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Gen Muhoozi to handover office tomorrow

By
Our Reporter
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Gen. Muhoozi

The outgoing Commander Land Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba will tomorrow handover office Lt Gen Muhanga Kayanja.

During the same function that will take place at headquarters of Land Forces in Bombo, the two newly promoted officers will also be decorated with their new ranks.

Gen Kainerugaba was removed from office but promoted to a four-star general after his controversial tweet on Kenya.

President later apologized to Kenyans for Gen Kainerugaba’s tweet that caused meltdown on twitter last week.

Gen Kainerugaba is expected to give his last speech as the Commander Land Forces and Lt Gen Kayanja will also give his speech as Commander Land Forces.

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The Shincheonji Youth Volunteer Group We Are One Uganda Held a Large-Scale Group Blood Donation Event in Nansana

By
Our Reporter
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A group blood donation event was held in Nansana, on Oct 9th,  2022, Uganda’s independence day with 2025 people to save lives under the theme, “Save Life with Shincheonji”.

The event was decided abruptly due to a message from Nakasero Blood Bank to the Youth Group ‘We Are One’ that they are currently experiencing a crisis on the blood supply shortage.

The Shincheonji Youth Volunteer Group “We Are One” was inaugurated on 30 July 2022 in South Korea to help out people who are in need by donating blood and other volunteer activities.
Following this, the Youth Volunteer group ‘We Are One’ Uganda held its inauguration ceremony on 24 September 2022 for the local communities in Uganda and hereafter the youth group members participated in voluntary activities by picking up trashes on the streets voluntarily to make the streets organized.

Mr. David Nkwanga, the representative of the Youth Group ‘We Are One’ said, “It is more meaningful because it was a blood donation that a lot of young adults in Uganda participated in with one heart for the good work. I think our future is bright when we start to love our neighbors, helping them according to the teaching of Jesus Christ.  I would like to express my gratitude to all who came running to the news that they are suffering from a blood supply shortage nationwide, and we will diligently serve as light and salt and give glory to God,”

Nampewo Shamrat a resident of Nansana Nsumbi said she is glad to be part of the occasion and she was happy because what she has seen is an unusual selfless act and cannot easily be seen anywhere.  She further said that the act of donating blood is good because we lack blood a lot because of people giving birth and those in accidents. In fact, we need a lot of blood and so scj church had done an unusual thing donating blood twice the same year she added. I have never seen that anywhere also would like to urge other churches and people to copy from this church. So thank you shincheonji church for the blessing to our community.

Nsejje Mary another resident says she is happy with the activity of blood no nation and she further said that Just like the we see in the bible, Jesus is the only person who poured blood for the whole world to save mankind from sin and death.  Shincheonji church of Jesus Youth has done it in actual reality emulating Jesus Christ to donate blood to save lives. Blood is needed because when you look at the situation we are in especially pregnant mothers. Shincheonji has shown a great example so we i am also arguing for other churches to do the same the way. She also appreciates the Shincheonji Youth group called “We are one” for organizing the event.

Samuel David Wante on behalf of Uganda Blood Transmission service thanked those who participated in this blood donation and further said in situations where blood is needed there is no other solution, blood is life. He added that malaria is on the increase in Eastern and Western Uganda this malaria destroys blood cells in the body therefore blood is needed.
He added that it is also beneficial to the donor to donate blood. It reduces the chances of getting diseases like high blood pressure, and blood clot issues amongst others. He, therefore, urged people to donate blood to have a happy life and at the same time save others. 450000 units of blood at least are needed in the year to save lives in Uganda. He lastly urged media houses to promote this work of blood donation.

In this donation, a total of over 574 blood units were collected.

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STATEMENT: MTN dismisses allegations of fraud

By
Our Reporter
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Self seekers are at it again to dupe government with a malicious Report against MTN.

Some self seeking individuals have coined a report, currently doing rounds in some Online media circles to the effect that State House has Uncovered Massive Fraud At MTN Uganda which has led Gov’t to loose billions in revenue.

According to the recycled allegations, MTN Uganda is on the spot for alleged massive fraud and fraudulent practices that has left Government counting losses in revenue as a result of CLI (Caller Line Identification) spoofing.

However, responding to the allegations, a reliable source from MTN scoffed at the accusations as baseless efforts which have been coming up from time to time attracting investigations which have severally exonerated MTN.

“It would be foolhardy to believe anything coming from those blackmailing gold diggers using scare tactics to get government to make purchases of expensive equipments which have never made proved anything” the source said.

