter was human rights abuses, forced disappearances and torture. Despite government commitment that abductions and forced disappearances are under control, the devil is back,” said Mpuuga. 

He wondered if the President was aware of the continued human rights violations having condemned murders and disappearances of citizens while chief guest at the commemoration of the disappearance and murder of the first Chief Minister of Uganda, Benedicto Kiwanuka in the 1970s. 

Deputy Speaker, Tayebwa, said that failure by government to take action against human rights violations taints the image of Parliament, saying that MPs made recommendations on the recently adopted reports on human rights violations and state of prisons. 

“We extensively discussed this matter a month ago because we handled two critical reports. There was a commitment here, that indeed some of these issues were glaring and they were making us look ugly and this report was signed by members from both sides, we never even had a minority report. 

The meeting will be held at Parliament Building.

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Uganda Police Force-UPF have highly praised Fulltime Security Services Limited, a Kireka based private security company for keeping their guard force up to the standards by reskilling and upskilling them.

Through the Commissioner of Private Security Organizations-PSO, Charles Ssebambulidde, Police has hailed the management for ensuring an effective and thorough training always extended to the security guards.

Speaking at the pass out function of over eighty (80) highly reskilled and upskilled security guards over the weekend, the Commissioner in charge of PSO revealed that keeping the workforce skilled is very important, and it should be embraced by every employer that expects a productive outcome from their employees. He said there are few private security companies that invest in training their security guards.

“Fulltime Security is one of those few unique private security companies that I have seen that think of having a trained guard force. With all the demonstrations that you have exhibited here, you guys are wonderful, keep it up.”

Afande Ssebambulidde further revealed that lack of training among security operatives has cost many. He cited how some have lost lives, property and others firearms for improper handling.

One of the issues that Afande Ssebambulidde is concerned about is keeping security guards equipped with skills by always conducting refresher training.

He remarks that what Fulltime Security is doing is very right, and that they should keep the ball rolling. He noted that most people who joined security guarding are always green about security issues, therefore there is a big need for training them before sending them out for work. He urges other private security companies to borrow a leaf from Fulltime, and train guards.

“Am impressed that you are giving these people training. There is no difference in security, once you put on uniform, you’re qualifying and when a thug is coming to you, he comes with a mindset that they are attacking a trained person, and once they find you are not trained, it becomes a different story,” he added.

Paddy Tumuhimbise, the Managing Director of Fulltime Security Services Limited, while reacting to Commissioner Ssebambulidde’s comments, said it is unprofessional to deploy untrained guards. He said this is mediocrity in the industry, adding that he does not see a motive why someone should be sent for work before attaining training.

“Our aim at Fulltime Security Services Ltd, is to make sure that our clients are satisfied. Am not saying that we are angels in this business. We are not even 100% perfect, but we make sure that at least we satisfy most of them,” he clarifies.

Ssebambulidde also used the same platform to address the trainees about the tricks that thieves/thugs use to trick most of the security guards while doing their duties. He cautioned them to always remain security conscious to avoid problems of such nature.

According to the Commissioner, it is because of poor training among some private security companies that leads their staff into funny behaviors like begging for food stuff that the thugs use as a trick to feed them with food stuff mixed with chloroform to douse them off, so that they can execute their missions.

Ssebambulidde further cautioned them to be watchful especially to those people who find them working, and try to show them mercy by offering them eats and drinks. The Commissioner said, this trick by thieves has led many security guards to death, and others to prisons.

Just like Commissioner Ssebambulidde, Mr. Tumuhimbise noted that he and his team spend most of the time briefing the staff about the dangers of accepting offers from such people, adding that most of them come with their ambitions.

He confessed that he is lucky because all the years that he has managed Fulltime Security, they have not had such incidents. He attributes this achievement to having a disciplined guard force that takes instructions seriously.

“My employees are always keen and cautious of such scenarios. When we are sending them out for work, we have always briefed them, both the group that stays near us and those that are out post-away from offices, through their immediate supervisors,” he explained.

He also explained how he established the communication system that enables the system controller and managers to keep in touch with security guards who are in the field. Because of this, he said guards are always notified of any update that needs to be communicated.

The Managing Director recalls how he has heard, read and seen sad news of guards dying, and others losing property because of accepting offers from strangers.

It should be noted that most serial robbers use this trick and they sedate guards and end up fulfilling their plans. Many of these thieves use the advantage of some guards being always hungry and when they see food, they fail to think twice, hence falling victim.

Ssebambulidde Tasks Security Guards To Comply With Police’s Directives

Afande Ssebambulidde narrated how he one day sent a District Police Commander-DPC to check on private security guards, and when they saw him they ran away and refused to give him firearms. He said this was not right, and warned that security guards must know that once an identifiable police officer asks them to check on them, they should not hesitate.

All you should know is that private security companies are working under, and hand in hand with other security agencies. When a site is robbed, a police officer in charge will not be happy,” he asserts.

He therefore asked Fulltime Security guards to always comply when the police officers in charge of the area they are operating from approach them and in a right way, request the guard to check how the firearm(s) is functioning.