“They are trying again to get government to buy more equipment so that they can walk away with exorbitant commissions. These are over priced, obsolete equipments which projects negative results.”

MTN has expressed willingness to welcome any Agency or organization seeking to verify the malicious claims to go and do any audit at any time.

“MTN have been transparent and above board company since it’s conception and will remain so despite efforts by detractors to malign it” The company will continue to uphold transparency and above board practice as the hallmark of it’s operations.

The source who spoke on condition of anonmity scoffed at the report saying ” It’s human nature that nobody will ever appreciate a successful person or company and such negative allegations come along the way.”

The company is however welcoming any investigations, the same way it has whenever such allegations crop up.

On the hind site, it’s believed that MTN is actually the biggest looser of revenue in excess of 400 million shillings everyday from the illegal traffic coming into Uganda.

This has compelled MTN to work with security agencies which have effected several arrests unfortunately the sim box fraudstars always get released.

“Government is very much aware of these efforts and cases are with Police”.

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Why are passengers being extorted in guise of testing for #Covid-19 at Entebbe Airport?

By
Our Reporter
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Testing for covid-19

International travelers who include tourists are not happy that they are being forced to test for COVID-19 before catching a flight at Entebbe International Airport.

According to the Ministry of Health, passengers who test positive, as a health guideline, are prevented from travelling abroad or within Uganda until they recover from Covid-19.

Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) used to enforce this guideline at the peak of Covid-19, especially from 2021 as countries across the world reopened borders.

Another measure by government as it opened its borders was that the passengers are allowed to go home, or hotel of their choice where they would be monitored until they recover from Covid-19.

However, new guidelines from the Ministry of Health now require arriving passengers to possess a COVID vaccination certificate from their country of origin, and that is enough. So why are officials charging foreign visitors?

Covid-19 testing should be required of those flying out of Uganda. So to charge Shs 100,000 on incoming passengers who possess Covid-19 certificates is just cheating. There culprits we are told are using some laboratories in Kampala and Entebbe, run by their friends to do this irregular business.

As officials at Entebbe do this, available information shows that  foreign countries such as England, US, Qatar and others don’t even analyse results of the Covid-19 tests taken at Entebbe Airport. They simply require passengers to present vaccination certificates.

There is concern that this anomaly at Entebbe hurts the tourism industry at a time the country is grappling with the effects of post-covid-19 and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Tourism is a top priority for the country as it earns it the much-needed foreign exchange.

Others say that the mandatory testing is aimed at sustaining some laboratories which were authorised to test passengers by the Ministry of Health.

Some of the health facilities include, Test and Fly, Kazuri, Volcano Safaris, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Makerere University.

These laboratories are said to be owned by officials in government who have since influenced the testing of passengers leaving the country.

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ZTE and its partners win Second Prize for Guangzhou 5G Smart Railway case at 2022 World 5G Convention

By
Our Reporter
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ZTE

ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a global leading provider of information and communication technology solutions, China Railway Guangzhou Group, China Mobile, Beijing Jiaotong University, and Liujie Science and Technology have jointly won the Second Prize for their Guangzhou 5G Smart Railway case in the enterprise groups at 2022 World 5G Convention.

The Guangzhou 5G Smart Railway case can provide 5G automated dispatching, 5G train-to- ground communication, 5G integrated intelligent detection, 5G intelligent tally, and other application services to build a digital and intelligent railway ecosystem by integrating upstream and downstream ecological resources.

In the past, information management and control measures are relatively weak in the railway industry. The GSM-R and 400 M communication systems were commonly used in railways with narrow bandwidths and single functions. Currently, the 5G railway network can provide large-bandwidth and low-latency network service capabilities, as well as carrier-class private network security.

The 5G Smart Railway case has been applied in six industry sites, such as the Broadband Railway Station in Jiangcun Station, Huaixi Station, Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Railway, and Guangzhou South Station. It accelerates the integration of new railway information ecosystems, optimizes the structure of the railway industry, improves transportation efficiency and service levels, and further boosts the rapid development of social economy. The Jiangcun Station is the first 5G intelligent marshalling station in China.

The integrated automated system and 5G service application reduce the number of front-line production staff from 215 to 150, a decrease of 30%. The average daily train processing capacity increases from 8,000 to 10,000, while the maximum processing capacity reached 20,000. The operation efficiency increases by 22%.

Since 2020, China Railway Guangzhou Group, China Mobile, ZTE, and other partners have achieved a series of breakthrough innovations: 5G machine vision, 5G railway early warning system, one-stop intelligent maintenance, 5G scheduling in marshalling stations, etc.

Moving forward, the development of railway will be closely integrated with 5G, and will continue to play a great role in the construction of Guangzhou and even the country. With the rapid development of 5G, the smart railway will definitely be faster, more stable, and safer.

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Increasing CBR: Is Bank of Uganda ignoring concerns of KACITA

By
Our Reporter
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Bank of Uganda Deputy Governor Michael Atingi-Ego

Traders under Kampala Capital City Traders Association (KACITA) recently warned against the continuous raising of the Central Bank Rate (CBR), saying it is making borrowing from commercial banks expensive. This has however not bothered BoU as it has set CBR for October at 10 percent as of yesterday.

While publishing the latest CBR for October, BoU Deputy Governor reasoned that a combination of global factors, the recent drought and a weaker shilling to U.S dollar exchange rate have driven inflation to the highest level recorded since 2012, and deteriorated the inflation outlook.

However, KACITA wants parliament to prevail over BoU, which continues to set high CBR as a measure to control what it says rising inflation, but this has led leading to high interest rates offered by commercial banks, sending away Kampala traders who contribute immensely to the economy of Uganda.

“The Central Bank Rate currently stands at 9 [September] percent compared to our counterparts in the East African Community; Rwanda (6 percent), Kenya (7.5 percent. This higher CBR means higher interest rates on bank loans to reduce the borrowing appetite by business people,” they said recently while meeting members of parliament.

Adding that: The higher CBR further affects production levels leading to scarcity of goods leading to high prices.”

An analyst has argued that if the CBR is increased further Uganda Revenue Authority will not be able to collect enough taxes required to fund government programmes as production will be low as investors fear high interest rates. “You remember the Commissioner General of URA was recently in the media saying they are not collecting enough taxes, which is forcing the government to continue borrowing at alarming rates,” he said.

KACITA led by their Chairperson, Thadeus Musoke, said due to the COVID-19 pandemic, several of their members lost property to banks due to unpaid loans and are struggling to get back to business, much as they are not happy with the current CBR of 9 percent.

The KACITA members say since they cannot borrow at high interest rates caused by the increase in CBR, loans on the other side continue to accumulate, but some members have had their properties attached. “Our loans accumulated, we tried to engage different government agencies and the banks but what was designed to help us was not effective enough because currently banks are auctioning buildings and property and the business communities cannot access top-ups,” Musoke said during the meeting held at Parliament Building yesterday.

Traders also are not happy that borrowing conditions at Uganda Development Bank (UDB) are stringent, sending away most of them, even though the interest rate there is lower than offered by a commercial bank. Government has given about Shs 600 billion to UDB in the last two years , lend at about 12 percent

KACITA members argue that the increase of the CBR and bank interest rates are forcing traders and other investors to downsize their workforce.

“Central banks set benchmark interest rates to guide borrowing costs and the pace of economic growth. Lower rates spur growth while higher ones restrain spending, investment, and stock market valuations. If rates rise too quickly, demand may decline, causing businesses to reduce output and cut jobs,” analysts add. KACITA says they have had to let off some staff to keep operations going.

In the quarter to April 2022, shilling lending rates in Uganda declined to an average of 19.0 percent compared to 19.3 percent in the quarter to January 2022 but most banks revised their lending rates upwards as BoU started raising the CBR in June 2022.

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BoU increases lending rate to double digit figure amidst rising inflation

By
Simon Kabayo
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Bank of Uganda

The Bank of Uganda has increased the Central Bank Rate (CBR) to 10 per cent amid low economic growth fuelled by rising inflation.

While releasing the Monetary Policy Statement for October 2022 on Thursday, Dr Michael Atingi-Ego, the Deputy Governor, said they are increasing the lending rate because economic growth is expected to remain below its long-run trend until FY 2025/26.

“The outlook for inflation is highly uncertain as several risks lie ahead. The balance of risks is tilted upwards,” Dr Ego said in a statement.

He said the upside risks include: the entrenchment of higher inflation expectations, escalation of geopolitical tensions and the associated supply chain disruptions and stronger monetary policy tightening by major central banks further weakening the exchange rate, and the impact of adverse weather conditions on food production.

“The risks of global recession and tighter financial conditions will likely weigh on domestic economic growth. Moreover, the potential for a sustained weakening of the shilling exchange rate coupled with lower foreign exchange reserves and constrained demand for Uganda’s exports could add to the external financing strains,” he explained.