He adds that once the guard accepts to work as a security guard, he/she is answerable to Police, therefore, Police in an area where the private security company is operating will always make sure that guards are safe and their firearms are in good working condition.

He furthermore reminded security guards to be exemplary and be good ambassadors of Fulltime Security Services Ltd, by offering quality services and acting professionally. By doing this, the company shall get business hence creating more jobs for unemployed citizens.

According to the Statutory Instrument No.11 of 2013, it is the role of Inspector General of Police to ensure that the PSOs provide quality service to clients, use firearms in their custody properly and keep them safely. The IGP must also ensure that PSO personnel meet minimum standards of operational capability and discipline. The RPCs and DPCs carry out the day to day functions of overseeing the PSOs on behalf of the IGP. Every year, the IGP must issue an assessment certificate for each PSO in the country.

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The most advanced Chinese oil drilling equipment in the oil and gas Industry exploration and development sector represented by the ‘Drilog and Welleader’ system and the land rig ‘LR8001’ has arrived at the Kingfisher Oil fields. LR8001” is a deluxe land rig customized for the KingFisher project in Uganda. 

As the first 8km fully automated silent rig in Africa, it is equipped with industry-leading technologies such as well site de-noising control, zero discharge system, and pipe column automation system. The whole set of equipment supports the integrated operation of various wellbore and well types, and during the operation effectively protects the regional ecological environment.

18 to 20 trucks are expected to be delivered daily for the next 3 weeks from Malaba to Well pad 2 at the Kingfisher Development area. This reaffrims CNOOC Uganda Limited’s commitment to delivering first oil on schedule.

“This oil drilling equipment will support Uganda to become an important crude oil producer in East Africa. The equipment shall also provide some localization job opportunities for Ugandans during the well drilling and completion process, train more localized talents for oilfield development and bring tangible changes to local economic development and livelihood to make the ‘Pearl of Africa’ brighter” said Mr. Chen Zhuobiao, President, CNOOC Uganda Limited.

“We are happy that CNOOC Uganda Limited has delivered the rig as promised. We shall continue supporting the company to fast track development of the Kingfisher project in Uganda,” stated Ernest Rubondo, Executive Director, Petroleum Authority of Uganda.

CNOOC Uganda Limited reiterates shows its determination to promote the high-quality development of ‘The Belt and Road’ Initiative and build a China-Africa community with a shared future.

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Recently PELA Commodities in Soroti completed the installation of Uganda’s first Aflatoxin removal machine (TOXI-SCRUB).

The machine was designed by Eye-Grain and delivered together with the grain handling equipment by Perry Engineering Ltd who is an authorized reseller of the TOXI-SCRUBⓇ system. It was installed by Eye-Grain ApS, its local partner Grain and Toxin Solutions LLC (Uganda), and Perry Engineering.

As part of the final installation procedure before it begins regular operation, the experts from Eye-Grain and PERRY will start the commissioning process of the TOXI-SCRUBⓇin the coming weeks and will allow potential customers and stakeholders to visit the PELA and experience how the machine works.

The TOXI-SCRUBⓇ will remove aflatoxins from high levels to 10ppb or less. It has different treatment programs and can be adjusted to make the necessary treatment to bring the contamination well below allowed levels. The machine can also eliminate not only Mycotoxins, but other biologic activity as well e.g., bacteria, mites and insects.

The TOXI-SCRUBⓇ processing line can be tailored to any product in the Agro, Feed, and Cereal supply chain. Including all types of grain, nuts, beans and cakes from the oilseed industry.

Aflatoxins is a type of mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus species of fungi, such as A. flavus and A. parasiticus. The umbrella term aflatoxin refers to four different types of mycotoxins produced, which are B1, B2, G1, and G2. Aflatoxin B1, the most toxic, is a potent carcinogen and has been directly correlated to adverse health effects, such as liver cancer in many animal species. Aflatoxins are largely associated with commodities produced in the tropics and subtropics, such as cotton, peanuts, spices, pistachios, and maize.

Agro industrialisation is one of the major programs in the third phase of the National Development Plan, intending to increase household incomes. The sector has intrinsic potential, and the Uganda government anticipates it to expand by 4.3% or about a quarter of the nation’s economic output. The addition of theTOXI-SCRUBⓇ at PELA Commodities is a welcome development and has been eagerly anticipated by grain farmers and traders in the region.

Perry isadesigner and manufacturer of grain handling, cleaning, drying, and storage equipment and systems, small-scale flour mills, feed mills, and associated products. The company supports key industries such as agriculture (farms & commercial grain stores), feed mills, flour mills, flaking mills, waste and recycling, pelleting plants, aggregates, and biomass (woodchip, shavings & sawdust, grass and herbs).

All Perry products in Uganda are supported by our local engineering, sales and administration team and we hold a large stock of spare parts in Uganda to service our customers.

 Perry have a wide range of products which include; continuously mixed flow driers, belt driers, moisture sensor systems, chain & flight conveyors, belt conveyors, belt & bucket elevators, screw conveyors & augers, aspirator pre-cleaners, twin trace conveyors, grain samplers and bins/silos.

Perryalso offers key services such as plant layout and design, manufacturing, installation & commissioning, and a comprehensive after-sales service package for its customers.

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