“The risks of global recession and tighter financial conditions will likely weigh on domestic economic growth. Moreover, the potential for a sustained weakening of the shilling exchange rate coupled with lower foreign exchange reserves and constrained demand for Uganda’s exports could add to the external financing strains,”said Michael Atingi-ego.

 In addition, he said, higher domestic interest rates, declining private sector credit and tight fiscal policy could further weigh down economic growth.

However, he said the domestic economy, which has weathered several shocks, is showing signs of recovery.

“The Composite Index of Economic Activity (CIEA) grew slightly by 1.2 percent in the quarter to August from 1.1 percent in the quarter to May 2022, supported by increased industrial activity. Also, business sentiments have improved since the previous forecast round,” the Deputy Governor said.

The move by the central bank comes after the annual headline inflation rose to 10 percent in September 2022 from 9 percent in August 2022.

The rising of interest rates increases the cost of borrowing, making both credit and investment more expensive.

The band on the CBR remains at +/-2 percentage points. The margins on the CBR for the rediscount and bank rates will remain at 3 and 4 percentage points. Consequently, the rediscount and bank rates will be 13 percent and 14 percent, respectively.

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Reversing suicide, mental health crisis in Africa

By
Our Reporter
-

World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a campaign to raise awareness and spur action for suicide prevention in the African region, which has the world’s highest rates of death by suicide.

Around 11 people per 100,000 per year die by suicide in the African region, higher than the global average of nine per 100,000 people. This is due in part to insufficient action to address and prevent the risk factors, including mental health conditions which currently affect 116 million people, up from 53 million in 1990.

The social media campaign, launched ahead of World Mental Health Day, aims to reach 10 million people across the region to raise public awareness and galvanize the support of governments and policymakers to increase focus and funding for mental health programming, including suicide prevention efforts.

Such efforts include equipping health workers to better support those dealing with suicidal thoughts, educating people who may experience these thoughts on where to go for help as well as sensitizing the public on how to identify and help those in need and to help tackle the stigma associated with suicide, epilepsy, mental health conditions and alcohol and drug abuse.

The African region is home to six of the 10 countries with the highest suicide rates worldwide. The common means of suicide in the region are hanging and pesticide self-poisoning and to a lesser extent drowning, use of a firearm, jumping from a height or medication overdose. Studies show that in Africa for each completed suicide, there are an estimated 20 attempted ones.

 “Suicide is a major public health problem and every death by suicide is a tragedy. Unfortunately, suicide prevention is rarely a priority in national health programmes,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Significant investment must be made to tackle Africa’s growing burden of chronic diseases and non-infectious conditions such as mental disorders that can contribute to suicide.”

Mental health problems account for up to 11% of the risk factors associated with suicide. This year’s World Mental Health Day is being marked under the theme “Make Mental Health and Well-Being for All a Global Priority” to draw attention to the importance of mental health care and the need for better access to health services.

In Africa, underinvestment by governments is the greatest challenge to adequate mental health service provision. On average governments allocate less than 50 US cents per capita to mental health. Although it is an improvement from 10 US cents in 2017, it is still well below the recommended US$ 2 per capita for low-income countries. Additionally, mental health care is generally not included in national health insurance schemes.

Due to the low investment in mental health services, the African region has one psychiatrist for every 500 000 inhabitants, which is 100 times less than WHO recommendation. Additionally, mental health workers are mostly in urban areas, with primary and community health facilities having very few if any.

WHO is supporting countries to step up mental health services in the region. Primary health care workers in Zimbabwe are being trained under a WHO initiative to boost quality and access to mental health services. In Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe an initiative to develop country investment cases for mental health services has been concluded and advocacy is underway to mobilize resources. The Organization is also supporting Cabo Verde and Cote d’Ivoire to carry out national suicide situation analysis as a first step towards devising effective response measures.

In August 2022, African health ministers gathering for the Seventy-second session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa—the region’s flagship health meeting—endorsed a new strategy to reinforce mental health care and set 2030 targets: all countries to have a policy or legislation on mental health, 60% of countries implementing the policy, 95% of countries monitoring and reporting on key mental health indicators and 80% of countries have a budget for mental health services.

 “Mental health is integral to wholesome health and well-being yet far too many people in our region who need help for mental health conditions do not receive it. It’s time to for radical change,” Dr Moeti said. “Ongoing efforts by countries should be reinforced and broadened to make mental health care a public health priority in the African region.”

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KCCA exceeds revenue collection target for first quarter

By
Our Reporter
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Dorothy Kisaka,the embattled former KCCA Executive Director

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has hit and exceeded its revenue collection target for the first quarter of the financial year 2022/23. The revenue collected for this first quarter is Shs24.9 billion against a target of Shs24.7 billion implying a performance of 100.5%.

This was reported by Nobert Nowere, the acting Director of Revenue Collection during the KCCA top management retreat with members of the Parliamentary Presidential Affairs Committee at Serena Kigo.

According to Nowere, this is the highest revenue collection done during the first quarter of a financial year in the history of KCC/KCCA.

The Directorate of Revenue Collection is expected to collect Shs99.75 billion during the FY 2022/23.

The Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Hajjati Minsa Kabanda, applauded the efforts by the technical team to increase revenue collection.

Mrs. Jessica Ababiku, the chairperson of the committee highly commended the KCCA leadership for this achievement. She said it is a testimony that the gaps through which the revenue was being lost are being closed.

Since the establishment of KCCA, there has been tremendous growth in revenue collection from Shs40.96 billion in 2011/12 to Shs93.24 billion collected in 2021/22.

Dorothy Kisaka, the KCCA Executive Director revealed that in 2021/22 alone KCCA achieved a revenue growth of 16 percent during the tough COVID-19 economic city. Currently property rates constitute 47 percent of the total local revenue.

“We registered the highest revenue collection in the history of KCCA of Shs93.24 billion during the last financial year 2021/22 and a revenue growth of 16 percent despite the tough post COVID economic circumstances,” Kisaka said.

She revealed that much of this revenue increment has been realized because of a number of innovations and good revenue practices employed by KCCA.

KCCA has over the years automated or digitized virtually all the key revenue processes and has introduced the e-cities system which permitted almost all the revenue administration processes to be done online.

It has also identified a number of eligible taxpayers who were previously not paying taxes leading to expansion of the taxpayers’ base.

There are also vigorous taxpayer sensitization campaigns using electronic, print media and workshops to educate taxpayers.

The revaluing of all the properties within the city and regular enforcements are now being done to enforce collection of tax and fees arrears.

Another innovation is the formation of a special Unit to handle the large taxpayers who contribute the bulk of revenue collected by KCCA for specialized services to them.

The KCCA revenue streams include property rates, ground rent business license, street parking, park user fees, land fees, local service tax, Building fees, local hotel tax. Two missing revenues are markets revenue and advertising fees which are awaiting the legal framework.

During the retreat, discussions were about the revenue mobilization, mobility in the city, solid waste management, drainage, physical planning in the city and street children.

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American Archbishop Foley Beach to grace 2023 Martyrs’ Day celebrations

By
Geoffery Serugo
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American Archbishop Foley Beach

The Archbishop of the Church of North America Foley Beach is set to grace the 2023 Anglican Martyrs’ day celebrations, Eagle Online has learnt. The revelation was made by the First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga.

Martyrs’ Day is marked on 3rd June every year in commemoration of the 23 Anglican and 22 Catholic believers who were killed on orders of Kabaka Mwanga between 1885 and 1887.

Under the theme;United for sustainable services and growth (Ephesians 4:11-16), Martyrs’ Day celebrations will be organized by the 10 dioceses of Eastern Uganda.

The dioceses include; Mbale, Bukedi, Soroti, Karamoja, central Busoga, North Mbale, North Karamoja, Busoga, Sebei, and Kumi.

According to Kadaga, President Yoweri Museveni will be the chief guest, Archbishop Beach will be the chief preacher and Archbishop will be the main celebrant.

“As we celebrate the martyrs, we need to start with the real one and that is Bishop James Hannington. It is his death that led to the others. When Joseph Balikudembe complained to the King that we have killed a man innocently that is how he was also killed in 1885 and that is how the journey of martyrdom started,” Kadaga said.

Kadaga said the next martyr’s day celebrations will be a unique. We have given the responsibility to the 10 dioceses to look for Shs 2 billion to organize the celebrations and their efforts will be visible.

“The former organizers; Buganda cluster speak one language, Kigezi cluster speak one language, Ankole cluster also speak one language but this time round the organizing cluster comprises of various tribes speaking different languages and that is the uniqueness about next year’s celebrations,” she added.

Eagle Online has also established that government processes to recognize Bishop James Hannington as one of the martyrs in Uganda. The location of Hannington’s remains was divulged to Bishop Alfred Tucker in 1892 and on 31st December 1892, his remains were reburied at Namirembe. He is commemorated by the Hannington memorial chapel in Namirembe Cathedral, Kampala, Uganda.

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